During National Volunteer Week, Kaiser Permanente recognized Gloria Hayward, who is a volunteer at Moreno Valley Medical Center, and Carol Nelson, who has volunteered at Riverside Medical Center for the past six years.

Haywood makes rounds with hospital patients to ensure their issues are quickly addressed. She is a retired nurse and former day shift manager of a 73-bed emergency department at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Meanwhile, longtime volunteer Nelson assists at the information desk, helping members, patients and visitors find their way. She previously served as office manager at the County of Riverside Mental Health department for 13 years, according to KP Riverside.

“We thank our volunteers for their commitment and compassion towards patients and the community. Meet some of the dedicated individuals who are making a difference in Riverside County,” KP Riverside wrote on X.

The Riverside facility’s Volunteer Services program currently offers a range of opportunities for teens, college students and adults. Volunteers can assist in nursing units, the emergency department, pharmacy services, and physical therapy, as well as through programs such as pet therapy visits and music performances for patients.

For students interested in healthcare careers, the Care Ambassador Program offers hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Volunteers also support mobile health outreach, including the facility’s efforts to serve under-resourced communities like Hemet via its Mobile Health Vehicle.

During the summer months, teens ages 14 to 17 can apply for a six-week volunteer program that includes administrative support, hospitality roles and creative tasks such as making “Notes of Kindness” for inpatients. Though this year’s application window has closed, the 2026 cycle is expected to open in January.

Applications for adult and college-aged volunteers will reopen in June.

All volunteers are required to attend orientation and health screenings before placement, according to the hospital.
Kaiser Permanente Riverside officials said the volunteer program not only helps bolster patient care but also creates a sense of community and compassion throughout the hospital.

Interested in volunteering? Get more information here.

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In a Tuesday ceremony, Reba Coulter was recognized as part of Riverside County’s commemoration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.

Supervisor Perez shared a news release detailing the award and his recollections of his first meeting with Coulter right after he became the supervisor for the Idyllwild area and discussed the Idyllwild Shuttle Service, which provides free transportation from the mountain to the Coachella Valley and Hemet for doctor’s appointments and other needed trips.

“I am very proud and honored to have Reba here, with us, because of who she is,” said Supervisor Perez. “I remember when I first met her, and she talked specifically about our seniors and the fact that they needed transportation. I know she is going to continue to do great work, and she is our 2025 Woman of the Year for the Fourth District!

“Reba Coulter has lived in Idyllwild for the past 22 years, where she has made a difference for seniors and other residents of the mountain communities, he said. Originally from West Virginia, she is the big sister of a big family, including a combined 13 teachers on both sides.

“I think that’s part of the reason she’s so giving,” he said.

Coulter moved to California, living in Orange County for 40 years, which included working in local government. She returned to college, earning her business administration degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

She retired to Idyllwild in 2003, after living there part-time since 1989, and became involved with the community.

“I love Idyllwild, I love living there, and I became involved with everything up there because it was my way of working into the community,” said Coulter. “I knew I would never feel at home if I didn’t learn the community. So that’s gradually, over the last 22 years, I feel very much involved in now. Thank you very much. I appreciate this, it’s totally a surprise.”

Ten years ago, she saw a need for elderly, disabled, and low-income residents to get off the mountain for various needs, so she began the Idyllwild Shuttle Service.

It started with anold shuttle bus that was donated from the Chamber of Commerce. Coulter announced they are getting a brand new van soon.

“We have kept it as a free service. Our grant focuses on elderly, disabled and low‑income. We don’t ask anybody’s level of income. If there is a seat available, they are welcome to ride,” stated Coulter.

Reba Coulter is also actively involved in the community as a member of the Radio Club of Idyllwild, the Rotary Club of Idyllwild, Idy Elders and Others, and the Idyllwild Garden Club. She has been a volunteer bookkeeper for the American Legion Post 800, and treasurer for the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, the Friends of San Jacinto Mountain County Parks, and Forest Folk, Inc.

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Awards range from $1,000 to more than $5,000, with many scholarships being renewable. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 15.

While scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors and current college students, undergraduate or graduate, adult re-entry students and students with financial needs — including middle-income families — can apply.

Students attending community colleges or career/technical schools or four-year universities are also encouraged to apply.

A diverse range of scholarships is available.

Qualifications include: a minimum 2.0 GPA; a commitment to education, potential college success; participation in community service, extracurricular activities and/or work experience; being a current residence in San Bernardino or Riverside counties for at least one year; and demonstrating a need for assistance to pay for school.

