San Marino Person of the Year: Volunteer Extraordinaire Vanessa Koo

We asked who should be San Marino’s Person of the Year and readers responded with enthusiastic nominations.

San Marino Patch’s very first Person of the Year is Vanessa Koo, who gives new meaning to the term “volunteer.”

Koo, who has lived in San Marino since 1993 with her husband, attorney Bernard Shih, has literally made a full-time (pro bono) job out of volunteering to the point that it’s difficult to fit in all the volunteer work she wants to do, because of the volunteer work she is already doing.

In fact, Koo was recovering from being ill earlier this week and still made time to speak with Patch over the phone—she didn’t want to get us sick by meeting in-person—and was cheerful and laughing much of the time.

“People who have worked with Vanessa know that if she takes on a volunteer task, she will give 110 percent and do a great job,” said new , who counted on Koo to manage her school board campaign. “Vanessa has touched and improved volunteer organizations all over the City, not only through her own philanthropic efforts but also by encouraging new families to get involved in their community.”

Koo was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. in 1979. She has two sons, one of whom attends Claremont Graduate School while the other is a sophomore at .

Over the years, Koo’s resume of volunteerism includes mostly school-related activities and groups, but she also lends her skills in other areas.

Most recently she was elected by the SMHS PTSA Executive Board to fill the position of PTSA President upon Link’s resignation due to .

Koo currently volunteers in many groups and has served San Marino in the following capacities and organizations over the past 15-plus years—and this is by far an abbreviated list:

• (various roles)
• PTA (numerous roles)
• (PTA and other roles)
• (Band Booster Co-President and PTSA Band Liaison; Health Office volunteer; Grad Night Light-Up Co-Chair)
• (Associate Trustee and Official Chinese Translator)
• Citizens for San Marino Schools (various roles)
• (Neighborhood Watch Block Captain; SMFD Community Emergency Response Team Certified Member)
• Boy Scouts

Fellow schools volunteer and Patch blogger echoes the praise of Koo including others.

“With the large population of Chinese in the San Marino community, Vanessa has played a key role in making sure [they] feel welcomed in the mainstream community,” said Moshir, who met Koo about 10 years ago when both their sons attended Valentine Elementary. “She has been instrumental in providing Chinese translation of every piece of communication that has gone out of the four schools and [San Marino Schools] foundation.”

Koo has also lent her passion and talents to the , where she organizes childrens’ weekly bilingual storytime in English and Chinese. She is “very happy” with the regular turnout of 20 or so children each time but also wants to expand the program.

“Vanessa's energy and enthusiasm for all that she does is contagious,” said Link, reflecting on Koo’s storytime efforts. “Anyone who has seen Vanessa read a story, sing a song, or demonstrate a craft to the attendees knows that she loves devoting her time to children. Parents and library patrons cannot help but smile and join in on the fun.”

While it is hard to choose what volunteer work she is most proud of, Koo spoke about a 2009 trip she organized for the Huntington Middle School orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Koo, whose son was in the orchestra. “It took me a lot of time but it was an enormous experience for the kids. I think it was the first time they’d traveled out of state.”

Koo’s first foray into San Marino volunteerism in the 90s was a combination of wanting a new opportunity and to keep an eye on her eldest son, who was then in first grade.

“Culturally, I never learned about volunteer work,” said Koo. “Once I got involved I found out how wonderful it is. It just becomes not for my kids but for all the kids.”

While Koo said she could not do all her volunteer work without the support of her husband, she hopes to inspire others in the community to volunteer, even if they have other jobs. 

She credits her experiences with San Marino schools, the library, Neighborhood Watch and other groups for making it possible for her to learn so much from great people with good hearts.

“I would call her a renaissance woman,” said Moshir, who noted that Koo is honest, hardworking and dedicated. “She is worldly, having traveled all over and carrying with her the roots of her ancient Chinese culture. I see Vanessa as a figure of knowledge and wisdom that comes with age and experience, although I have to say Vanessa is quite young in her demeanor, especially her hearty laughter that will catch your attention at any party.”

How has Vanessa Koo, San Marino Patch’s Person of the Year, affected you? Share your comments and stories below.