Awards from South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Cal Water was honored with two awards by the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s Annual Recognition and Business Awards ceremony on March 5. The utility received the “Legacy Award” in recognition of the utility’s participation in and support of the organization since 1946. Additionally, Cal Water Customer Service Manager Kathy Hoffman was honored with the “Joseph Fernekes Volunteer of the Year” award for her support of nonprofit organizations and fundraising efforts that benefit the local community and beyond.

“Cal Water has been committed to improving the quality of life in South San Francisco for nearly 75 years, working hand-in-hand with the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. We are truly honored to receive this award in recognition of that commitment,” said Cal Water District Manager Ross Moilan. “We strive to be more than a water utility; our employees live and work here, and we are here to support the communities we serve.”

“We appreciate Cal Water’s many years of support for the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and are honored to present the company with our Legacy Award,” said Chamber CEO Liza Normandy. “Not only does Cal Water deliver a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water to South San Francisco customers, the company also generously gives back to the community.”

Hoffman has been an active member of the South San Francisco Women’s Club since 2009 and has served in various board positions over the past five years. In addition to supporting the local community, she has worked with Operation Smile, an international organization that provides children with reconstructive cleft surgeries to give them a new reason to smile. Hoffman also works with the National WWII Memorial Museum, knitting and crocheting scarves to be distributed to veterans throughout the country, and is active with the nonprofit Find Your Fabulosity, which collects lipsticks to be distributed to shelters throughout the country for women who are victims of domestic violence.

“I volunteer because I have a want to do good by freely giving my time to help my community, an organization, or an individual,” said Hoffman. “It is an honor to receive this award named after Mr. Fernekes, who inspired me and so many others in this community to give back, pay-it-forward, and lend a helping hand to those in need.”