Longtime School Volunteer Leads Nonprofit Performing Arts Group

Everyday Inspirations is a series that features people in Patch communities who inspire others through their work, or people who have faced extraordinary situations and grown from them. They have been featured by other people in the community that have been inspired by the nominees.

Name: Desiree Cabana
Town: West Covina, CA
Nominated by: Kristina Keener Ivy

Why is this person an "Everyday Inspiration?" 
Desiree has been a volunteer for West Covina High School for almost 20 years. I met her there when I was teaching and now she is the president of our non-profit performing arts group "Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy" (our office is in Glendora).

Has the nominee's life been changed in an extraordinary way? 

Desiree was a teen mother in the 1960's who fought to keep her child and make her personal dreams come true. She has done that by helping her family establish their business, raising a large family, and she has become and inspiration to everyone she meets because of her lifetime of selfless volunteerism.

How does this person work to make others' lives better?

All Desiree does is help anyone who needs it. She is a great crafter and problem solver and will find a way to make or build anything that is needed. She helps decorate every dance and spirit event for West Covina High School, helps build sets, fix costumes, did the flowers and decorations for my wedding and literally is available for anyone who asks 24/7.

She always goes above the call of duty without complaining (even when she is in physical pain) and without seeking repayment or acknowledgement.