Another significant requirement is to submit a completed FAFSA or CA Dream Act and Student Aid Report (SAR). IECF requires that information from all applicants.

Scholarship success stories abound.

In 2024, Kyra Boyle was a recipient of the Safe Schools Desert Cities Burton/May Pride Award. The unique award recognizes outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or intersex (LGBTQI) youth who have helped foster a positive self-image among other LGBTQI youth. The key scholarship factors included demonstrating participation, dedication and initiative.

“There are a lot of scholarships out there, and if a student is stressed about finances the way I was, I’d recommend reaching out to the college financial aid centers for guidance,” Boyle said of her process.

Then there’s IECF’s own board chair, Jesse Melgar. Determination drove Melgar’s college pursuits, but so did community support. He was able to secure $15,000 in scholarships, including one from IECF, which, at the time, was known as The Community Foundation.

Thanks to the funding, he was able to attend UCLA, where he became the first in his family to graduate from college.

Flash forward several years, and Melgar went on to earn a full-ride scholarship for his master’s degree at UC Riverside. A return to the Inland Empire followed, along with a big push to give back.

In addition to serving as IECF’s Board Chair, Melgar is also the founder of the CIELO Fund, which has been instrumental in uplifting Latino-led organizations and initiatives in the region.

Learn more at iegives.org/students/overview.

The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org.

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The last round of ballot tabulations before entering the predawn hours Wednesday showed Commissioner Elizabeth Tucker firmly maintaining a 20% lead over Deputy District Attorney Gerald Pfohl in the race for Superior Court Office Judicial Seat No. 4.

“I already preside over criminal, civil, juvenile, probate and traffic courts in my capacity as a commissioner,” Tucker said in campaign literature. “I have the identical training, education and experience as a judge.”

The 54-year-old Palm Desert resident was appointed to her commissioner post six years ago and prior to that served as a county prosecutor.

“I am a decades-long resident of Riverside County and raised two children here,” she said. “I believe in service above self and have dedicated myself to improving the county by volunteering.”
County Presiding Judge Judith Clark has endorsed Tucker.

Pfohl, 42, of Temecula, has been a county prosecutor for almost 17 years and garnered national attention last year by winning a conviction in the state’s first fentanyl murder trial.

A Murrieta jury found Vicente Romero guilty of second-degree murder for the 2020 death of Kelsey King of Temecula, whom the defendant supplied a deadly dose of the synthetic opioid. Last November, Romero received a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.

“My tenure at the District Attorney’s Office (has involved) prosecuting every kind of criminal offense, including child molestation and murder,” Pfohl said. “I am a product of Riverside County, serving the community I grew up in. As a judge, my pledge is clear: conduct a fair, respectful and diligent judiciary service for every individual stepping into the courtroom.”

Pfohl received endorsements from District Attorney Mike Hestrin and the Deputy District Attorneys’ Association.

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On Thursday, May 23, about a dozen youths placed more than 50 flags at the gravesites of veterans who are buried at the cemetery. Many are relatives of the youths who were there that day, bringing another level of meaning to the task at hand. They were reminded how important to the community and to all those who served in the military to have them remembered in this way and that they should be proud of their involvement.

While there, the young men and women also tidied up the sites by removing debris and straightening overturned vases and more. Four members of the Soboba Fire Department took rakes and other tools to the parking area where guests would gather for the ceremony the following Monday, May 27. They raked up debris from shade trees and leveled out the surfaces.

Capt. Frank Martinez, who is part of the Wildland Urban Interface crew, made sure everyone had the proper tools to take care of the cleanup. Fire Apparatus Engineer Glenn Lindsey said the cemetery is a special project for the fire department, always keeping it clean and looking nice.

“It’s personal for me; I have family buried here and I want to make sure they are taken care of,” he said. “Me and my family come up here all the time to clean up and throw out dead flowers and things like that; it’s something you grow up doing around here.”

Soboba Tribal Youth Council membership is open to youth from 12-18 who are Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal members and those who are of Native American descent. Along with providing an understanding of the functions and responsibilities of Tribal government, participation provides leadership development and spiritual, mental, physical and social growth, as well as opportunities to attend cultural events. They host many fundraisers to cover expenses for the group’s activities.

In between the monthly in-person meetings, members and the Advisory Board stay connected through a group chat app where they can share information about upcoming events and make collective decisions. Officers are Chairwoman Rhianna Salgado, 16, Vice Chairwoman Raya Salgado, 14, Secretary Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 15, Treasurer Aniyah Brittian, 12, and Member-at-Large Nowaniiki Resvaloso, 13.

