Lowell N. Peters Award presented to Fred Souza

GUSTINE - The Chamber of Commerce Saturday honored a number of men and women who have made a positive difference in their community through service and volunteerism.

Chamber leaders presented their annual awards before a packed house in the Al Goman Community Center as part of the organization’s dinner and dance, which this year featured the theme “Treasures of Merced County.”

Gustine itself is home to numerous treasures, speakers reflected to those in attendance, none more important than the people who help strengthen the fabric of the community.

The chamber’s prestigious Lowell N. Peters Award was presented to former City Council member and mayor Fred Souza.

He joins a long list of distinguished community members who have received the award in recognition of exemplary contributions to Gustine.

Souza, who served 12 years on the council (including eight as mayor), was involved in helping the city construct a new waste water treatment system and upgrade its water system, purchase a new fire engine, develop revenue sources needed to offset shrinking revenues and launch the popular Y-Lead program.

Souza’s involvement in the community, though, stretches well beyond the walls of City Hall.

As Joe DeGregori pointed out in presenting the award, Souza helped establish Chamber traditions such as the Olde-Fashioned Christmas at Home, has been a long-time supporter of FFA and 4-H members showing livestock at area fairs, is deeply involved in the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles and was involved in the project to save and restore the old Merced County courthouse/jail building which now serves as Gustine’s museum.

Souza said Monday that his involvement in helping ensure that local FFA and 4-H members received a fair price for their livestock projects was one of his most rewarding endeavors through the years.

He served on the City Council from 1988-92 and 1994-2002. Most rewarding through those years was the overall progress of the city rather than any single accomplishment, Souza suggested.

“What I’m most proud of is being able to get four other individuals to reach a consensus the vast majority of the time,” he remarked. “That is what it takes to make things happen and move forward.”

He expressed his appreciation for the support and sacrifices of his wife Karen.

“There is one person who has been right there the whole time, no matter what the effort, and that is Karen,” Souza commented.

Past recipients of the honor have included distinguished community leaders Al Nervino, Joe Cohn, Victor Martino, Angelo Martino, Wilbur Gomes, Clarence Gomes, Edwin Peterson, Danny Dalatro, Dr. Ben Leonard, Joe DeGregori, Mary and Dick Ford, Frank Hamasaki, Judi and Mike Gandy, Wayne Medina, John M. Azevedo, Pat Carson Snoke, Steve Bell, Frank Amaral, Cef Jamero, Louis Zanini, Patsy and David Freitas and Richard Vierra.

Citizens of the Year

The chamber honored Tiffany Vitorino and Joann Freitas as their Citizens of the Year.

Vitorino has been involved in a host of community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for the Fourth, Our Lady of Miracles School and Gustine Youth Baseball. The lifelong Gustine resident and 1989 GHS graduate has also co-chaired the Lions Club food drive as part of her many community activities.

Freitas was recognized for her many contributions as the city’s community service and animal control officer, and as a behind-the-scenes volunteer at chamber and community events.

Agriculturalist of the Year

John B. Sanfilippo & Son was recognized as the chamber’s Agriculturalist of the Year.

Sanfilippo, the parent company of the Fisher Nut brand, has been in the nut processing and packing business for more than 80 years. The company has had a local presence since purchasing the former Crane Walnut plant south of Gustine in 1993. The company has since expanded the plant substantially and currently employs more than 150 people.

Business of the Year

Nunes Auto Repair was honored as the chamber’s Business of the Year.

The business was started by Frank and Bobbie Nunes in 1963. Their son Jeff became a partner in 1978 and took over the family business when they retired in 1990. The business operated as a full-service Chevron gas station for many years, and today is an auto repair and tire shop.

Special awards

The chamber bestowed a number of special awards as well.

The Our Lady of Miracles Society and Gustine Pentecost Society were recognized for sponsoring last year’s downtown Christmas tree.

Resident Leonard Holmquist received a special honor for his determination and dedication to bring the “painted heart” roadway symbol to Gustine. The heart is painted in the crosswalk where a young girl was struck and killed a few years ago, and serves as a reminder to passing motorists of the importance of driving safely.

Several young adults were honored for their community volunteerism. They included Miss Gustine Bianco Tello, second-runner up Kyla Nunes, Matthew Vaz, Vanessa Fincher and Dawson Anthenien. Ashley Cornell will be honored as well by the chamber.

Rotary honor

The Gustine Rotary Club was also on hand to present its Cef Jamero Memorial Award, which is accompanied by a Paul Harris Fellow.

Long-time Rotarian Bill Nunes received that honor.

In addition to Nunes’ Rotary activities at the local and district level, the lifelong Gustine resident has also been involved in an international project to promote organic farming methods. He hosted a guest from Ecuador who learned the farming methods and then took that knowledge back to share in the villages there.