June 2025
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In Tribute to Dr. Shlemmer
Donor's Corner
A Reflection on a Special Volunteer
Caught in the Act
WoodNext Foundation's Support
Focused and Making Progress!
A First for Many
Serving Team Calendar
Memorials
In Tribute to Dr. Richard Shlemmer: A Founding Heart of Brother Benno’s
BY JOE MCDEVITT, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Richard “Dick” Shlemmer, one of the original founders of Brother Benno’s and a guiding presence in our mission for over four decades. Just months after the loss of his beloved wife, JoAnne, Dick passed away; rejoining the partner with whom he shared not only a beautiful life, but a legacy of compassion and service that has shaped this Foundation from the very beginning.
Dick’s impact on Brother Benno’s cannot be overstated. From his early leadership on the Board of Directors to his years as an honorary board member, Dick combined thoughtful vision with a humble heart. He was never one to seek the spotlight, but his wisdom, faith, and quiet strength influenced every major chapter of our growth.
He had a remarkable gift: the ability to lead without fanfare and serve without condition. Whether offering encouragement to volunteers and recovery program members, sharing insights during critical decisions, or simply listening with deep attention to our guests, Dick selfless service made an impact wherever he was. His presence was a steadying force, especially during times of change, and his love for the mission never wavered.
JoAnne was his steadfast partner in all things, including their work at Brother Benno’s. While we honor them both, we lift up Dick’s extraordinary devotion and the legacy he leaves behind: a Foundation stronger, kinder, and more faithful because he helped build it.
To the Shlemmer family, we offer our love, prayers, and heartfelt thanks. Dick’s life reminds us what it means to serve with grace, to lead with humility, and to love without limits.
His memory will continue to guide us quietly, faithfully, and always.
Rest in Peace our friend.
DONOR'S CORNER
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Donors of Brother Benno’s,
As I’m sure you’ve experienced, we have a good staff and quality volunteers working the various aspects of the organization. As a friend of mine often said, incremental improvement leads to greatness over time. That has been a philosophy that the staff and volunteers have adopted. And I would offer we have slowly improved our capacity to serve our guests due to this philosophy.
As an example, the Newsletter has received incremental improvement. The editors have made changes over time to the structure, size and content of the Newsletter. And we’ve received some very positive comments to those changes.
Yet despite those changes, our feedback is that our readers want more information about what is going on at the organization. And so after reviewing the structure of the Newsletter, we are going to make some improvements. The following is a summary of those improvements:
- The names listed on the Memorial page will be permanently transferred to the Memorial Plaque at the Center.
- Only recent losses of BB family members will be listed in the Newsletter.
- The November Newsletter will have a remembrance theme and all BB family members who have been lost will be listed along with selected stories about their impact and growth of the organization.
Your input is important to us. So please continue to give us your input as we strive to give our supporters the best service and product possible.
Finally, let me close once again with one of the great truths of our organization, we couldn’t do it without you, so, thank you and -
God bless you all!
Mac
A Reflection On A Special Volunteer: Mary Holguin
BY KATHLEEN DIEHLMANN AND CARMELINA REYES-RODRIGUEZ
On April 2, 2025, Mary Holguin, an outstanding Brother Benno’s volunteer earned her angel wings. Mary passed away at the age of 84.
Mary volunteered at Brother Benno’s for over 20 years. She mostly served in the Outreach Office. She helped save many people from homelessness through her work providing rental and utility assistance. In 2022, she was named Volunteer of the Year. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022.
A friend of Mary’s recently shared a remarkable story. Volunteering at Brother Benno’s, Mary helped assist people with many resources, including purchasing one-way bus tickets for individuals to return home. One day, as Mary was helping a guest and arranging to buy her a bus ticket, she looked down at the woman’s bare feet. It turns out that as the guest got on the bus, she was wearing Mary’s shoes. Mary was now barefoot, waving goodbye with a huge smile.
Mary’s beautiful smile is one of the things all of us at the Brother Benno Foundation will remember. Mary was part of the Brother Benno family. She was close friends with many volunteers. However, she was especially close to those in the accounting department since she worked hand-in-hand with them to provide financial support to those we serve.
