For 15 years, Santa Maria resident Eddie Galarza has been helping children at the Boys & Girls Club in Evans Park overcome the poverty and gang violence that have come to plague the neighborhood.
On Sept. 30, Galarza’s work earned him the Peace Builder Award—the top prize during Santa Maria’s annual Peace Week. He was honored during a brunch at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center.
Galarza, who’s also known for his humble demeanor, said he was truly surprised to receive the accolade.
“Kids just come to me—boys and girls, young men and young women—they come to me and ask me for help,” he told the Sun after the ceremony. “It’s just what I do.”
Galarza also expressed his gratitude for Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Bill Libbon, saying “he’s taught me so much about working with kids.”
The brunch and award ceremony was the capstone to a week’s worth of events dedicated to instilling a respect for peace in young people’s hearts. Other events included musical performances, presentations by motivational speakers, and litter clean-up days.
Peace Week is sponsored by the People for Nonviolence Committee of Marian Medical Center.
This article appears in Oct 6-13, 2011.