Advisory Board members include Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas and other department staff, Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado and Secretary Monica Herrera and parents of youth council members. The youth-led council, under the guidance of its Advisory Board, is affiliated with the United National Tribal Youth network, also known as UNITY.

The Soboba Tribal Youth Council constitution and bylaws outline the objectives of the group, which is to provide a collective voice and represent the Tribal youth in all matters that concern them; to serve as a means of mobilizing and coordinating the actions of the youth, other community members and organize them towards positive goals; to promote the development of future Tribal leaders; and to complete community service projects and provide opportunities for the youth to interact with the community for fun and fellowship.

The Memorial Day ceremony began at dawn when Gabe Herrera from Soboba Fire quickly raised the American flag to full-staff position and then slowly lowered it to half-staff to honor the fallen service men and women of this country. Veteran Richard VanDyke-Parker raised it back to full staff at 11 a.m. in recognition of living military veterans who served the country and it remained at full staff until sunset. Richard served in the U.S. Navy from 1975-1996. This action marked the end of the ceremony that had started with prayer from St. Joseph Catholic Church Reverend Earl Henley. A morning mass had been held at the church before parishioners joined him at the veterans’ memorial, a permanent fixture at the east end of the cemetery that is “dedicated to the memory of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and non-Tribal Members who gave their all for us.” Father Henley also called for a moment of silence for the fallen.

After a blessing of the marker, members of Soboba Tribal Youth Council took turns reading names in memory and honor of those who served in the military. Alphabetically, honored Soboba Tribal Veterans whose names were read during the roll call were M.J. Apapas,  Daniel Arres, Gordon Arres, Norbit Arres, Theodore P. Arres, Leonard Arrietta Sr., Ralph C. Arrietta, Robert Arrietta, Anderson Begay, Robert Bentiste, Larry C. Boniface, Paul Boniface, , Gabriel Castello, Peter F. Castello,  Gloria Cozart, Jessie M. Gilmore,  Benny C. Helms Sr., Reginald P. Helms, Romaldo A. Helms, Martin Hurtado, Joe John Lala, Tiefielo Francis Lugo, Kenneth Mathers, Marcus E. Mojado, Danny Navarro, David Navarro, Paul A. Resvaloso, Prudencio Resvaloso, Ernest Salgado Sr., Richard Salgado Sr., Albert Silvas, Allynn Silvas, Daniel Silvas, Frank “Chico” Silvas, Joe “Jody” Silvas, Eloy Soza, Frank E. Soza, Michael Soza, William P. Soza, John Vincent Valdez, Carmel Paul Valenzuella and Louis Vivanco.

Non-Tribal veterans, whose names were included in the roll call, were Eugene F. Arenas, Tony D. Basquez Sr., Bruce Cozart, Miguel R. Briones, Refugio R. Garcia Jr., Orvin D. Gilmore, Foster Hurtado Sr., Andrew Jackson, Ben Largo, Arthur R. Lopez Sr., Mariano Steven Largo,  Leonard Lubo, Senon Lubo, Richard Patrick Macy, Fred Miranda Sr., Peter D. Morillo Sr., Pio Morillo,  James Paul Navarro,  Phillip Rodriguez, Mariano Tortez and James Walker.

Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco, who was invited to the microphone to say a few words, said it was great to see the turnout that seems to increase each year.

“I think it’s important that we come out and not only say thanks to our veterans but also to memorialize and remember those that have served and are no longer here with us. It’s important to make sure that we pay that tribute to keep their history and names alive.”

He introduced fellow Tribal Council members Geneva Mojado, Mike Bentiste, Monica Herrera and Daniel Valdez. “I also want to thank the fire department, Sports Complex staff Andy (Silvas) and Steve (Lopez) and youth council. Our youth council has been working to make sure the flags get out to those that need remembrance, making sure that all the graves of all our lost heroes are marked and remembered. It’s important that we continue that tradition and I think with the youth learning where these markers are at, that tradition will be carried on and that’s something we need to be thankful for.”

He said that under the tutelage of elder Marian Chacon, the youth are learning how to continue the traditions that are so important to the people of Soboba. Guests at the Memorial Day event were invited to a brunch at the Soboba Sports Complex after the ceremony and enjoyed delicious food served by members of the Soboba Youth Council who hosted the meal.

