San Bernardino County Supervisor's Office Report

Rancho Cucamonga Resident Helping Recognize Mothers

Rutherford Report

San Bernardino County Supervisor’s Office. May 2013

When Bev Nelson learned about some inappropriate activity that took place during her oldest son’s overnight trip with his high school chorus, she went straight to the principal to let him know how she felt about the lack of supervision. 

“He said something that really made me stop and think,” Nelson said. “He said, ‘Where were you?’” 

For the next 15 years, Nelson—a Rancho Cucamonga resident and the mother of eight planned—organized, and chaperoned countless chorus trips, including journeys to competitions in Canada and Europe. 

“I made sure that the parents who went on the trip knew what their responsibilities were in terms of supervising the students,” she said. 

Nelson’s involvement in the chorus trips as well as her active role in her children’s schools, scouting, sporting, and other activities helped her earn the California 2012 Mother of the Year award from American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit group that recognizes the important role of motherhood through educational programs and community outreach. 



Each of the women selected as Mother of the Year for their state are featured in online videos produced by American Mothers. In her video, Nelson encourages young mothers to surround their children with “wonderful adult role models.” 

“They need to look at other people besides you for encouragement and wisdom,” said Nelson, who serves as president of the California Association of American Mothers. “It only validates what you as a mother teach them.” 



Now, she is working to start a local chapter of American Mothers to work on local community service projects, such as collecting donations for domestic violence shelters, and to host events to educate young mothers and to recognize local mothers for the work they do. 

“Most mothers are the unsung heroes of the world,” Nelson said. “They do so much for their families without any desire for recognition.” 

About a year and a half ago, Nelson helped start the Upland Community Service Council to bring local service organizations such as Rotary,Lions, and Kiwanis clubs as well as local churches together to cooperate on community projects. 

“This kind of effort just builds unity in the community,” she said. “And isn’t that what you try to do when you are a mom?” 

If you would like more information about the Upland Community Service Council or the local chapter of American Mothers, send an email to Nelson at bevpnelson@gmail.com.

Chapter Area Happenings

Temecula, Hemet, San Diego: When considering what type of service project to do, I felt inspired to keep it local and invite women in the community to help. I came across a foster agency called Angels, which is specific to San Diego County. They are an amazing nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to make a difference in our foster system. They place young children in homes where the foster parents are physically and financially responsible for caring for the child. No state or federal money is given to these families for assistance. I was touched by the mission of this organization and decided to make and donate tag blankets that will be used as security blankets for children being placed through their foster agency. These children are usually moved around a few times before finding their long term placement with Angels and I wanted to provide the children with a source of security that will travel with them wherever they go. The tag blankets are underway! I have gathered materials and have made a few examples. With a wonderful group of women from my church and the community, we are planning to get together in May and make as many tag blankets as we can to donate to Angels!           Stephanie McKnight

Upland, Fontana, Rancho, Redlands, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Beaumont: We will be attending the tour of Casa Colina Rehabilitation Hospital in May. This is the facility that Eleanor Francis Smith started as her project when she was national Mother of theYear in 1936.  What a wonderful project it was... one that has helped thousands of children and adults over the years.  We also are planning a meeting in June to have a speaker inviting other mothers in our area to attend.  This next week we are delivering 50 blankets to a women’s family shelter that also teaches mothering classes to unwed mothers.  When the girls complete the course they receive a blanket for their new baby. We are also starting a monthly lecture series at our local library on different topics of parenting taught by professionals in their topic area. Finally in November we have made the initial contacts to honor mothers whose sons and daughters are serving in the military.  We will keep you posted on this idea and let you know how it is going.

                                                                                                                                 Bev Nelson 

Chapter Area Happenings

What’s Happening in our Different Areas!

La Canada: Lois Johnson (she played the violin during lunch at the gala) will speak at our local meeting here.  She has agreed and I just need to set a time. She is a great mother, has 5 amazing children, the 4th of which is leaving soon to serve as a missionary.  She is losing her eyesight but continues to lead the choir, cook, travel and be very involved in her children's lives.  She also volunteers taking suicide crisis calls.  Time and location to be announced.                                                                                                                   Dorothy DeVore                  

LaVerne, Glendora, San Dimas, West Covina and Covina:  We had a neighborhood meeting where my husband spoke about each home being prepared for a minimum of 3 weeks to 3 months in the event of an emergency.   He then announced me, Renee Starr, as Mother of the Year and asked me to speak.  I told them that one of my neighborhood projects is humanitarian aid for distressed babies at L.A. County Hospital starting next month at my house.  People are wanting to help and are wanting to donate material.  I need flannel, but I will take what ever I can get at first.  Eventually I can pass on cotton fabric if any other chapters could use that.  Fliers sent out to neighborhoods regarding needed things are a great way to supply each chapter with what they need.  People really want to donate.  I asked for material, thread, yarn, newborn onsies and sleepers, new or barely used.  I'm getting excited. Please share that with the other chapters. A meeting is also planned on June 20th. We’ve asked Bev Nelson to introduce CAAMI to those who are interested in joining. Time and location to be announced.                                                             Renee Starr