Special to the Sun
On Jan. 26, Rev. Chuck White and Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross were honored as the Kern River Valley Man and Woman of the year by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. Eighty-one community members gathered at Paradise Cove Restaurant to pay homage to two incredible people who have done so much for the Kern Valley. Rev. White and Dr. Spohn-Gross were both touched and humbled by the honor bestowed upon them by their community.
Before the presentation of the Man and Woman of the Year, Judy Hyatt, representing Supervisor Jon McQuiston, installed the new Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Officers and Board. Outgoing KRVCC President Barrie Mann acted as the emcee for the evening’s festivities, thanking the many volunteers that had made the evening possible.
 Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross, left, and Rev. Chuck White receive their Man and Woman of the Year plaques from outgoing president of Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Barrie Mann at the group’s annual dinner saluting exemplary citizens in the valley. |
In addition, Dr. Spohn-Gross was one of the founders of the Kern Valley Progressive Alliance for Change (KVPAC), which she began in 2004 in response to the looming election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. While the democrats lost that election, Dr. Spohn-Gross did not give up her ideals, and grew the KVPAC group to a force for good in the valley. In the last three years, Dr. Spohn-Gross has been one of the main organizers of KVPAC’s annual Freedom Festival, an all-day political rally that occurs each October to keep Kern Valley citizens apprised of what is happening in the world and fire their passion for activism. Dr. Spohn-Gross recruits top-tier speakers from across the nation, bringing them to Kernville to speak for democracy. She was also recently chosen to serve as one of the two California Democratic Delegates for Kern County.
As a mother of three young children, Dr. Spohn-Gross was saddened by the stories that she read every year about local children drowning in the river and lake, and took it upon herself to enlist help to establish a swimming program at the South Fork School for kids of all ages that reside in the Kern Valley at low or no cost. Her mission in that endeavor is to ensure that every child has at least the rudimentary basic swimming skills necessary to living near the water, and eventually she would like to see the Kern Valley establish its own competitive swim team to increase the chances of local students gaining scholarships, as well as the pride of personal accomplishment that those involved in personal sports gain through participation in a team.
A philanthropist in all respects, Dr. Spohn-Gross has been a supporter of the Women and Girls Fund in Kern County, and was the keynote speaker at their annual luncheon in the Kern Valley in 2008. Last September, she along with Al Steuart began the Caravan for Compassion, a monthly food and clothing drive to help provide supplies to the Salvation Army and God’s Storehouse. Also in 2008, she took part in the LIGA-Flying Doctors of Mercy program, where she traveled to Mexico using her own money to treat people in rural villages as a physician volunteer. As this article is being printed, Dr. Spohn-Gross is on an airplane to India, where she will administer polio vaccinations to rural villagers on behalf of the Rotary Club. Throughout all of her good deeds, Dr. Spohn-Gross remains a devoted and loving wife and mother; a positive example to her children that one person can make a difference. “Humanity is what it’s all about; touching people’s lives,” said Dr. Spohn-Gross, “I hope I can continue to be of service to this community.”
Rev. White and Liz came to the Kern Valley to visit family in August 1992 and immediately fell in love with the area. Liz told him she would like to live near her mother and sister after living a considerable distance way from family for 25 years, and they decided to take the plunge and move here. Rev. White, a California native, said that what attracted him to the Kern Valley initially was the view of the starry night sky and the fact that he could see the mountains, which he and Liz had sorely missed while living for the previous 12 years in New York. He served as Pastor of Weldon United Methodist Church from 1995-2000, and then served an additional two years as Pastor of Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church.
Rev. White quickly became involved in the Kern Valley community. He went into the Kern Valley Sun one day and met then-Publisher Brett Bradigan, who later called Rev. White and told him he was involved in forming a valley-wide organization called KRV Revitalization, and asked if he would be willing to serve on the liaison umbrella committee. Rev. White accepted the challenge, and became involved in an action committee to get internet connectivity in the Kern Valley, a subject he felt was very important to the future of the Valley. In 1999, his third year serving on the committee, Rev. White was invited to be on the KRVR Board of Directors, and in April 2003, he was elected President of KRVR, where he served until 2008 while maintaining memberships in both local Chambers of Commerce and serving as President of the KRV Education & Cultural Foundation. Rev. White remains active in KRVR, but has been enjoying spending time pursuing new goals and challenges. In December, Rev. White and his wife renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary, and splurged on new rings for one another. Big supporters of God’s Storehouse, Chuck and Liz requested that their guests bring donations for the food pantry in lieu of gifts for themselves. They received over $1,000 worth of donated goods as a result; a testament to the love and support that the Whites enjoy in the Kern Valley. “This is the longest time we have lived anywhere in our fifty years of marriage, and I feel welcomed and honored to live here,” said Rev. White, adding, “It is more blessed to give than to receive, and everyone here gives. That is the way we all continue to have the wonderful quality of life we all enjoy.”
Comments
27 comment(s)HSG67 wrote on Mar 5, 2009 12:19 AM:
managing editor wrote on Mar 4, 2009 3:44 PM:
did you know too wrote on Feb 20, 2009 2:16 PM:
didyouknow wrote on Feb 20, 2009 11:50 AM:
did you know too wrote on Feb 20, 2009 10:57 AM:
didyouknow wrote on Feb 20, 2009 10:35 AM:
celia wrote on Feb 20, 2009 7:48 AM:
Enough wrote on Feb 19, 2009 9:36 AM:
Nancy wrote on Feb 18, 2009 7:03 PM:
Non-Believer wrote on Feb 17, 2009 6:59 PM:
Enough wrote on Feb 17, 2009 7:13 AM:
Comeonguy wrote on Feb 16, 2009 1:00 PM:
Nancy wrote on Feb 13, 2009 1:04 AM:
heather wrote on Feb 7, 2009 1:41 PM:
Peg wrote on Feb 7, 2009 9:12 AM:
Non-Believer wrote on Feb 6, 2009 11:00 AM:
I know you think you are smart saying what you are now, but I have been in this valley for a long time now and have watched the "new liberals" attach themselves to the long established charity's for the last seven years or so. All of you "Newcomers" think you can do what Holly has done; attach themselves to already established charitys and get all the credit--this is evident in her actions and yours! P.S. I don't have to tell you what I have done: I also do not have to
reveal who I am! "
Megan wrote on Feb 5, 2009 6:22 PM:
Peg wrote on Feb 4, 2009 8:23 PM:
celia wrote on Feb 3, 2009 10:19 AM:
Non-Believer wrote on Feb 3, 2009 10:05 AM:
End of story! "
celia wrote on Feb 3, 2009 8:22 AM:
I know Dr. Holly personally. Obviously you do not. Again, I think you are projecting your issues onto someone else. And, you are still not strong enough of character to reviel your real name. Very telling... "
Non-Believer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 8:55 PM:
I have been around long enough to recognize when someone is politically motivated, and uses established charitys as a vehicle to magnify their own participation, it is "all striictly
business dear." "
celia wrote on Feb 2, 2009 9:28 AM:
Renee wrote on Feb 2, 2009 8:54 AM:
I think Dr. Spohn-Gross is a hero! "
Non-Believer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 12:22 AM:
I happen to have inside information why Holly Spohn Gross donates her time, it is so they can write it off their taxes every month. You probably do not understand this tax break. The other side of the "donating her time to teach children to swim" was that she "got into the country sponsored program at one week before it ended, got her photo in the newspaper, and therefore was honored for her "gallant efforts." It is strictly business, dear! "
Peg wrote on Jan 31, 2009 8:17 AM:
Non-Believer wrote on Jan 30, 2009 2:28 PM: