On Friday April 11, Assemblyman Jim Frazier honored Fred Lambert of Oakley during National Volunteer Week at Laurel Elementary School.
Lambert has been a volunteer at Laurel Elementary School for the past 20 years. His responsibilities have included assisting with administrative duties, participating in reading hour and lending a hand when teachers were in need of classroom assistance. At 88 years of age, Lambert still goes in at 6:15 in the morning to volunteer, and is a noon duty fill-in when there are sick or vacation replacements needed.
“It is my sincere honor to recognize the wonderful services that Fred has offered this community,” said Assemblymember Frazier. “He is an extraordinary individual, and I am proud of all that he has accomplished through his dedicated volunteer efforts.”
National Volunteer Week takes place April 6-12 and celebrates volunteers’ dedication to helping others, and encouraging the community to join the movement.
4 comments
I worked at Laurel School in the cafeteria back in 2001-2002. I worked with Fred. He is a wonderful man. What an accomplishment!
Fred Lambert is a man that I not only love but deeply admire if I ever get to be 88 I will be honored to be anything like him. A mentor, an example, and a man of deep compassion.
One could view his life and certainly point out all he has done but I would like to share a story that perhaps best illustrates just who this man is.
Their was a 7 year old boy who was part of a family that was falling apart the father had abandoned his wife and left her with 4 kids. She wasn’t able to provide or take care of the kids by herself soon the kids were getting in trouble with the law and it seemed as though their destiny was all but written. Fred 26 years old at the time married to his young wife Doris they had a beautiful little girl, Cathy. They were happy and a loving family. When told about the circumstances of this family and being familiar with them he and his wife quickly moved to reach out and help. They opened up their home and took in this 7 year old boy giving this boy a stable loving environment. They not only took him into their home, they took him into their hearts and within a year adopted him making him a permanent part of the Lambert family. This one act of kindness changed the entire course of that young mans life.
A 7 year old boy was literally rescued from a future that most certainly was dark at best. This little boy grew to love them and soon began calling them mom and dad. Within a year Fred and Doris once again went beyond the normal going the second mile they opened up their home and adopted another child from the same family uniting two brothers. The two children, brothers from a family destroyed and headed for certain disaster were now embraced and taken into a loving and stable home. Not only were the brothers happily united but given a second chance in life. They had a new mom and dad and a sister to grow up with and care for. They had a home.
Fred at age 26 and his wife 21 reached out with love and kindness seeing a way they could make a difference and did they ever. They made a huge difference one that I am eternally grateful for, because you see that 7 year old boy was me, my name is Doug, they took me and my brother Alan in as their own. I’m 62 now and I can’t think of anyone I would rather be like than my dad. He is kind, gentle and the most honest man I’ve ever met. His deep faith and his approach to life and people has left an indelible mark on me. A mark that became the standard by which every decision in my life is made.
I’d like to take a moment and honor him too! I love you dad, thank you for being the man you are, your influence on me and on so many others can never be measured. But if their was ever a man who will leave behind a legacy that has and will affect more people than one can imagine it is my dad. Your the greatest! I Love You! Doug Lambert
What an amazing honor Fred…. you are a womderful person.
This man is everything I hope to be if I ever get to be his age. I’ve watched him over the years and how he has responded to people in some of the most difficult situations. He is steady as a rock. Rarely has he ever let anything get to him. A model of patience, endurance,and compassion. But the one thing that I’ve watched that truly tells his story is he is the most honest men I’ve ever met. How do I know all this? He’s my dad and I’m so proud to be able to say I was raised by this man. Thank you Dad, I Love You! Doug Lambert
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