Praising her for her dedication to helping others, Kiwanis Club of La Cañada has announced Harriet Hammons as its La Cañadan of the Year for her outstanding volunteer work, which spans more than 50 years.
The club said the honoree “hit all the high marks, as the nomination criteria embodied what she has been doing for decades: serving the youth/schools, church or house of worship, assisting clubs, performing civic activities and providing leadership, while bringing high praise to La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Since 1970, Hammons has been a member of La Cañada United Methodist Church who has served in such capacities as past president of the United Methodist Women, according to a Kiwanis release. She has earned honors including the Distinguished Service Award from the United Methodist California-Pacific Conference in 2011 and United Methodist Women National Special Mission Award in 2014. She also brought her convivial spirit to her role as a head usher for the past six years.
Since 2004, Hammons has been a member of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association, winning the Ambassador of the Year Award in 2013 and 2017 for being the most active volunteer, and the Spirit Award in 2019.
She also served as a director of the Montrose/Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce from 2008-2012 and received the President’s Award in 2012, as well as the Endearment Award in 2011 and 2004.
An avid Boy Scouts of America enthusiast, Hammons has logged 34 years as a volunteer and recently received the Verdugo Hills Council’s 2020 Wall of Excellence Award. She began her volunteer work in 1986 as a cubmaster and parent. That same year, she took on a leadership role in the Verdugo Hills Council, on which she serves to this day. Presently she is also a unit commissioner and, since 1999, a merit badge counselor. She was an executive staff member at five World Scout Jamborees and received honors including the 2001 International Scouter Award. In addition, Hammons has enjoyed being an active parent in the Girl Scouts of America from 1980-1992 and an assistant leader from 1981-1996.
Among other organizations that have recognized her contributions are the La Cañada Flintridge Coordinating Council, which gave her the 2014 Les Tupper Community Volunteer Service Award. Hammons has been an active member of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses for 41 years, and for 15 years she has lent her support to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station’s National Crime Prevention Night Out.
Since 2004, Hammons has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada, which quickly acknowledged her contributions by naming her its rookie of the year in 2005. She was on the board from 2007-2009, and chaired the Children’s Literacy Project from 2004-2017. She also chaired the Kiwanis International Division 3 Children’s Literacy Program from 2005-2009 and was celebrated in 2012 with the Distinguished Service Award and the Walter Zeller Project Eliminate International Award.
The presentation ceremony of 2019 La Cañadan of the Year Award to Hammons will be announced at a later date.
