Dedicated civil servant
enters Hospice care

By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

Hood River Saturday Market vendors will accept donations on June 27 to help Brenda Herman, former HRSM board president, cover medical expenses related to her cancer treatment.

Herman officially resigned from her position last week to enter hospice care. The board had been holding on to hope that she would regain her health after having surgery in January for spinal osteo sarcoma, a rare cancer.

“Brenda thought of the market as her ‘baby’ and wanted it and everyone in it to be successful,” said Jean Mason, board member.

“She was usually the first one at the board meetings and was ready to get the show on the road.”

In addition to collecting funds for Herman from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the market, the board has set up an account in her name at Columbia River Bank, 2650 Cascade Ave. The market is located in the parking lot at Fifth and Columbia streets.

“Brenda devoted many hours and a lot of money to HRSM and, when she took on the soldiers, she was as dedicated to them as she was to the market,” said Mason.

Herman organized the assembly of care packages for the troops at two markets during 2007. At that time, she was already sending boxes on her own to military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. She referred to these men and women as her “adopted children.”

In 2008, she baked and bagged hundreds of cookies to ship to 60 members of a Marine platoon in North Carolina who were deploying to Iraq. She then sent homemade treats to the infantry unit during their seven-month tour of duty.

“I am so indebted to Brenda for her outpouring of unconditional love and support for my son,” said Sandy Pablik, mother of Marine Lance Corporal Jonathan Pablik, who became Herman’s pen pal.

In 2008, Herman co-founded the Heroes Club to expand her outreach to the troops. The mission of the group sponsored by Elks Lodge 1507 in Hood River and Lodge 1868 in White Salmon was to support individuals serving in the armed forces from the Mid-Columbia area.

For her efforts on behalf of the troops, Herman was named Elk of the Year for 2008 by the White Salmon lodge.

“Besides bringing us the best brownies in the world, Brenda always makes all of the soldiers at the Hood River Armory feel very appreciated. We are very thankful for all of her efforts on our behalf,” said National Guard Sergeant First Class Benjamin Hall.

Hood River resident Ginnie Mooney’s daughter, Air Force Tech Sergeant Kerri Williams-Marinas, is stationed in Germany and a recipient of Heroes Club packages.

“I was visiting her in March or April when one of these packages arrived,” said Mooney.

“What a great gift. Kerri was so delighted to have something from home and the note inside from one of the school children was very tender. I appreciate all of the time that Brenda has dedicated to let military families know that they are in her thoughts.”

Carmen VandenBos, mother of Army Specialist Adam VandenBos, a Hood River resident currently serving in Iraq, also spoke highly of Herman’s endeavors.

“I’ve only known Brenda a short time but, in that time, I have found her to have a heart of gold,” said VandenBos.

“When I first joined the Heroes Club, Brenda was there to guide me and introduce me to all the volunteers so that I felt welcomed.”

Jean Hadley, of Parkdale, met Herman while she was volunteering as a Master Gardener at the Hood River market. In addition to serving as board president, Herman made and sold Misty Mountain soaps and lotions.

Hadley said Herman immediately offered help after learning that she served on the survivor walk committee of Relay for Life.

“I had asked her if she would sell me some of her small soaps to be a small gift for the survivors. What Brenda did was make enough soaps to hand every survivor one for the next three years and she would not take a penny,” said Hadley.

“She does what she does for all the right reasons, for whoever needs it. What an inspirational person; her energy has been contagious.”

In 1995, Herman was named Citizen of the Year in White Salmon, where she makes her home. The recognition followed her work to open “Hope’s Place,” a shelter for abused women and children.

One of her personal triumphs was a climb to the summit of Mount Hood in the late 1980s.

“She is a very passionate woman who loves life,” said Mason.

“The things that she could change, she has done to make this world a better place for us all.”