A Lifelong Commitment to Helping Others

Over the years, Betty said, so many people from across the Imperial Valley helped take care of the children there. And while the receiving home is now monitored by Imperial County Behavioral Health, she said the memories she has of the many volunteers coming together for the children will never be erased.

“It’s a monument of caring,” Betty said. “And without Betty Jo, it would never have been built. She was bound and determined to see it through.”

Betty said both she and Betty Jo were surprised and honored to have their names on the building that they both felt was an enormous community effort rather than their own: The Betty Jo McNeece Receiving Home and the Betty Young School.

            With two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Betty fondly remembers the times she shared with her husband and her boys. The Youngs traveled frequently, and even retraced William’s tour overseas, visiting Cardiff, France, Belgium, Germany and Prague.

            She’s visited Easter Island and though her interest in archeology never stopped, her lack of formal training allows her to continue to stand in awe of natural landmarks.

            An avid book reader and active member of the Friends of the Library in Calipatria, Betty has bookcases around her home with non-fiction, James Michener novels, and biographies.

            “I said if I ever took down all the books in the house the walls would cave in,” Betty said with a smile.

            Despite praise from others for her volunteerism, Betty says she sometimes wonders how much she impacted others.

            “I wonder about some of those kids. I’ve never been sure how many we helped, but I hope for some we made a difference,” Betty said.

            While Betty has spent much of her life volunteering, she said she realizes how fortunate she has been throughout her life to be able to try to help others.

            “I’ve been blessed,” she said.