Lesa Sobek Named Menifee 24/7 Volunteer of the Month

Lesa Sobek is awarded a certificate and gift card by Rosie O'Connor, owner of Provecho Grill, and Menifee 24/7 editor Doug Spoon.

Lesa Sobek says she first realized the tremendous potential for volunteer work several years ago, when she coordinated a literacy program for students in the Menifee Union School District.

"I worked with some wonderful people who had other obligations, who were retired, who could do whatever else they wanted, but they chose to come to the school two or three days a week to help," Sobek said. "Volunteer work has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people."

Today, Sobek is involved in several volunteer efforts in the community, including coordination of the recent "Menifee Better Together" community clean-up project. That event combined two groups with which she is closely involved: The City of Menifee and the Menifee Interfaith and Community Service Council.

It's easy to see why Sobek has been honored with the Menifee 24/7 Volunteer of the Month Award, sponsored by Provecho Grill.

As director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sobek was instrumental in re-activating the Interfaith Council, a group of local church leaders. That group worked with city officials and Habitat for Humanity on a Menifee Better Together project that involved more than 300 church members and other volunteers. Workers cleaned up city streets and a park in Quail Valley and did repair and clean-up work on the homes of 14 area seniors.

"The Interfaith Council was disbanded in 2008 when several of the pastors retired," Sobek said. "I felt it was important to get it back up and going. There was just no sense of community. At our first meeting, 20 church leaders attended. The council found the need to be active in the community.

"Last year we worked on 10 homes. This year we contacted the city, which had grant money to be used for city clean-up. Rotary, Verizon and Target also contributed. The participation just showed how people in this community are looking for service opportunities."

Sobek also serves on the city planning commission. In addition, she is the driving force behind the Menifee Military Banner Program, in which banners honoring local military personnel are displayed on local streets.

How does she handle all this at once?

"The challenge is to keep a balance," Sobek said. "There has to be a balance between family, church and community service."

Sobek received a $50 gift card to Provecho Grill, a popular Mexican restaurant in Sun City that regularly supports the community.

If you would like to nominate a Menifee resident for Menifee 24/7's next Volunteer of the Month award, email us at menifee247info@gmail.com. In 200 words or less, tell us why you believe this person should be the Volunteer of the Month. Please include your name, name of the volunteer, and the service the person provides.