2021 INDUCTEE

Mike Heywood

Mike Heywood has been a core member of Coordinating Council in both official and unofficial ways for several years:  As President 2009-2011 and again 2015-2016, but he did not have to have a title to give to the group anything and everything needed to run an effective organization. Instead of remaining as the Coordinating Council’s President, from 2016, he took on the position of Membership Chair, but from that post he patiently nurtured and helped all the other Board positions succeed. 

His generous service as the delegate or alternative delegate for Build Futures, My OC History, Robyne's Nest, and the Hall A Clement Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to promoting a connection with the history of our town and county to foster an appreciation for local governance and community good works, were also roles he took on for the mutual success of the groups he served as a delegate. He is also an active member of the Kiwanis. In his spare time, Mike singlehandedly created this Huntington Beach Coordinating Council website, coordinated the banking and membership efforts with Eldon, led the group and served as a speaker and moderator for matters which required the breadth of his historical knowledge that continues to be a passion for him. 

Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal. 

In insurance, Mike has the CPCU designation, one of the most esteemed designations in his category of study.  Together with other lions in the industry, Mike was instrumental in forming a nonprofit for children, and he and his colleagues we understand were the catalyst to bring about a baccalaureate level degree in insurance at Cal State Fullerton which is unique to the Cal State system.

The author of several books, wonderful novels and carefully authored historical works, available on Amazon in both paper and kindle format.  Here are just some of the titles to enjoy: 

* Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach, 60 years of amazing service 1961 to 2021: Anatomy of a great group [2021] * Huntington Beach, Surf City: 1901 to 2020

* A History of Orange County: 1889 to 2020

* Murder in Newport Beach: The Overell and Gullum Murder Trial [2020]

* Walter Knott and Family Knott's Berry Farm [2016]

* Woman's Club of Huntington Beach: A history of community service 1908 to 2016

* Thomas B Talbert 1978-1968 Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Orange County Pioneer [2015]

* A History of Orange County: Twelve Decades of Extraordinary Change: 1889 to 2010 [2010]

and his novel, 9-11 California Style.  When you see Mike, call him “Frank” the insurance guy in charge of thwarting a terrorist attack on LAX. A great read.

On June 7th, 2021, Hall of Famers Eldon Thorp and Don Garrick inducted their friend and esteemed colleague, Mike Heywood, as a Hall of Fame Life Member of the Huntington Beach Coordinating Council.

2015 INDUCTEE

Don Garrick

Don Garrick co-founded the Orange County Interfaith Network in 2007, and has held key positions in the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council for over 15 years. He has worked tirelessly to foster tolerance and understanding of the many and varied ways that our communities residents worship. Don has served as Vice Chair of the Huntington Beach Human Relations task Force, an organization charged with making sure that our town has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination in any of its forms. A member of the Orange County Public Affairs Council, Don is always willing to support the public outreach of our communities many worthwhile charities. In adition, Don has been the Director of Public Affairs for the Huntington Beach North Stake since 2006 providing public outreach guidance for seven congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the HBCC Board since 2009, Don served as President for the 2012-2013 year, and as VP Membership from 2012 to 2015. Finally, Don has organized over a hundred community service projects involving over four thousand volunteers since 2006, recruiting and guiding project leaders and volunteers. The HBCC Board is proud to install Don Garrick into the HBCC Volunteer Hall of Fame. 

2014 INDUCTEE

Eldon Thorp

Eldon Thorp has given many thousands of hours supporting youth activities in our community. From spending time as a leader in the Y Indian Guides program, to serving as Scout Master, he has always been committed to making sure that our youth have every opportunity to develop into solid citizens. Active also in his Church of Christ, Eldon oversees Wednesday night dinners for homeless and needy church members, providing support and guidance to fellow volunteers in his church. Eldon is always willing to personally transport those who can't drive themselves. On a broader scale, Eldon has been an active leader, serving in almost all of the key roles in the Golden West Y's Men organization that generates funding and drives active public support for the many good works of the YMCA. Most recently he has held a key financial leadership role for the Southwest Region of the Y's Men. The HBCC Board are pleased to install Eldon Thorp in the HBCC Volunteer Hall of Fame.