Mary, affectionally known in her family as “Grandma Shamu” and “Grandma Ocean” is survived by her two daughters Margaret and Carmen as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. Mary Holguin will be missed by all of those who knew and loved her.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
We deeply appreciate the support of our community partners, volunteers, and donors. Sadly, we only manage to document a small portion of these acts of kindness. If you have a photo or story you’d like to share, please send it to us at bbnewsletter@brotherbenno.org. We’d be delighted to feature your story!
Pants and socks and underwear, oh my! We caught an early morning clothing distribution led by volunteers from Grace Chapel. Thank you for bringing much needed clothing items (and dignity) to those in need!
WoodNext Foundation’s Support Benefits Brother Benno’s
For the fourth consecutive year, the Brother Benno Foundation received a $50,000 gift from the WoodNext Foundation, which Roku founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Wood, and his wife, Susan, created.
The grant to Brother Benno’s fits with the organization’s focus on addressing the root causes of homelessness and system ic mental health problems.
“The WoodNext Foundation gift will help Brother Benno’s provide more critical need services to our community’s most vulnerable citizens. We’re grateful for their support,” said Brother Benno’s Executive Director Paul “Mac” McNamara.
The WoodNext Foundation’s philanthropic efforts are guided by its overall mission to advance human progress and remove obstacles to a fulfilling life. The WoodNext Foundation’s philanthropic efforts are guided by its overall mission to advance human progress and remove obstacles to a fulfilling life. The WoodNext Foundation makes grants and investments in a variety of areas, including scientific and biomedical research, mental health, homelessness, education, nature conservation, disaster recovery, and economic opportunity, with a focus on addressing root causes. For more information, please visit www.woodnext.org.
There are many ways to support Brother Benno’s mission. Cash donations, volunteering, clothing donations, shopping at the thrift store, hosting a clothing or donation drive, funding a scholarship for a student who has been in foster care, donating a vehicle and planned giving are just a few ways to get involved. For more information, please visit https://brotherbenno.org/how-to-help/ 92049-0308
Focused & Making Progress!
With a generous donation for a commercial refrigerator for the Indoor Market, the San Diego County Employees Charitable Organization (CECO) has gotten us closer to completion! Thank you CECO!
A First for Many: Recovery Members Go Camping at Dixon Lake
BY ROB SANCHEZ, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
At the end of May, members of Brother Benno’s Recovery Program took part in their first annual camping trip at scenic Dixon Lake in Escondido. It was a weekend filled with nature, new experiences, and meaningful connections.
For many of our participants, this was their very first time camping and fishing. Surrounded by the quiet beauty of the lake, tall pines, and wide-open skies, they experienced a sense of peace and joy that’s hard to find in day-to-day life. Campfires, shared meals, and laughter created lasting memories and a renewed sense of community.
The trip wasn’t just about recreation, it was a powerful reminder of the growth and healing that’s possible through recovery. Time outdoors provided space for reflection, gratitude, and hope for the journey ahead.
We would like to express our gratitude for the generosity of our supporters and those who donated items for the trip. Thanks to you, we were able to offer this unforgettable experience to those rebuilding their lives.
We look forward to making this trip an annual tradition, continuing to build bonds, celebrate milestones, and create new stories of transformation.
Often those who are in the grips of an addiction have such a loathing for themselves that they don’t believe anyone could ever love them again.
Having been there themselves, program mentors know that experiencing love from someone else can eventually bring a person to the point where self-love is again possible. Thank you for making Brother Benbo's recovery program and personal transformations possible.
SERVING TEAM CALENDAR
Interested in serving during one of our openings? Contact servingteams@brotherbenno.org. We'll fill you in on all the details.
GIFT CARDS ARE HERE!
Thrift Shop Gift Cards are now available! You can purchase them for a redemption value that fits your needs. Visit the Thrift Shop to purchase. Perfect for the “thrifter” in your family, a friend, a co-worker, or to share with someone in need.
"With this card, you help feed the hungry, provide drink for the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, comfort the sick, and support people recovering from addiction."
June Memorials
Antonio and Perla Dimapilis
Robert Hendrix
William Boyle
Dr. Richard and JoAnne Shlemmer
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~ David J. Pollay
