There are some people a community just can
’t do without. Ken Tougas was such a guy.
There are some people a community just can’t do without. Ken Tougas was such a guy.
When Tougas died Thursday, he left such a massive, gaping hole in the volunteer community that it will take 20 people to replace him. There was hardly a senior or child-related event or project that he wasn’t instigator of, chief cook and bottle-washer of, fund-raiser or bush-beater for.
The man was amazing. Morgan Hill is fortunate in its volunteers but no one was more involved in more things than Ken. At age 66, his volunteer resumé, amassed since he moved to Morgan Hill in 1983, covers two single-spaced pages, with one entry per line. And the list is probably incomplete. No one, least of all Ken, can remember everything he did for us.
Tougas was the guiding force behind Toys for Tots and ChildSpree. He was a founding board member of the Community Action Group (CAG) which serves the seniors in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. He was a member of Kiwanis, of the Morgan Hill Lion’s Club, worked with the Brown Bag program that distributes groceries to senior shut-ins on fixed incomes.
He supported the John Boccardo Family Living Center in San Martin, transitional housing for families.
He was a board member for the Morgan Hill Grange Hall, but also acted as rental agent, janitorial service, repair person, visionary, procurement agent and cook.
He arranged for youth dances at the Grange for Cornerstone, the Youth Advisory Committee and Youth Empowered for Success (YES) groups. Ken arranged for Jesse Nazzal from Betsy’s Restaurant to cook for the seniors on long weekends when the senior nutrition program would be closed for a holiday.
An incomplete list of projects and groups that have benefited from the Tougas touch includes El Toro Youth Center, MACSA, Vials for Life, Senior Advisory Committee, Downtown Association, Children’s Safety Fair, SHARE program, Second Harvest Food Bank, Council On Aging, FBLA at Live Oak, Croy Fire Relief efforts, and many city boards and commissions over the years.
He was behind Thanksgiving food baskets for needy families, active in Reach Out, Veteran’s Affairs, Healthy Kids, Retired Senior Volunteers, Senior Legal Assistance, Community Solutions, AARP and the Charter School of MH.
Tougas also served on the board for the Bridge Counseling Center.
The community will come together Wednesday to honor this man and celebrate his life. The best way to honor him is to jump in and help keep his treasured projects going. Pick one and sign up. Give Tougas a living memorial.
Thanks, Ken. We’ll really, really miss you.
Here are some ways to help fill the void:
Volunteers are always needed to tutor the Boccardo Family Living Center’s children in computers, English and math. 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 686-1300, ext. 22.
Toys for Tots and ChildSpree are seasonal (December and August). Watch for calls for help. And be sure to answer.
On Wednesday the City Council will honor Tougas with an official proclamation citing his years of service to the community. His son, Scott will attend in his place. 7 p.m., May 21, City Council Chambers, City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: 779-7271.
