Edgar Marroquin, right, volunteers with fellow sorter Phyllis Tajii, left, most Tuesdays and Wednesdays

We’ve known it for years, but now all of Edgar Marroquin’s colleagues know it as well: he is a super star!

Volunteer extraordinaire Edgar Marroquin was recently recognized by his colleagues and management at Subaru as a SubeStar for all his work for COTS. When he’s not selling or leasing cars, you can often find Edgar in our kitchen, sorting, cleaning, chopping and serving.

“That smile of his is from ear to ear,” says Diana Morales, COTS Engagement Specialist. “He can turn anybody’s day around with that smile.” Edgar works side by side with our residents and will frequently share a meal with one or several, listening, chatting, encouraging.

Giving ear to everyone comes naturally.

From his earliest years, Edgar’s navigated different languages and cultures. He spent his childhood in Guatemala and completed high school in the United States. Edgar spent many years working in San Francisco’s finest jewelry stores, catering to the people you see in the society pages. “There’s not that much difference between people,” Edgar says. “It’s just that some of us have money and some don’t.”

His past customers took pleasure in finding a rare diamond or watch; his current customers want a car that works for them. “At COTS, everyone smiles when they have a nice meal, prepared with love,” he says. “It gives me great pleasure to see that, to be part of that.”

And he’s not there just to make everybody feel good. “He is a do-er,” Diana says. “Technically, he’s there to sort our food donations, but when he’s finished with that, I see him cleaning out our dumpster area, cleaning the mats—whatever it is we need.”

Edgar started volunteering about ten years ago. “My kids were grown,” he explains, “and I didn’t have much to do on my days off, so I started to work at COTS.” Initially, he did office work, organizing and gardening at our Kids First Family Shelter.

Then we needed him at Mary’s Table and he answered the call.

Edgar runs marathons and helps care for his elderly mom when he’s not at COTS or at work. His life is full, and we thank him for sharing it with us and our clients.

Thank you, Edgar!

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