Fifty-three residents recently received a President's Volunteer Service Award for volunteering a minimum of 100 hours in 2008 with the Hogan Family Foundation at the group's Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks and at Rancho St. Francis in Hidden Hills and Camarillo.

The volunteers each received a certificate that features the United States presidential seal.

"We are very proud of our many volunteers and are so very thankful for their tireless efforts in making our world a better place," said Christine Hogan, Hogan Family Foundation executive vice president.

"Every day, they donate their time and talents to help the foundation care for abused, abandoned and neglected animals; provide public educational tours of the gardens; and help underprivileged children. We could not accomplish nearly as much without them," Hogan said.

The volunteers are Holly Anderson, Melissa Babcock, Sebastian Bosso, Sharlene Caldwell, Maureen Celusta, Georgene Cole, Maritza Crespo, Robert Dean, Deb Dimich, Forrest Fields, Sally Garcia, Marie Harding, Hallie Haworth, Margaret Isachsen, Sally Johnson, Shirley Jorgensen, Kyle Joseph and Harvey Kern.

Also, Olivia Kimmelmann, Conilee Kirkpatrick, Chelsea Kurtz, Lisa Kurtz, Lois Leach, Gladys Leon, Mari Malagon, Chris Majors, Nancy McChesney, Norma McLean, Marti Meister, Nan Moors, Elaine Morgan, Linda Nuttall, Joan O'Connor, Lee Olsen and Heather Roberts.

Also, Georgia Rodger, Carolyn Rogers, David Ross, Evelyn Rutiz, Jennifer Ryan, Margery Scharre, Karin Schratter, Claire Shaw, Judy Spilka, Nat Stein, Debra Sweitzer, Evans Thomas, Anna Marie Thompson, Tracy Tomicki, Ann Toon, Manny Villagomez, Natalie Zavala and Elinor Zelner.

The foundation's top volunteer, Robert Dean, contributed nearly 300 hours of his time at the Gardens of the World.

The President's Volunteer Service Awards program started in 2003 under President George W. Bush, emerging from George H.W. Bush's "1,000 Points of Light" campaign, begun in 1988, which recognizes and encourages contributions to society.

Since 1998, the Hogan Family Foundation has operated a number of philanthropic programs around the country. For more information, go online to www.hoganfoundation.org.

For volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteermatch.com.