L.A. Works Thanks it's Project Leaders

L.A. Works Makes it Easy to Volunteer in Los Angeles

We Salute our Project Leaders
April, 2006

Project Leader of the Month

Mike Kremer

We simply cannot say enough wonderful things about our April Project Leader of the Month -- Mike Kremer. Mike has been around L.A. Works for almost ten years and has always carried out his significant leadership roles quietly, resourcefully, and professionally. When someone is as effective as Mike, you are in danger of taking him for granted! Well, no longer -- Mike it's time we thank you for your significant accomplishments over the years. And it's no coincidence we're honoring him for April. (Read on to find out why :-)

We asked Mike to share his story of the many ways he's been involved with L.A. Works. He writes:

"Our lives can certainly get a little crazy in the hyper-connected world of the early 21st century. Volunteering for L.A. Works helps me to stay grounded, to not sweat the details 24/7 and to remember that “it’s about the journey, not the destination.” Since Ken Haber, my co-worker at the time and long-time L.A. Works board member, suggested that I volunteer for L.A. Works Day 1995, the fellow volunteers and community members I have met along the way have truly inspired me to answer the call to arms to give back to our community. Like many of our Project Leaders, I feel grateful to be in a position where I can do my small part to make a difference.

In 1995, I moved from New York City to Santa Monica due to a job transfer. Having never been to Southern California beforehand, and knowing only a few people, I viewed L.A. Works as a means for continuing my volunteer efforts from college and a way to experience all that the Los Angeles area had to offer. After L.A. Works Day 1995, I trained to be a Project Leader, and shortly thereafter led a landscaping project at Brockton Elementary and a cleanup effort with Friends of La Ballona Wetlands. For L.A. Works Day 1996, I served on the Logistics Committee, having responsibility for acquiring permits for the central site, and experienced the unexpected fun of driving a scissor lift around the property on the day of event. And sometimes it’s fun just to be a volunteer, like the time I assisted with a little landscaping on the grounds of the Hollyhock House in Hollywood, a breathtaking structure designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Without exaggeration, I can say that getting involved with L.A. Works changed my life. Through serving on the Projects Committee for L.A. Works Day 1997, I met my lovely wife, April Fields, (she was PL of the Month for April 2005!), and many other good folks that I am fortunate to call friends. April and I serve as co-leaders for facilities-based projects involving painting or landscaping whenever our schedules permit. Over the years, we have tag teamed quite a few sites on L.A. Works Day and helped out with BusinessWorks projects for Comcast and CAA. Additionally, we jump at the chance to lead home improvement and gardening projects at Alexandria House, a transitional residence for women and children, whenever the adoptive Project Leader needs a substitute. In 2006, I renewed my commitment to L.A. Works by adopting a gardening project at the Covenant House and serving on the Projects Committee for L.A. Works Day 2006, which will be the best ever! I look forward to the hours working with the great members of the Projects Committee and dedicated L.A. Works staff.

Outside of L.A. Works, I “volunteer” in another way, through the regular donation of platelets to the American Red Cross. Over the last ten years, I have anonymously provided over 200 units, which are used by patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments unable to produce enough platelets to control life-threatening hemorrhages.

We all experience times when we wish we could do more for our community. With our hearts in the right place, we do the best we can with what we have. Every seed of goodwill we sow and nurture today will grow abundantly to be harvested by the generations to come."

Mike's long-term committment to L.A. Works, places him in the rank of our Senior Project Leaders. We are always blessed when Mike can spare the extra time to take a leadership role as he has done again this year for L.A. Works Day 2006. With people like Mike in the helm, we know this LAWD will be one of our best. Thanks Mike for your continued leadership and inspiration!

This Month's Project Leaders

Thanks to all of our Project Leaders who are leading projects during the month of April.

You are the real leaders in our community! The Staff & Board of Directors of L.A. Works thanks you for being the real superstars of our community!

Albana Farias
Alvin Fong
Andrew Abeyesinghe
April Fields
Bethany Beyer
Bobbi Marin
Brandy Griffin
Bona Tucker
Bryan Kadotani
Chris Fukunaga
Chris Martone
Christina Preiss
Christopher Babers
Clarence Smith
Colleen Gately
Cynde Knerr
David Ho
Dena Pacitti
Diana Chu
Dinah Posner
Dore Burry
Duma Kim
Ed Simon
Elvin Albino
Emily Barclay
Gil Gerstein
Grace Lee
Grant Wadley
Heidi Hurst
Jane Rockwood
Jesse Perez-Fraga
Joan Bang
Juan Mendoza
Julie Anne O'Neill
Karsten Loose
Katherine Serrano
Kathryn Perez-Fraga
Kelly Kim
Krisel Stern
Lilia Elias
Luis De Avila
Margaret Conway
Mia Farrell
Mike Kremer
Pamela Moore
Paul Van Wieren
Rafik Ghazarian
Sandy Boscarino
Sandy Choi
Sarah Boyd
Shelia Taylor
Sherly Lam
Stephanie Cirone
Stephanie Smith
Suzanne Wiener
Thomas Hoctor
Tyesha Brown
Veronica Cruz
Viet Hoang
Yolanda Dave

Want to join the ranks of L.A.'s most involved citizens? Become an L.A. Works Project Leader.

It's easy, it's fun, and it doesn't require a huge amount of your time.

Go to the Project Calendar section of the website and sign up for Project Leader Training or email Larry Deckel to find out the date of the next session.

Past Project Leaders Of the Month

March, 2006 - Christina Preiss

February, 2006 - in loving Memory, Helga Hung

January, 2006 - Sherly Lam

November, 2005 - Clearence Smith

October, 2005 - Joan Bang

September, 2005 - Kat and Jesse Perez-Fraga

August, 2005 - Bryan Kadatoni

July, 2005 - Ken Hagopian

June, 2005 - Laura Bonilla

May, 2005 - Alexa Benson

April, 2005 - April Fields

March, 2005 - Mia Farrell

February, 2005 - Sandy Boscarino

January, 2005 - Andrew Anura Abeyesinghe

December, 2004 - Jacquie Moreno