The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada announced Sheri Morton as the La Cañadan of the Year for 2022 in recognition of her decades of exemplary volunteer service. On Wednesday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m., Morton will be honored at a celebratory luncheon held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Recreation Hall, 1830 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. Since 1951, the award has been presented to an individual or couple for outstanding leadership and broad-based service that has positively enhanced the La Cañada Flintridge community.

La Cañadan of the Year committee chairperson Terry Piasky said, “We are thrilled to acknowledge Sheri’s countless hours of volunteer service. We look forward to bringing the public together to honor and thank her for her selfless contributions, which have benefited so many in the foothill’s community.”

Morton moved to La Cañada in 1957, attended local schools, and was in the first graduating class at La Cañada High School. She attended Pasadena City College and graduated from California State College, Los Angeles, where she obtained her teaching credentials.

Morton taught in the Glendale Unified School District where she fondly recalls, “my teaching career was rich and varied!” Her teaching purview ranged from English, Yearbook, ELS, coaching after-school sports, being in charge of the computer lab and more. While she was teaching, Morton also earned her master’s degree in education from Cal State LA. She was a recipient of a fellowship from the UCLA Writing Project where at a workshop she met her future husband David. They were married in 1990 and in 1996 their daughter Maggie was born.

After boasting a 30-year career in education, Morton retired to assist her mother. She is following in her mother’s footsteps and gives back to the community. In 1990 she was a charter member of the Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP) and Auxiliary of Assistance League of Flintridge (ALF). 

Morton joined the La Cañada Thursday Club, where her daughter became a Les Fleurette debutante, as a tribute to her mother who was a past member. She has held multiple positions in the Club and is currently the 2022-23 president having served previously as president from 2016-18.

As deacon at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Morton served on the church’s Senior Ministry Task Force, developing a Senior Resources Guidebook. She has overseen the Red Cross blood drive. For over 15 years, she has cooked for more than 100 retired church members at the semi-annual Anchor luncheon. 

After attending the Red Cross “Map Your Neighborhood” program, she and several neighbors organized a disaster plan for the 50 houses on their street. What started as disaster preparedness has turned into an annual block party rekindling friendships. 

Morton is currently on the La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association board of directors, which cultivates the community of La Cañada Flintridge with sister city Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, igniting friendships around the world and launching far-reaching youth programs.

Her volunteerism is not limited to La Cañada. Morton also serves on the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena board of directors, which supports the arts and artists of the local community and its environs by encouraging the creation, execution and appreciation of work in all branches of the fine arts.

Always on the lookout to help others, Morton thrives at volunteer work in the community she loves, providing service with a smile.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the luncheon celebration. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by going to: lacanadakiwanis.org and clicking on the “La Cañadan of the Year” tab. Tickets may also be purchased by mailing a check to Kiwanis Club of La Cañada – “La Cañadan of the Year,” P.O. Box 33, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91012. Ticket purchasers need to be sure to include their name, email, contact phone and the name of any guest(s). The deadline to reserve tickets is April 12. For additional information, call (818) 568-6411 and leave a message or email lacanadakiwanis@gmail.com for a response from a club member.