S greeter celebrates 91 years JERRY SWOPE/Standard-Examiner BEST WISHES: Velma Saunders has been working at the Weber County Commission office for over 30 years. In honor of her 91st birthday, her friends and co-workers decorated her office with flowers, cards and gifts. Saunders attributes her longevty to “good living and doing unto others as | would want done unto me.’ Saunders Velma Saunders of Roy will celebrate her 90th birthday on Thursday, Dec. 2. She plans to be at her desk in the Weber Center, as feceptionist for the Weber County Comie. Ss esa mission,’ which fae a #7 she oe for’ has held 30° year® Saunders Friends may attend a recognition ceremony, hosted by the Weber County Commission at 9 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 2, in the commission chambers, 2380 Washington Blvd., Ogden. She will be furthered honored at a birthday dinner on Friday, Dec. 3, hosted by her “lunch bunch.” Born on Dec. 2, 1909, at Lake Charles, La., before moving to Ogden in 1936, she graduated from Western Baptist College in Kansas City, Mo. She is known for her many community affiliations and has been honored for her activism. She was the prime mover for the establishment of the Marshal White Recreation Center. She also campaigned and raised money for the establishment of the Weber County Nutrition Kitchen. She is designated as a Utah Hero accorded by the Utah Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, and her recent award of an honorary doctor degree in humanities at Weber State University. Her daughter, Valetta Alberti resides in Shawnee, Kan. Her granddaughter, Cheryl Hood, resides in Ogden. A son, Noel Wilson, is de- ceased. ae sl raat saad m=e s ' rd ’ f f J 4 r ‘A .y y § 4 Calendar 1 On the Scene | Theaters j Bt q DSU BY JAMIE LAMPROS o % ee i <t, “ean deyF P F % a F; aya i Ce f ¢ f aa ~ f ¥ i - TALES SRA Recs is COMES OGDEN — As a repeated Johnson Perry leisure time visiting or helping someone else. Colleen Perry, a registered nurse at McKay-Dee Hospital, has overcome obstacles with determination and cour- PAN f ALA age. These four women, along with 19 others in the Top of Utah, will receive the Spirit of American Women award on Saturday. The award, given by Ogden’s Your Community Connection, recognizes the strength and courage of Standard-Examiner correspondent victim of prejudice while she was growing up, Dr. Velma Saunders has always believed in not only turning the other cheek, but responding to offenders by diving into community involvement and “Cobabe Saunders» kindness towards others of any race, age or economic to relocate and build the background. Ogden Treehouse Children’s Sylvia Cobabe, chair of the Museum as we know it today. Treehouse board of directors, When Rose Marie Johnson is a very energetic woman isn’t busy visiting or helping who launched the campaign someone else, she spends her r, al ar we " Estas Nas CM Thursday, May 24, 2007 SA A Re a Raquel Lee, YCC aii atoniye director. “Over the years, nearly 550 individuals and organi- zations have received this unique public expression of appreciation.” The award, now in its 24th year, was instituted in honindividuals who have over-. or of one of YCC’s founding come barriers in their lives. “They have moved on to achieve success in their career or personal lives, com- munity involvement, vol- unteer service, education, leadership qualities and serve as role models to others,” said mothers, Mattie Wattis Harris, Lee said. Recipients receive a plaque recog pans their strengths. Lee said Saunders’ community efforts include the see AWARDS/2D Opportunity to help others now her Ogden activist still going strong at 96 ge) Velma Sfeee Saunders, eee fees Of Ogden, Nas served BY JAMIE LAMPROS a SAS Standard-Examiner correspondent fe throughout fe GDEN — Decades ago, every Saturday morning, Velma Saunders knew there would be a knock on her door. It was always the little boy who lived next door asking Saunders if she would take him to Lorin Farr Park, near 17th Street. “T would tell him that I had housework, but he would just beg me, so I would take him and his friend to the park and then to get a hamburger,” Saunders said. “One morning on my way back from the park, it struck me. We lived on 27th Street and the closest place for kids to go and play was Lorin Farr. They needed someplace close where they could play.” And with that thought came the conception of the Marshall White Center, 222 28th St. wc bs , : 4 + ; al vat But the center’s birth wasn’t Ye \ oe axe .* wm “ Dread ‘ tity easy. Saunders said she worked “like Volunteer her life and now | volunteers for the | United Way. NICK SHORT StandardExaminer hell” to get the center and went on a crusade for her neighborhood’s children, tirelessly raising the i 3 i a ; a 4 7 3 financial backing and approval for the recreation center. | When she finally got approval, the city told her she could name the building whatever she desired. She chose Marshall White, after an Ogden police officer killed in the line of duty. | The facility was dedicated in 1968. The Marshall White Center wasn’t Saunders’ first big project, nor would it be her last. The now-96-year-old Ogden resident has spent her life volunteering in the community and making a difference in huge ways. “My motto is this: I believe God gave each of us the opportunity to do good in our lives,” Saunders said. “I chose to help others, especially the less fortunate.” Saunders