CHUCK ALBERTI (aka: Sarge)

MSGT Chuck Alberti, USMC (ret) served in Vietnam and Desert Storm (the first time). As a former Commandant of the Golden Empire Detachment of the Marine Corps League, and “the Old Man”, Chuck “volunteered” on race day for the first VOLKSLAUF in 1997. Chuck’s been on the Committee ever since. I guess he never learned what it means to “volunteer”.
Chuck is presently employed as a Correctional Officer with the City of Shafter and, with the “help” of some of his inmates, maintains the VOLKSLAUF course throughout the year. Chuck also developed the Jr. VOLKSLAUF course claiming he did so because he was too old to run the big course. As many already know, the Jr. course has been a tremendous success the last several years and the Committee owes it all to Chuck. The “Old Man” has been involved with Toys for Tots since 1966 and has enjoyed every moment because he’s just a big kid himself.

SHEENA CRIDER

Though the VOLKSGODDESS came to our event during the first year as an assistant to an original Committee member who has since departed, she maintained such a low profile that nobody even knew she existed…until race day…when she took over serving beer to all the weary runners and spectators (tough job, but somebody had to do it, right?)  After two years as an “assistant”, caring for all the necessary details dealing with port-a-potties, food, beverages, etc., Sheena took full control of the situation when her mentor, Lt. Col. Kevin Crockford, terminated his association with the Committee and moved from town.  After another two years dealing with port-a-potties et al, the VOLKSGODDESS was “promoted” to her present position in charge of registration…more work, less pay and the never-ending gratitude of the Committee is her payment for all her hard work.  Sheena says she enjoys VOLKSLAUF in its’ entirety; “Not just the numerous hours of preparation, but also race day itself as well as seeing the end result of happy kids on Christmas Day.”  She recognized that her family is fortunate enough not to “want” for anything significant in their day-to-day lives but also sees a lot  of kids “out there” that are far less fortunate than she and her family.  She thinks it’s important to do what we can in our community to help those in need.  Now, isn’t THAT what this “business” of VOLKSLAUF is all about?

ALICIA MATTSON: Princess Go-fer

Alicia is a 29-year young mother of one son and wife of (and we don't hold this against her) Mike Mattson, who is a former Sgt. in the US Army and presently serves as an officer with the CHP. To top that off, she is the daughter of our very good friend and original member of the VOLKSLAUF Committee, the late Lt.Col Ed Ramirez USMC, after whom the Lt. Col. ED RAMIREZ PERPETUAL TROPHY was named. Though 2004 is the first "official" year she has served on the VOLKSLAUF Committee, Alicia has run VOLKSLAUF every year since its' inception. As her father, Lt. Col. Ed Ramirez was on the Committee when VOLKSLAUF was born, her interest in the event has been ongoing for the last 8 years. She's seen the event metamorphose and loves being able to contribute even if it is only as a "go-fer" for Sponsorship and Publicity. "Go-fer"? Not hardly, sweetheart! With the multitude of talents this lovely lady brings to the Committee who could possibly turn HER down for a sponsorship?.

LYNN DUNCAN

A sister of the late WO Thomas M. Diffenbaugh, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice in war on 5 January, 1991 during the first Gulf War, Lynn came to VOLKSLAUF IV hoping to donate her time in the memory of her little brother. In true Marine fashion, she's still with us and has coordinated volunteers and worked race day registration ever since. 2003 was Lynn's first "official" year with the Committee and has lent an invaluable hand (she DOES have two, however) in assisting at registration, making advertisement posters/ obstacle/ motivational signs for the course and negotiated our liability insurance last year (thank you Lynn!). She prepares the race day program and works many, many hot, dusty, sweaty weekends alongside the "guys" helping to prepare the course (she's got crimson and gold paint on her boots to prove it). Her brother, Tom, a Marine for 17 years, was a supporter of Toys for Tots and an avid runner who participated in mud runs at several duty stations during his career with the Corps. It is in his honor that she is committed to VOLKSLAUF and we're glad she's aboard. Semper Fi, Diff !!!

JOE JAQUEZ  “Sgt. Hawk”

The only remaining original members of the VOLKSLAUF Committee, Joe (aka “Sgt. Hawk”) spent most of his time in the Corps attached to VMA-214 (Pappy Boyington’s famous Black Sheep), VMFA-531 and VMFA-242 with MAG-13 and H&MS-13 as a Avionics systems Tech. He worked on A-4’s, F-4’s and A-6’s. (For those of you who don’t know what an A-4, F-4 or A-6 is, they’re antiques). Joe has been involved with Toys for Tots since 1969 and brings to VOLKSLAUF his talents as construction foreman without whose expertise there simply would be no obstacles on the course. Sgt. Hawk says it’s his thrill (OK, I know, he’s easy) to not only build obstacles that challenge the runner, but also build them to be as safe as possible…Thank God.
Working under Joe’s guidance (and ever-watchful eye) volunteers have spent hundreds of man-hours in 100+ degree summer heat each year for the past eight, building, repairing and re-engineering the obstacles runners will face. Without Joe, as mentioned above, the course would not exist. Sgt. Hawk is quoted as saying: “As we Marines from the Old Corps used to say; ‘There were only two things the Seabees couldn’t fix…a broken heart and the crack of dawn’.” Joe proves it to be true. To you, the Committee owes a BIG thank you…now get back to work!

LUCY SEGREST

MALVIN JOHNSON

Malvin, an independent Financial Consultant who lives in the Bay Area and commutes to Bakersfield for business, regular VOLKSLAUF meetings as well as the race itself, has been a volunteer since VOLKSLAUF I in 1997 and a full-fledged Committee member since 1999.  He seized upon the opportunity as a volunteer working “in the shadows” in 1997 and 1998 because it was an opportunity to give back to the community something which was dynamic and reached far beyond the participants in the event and the recipients of the bounty generated.  Malvin said he has never worked with a more dedicated group than his fellow VOLKSLAUF Committee members.
Malvin served in the U.S. Air Force for six years from 1968 to 1974 and served as an aircraft mechanic at Cam Rahn Bay and Da Nang, South Vietnam.  He also served in Udon, Thailand and Ching Chung Kwan air base at Taichung, Taiwan.  Stateside, he was stationed at bases in Georgia, Oklahoma and California.  After leaving the service, Malvin worked for twenty-three years in the aerospace industry.
When you look in your Funk and Wagnall’s under “dedicated” you will find a picture of Malvin Johnson.  This gentle giant of a man, soft-spoken and every bit a gentleman, brings a sense of direction to the Committee we are very thankful for.  And anyone injured on the course during the race should be glad Malvin’s at hand as it is he who is responsible for organizing the First Aid facilities (which includes numerous MD’s and nurses to tend to everything from a little owie to a big boo-boo).  In addition to his organization of the First Aid station, Malvin also co-ordinates the Finish Line area; a task none too simple in its’ own right.
Glad you’re with us Malvin and we hope you stick around for many years to come.