Even more so, they did not expect to be the stars at the annual Seniors of Distinction award ceremony hosted by The Terraces of Los Gatos and co-sponsored by the Los Gatos Weekly-Times on May 27.

Recognized for their contributions in the community as well as Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, the couple humbly accepted the Seniors of Distinction award before a modest crowd of friends, city officials and former award recipients.

"There are a lot of people doing wonderful things in the community who deserve some credit as well," Leon says. "We're just doing what we're supposed to do. We're just trying to serve residents as best as we can."

The Milburns are doing more than their fair share in serving the community. As members of the Mountain Emergency Response Corps, which is part of the American Red Cross, they have committed countless hours and energy to helping victims of disasters across the country regain ground.

Their involvement with the nonprofit has taken them to many places. They've assisted in the forest fires that hit Redding two years ago, handing out meals to volunteers battling the flames and to those whose homes were damaged; provided support to those affected by the Northridge earthquake; and flew to the Midwest, where they found homes and cars floating in brown water during the flood season.

Leon was also among the second wave of Red Cross workers who went to New York three weeks after the 9-11 tragedy to train volunteers on damage assessment and proper health services. He is also a member of the American Red Cross West Valley Advisory Board, which among many things helps raise funds to fill shipping containers located in various areas with emergency relief materials such as cots and blankets.

Fans of history and of all things historical, the Milburns are also volunteers with the Museums of Los Gatos. A large part of their work with the museum consists of cataloging the items on display, photographing them and entering them into the computer.

"Leon and Joann are sweet and giving people," says Jade Bradbury, the museum's history curator and committee member who first proposed to nominate the two. "Whatever needed to be done around the museum, they did it, whether it was fixing a leak or polishing the cases or adjusting the light. And, for the other things they've done in the community, their recognition was long overdue."

Showing even more of their philanthropic spirits, they are also a part of LOVE, INC for Mountain Bible Church. As coordinators, they help connect volunteers to those in need. The needs range from an individual looking for transportation to get to a doctor's appointment to someone needing help with lawn work.

In addition, Joann spends her time transcribing textbooks for the blind as a volunteer for the Braille Transcription Project of Santa Clara County. She also finds time to cuddle with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.

"We love what we do," Joann says. "It makes us happy to be able to help others."

Monte Sereno Mayor Erin Garner, who presented the award with Los Gatos Mayor Steve Glickman, says the Milburns more than deserve the award.

"The Milburns have touched a lot of lives in the community," Garner says. "Their work has been fruitful for the future. They serve as good models for kids."

The Milburns weren't the only ones who left the event with gifts. The seven-member selection committee also commended Dr. Philip Ernstrom, Emma Hopp and Phyllis Hardin for their tireless work in the community.

A retired surgeon with O'Connor Hospital, Ernstrom has been active with Habitat for Humanity. During his medical career, he took three months away from his practice to work in a medical clinic in Kenya. And last year, he donated something even more valuable than his time to someone close to him—he donated one of his kidneys to his sister, giving her the gift of life.

Hopp and her husband, Dr. Wayne Hopp, are distinguished members of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. A Sunday school teacher and mentor to youth groups, Hopp was instrumental in setting up the No One Wants Program, which helps distributes boxes of food and other essentials to needy families. In addition, she is the co-founder of Telecare Ministry and the Los Gatos Art Docent Program.

A retired schoolteacher, Hardin spent many years working with children. She was a district librarian for the Los Gatos Union School District, a coordinator of the Gifted Program and taught second-, third- and eighth-graders during her 22 years with the district. A member and former president of the History Club of Los Gatos, she has helped raise significant amounts of money for various organizations.