Inside the offices for the Office of College Advancement and the Foundation Office, Elizabeth Gomez is still settling into her new space. Moving from a small corner in the president’s office to this larger space is “very exciting,” she said.

As the foundation bookkeeper and district budget analyst for MHCC, Gomez’s responsibilities span a wide variety of tasks, not all of which are related. She organizes meetings and events, and assists with the district budget, doing mostly paperwork, gathering information and putting the budget document together.

Gomez was recently chosen to receive a 2005 Outstanding Support Staff Award for her community service and volunteer work, dedication and enthusiasm. She volunteers for numerous activities on campus, including the foundation auction, KMHD fundraisers, Shelie Macias Memorial Scholarship book sales, the Ask Me tables, and the golf tournament for the foundation.

“When something comes up and it fits in my schedule, I usually try to help out,” Gomez said.

The foundation auction is one of two major fundraisers the foundation holds to raise money for scholarships and equipment. “It’s a benefit for the students and the school,” Gomez said.

Gomez is busy preparing for this year’s auction set to be held May 14 at the Oregon Convention Center. As a group leader for a procurement team, Gomez is sending letters to former donors and looking for new ones. All items that are auctioned off come from individual and company donations.

Some of the things that have been auctioned in the past include trips and a dinner with MHCC President Robert Silverman. A silent auction is held as well, showcasing hand-made objects such as some cutting boards that Gomez made herself, a quilt from one of the college offices, and baskets put together by different offices. Students can get involved, too.

“Some of the most popular items are hand-made, items such as art and quilts,” said Gomez.

Gomez is also seeking volunteers to work the auction. People interested in volunteering can call Gomez at 491-7160. “It’s a fun way to attend and get to bid on items,” said Gomez. Tickets to the auction, which include dinner, are $75, but volunteers get in for free and are served a volunteer dinner.

This year’s theme, “Auction of the Century,” celebrates Gresham’s 100th anniversary.

Gomez helps out with KMHD’s on-air pledge drive by answering phones when people call in to make donations. She met her husband of seven years at one of these fundraisers. “He was on air and showed me a card trick. Of course, I totally ignored him and thought he was a goof ball.”

Gomez and her husband hosted an international student from Guatemala last year, which Gomez thought was “very cool.” When he moved in, he hardly spoke English, but when he left he was the best English speaker in his class. “We are still very close to him,” she said. The student now works in Guatemala with people from NASA to determine where forest fires will occur.

Gomez has been at MHCC for 17 years. She started as a student, coming to Mt. Hood as a junior in high school and taking a job as a bookkeeper in the print shop. She then got her accounting degree. She is currently studying through Eastern Oregon University’s distance education program for her bachelor’s degree in business.

The award came as a surprise, said Gomez, “I was shocked. I was just doing my thing.” Gomez may not think twice about the things she does, but this award shows MHCC thinks she makes a difference.