Chino Hills honors longtime commissioner, schools and volunteers; proclaims Donate Life and Arts months

The Chino Hills City Council opened Tuesday's meeting with a series of recognitions and proclamations honoring local volunteers, schools and a longtime commissioner.

Mayor presented a city title to Greg Higgins for nearly two decades on the Parks & Recreation Commission and invited Higgins to speak. Higgins recounted moving to Chino Hills in 1984, his youth‑sports leadership with AYSO, involvement in park projects and his 20 years of service on the commission. "It's been my honor and privilege to serve," Higgins said, thanking the council for the appointment and support.

The council also recognized Townsend Junior High School, Canyon Hills Junior High School and Chino Hills High School as 2026 California Distinguished Schools; school representatives and principals accepted the honor and credited teachers, staff and the Chino Valley Unified School District for the recognition.

Mayor proclaimed April as Donate Life Month and asked Robert Ralston, the legacy ambassador, to accept. Ralston cited transplant waiting‑list statistics and urged residents to register as donors with the DMV pink dot: "Right now, today, there are statistically 103,000 people on the transplant waiting list," he said, and described the impact of organ, tissue and eye donations.

The council also proclaimed the week of April 19–25 as National Volunteer Week and recognized George and Jane DeFrank, longtime volunteers who described a decade of bingo fundraising that has contributed about $65,000 to local charities.

Council members and community foundation representatives also accepted an Arts, Culture and Creativity Month proclamation and described downtown art‑gallery programs and a concert series that draw residents and visitors.

These recognitions were largely ceremonial; the council used the items to highlight community contributions and local volunteerism.