[LASD] – During National Volunteer Week, April 15 through April 21, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will recognize and show appreciation for all the committed volunteers who devote their time throughout the year to making the Santa Clarita Valley a better and safer place to live.

Santa Clarita station officials began their recognition of local volunteers Saturday by participating in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s 4th Annual Pinning Ceremony at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center in Whittier.

The nationwide theme this year, Volunteers – Every One Counts, was very evident at the event this morning as Assistant Sheriff Marvin Cavanaugh recognized Sheriff’s Department volunteers from throughout Los Angeles County. Of the more than 3,200 volunteers that serve the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, 145 of them volunteer right here in Santa Clarita.

Station volunteers include sheriff explorers, patrol reserves, posse members, search and rescue and station clerical staff, just to name a few. The volunteers individually dedicate hundreds of hours of their own time throughout the year, many times performing the same functions as full-time paid personnel. These volunteers tirelessly and selflessly give their time, day in and day out, all year long to help the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley.

At Saturday’s event, Assistant Sheriff Cavanaugh recognized nine Santa Clarita volunteers including Fidel Borrego, who was nominated for the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award, and David Chavez who reached 25 years of services as a volunteer at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Fidel Borrego (right) has logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours over the past 18 years, saving the department an estimated $140,000.

Fidel Borrego became a volunteer in 1994 and currently serves as the volunteer team leader, Volunteer on Patrol training instructor, and background coordinator. In 2011 he devoted 469 hours, saving the county of Los Angeles and the city of Santa Clarita nearly $11,000. Over his 18 years of service he has worked more than 6,000 volunteer hours, at a savings of more than $140,000.

David Chavez, who reached the 25 year milestone in 2011, has served more than 4,000 hours during that time and has worked in a myriad of facets including Volunteer on Patrol, front desk and counter operations, community relations, school outreach, civilian lake boat operator, detective bureau, and community service auditor, at a total savings nearly $95,000.

Six other station volunteers; Dave Collins, Reinhard Schnepp, Jack Walker, Timothy Mondon, Hal Shiffman, and Truman Van Dyke of the Volunteers on Patrol program and Rosemary Strube of the Sheriff’s Reserve Posse program, were each recognized for reaching the 1000 hour mark of volunteer service to Santa Clarita.

In all of Los Angeles County, the 3,272 Sheriff’s Department volunteers devoted 414,957 hours of service saving nearly 10 million dollars in 2011.

Locally, Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station volunteers devoted nearly 20,000 hours in 2011 and saved the county and city $459,000.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station intends to continue recognition and thanks for all the committed volunteers for their individual achievements and commitment to our community. As a demonstration of thanks and gratitude for all the station volunteers, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Foundation will host their annual luncheon event on Saturday, June 9th, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at a location to be announced.

“We are very fortunate to have these devoted people who are willing to volunteer their own time to help others in our community,” said Captain Paul Becker of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “It is amazing how much time these volunteers devote to us throughout the year. They perform many functions at our station and in the community. We will continue our personal thanks to them at the recognition luncheon event, but they really deserve our thanks all year long,” concluded Becker.

For information on volunteer opportunities with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station or about upcoming events, contact Deputy Joe Trejo at (661) 799-5160 or visit www.scvsheriff.com.

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