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Four local seniors earned some financial assistance for college because of their dedication to community service. Celina Abushawish, Mariam Mekhael, Kennedy Perry and Diana Sagastume were chosen among 35 applicants to receive scholarships from Soroptimist International of San Jacinto-Hemet Valley, a nonprofit that is a branch of Soroptimist International of the Americas.

Blind judging was done via Zoom, a first in the organization’s long history of awarding scholarships. Because all school awards ceremonies were canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the group’s president, Traci Sanchez, and co-chair of the scholarship committee, Linda Burke, recognized the young ladies with lawn signs, baskets of treats and award certificates delivered to their homes.

Hemet High School’s Perry received $1,000 and said,” it is a “huge blessing” that will help with tuition and other expenses as she pursues her political science degree at Humboldt State in Northern California.”

“Kennedy is a brilliant student who has taken many AP, Honors and Dual Enrollment College classes,” her counselor Dawn Sonnier said. “She has always been polite, kind and respectful. She is definitely a hard worker who had to overcome adversity during high school but has come out even stronger.”

As a Key Club member, Perry helped fundraise for various charities and took on leadership roles to organize large scale service events whenever possible.

“My passion for serving this community and the world around me is unmatched,” she wrote in her application statement. “I love everything about helping others and hope to be the change I wish to see in this world one day.”

Abushawish graduated from Tahquitz High School and will be attending UC, San Diego in the fall. She hopes majoring in biology will allow her to enter a pre-med program. Her favorite subject in high school was biology and she enjoyed all her time volunteering to educate younger people in science and religion at museums, elementary schools and her mosque. She said the $500 scholarship will help her with tuition.

“What fuels my passion for service is bettering my community in every way I can,” she stated in her application. “Serving gave me an amazing feeling and a role model who always influenced me to do better and become a part of something greater is my mom.”

Western Center Academy graduate Mekhael also received $500 and said the award would allow her to be focused on her studies while attending Chapman University’s Freshman Early Assurance Pharmacy Program in the fall.

“This program is a five-year high school to Pharm.D program but I have been offered to finish it in four years since I have completed over half of the graduate pharmacy school prerequisites during high school through dual and concurrent college enrollment,” Mekhael said.

She spent much of her volunteer hours at the Hemet Valley Medical Center in different departments as well as at the Hemet Public Library, helping during its Teen Summer Reading Program.

“Everywhere I volunteered was one puzzle piece that shaped who I am today,” Mekhael said. “I enjoyed all the volunteering opportunities I was presented with.”

She said her career choice wasn’t hard to decide as her mother is a clinical pharmacist and Mariam became the go-to medical advisor to her friends who could take information to their doctors that she found by doing research on their behalf.

“I owe all that I am to my mother, who enlightened my vision to see what I am passionate about helping people,” Mekhael said. “Her love, knowledge and experience was the light that guided me and will guide me forever past the obstacles that I will be faced with. Knowing that she is always here for me, supporting me in all that I do, is what kindles my life.”

Also, from Hemet High and also receiving a $500 scholarship, Sagastume said her reason for wanting to be of service to others was a direct result of compassionate people who helped her through some tough and emotional distress.

“I hope to be that person to as many people as possible,” she wrote on her application. “At one point or another, we all need some help getting through life. I consider it an honor to serve this valley that has given me so much in such a short time.”

Most of Sagastume’s volunteerism was spent on endeavors that focused on serving the less fortunate and working with children. She will start her higher education path at Mt. San Jacinto College’s nursing program, a career choice which stems from personal experiences including watching her grandma lose her battle to lymphoma.

“I saw her in the hospital looking lifeless more times than I can remember. Unfortunately, not many of her nurses were kind to her and it bothered me incredibly to see that she was being ignored,” she recalled. “Her situation encouraged me to be a nurse and work with sick people; be a nurse my patients and their families can trust and rely on.”

Sagastume is thankful to everyone that has supported and looked out for her and she extended a special thanks to the Soroptimist Scholarship committee for all their hard work.

“This award is relieving me of a key element in my education: textbooks!” she said. “(The books) are essential to my college career and very costly at times but at least for this first year, I don’t have to worry about covering the cost.”

In recent years, the local SI branch used its annual Lunafest Film Festival platform to announce and present scholarships to the winners. When this also was canceled, members had to get creative and were happy to have the opportunity to acknowledge the recipients’ accomplishments with the home visits.

Founded in 1961, Soroptimist International of San Jacinto-Hemet Valley has a mission to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The local club has budgeted for high school scholarships since 2009. Burke said the application has evolved so that with the 2014 award, more emphasis was placed on community service.

