Dear Editor:

The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley, based in Monrovia, brought about 71 students from Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel High School, and Cal Poly Pomona College to clean, weed, trim, water seal, paint, make adobe bricks for a wall repair project and more for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Project at San Gabriel Mission on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 under the direction of mission’s Facility Manager Jose Padron and Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley’s Cindy Portillo.

The work done by the youth amounted to months worth of work as the trimming, cleaning, and painting helped to restore the historic and beautiful mission gardens. The adobe wall repair project once castillo hinchable repaired hopefully will not have to be repaired again.

It was great to see youth setting aside electronic devices and actually working with Mother Earth. A few students even said they hadn’t smelled dirt in a long time and what started slow in making adobe bricks became a very popular line as students patiently waited for their opportunity to mix dirt and straw to make an adobe brick that will become part of the mission’s history once again after the bricks dry and are put back to repair a large wall.

It was a good experience for all and the youth learned they can make a positive contribution to society while enjoying the experience. They also learned that more volunteers meant much more could be accomplished and the more friends and new people they met made the time go fast and made the day fun. And, at the end of the project they even made sure everything was cleaned and any remaining paint, and tools were put away and paintbrushes were cleaned.

Volunteer Center of SGV staff very efficiently organized the event and free water and lunch was provided to the volunteers, who enjoyed the meal under one of the mission’s large old grape vines.

A great day for young people!

Chuck Lyons

San Gabriel Mission

Dear Editor,

As you may be aware, Governor Brown is proposing eliminating all State funding for libraries and literacy. This means $30.4 million of State funds would be lost plus an additional $17 million of federal funds for California libraries because California does not meet the maintenance of efforts provisions for federal LSTA funds. The $17 million will go the other States for their libraries.

1. Locally, it means Monterey Park will lose $37,698 for literacy. These funds pay for the literacy clerk and if anything is left over for supplies. Some libraries are saying that if they lose the State funds they will have to close up their literacy program.

2. It means Monterey Park will lose $22,978 in Public Library Funds. These funds are used for automation.

3. It also will affect the operation of the Southern California Library Cooperative, which does delivery to the libraries and answers reference questions and helps coordinate the Summer Reading Program. I know that State funds were 44 percent of MCLS’ budget, which was the predecessor of the Southern California Library Cooperative. I don’t think the proportion has gone down with the new system.

4. Also, funding for Interlibrary Loan will be eliminated as will funding to serve non-residents.

Linda Wilson, Monterey Park

Dear Editor:

The American Legion program “Heroes to Hometowns” was created to recognize the seriously injured military personnel in our communities when recuperation time after hospitalization and rehabilitation is crucial to an individual’s recovery.  Knowing that they are welcome in their hometowns or new communities, and that there is a new life ahead, can be the most significant part of the process.  An important point of contact is the Military Severely Injured Center, a 24/7 family support group at 1-888-774-136l.

The purpose of the Heroes to Hometown Program is to help communities recognize the severely injured and embrace them as part of the community, assist them in making a seamless transition into their new hometown and to provide a support network they can access when needed.  Individuals can help . . . communities can help.  Everyone can be a part of this meaningful program, show their support, and strengthen the community.  Be a part of “Heroes to Hometowns” today.  For information go to www.MilitaryHomefront.dod.mil/troops/injuredsupport. com.

Peggy McIntosh

San Gabriel