2021 Volunteer in Action

Community Volunteer

Sourin Vanhnarath

For his efforts in helping Valley Elementary School in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District transform the school’s unsightly landscape into a community treasure, Sourin Vanhnarath is the 2021 recipient of the Education Medal of Honor, Volunteer in Action/ Community Volunteer.

Vanhnarath is an assistant manager for The Home Depot, who knows how doers get more done. While dropping off his child at school, Vanhnarath noticed faculty members working on a portion of the school’s landscape and asked Principal Miller about the plans for the area.

According to Miller, who nominated Vanhnarath, the barren patch of dirt was slated to be a shared community garden to provide students with hands on experience on the science and benefits of cultivating plants. She explained the problem was that with little to no funding the project was dependent on voluntary donations from the community.

The conversation planted a seed that grew
into a partnership courtesy of a Community Impact Grant program through The Home Depot Foundation. The program offers grant awards to non-profit organizations to complete landscaping or construction projects.

With guidance from Vanhnarath, Principal Miller was able to secure over $30,000 in grants from The Home Depot Foundation.

Since then, Vanhnarath has devoted countless hours and expertise to Valley Elementary staff, students and parent volunteers as they have collectively worked to create a beautiful space for students and the community.

Judges recognized Vanhnarath’s eagerness and steadfast dedication to help his community and named him a worthy recipient of the award.

Service Group

Ronald C. Heredia, Ed.D.

For his passion and commitment to lifting up students in the Inland Empire region through the work of the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program, Dr. Ronald Heredia is recognized as the recipient of the Education Medal of Honor Volunteer in Action/Service Group award.

The Inland Empire covers San Bernardino
and Riverside Counties. As chairman of the Board of Directors of the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program, Dr. Ronald C. Heredia knows the vast amount of student potential located across the region.

Years ago, as a student in the Colton Joint Unified School District, he was selected to attend the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program annual conference. The event ignited his passion for servant leadership and empowerment.

The program provides promising 9th and
10th grade students with access to intensive workshops and activities designed to inspire self- confidence, academic success and crucial lifelong leadership skills.

With the guiding principles of familia, pride, and leadership, the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program works to empower local youth to strive for great things.

Since its inception in 1984, over 4,500 students, the majority from San Bernardino County, have gone through the leadership training program.

Post-participation surveys of these students reveal that 99 percent of program participants graduate high school and 90 percent go on to higher education. Inland Empire Future Leaders Program has always been, and continues to be, a 100 percent volunteer program.

Heredia was nominated for the award by Dr. Tom M. Rivera on behalf of San Bernardino City Unified School District.