Calabasas teen named volunteer of the year

Sammy Jones

When a teen demonstrates an ample dose of smarts, with a great deal of compassion, many take notice, including the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Sammy Jones, a sophomore from Calabasas High School, received the county's Youth Volunteer of the Year award at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Grand Hall luncheon on April 30 for more than 150 hours of service at the Women's and Children's Hospital, east of downtown Los Angeles.

The 16-year-old assisted the hospital staff with health risk assessment surveys of patients and helped fellows prepare an evaluation research method that was accepted and published for a national meeting presentation.

"He is a mature, soft-spoken young man who is highly motivated and performs all duties assigned to him. Sammy is capable, enthusiastic and has a willingness to go above and beyond what is required of him," said Martha E. Benzor, health services volunteer program coordinator at Women's and Children's Hospital.

The county honored 78 other outstanding adult and youth volunteers who take on challenging assignments and provide hope to those in need.