The Tri-Counties Community Center board, minus a couple members, poses during its annual gala on Jan. 25 in Marysville. From left are Erin Gladden, Pat Bennett, Courtney Sullivan, Harry DeHaan, Peggy DeHaan, Katrina Inman and Mark Hubble.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Tri-Counties Community Center in Marysville held its third annual gala on Jan. 25 while saying goodbye to its longtime director Peggy DeHaan. DeHaan has worked and volunteered with the center for the past seven years but recently decided to retire from her position, due to ongoing health issues.

“My love for the community is what made this the perfect place for me,” said DeHaan. “I loved sharing about Tri-CC within our community, I've had more fun here and I've met the most wonderful people.”

Some of those people include DeHaan’s husband, Harry DeHaan, who she met while working at the center. Harry DeHaan now serves as the board's president having just been re-elected for another two-year term this past December. 

“Having everyone here means a lot to all of us,” said Harry DeHaan. “This next year is going to be about change. We've got three new board members and they're all going to bring new ideas and new visions to the center. They're going to bring a younger vision to the center which we need. Me and Peggy have been doing this for about six years and have made a lot of great progress but we need more progress, so I think our new members are going to do what we need to do to bring it to the next level.”

Peggy DeHaan, left, former director of Tri-Counties Community Center in Marysville, receives accolades from Mark Hubble, vice-president and “board member of the year” during the center’s annual gala on Jan. 25.

The center's newest board members include Erin Gladden, Courtney Sullivan and Katrina Inman. All three connected with Peggy DeHaan during the center's toddler time program. Gladden, who currently works for Yuba County Office of Education’s family resource center, will serve as the center’s new secretary and said she is excited to restart the children’s garden as well. 

“I'm happy to be a part of the board and help out,” said Gladden. “It's been a good experience so far.”

The primary focus of the gala was to thank and honor a year's worth of program leads, volunteers and community supporters. As such, awards were given to select members as voted on by the board. These included Victor Bugarin and Chloe Provencio for “volunteers of the year” and Mark Hubble for “board member of the year.” Provencio, who is currently in high school, has spent many hours helping to clean the center. Meanwhile, Bugarin has committed to helping run programs such as archery three days a week in addition to other volunteer hours and taking on beautification projects at the center. Hubble, a national champion skater several times over, was credited for assisting in the building's many repairs and general maintenance needs in addition to his contributions as vice- president of the board and program lead for Wednesday Skate Night.

“He always rises above what needs to be done,” said Peggy DeHaan.

During the event, the center’s three scholarship award recipients were also announced. This was only the second time that the center has been able to disperse its “Excellence in Volunteerism Award,” exclusively offered to local high schoolers based on why it's important to give back to their community. Akasha Malik won the $50 scholarship, Mohammad Mehar Ali the $100 scholarship and Isabella Vargas the grand $500 scholarship.

“Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who has supported us,” said Peggy DeHaan.

DeHaan’s contributions to the center have been far and wide. From the establishment of substance-abuse prevention programs to high school job fairs and the return of Family Prom Night and Santa’s Winter Wonderland, it was said that her impact on the center will be felt for years to come.

Peggy DeHaan poses with Isabella Vargas, left, the winner of Tri-Counties Community Center’s $500 scholarship for “excellence in volunteerism.”

“Seven years ago, she had a dream and her dream was to bring this center back to life,” said Betty Johnson, DeHaan’s mother and longtime volunteer. “Peggy has put her heart and soul into this center and she is so very sad and heartbroken that she has to step down. I'm just so very proud of her for living her dream, she has done a fantastic job and we wish her all the best.”

Provencio added “(Peggy) has been awesome to me and I don't know where my life would be without her.”

Many of DeHaan's colleagues were sad to see her go but DeHaan promised to continue to be a familiar face around the center.

“I have been promised that I can continue to organize and participate in Santa's Winter Wonderland and our annual Gala,” said DeHaan. “Besides that, I would like to continue my many friendships here.”

Tri-Counties Community Center is located at 1830 B. St. in Marysville. To learn more, visit tricountiescommunitycenter.com.