The California Nutrition Center will recognize three volunteers Friday.
CNC President Dee Butts is stepping down from her position alongside two other retiring members, Jim Plaster and Misty Finley.
Butts, a CNC board member since 2011, said she loved her role as president, although it's time to allow for someone new to take over.
"It's been the happiest years of my life. I lived here 13 years and been (at CNC) for at least 12 years," Butts said. "Here's where my friends are. It's just like a family. You do things just like you would in your home. You cook well, you help back in the kitchen, you clean, you improve things and you get things started."
Although she is leaving her position as president, Butts clarified she's not leaving CNC.
"Everybody thinks I'm leaving. I said, 'I'll still be here,'" Butts said. "I'll do the decorating like I've been doing. I will be working at the front desk...I'll be doing all of that because I want to be here. I am not a 'just sit at home and do nothing' person. I want to be out and among people. I love to play the games and do things."
Butts said her time at CNC began after she was invited to one of its events. And that former CNC president Bob Taylor was a major influence on her and fellow board members.
"...the lady that sold me my home had been coming up here occasionally, and so she invited me and brought me up," Butts said. "We came to a dance one night, and I saw Bob Taylor just working so hard and serving food and things to people and I said, 'Would you like some help?' And from that moment until now, I have worked here. We help serve, (we do) everything. We did the dances, the fun nights, and the jam sessions. We did it all here and his wife always came and helped."
She said Taylor also enlisted the help of Plaster as the organization's resident "fix-it man." Plaster offered his maintenance skills where he could. He often promoted the organization's events and encouraged donations by placing fliers with business.
"I've helped improve the building, and I helped install their new roof on it. I helped get a new industrial garbage disposal, I helped get a bunch of metal cabinet in here and I got Kim (Drummond) a new office," Plaster told the Democrat. "She was sitting back in a little old office and I felt so sorry for her. I brought it up that we would make her a new office. Donations started coming in."
Misty Finley is leaving the board as well. She said she would like to dedicate more time to her family after three years with the California Nutrition Center.
"I have met a lot of people, great people there. A lot of volunteers and then, of course, everyone that comes to the center. They're super nice," Finley said. "We've had so many events, I can't even remember all of them but they were really fun."
"Being on the board, it takes a lot of time," Finley continued. "I have so many grandchildren and I have a farm...and honestly, it's just time (to leave). I felt constricted on my time and I felt like I needed to step down and let somebody else take over for my spot. Honestly, I enjoyed it, and I loved it. And I would have liked to stay longer, but it's just I've got too much going on."
Finley said she wants the community to continue supporting the CNC. She said the assistance the organization receives from the community is very generous and is still needed. Although she is leaving her role on the board, she still has several fond memories and experiences she looks back to.
"I remember laughing at some of the events," Finley said. "The 'Not-So Newlywed Game' was really funny. A lot of people came to that event, and it was just hilarious. I guess I can think back to that as being a really fun time with me being there."
The California Nutrition Center will throw a party celebrating Butts, Plaster and Finley for their time with the organization 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday.