The competition was formidable, but no one begrudged the winner. Gloria Pollock received this year’s Fernando Award during a dinner Sept. 7 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. Chosen over four other finalists, Pollack was awarded the highest honor in the San Fernando Valley for volunteerism and civic accomplishment. In her address, periodically interrupted by applause, Pollack told an audience of about 250 Valley business people and civic leaders how she came to the Valley years ago and immediately started giving her time to help the sick and underprivileged. “I can’t begin to tell you how I feel about the people in the Valley,” she said. “I started off saying I am the wealthiest person in this room, and I don’t mean wealth by a bank account. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” Pollack said. Over the years, Pollack has devoted time and energy to numerous organizations that aid underprivileged children and families, as well as people with healthcare needs. She has also worked tirelessly for various Valley cultural centers and chambers of commerce. She is currently serving as board secretary of ONEgeneration, which provides senior and intergenerational services in the valley, and is a board member of Pierce College and West Hills Hospital. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa presented the award at the $100-a-plate dinner. “What we honor with the Fernando Award are regular people who are doing extraordinary things every day,” Villaraigosa told those in attendance. “We salute volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley.” The other finalists for the 49th annual Fernando Award were Mel Kohn, Pauline Tallent, Herman Berman and Jill Banks Barad. The Fernando Award is named after a California Native American and symbolizes strength, courage, dedication and leadership. A 14-member selection committee is appointed by the Fernando Award Foundation and assigned the task of selecting five finalists from scores of nominations. Ballots listing the five finalists are then mailed out to Valley organizations. A dinner honoring Pollack will be held later this year at the Warner Center Marriott.
