Copyright sandiegouniontribune
Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) recently announced Larry Brooks as its October volunteer of the month because “he is one of those rare people who seems to draw from a bottomless well of empathy and energy and makes himself invaluable to the organization in a variety of ways,” according to a news release. Just recently he helped DMCC to make their 25th Anniversary Fall Benefit a special event by creating a video yearbook of the attendees’ photos from the year 2000; and he has become a key member of a Connect Team of volunteers in a pilot of in-neighborhood DMCC services; and he is a frequent contributor to their relatively new Public Relations Committee. All of this is in addition to Brooks’ longtime role as the presenter of DMCC’s Remarkable Del Mar History. The news release stated that DMCC President Katie Militello nominated Brooks for Volunteer for the Month because “Larry is one of DMCC’s longest contributing volunteers. He always looks out for his neighbors and shares whatever resources and skills he has with others in the community. He’s always willing, able and cooperative to help in promoting DMCC to those who can use our help. We are so grateful to have his dedication and support.” Brooks is a true native Southern Californian. Born in Pasadena and raised in Avalon and Long Beach, Brooks graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy and retired after 22 years of service with the rank of captain. He then worked for Chevron for 21 years as an arctic environmental research scientist. He retired to Del Mar in 1995 and began renovating an old house. In 1998 he reconnected with Martha, whom he had not seen in about 30 years. They were married in 1999 and created what Brooks describes as their “Brady Bunch” family with five adult children and eventually 12 grandchildren. Brooks has been the longtime president of the Del Mar Historical Society (DMHS), preserving Del Mar’s legacy and promoting important community defining initiatives such as the Alvarado House and the Del Mar Voices oral history project. He was a leader of the group that renovated a vacant property acquired by the City of Del Mar through a citizen effort, making the Del Mar Community Connections Building a new and viable public gathering place and the headquarters of the Del Mar Foundation, DMCC and the DMHS. Btooks has ensured the personal safety of his neighbors through the Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT). Brooks’ current crusade is to encourage older adults to think creatively and record their own personal histories and make a record for their younger loved ones. “I encourage all DMCC folks to consider writing their life stories for their grandchildren. It is very easy today with cell phones and apps,” Brooks said in the news release. Del Mar Community Connections is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to support and serve the older adults of Del Mar who are aging independently at home. DMCC needs volunteers for everything they do. To learn more about Brooks, DMCC, or volunteer opportunities at DMCC, visit the website at www.dmcc.cc, email dmcc@dmcc.cc, or call during business hours at (858) 792-7565.