has stuck by her motto. When she was frustrated by the heavy traffic at 27th Street and Wall Avenue, she asked for a yellow flashing light. She also fought for — and won — a pedestrian crossing at the New Zion Baptist Church on Lincoln Avenue. When KUTV Channel 2 gave her $2,000 and a “Together We Care” award, she donated the money to the Weber County Nutrition Kitchen, now known as See FACES/2B Standard-Examiner Sa Energetic Velma unty- Nutrition. Kitchen, Velma was in By FLORA OGAN Velma Saunders is the quintessential senior citizen volunteer. At 83, this miniature fireball of energy continues her broadly based volunteer interests at rapid speed. She can be found at the Golden Hours. Center hosting lunch for vis| iting dignitaries in hopes that she can enlist more financial assistance for the parent of senior citizen centers in Weber County. Or When. ‘thé. Hillside Senior Citizen Center was. in the. planning: stdge 1in Roy, an energized Velma boldly. took the reins:ahd ‘personally waged a fund-raising battle that finance sd the completion of the center that offers entertainment, arts and crafts and noontime lunches for senior: citizens.. Roy City appropriately recognized this dynamo’ of a volunteeras Roy Citizen of the Month ina ceremony four years ago for her contributions to community that also included a:stint as. chairman of the 1984 Roy Days parade. The list of her many other accomplishments are. leg- she is on the run delivering dinner tickets for the annual fundSaunders ~ raiser of the Altrusa Club, an organization primarily for women that is based on similar principles of public service such as Rotary. She consistently sells thousands of dollars in dinner tickets, outdistancing by several hundreds those sold by other members. Indicentally, at age 82, she completed a term as president of Altrusa and can take credit for a ’ significant jump in membership. endary. AS a. resident of Ogden in the 1960s, she strongly felt the need for the construction of the: Marshall White-Center as a community resource for recreational opportunities for Ogden’s “dozen and dozens” of children who don’t have a place to play. She persisted in her campaign ‘and insisted that the Ogden City ~ Council not ignore what she termed a long-standing problem. Her persistence paid off. Today, the Marshall White Center accommodates Ogden’s westside neighborhood with a Swimming pool, basketball and wrestling facilities and: an. outdoor park. Her community activism was well-documented in Velma Saunders is the consummate community and ‘ civil rights activist, champion of many diverse causes, NI PRO WE ICY UA tek ee some that have eased the burden that older citizens are often destined to carry; others have significantly improved this community’s quality of life. Would Webcr County have a modern Nutrition Kitchen where food is prepared for delivery for the _ meals on wheels program and served at the surround- 1970 when Ogden - ing senior citizen centers? More than likely yes. But its existence was accelerated by the dedication to duty of - Velma Saunders. When aney was crucial to ensure the construction eet she set out to improve conditions in her neighborhood. She went to the Ogden City - Council on numerous occasions to request that “some- thing be done about the heavy traffic that makes it dif- _. ficult. to. elderly. women: to-cross Lincoln ate Raigad: Hotel through th door. She once cut a coupon fro — the forefront nd ‘successfully raised the amount necessary to. get the: project under way. She personally donated $2,006. = Standard-Examiner staff | _. counted baby pictures at aj . ability to convince city: officials to do heventeal 9s Shea a rendering plant located west of her Ogden home that was emitting noxious fumes that she considered: “injurious to her health” and others in ‘her western Ogden neighborhood. To bolster her arguments, “Velma invited. the’ mayor “to come down and visit'in my, home and:get a. whiff of the odors from my bedroom window.” A red-faced mayor assured her that: there would be some’action on her request for sanctions to the plant. The rendering plant is no more. Velma Saunders hasbeen the recipient. of numerous public honors. for her:community service: Honorary City. Her husband took tir to Salt Lake City with their: hours in the lobby of the p -who came after them were $ told “we don’t do black .bab Velma has never responded tant.action. But she decide respect for herself and the p love and service directed toy ngs. She steered a course that, service and achievements: ar become a steadfast friend of QVEFNOIS gressmen, mayors, county: eon Missi Force generals. Her: sincerity: touched many lives. She numbers: military advisor to:Hill AFB, a tribute to-her significant service:to the. Weber County. Retired Volunteer Program, Utah Older.Worker Task Force presented by treasures an. array. of dedica’ Utah Jazz and Green Thumb, Weber County Organi- Velma Saunders is:truly zation for the Elderly,Northern Utah. Chapter, March of Utah’s Heroes for 199 of Dimes, Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, ‘Foundation at Valley Forg Carnation Silver Bowl Award for‘exemplary volunteer -services, KUTV’s Together We Care: Award, American - this opportunity to pay. tiby energetic woman who has 1mac ‘Cancer Society support and many other ‘tributes. tions to society and to the. li ‘In-her younger years, life was not easy. for Velma ing it a better place to