Ventura County Community Gems member, Sarah Hansen, received a certificate of appreciation for her group, from Fillmore’s Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee for their sponsorship of two replanted pots along Central Avenue. Sarah Hansen had suggested the sponsorship to her group and later, brought them to Fillmore for a special dinner & tour of the Fillmore Historical Museum.

The Ventura County Community Gems group is an “off shoot” of a group in Ventura called “Jewelia”. Jewelia was begun several years ago by a group of friends who decided to make a purchase, together, of a diamond necklace which was then shared by each woman getting to wear the necklace on her birthday and for special occasions.

The Ventura County Community Gems group was begun in 2011 by Priscilla VanGundy to give special recognition to a woman that has served her community well. The VCCG group selects women who are nominated from communities through out the county. These women get to wear a diamond necklace for one month of the year as they represent their community. The 12 women in the group meet monthly to decide on fundraising and to get better acquainted and to help each other.