News | Article from Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

By Leonor Vivanco, Staff Writer

Awards honor real teen idol

San Bernardino (May 30, 2007) - Promoting the importance of reading to the community. Working at a Boy Scout camp. Befriending special-ed students through the Best Buddies program.

Plus, going to Cajon High School and hanging out with friends snowboarding, surfing or dirt biking.

The list can sound exhausting, but Ammon Becar is not tired.

The energetic 18-year-old has found time to volunteer - 1,251 hours. That's nearly eight months of full-time work hours.

"I've never been someone to think about myself. I always think about others," he said.

Becar was recognized Wednesday among more than 500 teens from San Gorgonio, Redlands, San Bernardino, Redlands East Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Pacific, Fontana, Cajon and Arroyo Valley high schools at the 14th annual Teens Make a Difference Awards Ceremony.

Volunteering since he was 12, Becar said he gets a feeling of satisfaction knowing he's helped others.

Most rewarding has been his work with Best Buddies, where he's made a friend in a classmate named Anthony. He sees him every day and plays interactive games and spends time talking to the 16-year-old.

"They're always picked on. They're always put aside second or they're always made fun of," Becar said.

"When you've got that support, the guy that's going to come up and show them that look these guys are really amazing, they've got some great talent and stuff to bring to people, then it's just totally worth it - just to see them smile when you see they're picked on all day and someone like me can actually come in and make them feel important."

Becar is dedicated to being buddies with his peers, said Heather Dana-Lozano, special-ed faculty adviser for Best Buddies.

"He really, truly has a heart of gold. He invests his time into his buddy," she said.

He's known to bring his buddy his favorite snack, a Cup of Noodles soup, and make a paper car because his buddy loves Starsky and Hutch.

"He tries to bring delight to his buddy," she said.

His mother, Sheri, said she was proud of him.

"I feel the most important thing in this life overall is that interaction you have with others. It doesn't matter so much how much money you have, where you live. It matters, `Did I make a difference,?"' his mother said.

The awards are held in conjunction with the Inland Center Mall, Inland Empire United Way's Hands On initiative and Arrowhead United Way.

A total of 58,616 hours of service were logged this year volunteering at libraries and hospitals, baby-sitting, refereeing sports games, tutoring and working for free for other nonprofit and community-based organizations.

"We think it's really important to recognize the good that's going on in our community," said Robin Kelley, Hands On Inland Empire director.

"We hear about how kids get into trouble or they're not being productive, and I think it's important to hold these kids up and say these are productive participants and members of our community," she said.

Volunteering is often a part-time job these high school students are committed to, she said.

It's also an opportunity, she said, to explore potential jobs and can be noted on a college application.

"It's a great beta test for them to try out a career or interest," Kelley said.

Becar plans to continue his volunteer work when he puts his college plans on hold in nine months to serve a two-year mission as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

"Two years of nothing but just serving others. I'm not getting paid for it," he said.

Contact writer Leonor Vivanco at (909) 386-3875 or via e-mail at leonor.vivanco@sbsun.com.

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