live: _ Saunders. P.S. She proudly walks through As a young woman in Ogden, she ordered a Coke iin a drug store and was given the drink tn a paper cup instead of the usual glass. She was told to drink it outside on ee sidewalk instead of at the soda fountain to-atte nd~- outer. a ey its outs anei resespe Sri BRIEFS — Police: Man stabbed while looking for sonfor OGDEN — A 39-year-old Ogden man who was out looking his-son Saturday night was jumped from behind and stabbed twice, police said. he was The man was transported to McKay-Dee Hospital, where treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said. A police report said the man was walking to Washington Alterna- papier bentianste tiectneeit ¥en tive High Schocl, 3279 Washington Boulevard, shortly before 11 p.m. where he believed his son was riding a bicycle. As the man was leaving, he said he was jumped fom behind and stabbed in the back and arm, the report said. The man’s wife drove him to the hospital, where he was treated for a four-inch wound on his arm and a scratch wound on his back, the report said. It was unknown how many suspects were involved. The incident is under investigation. Detectives investigating alleged assault OGDEN — A 20-year-old Ogden man was arrested this morning after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl. Police detectives are still investigating the incident, which allegedly occurred Sunday and was reported by the girl’s mother. of The man was booked into the Weber County Jail on suspicion are pendsecond-degree felony sexual abuse of a child, but charges ing, police said. — Standard-Examiner staff Events mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day ‘Standard-Examiner staff Northern Utah organizations have scheduled a variety of activities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. gw Hill Air Force Base Memorial Observance, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Hill Air Force Base Chapel. Guest speaker, the Rev. Charles Petty of the Second Baptist Church in Ogden. Free. Information, Ed Thompson, 777-2474; Rose Butlock, 777-9150; or Joseph Smith, 7752786. 7 a Commemorative Banquet, “For the People,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, Weber State University Alumni Cen- ter, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden. | s Luncheon, noon, Jan. 17; Citas America. Hotel, 500 S. Main, Salt Speaker, the Rev. Shirley Jones. Cost, $5 for WSU students, $10: for Lake:.City. Sponsored’ by the! National Association For The=> Adothers. Reservations by Thursday, _vancement Of Colored People;- Salt Jan. 13, 626-7330. a Umoja Jam Celebration, 9:30 Lake Branch. Cost, $30. Information, 363-5771 or 250-5050. p.m. Saturday, Gallery, WSU Union Building. Cost, $2 with:stu- | .m Birthday Celebration, 7: 30 p.m., dent ID card; $3 without. Informa- | Jan. 17, auditorium, Weber County * Library, 2464 Jefferson. Ave... Ogtion, 626-6433. den.: Anna Campbell will offer: a w Breakfast Celebration, g: 30 a.m. ; Jan. 17, Ogden Area Community | ‘tribute and Betty Stewart Moore will discuss notable highlights of Action Agency, 3159 Grant. Ave. King’s life. Music by the: Griffin Speaker, the Rev. Charles Petty of Memorial. Church of God in Christ the Second Baptist Church:in Ogden. Cost, $5. Reservations by Sat- urday, Jan. 15, 399-9281. : choir, Ada Gillis conductor. Free. “Information, 627-6920. } ! 640 the County Government ma Saunders , > 4.5 Weber County ma Saunders grew up in a time when segregation and judice were the norm. She remembers being denied ‘ice at a photography studio and access to the Ben Lomond el, except through a side door. But Velma has not allowed 6 memories to make her bitter. A friend said of her, She ided many years ago to "build respect for herself and the ple of her race through love and service directed toward all yw human beings.” Through the years she has risen above limits others would have placed upon her and, in doing so, been instrumental in implementing many programs in the len area. Velma’s activities range from relatively small ects, such as getting a crossing light installed in a busy len intersection, to larger projects, such as raising funding the Marshall White Center to provide recreational vities for children. Through her efforts the Hillside Senior zen Center has been established, blessing the lives of many or citizens in Roy. No matter the size of the task at hand, approaches each project with energy and dedication. Velma been the recipient of many honors and awards, including Carnation Silver Bowl Award for exemplary volunteer sers and KUTV’s Together We Care Award. She was named Utah Hero from the Utah Chapter of the Freedoms ndation at Valley Forge, Honorary Military Advisor to Hill Air Force Base, and Woman of the Year of the American Business men’s Association. Velma Saunders currently works for the Weber County Commission Office located, ironically, on the ynd floor of the Ben Lomond Hotel. aT TR Pe ar Pa Rae. ae ee WHO'S? NEWS _ 5 ae x, rs ae eae | to serve heoy OGDEN - Bettye B. Gillespie’ : tas been reappointed tothe 14-member Utah Advisory — ~ Committee for the U.S. = ‘Commission ie — on Civil Rights. ae committee helps the federal : commission — with its Utah ~ - investigations.She’s with the Gillespie - Ogden Si Advancement of Colored People. | Sie iat: mete Chapter of the National Association forthe +. ee eupeee te PS Se Ee a re a a a ena a ee ae SSE eS Ss es ee