Blind Community Center of San Diego

Featured Volunteers

Julie Jones

Julie with craft class students Julie Jones is the Blind Community Center's Craft Class instructor. She is married to Jeff and has a son named Ryan. Julie was born in England, moved to Washington state, then to Colorado, and back to Washington, until her father retired from the Air Force in San Diego when she was eight years old.

Julie has always loved crafts of all kinds and credits her mother with instilling that love. She earned a degree in recreation therapy fron SDSU and has been teaching crafts to disabled seniors in various settings for 32 years. In 2001, when the Blind Community Center's craft teacher Marge Diese retired, Julie took over her spot.

Julie retired in 2011 from her position as a swimming pool manager for the City of San Diego. In addition to swimming, Julie enjoys running, racket ball, and tennis. She loves to travel anywhere there is sunshine and water. Julie is an avid garage sale shopper and can't wait for those Saturday morning bargains, many of which she donates to the BCC Craft Class program.

According to Julie, what she likes best about being at the BCC is the spirit of the students in the craft class. She says they are always willing to try something new and then keep at it until it is done right. She is very proud of their entries and awards at the Del Mar Fair.

Julie is thankful for the group of volunteers who assist with the craft class. She says that they are amazing and committed individuals with whom she is happy to be associated.

We feel priviledged to have Julie as our Crafts Class teacher.

Mary Lou St. Tomas

Mary Lou was born in Mexico City June 21, 1918. In 1950, with her husband Fred and family, she moved to Tijuana, where Fred played Jai Lai and Mary Lou ran a restaurant. In 1960, the family relocated to San Diego. Some years later, when Fred started losing his vision, they heard about the Blind Recreation Center and started attending the various activities. After Fred passed away in 1979, Mary Lou continued to volunteer in the craft class and today we call her the Angel Lady because she helps the visually impaired finish their beaded angels. The name fits Mary Lou perfectly, because, no matter whether it is helping in the craft room or the kitchen or whereever she is needed, you will find this petite lady smiling and helping someone.

In 2005, Mary Lou joined the Chula Vista Harbor Lioness and, as with everything else she has done, she was running from the moment she joined. If we ask for a volunteer for anything, Mary Lou is the first to answer. Whether it is for skirt jerker or a place to hold our next yard sale, up goes that little hand. Lioness Mary Lou has volunteered at the Blind Community Center approximately 16 hours a week for the past 35 years. She misses only when ill or out of town. Her duties vary from helping the blind with their bead work, to preparing lunch for special occasions, or any other task that springs up. She is an inspiration to all of us.

The Chula Vista Harbor Lioness Club was proud to nominate this 92 years young, smiling little lady, as Lioness of the year for MD-4. She may not be the longest term member, but she is the most cheerful, willing Lioness in the club and her longevity with the Blind Community Center is certainly a sign of her commitment to the blind community and the goals of Lionism.

Aurora Ortiz, the Little Giant

Legally blind and hearing impaired since birth, Aurora Ortiz originally came to the Blind Community Center to learn how to live with her challenges. Sixteen years later, she's the BCC's president and volunteer coordinator. She routinely puts in 80 hours or more every week.

Aurora is very active in raising money for the center's transportation fund, which supports the shuttle vans that get blind and visually impaired members from their homes to the center and back.

Her impairments haven't stopped Aurora from entering and completing most of the local charity walks and marathons. She prefers to walk independently, with just her white cane for guidance, although she is not shy about asking strangers for help if the route is unusually challenging. On those rare occasions, she may be seen walking arm-in-arm between two sighted participants.

For more than twelve years, Aurora has raised money for the BCC transportation fund by participating in the Carlsbad Marathon. In January she will participate for the 16th time and hopes to raise a much-needed $25,000. If you would like to help this important cause, please send a check payable to The Blind Community Center, indicating “Little Giant” in the memo section. A contribution in any amount is welcome and is 100 percent tax deductable.