“Soroptimist is a global organization with over 80,000 volunteers committed to the mission of empowering women and girls through education,” she said. “Our impact is through volunteerism and service to the female community and it is personally rewarding to see the impact of the new younger generation with their service to the community and their passion to maintain the spirit of volunteerism. It is particularly nice to hear words of appreciation from the scholarship recipients who often speak of the monies making it possible for them to pursue their dreams and how they will ‘pay it forward’ with their future service.”

Information, sisjhv.org or soroptimist.org.

-Diane Rhodes

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Should High School Students Have To Finish Mandated Community Service?

Last week we asked you guys if you thought high school students should be required to complete some form of community service in order to graduate from high school. The majority of you all responded with a quick “yes”; however, there were a few readers that felt like high school students already have way too much to handle as it is. Here are some of the responses from our readers.

“I had to; close to 20 years ago. I did my 100 hours at a vet clinic and I loved it even more. Never was able to do vet school. Had a kid right after high school. But my love for animals never went away and I want to go back to school.” 

“No, I don’t think it should be a requirement.”

 “In 1997, I had to do 40 hours and the experience got me hired by them afterwards in a full-time job so yeah, teach them some civic responsibilities.”

“Yeah they should, it’s important to contribute to your own community, but since most of us won’t do it on our own, I don’t see the problem with 40 hours of mandatory contribution to be served once as a part of the requirements to receive your diploma/GED.”

“No. 40hrs/week of educational instruction IS their job.”

“It wouldn’t hurt them!”

“The school I went to had community service as a requirement for graduation. I think it’s a good idea.”

“Yes. Doing community service keeps us in touch with the everyday problems and issues with people on the other side. We all tend to live in our own sheltered world, not thinking about how others not so fortunate may have to struggle through the simple everyday things we take for granted.”

“All four of mine did community service through our church. It’s a parent’s job to instill. My husband and I, along with my parents and grandparents, taught the next generation to cook, sew, plant, fix cars, check the oil…schools are fine, but what really matters need to be modeled at home. The rest is a bonus.”

The majority of the people who wrote in felt that a community service requirement would be beneficial to our community. However, those who opposed it made valid points. I see both sides. Community Service can teach valuable lessons to our youth and help out our community in many ways. On the other side many parents and teachers feel like students these days have way too much pressure and sometimes find it hard to keep up with all of the requirements they have in school already. Especially if they are involved in some kind of extracurricular activities like; sports, drama, band, or ASB. The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle loves to hear from its readers, be on the lookout for next week’s Question to the community and email your response to VCsportsKyle@gmail.com if you want your voice to be heard.

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An old tradition that has been forgotten

I remember growing up the idea of having to complete community service to graduate high school was passed around by classmates. My Mom told me that all of the volunteer work I did at the church we attended counted, and I logged those hours and turned them into my school. When I graduated, I was honored with an award and acknowledged as the “Riverside County Golden Citizen” award. It was cool to know that all of my volunteer work meant something. Come to find out it wasn’t a requirement that I had to do community service, it was more of a suggestion, but I learned a lot from it. Passing out toys to the less fortunate at Christmas time, turkey during Thanksgiving, Community Clean up days where we just walked around the town picking up trash, volunteering in children’s ministries and so much more. They taught me the value of helping people and to always respect where other people come from because not everyone has the same struggle.

Community service requirements date back to the late 70’s various school districts have approached it differently over the years, and nothing has seemed to stick. Is requiring students to complete a certain amount of hours of community service to graduate a dated idea? Or do you think it could be beneficial to our community? In our last Question For The Community, we had an excellent response and conversations with many of you! This will become a bi-weekly article. In between weeks, we will print answers from the community about the previous week’s questions. So don’t be shy, let your opinion be heard. The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle cares about your opinion and would love to print some of the answers if you would like your response printed, please email VCsportsKyle@gmail.com

I think that community service should be a requirement to graduate. However, I feel like the school should regulate it. How would this work? I feel like kids these days would benefit in a two-semester elective course called Life Skills/Community Outreach in semester one they would learn about things like Paying Taxes, How To Register A Vehicle, How To Make A Resume and other things that will help prepare you for life after High School. In semester two, the class will plan and organize a community service project. This project can be big or small. Students will be graded on attendance and participation. I feel like a class like this will help prepare students for life after school and help show them the benefit of giving back to the community. The position of the classes could even be flipped if the school district felt like that was a better idea. Either way, our community and students at the local high schools could benefit from the idea of a community service class.

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