"Mona and I came out here in June, 1959," said Bert Dennis. "We had talked it over. We would come to Los Alamos for five years...." Now married 52 years, they raised their three daughters, Roberta, Janet, and the late Marilyn, who died at age 24, in Los Alamos.

Since its inception in Northern New Mexico, Bert and Mona have been volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Mona was on the volunteer committee, while Bert served on the building committee.

Bert, an Eagle Scout, is the Eagle Scout coordinator for Los Alamos. A recipient of the Lions International Foundation's Melvin Jones Award for dedication to humanitarian services, Bert has been a Lion for 18 years, serving twice as president.

Mona traveled to the New Mexico State Penitentiary Hospitality Center outside Santa Fe to volunteer one Sunday a month for 14 years. She has been involved with Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility since the day Sombrillo opened its doors. Mona joined the Los Alamos Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary in 1980 and chairs the information desk.

Written by Karen Nilsson Brandt, copyright ©