FIVE VALLEY SENIORS HONORED FOR VOLUNTEER WORK.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer

Eighteen senior citizens, including five from the San Fernando Valley, were named Tuesday by City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo as ``LA Pearls'' for improving the quality of life and the image of seniors in Los Angeles.

Residents, associations, organizations and businesses in each of the 18 Neighborhood Prosecutor divisions nominated the recipients, based upon their contributions - either through employment or volunteer activities.

``Senior citizens make significant contributions to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles through dedication of their time, talent and experience,'' Delgadillo said. ``I applaud each of this year's recipients and look forward to honoring the work of our many outstanding seniors in the years to come.''

The recipients received the awards at a luncheon reception. They were chosen by a committee based on their community contributions. They include:

--Charlotte Bedard, 72, of Sylmar, a retired co-owner of a communications company. Bedard is a senior community advocate for the beautification and betterment of Sylmar. Her communication with Graffiti Busters and the Los Angeles Police Department has aided in the arrest and conviction of many taggers and graffiti vandals, and she has aided in graffiti cleanup. She has also volunteered her time to elderly people in need, and at times has been appointed their caretaker.

--Richard ``Rocko'' Friedkin, 100, Tarzana, founder of the West Valley Mentoring Group. Friedkin also is involved in the Woodland Hills Optimist Club, the Optimists Blind Youth Association, the Police Activity League Supporters, which helps at-risk children, and has volunteered with the LAPD's West Valley Division.

--Nora Hecker, 94, of Van Nuys, a retired mail campaign secretary for the Society of Crippled Children. During her past 23 years living in Los Angeles, Hecker was a volunteer secretary for the San Fernando Valley Federation of Senior Clubs, a volunteer at Sherman Oaks Hospital, a member of a comedy improv group who performed for senior citizens and a crime prevention volunteer for the LAPD's Van Nuys Division.

--David Kaye, 86, of Woodland Hills, the retired owner of a wholesale food processing and distribution plant, and a current member of Help Youth Charities Fund in Tarzana. For the past 28 years, he has been involved in providing food, clothing and medical equipment to poverty-level senior citizens, as well as poverty-level children and families.

--Adelaide ``Addy'' Tatto, 84, of Valley Village, a retired nurse and current active community volunteer. In addition to her involvement with Meet Each Need with Dignity, she has volunteered with AIDS Project L.A., Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Angel Flight West and was a docent at the San Fernando Mission.

Phillip W. Browne, [phone]

phillip.browne(at)dailynews.com