The San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation has presented the 5th Annual Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award to Jack’s Helping Hand Charitable Administrator Mary Illingworth. The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award annually recognizes and rewards a local individual for outstanding efforts in advocacy and caring for local people in San Luis Obispo County. The award was presented on Oct. 4 at San Luis Obispo City Hall. David Ruiz, Isabel’s son, and Janice Fong Wolf presented the award and Mayor Jan Marx presented a city proclamation honoring Illingworth.
In 2003, Illingworth was forever changed by a close and supportive relationship with Jack Ready, a toddler who suffered from a rare form of brain cancer. With her help, Jack’s parents were able to enroll him in Cuesta College’s preschool. Soon after Jack’s death at just 3 years old, Illingworth helped his parents to refurbish and equip a special therapy room at California Children’s Services, and then accepted the lead role in starting and running the nonprofit Jack’s Helping Hand (JHH) in his name. Since 2005, she has responded daily to the heartbreaking stories and pleas for help from many families who have children with special needs. Her devotion to helping others permeates both her professional life and volunteer life. Illingworth worked for years as a special education teacher. During those years, she also volunteered her time as an FFA, PTA and 4-H leader. In retirement, she served countless hours as the administrative assistant for Easter Seals and later, Life Span services, before taking the helm at JHH. In all these capacities, Illingworth continues to demonstrate great empathy, genuine caring and extraordinary listening skills. Established through the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation by Bill Broadbent in 2007, the Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award serves the dual purpose of honoring Ruiz and encouraging others to follow in her footsteps. For more information on this award or the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, visit www.sloccf.org.
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