October 2009 Archives

Volunteer Melody Montero honored for her work with Sloan House shelter

BY BOB NORBERG
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Melody Montero likes to think of herself as the "chief angel" for Sloan House, organizing 45 other angels to provide for the needs of the residents of the emergency women's shelter.

"I can do something to help somebody, giving that break in life that if it was me, that is what I would want," said Montero, who is on the board of the Community Action Program, which runs the shelter.

From shampoo and eggs to living room furniture, Montero will procure it through a network of donors, the 45 Sloan Angels, that she has created.

For her work, Montero received the Outstanding Board Member Volunteer Award from the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County at its Oct. 6 awards ceremony.

MOMS volunteers seek donations to make care packages for soldiers overseas

by Lori A. Carter
The Press Democrat

The quarterly "comforts from home" packages the MOMS put together have always been labors of love. But the most recent production took a more personal toll.

The Sonoma County MOMS, Mothers of Military Servicemembers, had to dip into their own pockets to finance and mail the 102 boxes of toiletries, snacks and other cherished items they sent to soldiers abroad.

In these tough economic times, charitable giving -- including to those serving in the military and fighting our wars -- has been in decline.

The moms seeking donations last month outside Wal-Mart in Rohnert Park saw that first-hand, said board member Sally Moratto.