Quintana named volunteer of the year

Vicki Quintana saw an advertisement in a newspaper three years ago seeking volunteers for Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

"I wanted to get more involved in the community and meet some people," Quintana said. "I just wanted to be of service."

This year, she was named volunteer of the year by Advocates.

"She's just excellent," said Kerrie Anderson, coordinator of the team that responds to sexual-assault victims. "She was there for everything we needed her for."

Anderson said every year, the organization chooses the volunteer that has dedicated the most time and effort.

"The staff unanimously voted for her," Anderson said. "This year she did the most for Advocates."

Quintana, mother of two, has volunteered with the program for three years. She is a member of the Sexual Assault Response Advocates team.

Members of the response team are divided into pairs. One member of the team will sit with the sexual assault victim while the other comforts the family.

The team also provides the victim with clothing because the victim's clothing is taken as evidence.

"Before our team, they used to have to wear that little blue gown down to the police station," Anderson said.

The program is in its second year.

"Vicki's been with us every step of the way," Anderson said.

Quintana said the work she does through the program is rewarding.

"It's proven that it works," she said. "It's also needed."

Quintana also volunteered at various fund-raisers including Taste of Downtown, Salsa y Salsa and the food drive at the governor's mansion.

She also participates in the Women to Work program that helps place women in jobs and provides them with professional clothing.

"She does whatever we ask of her," Anderson said.

Quintana said it is easy for her to work with the Advocates because Director Lisa Lee and Anderson and Anderson's assistant, Shannon Curl are organized and effective.

"They always keep things going," she said. "It's wonderful all the things they've done for the community."

Carson's Advocates started in the early 1980s with a crisis line that eventually expanded into an apartment that housed women fleeing abusive situations. It now includes an extended-stay shelter, parenting and sexual abuse programs, counseling and legal services and a thrift store.

Marcos Williams, with Laughlin & Associates, was named Business of the Year by Advocates.

Anderson said Williams called Advocates one day out of the blue to volunteer.

"He just happened to call one day," Anderson said. "He has totally come through for us."

Williams printed and donated the Taste of Downtown tickets and cookbooks, SARA brochures and Swing Under the Stars tickets.

"Working with his assistant, Gerry, they have gotten the word out about domestic violence and sexual assault in the community," Anderson said.

The Advocates named National Best Sellers as the Business of the Century.

"National Best Sellers really supports the cause of ending domestic violence here in our community," Anderson said.

She said the business has supported Advocates for the past four years. They host a celebrity bartender night and give the proceeds to three local charities, one of which is Advocates.