Big Bear’s Volunteers of the Year were honored during a Big Bear Chamber of Commerce luncheon held earlier this month. The Event Resource Office of Big Bear Valley had received many nominations for the Volunteer of the Year Award, and those honorees included Lori Gardiner for the North Shore Improvement Association, Robin Martin for the Big Bear Discovery Center, Reverend Jean Sweet for Big Bear Elementary School, Shakeh Pollitt for the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, Wendy Craig for North Shore Elementary School, Mark Harris for the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center, and his daughter Dori Harris, also a volunteer for USARC, for the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. The gentleman honored as the Volunteer of the Year is Russ Greek, described as the “backbone” of the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club, and who, in the last decade, has held nearly every position within the club, which is responsible for Fun Run and the annual 5th grade Pinewood Derby. Says Car Club President Cliff Fowler, “Russ has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the guy I can always go to with a problem, question or simply for support. Fun Run has become Southern California’s premier auto event due to the dedication of people like Russ Greek.” The Event Resource Office’s first Youth Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Anne Heuerman, who has since graduated from Big Bear High School. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Heuerman’s community service has included volunteering at the hospital, assisting with ski and snowboard lessons for Rec & Park, as well as being instrumental in school programs, including Peer Leadership at BBHS and Baldwin Lane Elementary and Youth to Youth through Operation Breakthrough, and the implementation of the Natural High Club at all three elementaries. BBHS counselor Lisa Schour says of Heuerman, “She simply does not understand the concept of ‘I’m too busy’ or ‘when I have more time…’ She makes time to be the change she wishes to see in the world. Anne is unselfish with a genuinely altruistic attitude.”
