“I love my community and take pride in being a lifetime resident,” Alice Duarte once said. “We work quietly, never expecting accolades or awards for our time.” But every now and then, the community finds a way to give back — and this time, it was her turn.
Alice Duarte, a lifelong resident of Delano, California, has spent decades pouring her heart into the place she calls home. Born in 1931, she has dedicated much of her life to uplifting others — volunteering with the Delano Chamber of Commerce since 1997, teaching safe driving through the AARP Driver Safety Program, and even helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Her impact is woven deeply into Delano’s story.
Her service has earned her well‑deserved recognition over the years: 2015 Volunteer of the Year, the 71st Grand Marshal of the Harvest Holidays, and the first woman to serve as president of the Delano Toastmasters Club. Alice’s legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication — the kind that strengthens a community from the inside out.
Recently, Alice received something she never imagined she could afford: a rooftop solar system installed at no cost through the DAC‑SASH (Disadvantaged Communities & Single‑Family Solar Homes) program. This gift of clean energy not only reduces her utility costs but also honors the lifetime of service she’s given to Delano.
With an estimated savings of $26,580 over 25 years — and an environmental impact equal to planting more than 2,000 trees — Alice’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when communities invest in the people who have invested in them. Her home now shines a little brighter, reflecting the light she’s shared with others for so many years.