YCF names Philanthropist of the Year

Joseph “Sonny” Rodriguez has been named Philanthropist of the Year by the Yuma Community Foundation.

Rodriguez was honored during the 12th Annual Heart of Yuma Awards held at the Yuma Civic Center on Tuesday night.

“I am in great company,” Rodriguez said after receiving the award, referring to the other recipients over the last 11 years.

“You look at those names — I am truly, truly honored. I am an implant. I am not a local here and it is kind of nice to come here and be part of the community and to help make the community better.”

Rodriguez did not expect the award.

“No. Absolutely not,” he said. “I am a humble guy. I don't like awards, I just like to get stuff done.”

However, “it feels great,” he conceded.

Rodriguez was recognized for his philanthropic efforts throughout Yuma County. To address youth development, he became a founding member and one of the chief fund-raisers for Yuma Catholic High School and serves at the school as chairman of the need-based scholarship committee, and as an assistant football coach.

“We all need to do everything we can to make our community better for our kids,” he said.

Rodriguez built a special trailer for the city of San Luis, Ariz., to help tackle the area's graffiti problem. He has also helped establish two multi-donor endowments at the Yuma Community Foundation.

Several others were recognized during the Heart of Yuma Awards:

• Kathi Marcus — Outstanding Volunteer.

• Jean Myers and Dr. Carl Myers — Outstanding Leaders.

• Jaime Ramirez — Outstanding Young Leader.

• Victor Salcido — Outstanding Benefactor.

• Amy Gill of the Sturges Charitable Trust — the YCF Advisory Board Award.

In addition, 1st Bank Yuma was honored as the Outstanding For-Profit Corporation of the year while Amberly's Place was honored for Outstanding Non-Profit Organization of the year.

“The advisory board and the advisory council of the Yuma Community Foundation join the rest of our community in thanking you for your service and for setting an example for others. You are our heroes.”

Marcis, senior vice president and regional manager for 1st Bank Yuma, serves on the Board of the Yuma County Historical Society and heads the “Redondo Days” committee which is planning for the upcoming Centennial Celebration.

She served as past president of Habitat for Humanity in 2010 after serving on their board for eight years. She has also been involved with the Humane Society, where she has served as board secretary.

She spent eight years on the board of the Yuma Territorial Chapter of the ABWA (American Business Women's Association) serving as the president in 2008. As part of ABWA, she played a key role in establishing the Women's Expo and awarding tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to women in Yuma.

She also represents Yuma bankers in the Arizona Women in Business organization.

Dr. Myers practiced medicine as a medical oncologist, caring almost exclusively for cancer patients, from 2001 until he retired in 2009. He is one of the founders of the Healthy Yuma 2011 project, and is a regular contributor to the Yuma Sun.

His wife, Jean Myers, has dedicated her life to reducing the health risks of Yumans by promoting a plant-based diet through her Food For Life program. She teaches nutrition and cooking classes, offers meal planning, nutritional information and recipes.

Ramirez is a valedictorian of Cibola High School who has participated in many academic programs such as Boy's State, France Hesselbein Student Leadership Program and ASU's Math and Science Program.

He has volunteered for the Yuma County Fair, Yuma County Library, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Kid's Day, Martin Luther King Center and the Humane Society.

1st Bank Yuma has financially supported former Yuma resident and Olympian Jacquelyn Johnson with a full sponsorship to aid her in her ongoing Olympic dreams.

It has also been a major financial sponsor for the Yuma Community Food bank, and contributes about $25,000 annually. In addition, bank employees man the phone lines for the YCFB “End Hunger Now” telethon each year.

The bank is also a major sponsor for the Arizona Western College Matador Athletic Association and all 6 Rotary Clubs of Yuma.

This year, Amberly's Place celebrated its 10th anniversary. The nonprofit provides on-scene crisis response to victims of abuse throughout Yuma County and parts of Imperial County.

The staff and volunteers respond 24 hours a day 365 days a year to victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse. Over the last five years, Amberly's Place has saved the city of Yuma and Yuma County $650,470 in salaries and overtime pay, said Executive Director Diane Umphress.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.