Del Mar Community Connections celebrates 25th anniversary, appoints three new board members

Del Mar Community Connections, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2000 by a small group of Del Mar volunteers to support and serve the older population of the Del Mar area so they may age independently at home, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has recently appointed three new volunteer board members:  Del Mar residents Carol German, Dan Maneval and Chana Mannen, according to a news release.

“We are pleased to welcome Carol, Dan and Chana to our board as we know they share our passion for helping older adults remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible,” said Katie Militello, board president, in the news release. “The enthusiasm of our local volunteers helps drive our sense of real momentum as we look to grow and expand our reach and our services to the broader aging-in-place Del Mar community.”

DMCC offers a suite of services to seniors including transportation to shopping and appointments, exercise classes, medical device lending, seminars, occasional group meals and a host of group activities. Those interested in the offerings provided by DMCC or wish to volunteer, call (858) 792-7565 or visit DMCC’s website at www.dmcc.cc.

Background/bios of new board members:

Carol German:German is a retired student affairs administrator, having worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, and at The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Penn.

German, a licensed New York state mediator, led court-ordered mediations and resolved campus disputes. Along with a retired New York Giant, German co-founded a state-wide program to assist both college athletes and professional athletes named Together for Tomorrow that was funded primarily by the New York state governor’s office, the NFL, and the NCAA.

German moved to State College in 1990 with her husband Rand, where her responsibilities at Penn State included overseeing all of student activities, major concerts on campus, the campus Crisis Center and crisis hotline, and serving as director of the AT&T Center for Service Leadership.

German served as the primary university consultant to the national board of America’s Promise under General Colin Powell and retired US Senator Harris Wofford, and was a loaned executive to Center County United Way for six years. She served on the advisory team for Pennsylvania Campus Compact (a service-oriented consortium), and she chaired the state-wide university Task Force on Alcohol.

Since retiring and moving full-time to Del Mar, German has volunteered for Del Mar Community Connections, served on her HOA board, been past president of Newcomers of San Dieguito, and is the current president of the North Coast Social Club. German studied at The Ohio State University and at RPI, and holds degrees in comprehensive biological sciences, English, physiological psychology and college student development.

Dan Maneval:Maneval and his wife Edna moved to San Diego 32 years ago and settled in Del Mar in 2014. They have two sons who grew up in Carmel Valley and attended Torrey Pines High School. Maneval was president of Del Mar Little League (2004-2007) and has been a volunteer for local scouting, youth sports, and church organizations. Maneval is a consultant in the biopharmaceutical industry and is a member of the Boston University College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board and the Department of Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board at USC. Maneval is currently a volunteer driver and member of DMCC Transportation Committee.

Chana Mannen:Mannen was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and grew up in an Air Force family, moving frequently. She graduated from Stanford University. She moved to Del Mar in 1970 when she married Del Mar native Frank Mannen and has lived in Del Mar ever since.

Mannen joined the San Diego County Fair in 1970, rising to ultimately serve as the deputy manager responsible to produce the annual San Diego County Fair. After retiring from the fair in 2006, she was appointed Don Diego Scholarship Foundation executive director. She had helped create a scholarship fund as part of her job at the fairgrounds and then led the creation of a nonprofit 501(c)3 associated with the fairgrounds. During her tenure the foundation awarded over a $1 million in scholarships.

Mannen is active in the community as a board member of the San Diego Botanic Garden and St. Peter’s Parish in Del Mar.

Carol German, Dan Maneval and Chana Mannen join the 10 existing board members including Katie Militello (president), Ann Feeney, Bob Gans, Judd Halenza, Phyllis Mirsky, Wayne Otchis, Judy Schuckit Al Sweedler, Glenn Warren and Tanya Young.

About Del Mar Community Connections:The mission of Del Mar Community Connections is to support and serve the senior population of Del Mar so they may age independently at home. DMCC helps older adults live active, vibrant lives by providing transportation, education, and social activities. Incorporated in 2000, DMCC is governed by a board of directors comprised of dedicated community members, operated by a small staff of nonprofit professionals, and championed by dozens of local Del Mar volunteers.