Churchill, others honored for volunteerism
Award recognizes those who try to better community
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Even though the Ventura County Jefferson Awards for Public Service winners and nominees have already been honored, they were honored once again along with all volunteers in the county.

This year's local Jefferson Award winner, lawyer Bart Bleuel of Ventura, several other nominees, past winners and many other distinguished members of the community attended a party at Jane and Tom Rozankski's home in Camarillo last Wednesday.

The award, which was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, honor local and national individuals who better their communities through public and community service.

After being honored in March during a luncheon at Sherwood Country Club, the Jefferson Award winner and volunteers received a chance to celebrate one more time, but more importantly, to get the word out about how vital volunteerism is to the county.

"We need people to step forward and give their time to make the community better," said Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long. "This is a wonderful organization."

Randy Churchill of Camarillo was the local nominee for this year's award.

Churchill said about his nomination, "Anytime you volunteer, the work isn't from one individual, everyone else is also involved. Sometimes your name just gets put out in front. It's pretty humbling to be picked out."

Churchill, a real estate broker, is involved with the Boys and Girls Club and the Camarillo Hospice. He is also a member of the local Rotary club and Ventura County Taxpayers Association.

"I don't seek the attention," he said. "People ask for help, and I say 'Let me check my schedule.' And I do it."

Camarillo's Dave Fowble, who owns Trophies, Etc., was a 2006 Jefferson Award winner, also attended the party. Fowble and national director Greg Moore, who traveled from Delaware for the event, persuaded Beard to speak to the 88 guests on speakerphone. Beard delighted the crowd by talking about his time working with Robert Kennedy.