Elaine Roach will introduce herself as a retiree, but she is one of the busiest retirees I have encountered. Elaine relocated from Orcutt, California (near Santa Maria) to the Kern River Valley in the early 90’s where her contributions over the last 30 years have made a difference in our community. Elaine, along with her husband Fred Roach were Man and Woman of the Year and Book of Golden Deeds recipients.
What brought you to the Kern River Valley?
I met my husband Fred in Orcutt, California in 1988. In 1994 he was transferred to The Greenhorn Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest. He had worked here in the 70’s but I had never been here before. I loved the move and living in the mountains by the Kern River. We will live here as long as we can afford to live in California.
What inspired you to help and strengthen our community?
I was a crew boss for the Job Training Partnership Act, Kern Valley High School and the U.S. Forest Service Program for disadvantaged High School students. You really see what structure and reliability kids would like to have in their lives and I tried to be a stabilizing presence they could count on. Tough love!
I then worked at Summit Continuation High School with students that were short of graduating credits. I continued with the same attitude as with the Crew.
My now grown-up students always say hi and give me a hug when they see me.
Which was the first community service group in the KRV you volunteered for?
Fred retired before me and joined the Exchange Club and I saw the many ways they reached out financially and supportively to the youth of the community. So, when I retired, I also joined and soon found myself on the Board of Directors for many years.
Fred was in charge of the Fishing Derby Fish Feeders, so I volunteered for that and when he became a Board Member of the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce, I followed suit shortly after. When one volunteers, we both volunteer. Two for one, that’s the way we roll.
What Community projects are you currently involved with?
Fishing Derby is the biggest project that runs almost all year, Exchange Club Rubber Duck Races and Football Books Sales, Chamber of Commerce Bingo Bonanza and putting up and taking down flags on patriotic holidays. I used to be more involved, but we are feeling our age lately so we are starting to slow down and are enjoying fishing and traveling a little more while we still can. If you just look in the paper each week you see many events that raise funds for different local causes. We have an amazing community that does whatever is necessary when help is needed.
Elaine Roach, You have donated so much time and effort to the Kern River Valley. Thank you!
