Yesterday I wrote about Doña Eulalia, her connection with Pasadena, and her dedication to her work.
As the parade & jamaica became an annual event, we found we wanted to acknowledge individuals who have dedicated themselves to the work it takes to coordinate and produce an event that has no paid staff. Any of you who have worked on similar projects know what I'm talking about. Raising money, permits, sharing the word, arriving at the park@ 6 a.m. before the lights have gone out on the streets and long before the warmth of the morning graces your back.
And so the Doña Eulalia Award was imagined. Raul Rodriguez, brilliant artist and designer of countless award winning Tournament of Rose floats, was our first recipient. Kevin Bruce, Abelardo de la Peña, Lilia Hernandez, and now Yvonne have received this recognition.
Yvonne's connection began our first year. She worked for the LightbringerProject: the folks who coordinate the Doo Dah Parade. In short time, she became involved with the parade & jamaica and has always been involved, save the years she was out of state.
Yvonne has shared her expertise freely and generously. Whether it was working on the printed program, getting a discount via a friend who gave her in-kind support for the event, coordinating stage of the participants, wearing a costume to help set the atmosphere of the event, or crawling under the stage to help dismantling it, or leading a workshop. If it needed to be done and she wasn't doing something doing something else - there she was ready to tackle it.
Yvonne is currently working at kidspace Children's Museum as the Director of Education and Community Initiatives.
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