Curtis and Beverly Chamberlain don't get a lot of recognition. They aren't members of prominent organizations, nor have they held political office. But they're important people to the numerous residents who have benefited from their widespread volunteer work.
The Chamberlains, 34-year residents of Los Altos, are this year's Community Service Award winners, an honor bestowed by Los Altos Realtors. The Chamberlains, just back from a trip to Europe last week, were notified of their award last Friday. A luncheon to honor them is scheduled for May 5 at Michael's at Shoreline restaurant in Mountain View.
"From volunteering at the Community Services Agency soup kitchen to tutoring students in China, Curtis and Beverly Chamberlain have done it all," said longtime friend Gloria Buckley. Buckley, a former Los Altos School District teacher, nominated the couple for the award.
As a member of the Los Altos First Baptist Church for the past 23 years, Beverly has worked with the church's "Helping Hands" program, teaching English as a second language.
Beverly also was a Los Altos School District teacher for 21 years. "I received wonderful students, great parents and superb co-workers," she said. "I really feel that I owe something back."
Beverly has spent six hours per week, over the past 11 years tutoring students. She has been a Bible study fellowship discussion leader for seven years and a reader for the Ronald MacDonald House for three years.
Buckley said Beverly plans to volunteer for the Reach to Recovery program and help recovering breast cancer patients.
Curtis, a retired computer systems analyst with Honeywell Information Systems, has been a volunteer at El Camino Hospital, having logged 17,050 hours of service since 1991. He also has volunteered at the Community Services Agency soup kitchen for three years, and has served as a volunteer at the Los Altos Senior Center, Los Altos City Hall and the Los Altos Police Department. He is currently on the board of the Pilgrim Haven retirement community in Los Altos.
"We feel fortunate to have lived in such a nice town as Los Altos, and we want to give something back," Curtis said. "Volunteer work has been a rewarding experience. We truly believe in the old saying that, 'The more you give, the more you receive,' and we have received so very much from so many wonderful people."
Buckley said she nominated the Chamberlains, married 52 years, for "the meaningful way in which they have contributed to the quality and character of our communities."
"To find someone who has done so much and never been recognized makes it really exciting," said Seville Properties Realtor Lissi Bedford, who headed up this year's nominating committee. "Nobody knew about them except the people they were helping."
The luncheon is open to the public. Cost is $22. For reservations or more information, call Shannon Elam at 949-9115.