DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : ROSE HORKIN.

Horkin retired from teaching 20 years ago, but she volunteers so much it's like a full-time job.

She works with the Valley University Women organization, sorting through college scholarship applications to find 12 to 14 students deserving of $1,500 scholarships.

Horkin also donates $1,500 of her own to another scholarship fund named after her grandson, the Devon DuVal Memorial Auxiliary Chapter of the National Asthma Center.

As a member of the California Retired Teachers Association, Horkin helps raise money for students who want to go to California State University, Northridge, and become teachers.

Horkin collects toiletries for the Women's Care Cottage, a home for battered and homeless women and children, and works for the David Saul Hect chapter of the City of Hope as the corresponding secretary and program chair. She also is involved with Na'Amat, the organization that helps Jewish and Arab mothers in Israel by giving them vocational training and counseling.

There's more. She also works in the Discovery Shop for the American Cancer Society and in Olive View Medical Center's gift shop, where she collects used eyeglasses from patients for people who need them in Third World countries. As part of the Valley Outreach Synagogue, she puts out the refreshments and snacks for the Oneg Shabbat.

AGE: In her 70s.

RESIDENCE: Van Nuys.

BORN AND RAISED IN: Born in Chicago; raised in Richmond, Calif.; moved to Sherman Oaks in 1924.

OCCUPATION: A retired school teacher. Horkin worked for 29 years at Sherman Oaks Elementary School.

MARITAL STATUS: Widowed for four years.

CHILDREN: Two children, Paul and Debra DuVal.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED: ``I started out as a kid. My family has always been a helping family. Our home was always an open house for anyone who needed help.''

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER: ``I get satisfaction out of doing something worthwhile. If I can help someone in some way, I feel better about myself. And if I join a group, I should be active, not just pay dues.''

BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``Trying to keep the house together and do all these things.''

FAVORITE TASK: ``I can go to the movies and plays as part the Los Angeles Film Teachers Association. As a phone chairperson, we get these extra perks. So I go to the theater a lot.''

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: ``I wish I could travel more. I used to enjoy traveling with my husband; we used to go to Europe once a year.''

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``The fact that I have two wonderful children. And a grandson at University of California, Berkeley, who wants to be a surgeon.''

GOALS FOR THE FUTURE: ``To continue to do what I am doing and hope my children will be more financially successful in the future.''

WHO RELIES ON YOU THE MOST AND WHO YOU RELY ON: ``There is a certain interaction between my son, daughter and myself. If I have a certain problem, it's Paul (she turns to). If it's an emotional problem, it's Debbie. They also rely on me. I give to them whatever they need - advice or help.''

ROLE MODELS: ``My mother was an exceptional woman. She loved you unconditionally and was very supportive and caring, and I had the most wonderful husband.''

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``That you can be happy, healthy and not hurt anybody. I feel good about myself and what I am doing.''

FAVORITE HANGOUTS: ``The theater. My favorites are the Music Center, the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre. I am not a mall person. (The theater) is exciting, it gives you that lift, you live vicariously through it, and I love musicals.''

FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: ``Dancing, walking and baking. I like to cook. I am known as `the cookie lady.' I make special chocolate meringue cookies, and for my son I make a strudel for his birthday.''

HOBBIES: ``Reading, sports on TV and word-wise puzzles.''

WHAT WOULD BE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU?: ``Being able to get dressed in an outfit I like, to be with my family and friends, have Chinese food and go to the theater or to someplace that I haven't been to before.''

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Photo: No caption (Rose Horkin)

David Sprague/Daily News