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Yvette Perez, treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade, one of South Florida’s most active community service organizations, recently was honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognition for volunteerism.
Perez, a Kiwanian for three years who was recognized in the Oklahoma City ceremony for her 12 years with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, was not expecting the award.
“I was quite surprised to receive this high honor,” Perez said. “I received the Medal of Merit the day before the closing gala but was stunned — almost speechless — when my name was announced as a winner of the President’s Award at the gala.”
For Air Force Captain Arnold Perez, president of the Kiwanis Club of Homestead, the honor wasn’t a surprise.
“My mom has always been willing to volunteer and help, no matter what the cause,” he said. “She’s always there, hand up, anxious to serve.”
The reason for this willingness to help?
“My children — and now my grandchildren — see my example,” said Perez, an elementary school teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 31 years. “And you hope they’ll follow the same pathway.”
Obviously, Perez’ example has worked, encouraging her three grown children in the importance of volunteering and duty.
In addition to Capt. Perez, daughter Marlene is in the United States Navy and daughter Alexandra is married to an Air Force JAG officer. And Perez’s granddaughters can be found at a wide variety of Kiwanis events helping out.
“Kiwanis is an important part of my life,” said Perez, who — in addition to her job as treasurer — heads up the club’s book giveaway program, Just One Book. In the past three years the club has given away more than 3,500 books to underprivileged children.
“By helping children, feeding them, providing school supplies, recognizing their efforts to bring up grades, you’re showing them that they matter, they’re important and that someone cares.”
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