Assemblymember Mike Gatto (left), Honoree Bruce Fleenor (center) and Chamber V.P. Alex Ventura (right)
Atwater Village, CA: Bruce Fleenor, local volunteer and the pastor of Christ’s Church at Griffith Park (a local church located in Central Atwater) is the winner of the Atwater Villager of the Year for 2014.
This annual award, determined by community nominations and presented annually by the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce, is for someone “whose noteworthy good deeds has served to preserve the uniqueness of our community or improved those areas that needed improvement.”
As pastor at Christ’s Church, since 2006, it was Bruce’s idea to open up his church to Atwater’s civic, educational and self-help groups. Recognizing the lack of adequate meeting spaces Bruce has actively welcomed the use of the church building for community meetings, voting and other events. All free of charge to the community and the organizations that use the space. Groups that benefit from Bruce’s hospitality include Atwater’s Neighborhood Council, Residents Association, Urban Homeschoolers, Overeaters Anonymous and other local groups.
He also is a gifted pastor and teacher that serves the spiritual needs of our community. With Bruce, what you see is what you get. He is a real and straight-shooting pastor that is known for his openness and honesty. As pastor and teacher he does his homework, is quick to share his knowledge and rarely pulls the "scholar card”.
While not at Church he works to help local youth reach their full potential as a basketball coach at Chevy Chase Rec Center. Coaching is close to his heart, as evidenced by the many hours each year he puts in coaching basketball.
Bruce grew up in Morro Bay and graduated from Hope International University in Fullerton. He’s been married 27 years to his wife Tanya Fleenor and has two wonderful kids, one cat, one dog, and one foster-dog.
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A heartfelt Thank You to Bruce Fleenor for his dedication to Atwater Village, keep up the good work!
Sincerely, Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce