Marty Maldonado is replacing her captain’s bars for those of a lieutenant as she steps down from the command of the Manteca Police Seniors Helping Area Residents and Police (SHARP) volunteer unit after seven years of leadership.

Maldonado said she has plans to move on in a different direction with more involvement in non-profit ventures.

She said year after year in SHARP, “it’s just like putting on an old shoe — it just fits.” She was appointed by then Police Chief Dave Bricker and has worked mostly with Captain Charlie Goeken who lauded her performance.

Maldonado followed former Mayor Jack Snyder as leader of the volunteer group. Besides overseeing volunteers handling everything from through vacation home checks to area and vehicle assignments she also stood in for those who called in sick.

Bill Holder will be replacing her as the head of SHARP unit.  He joined the group in 2008.

Once a month Maldonado conducted a meeting of the entire SHARP unit in the city council chambers to discuss their current activities and talk about any new fund raising projects — like the July 4 fireworks booth that netted $15,000 to be given to community non-profits.

She said that getting a non-profit status for SHARPS was a major accomplishment that gave the group a kick-start in their fundraisers. Those inlcuded a drive thru dinner and a Christmas raffle of a 32-inch television. Aside from supporting Manteca’s police officers, they present scholarships to high school students going onto college.

Maldonado is hoping to get involved with promoting the Manteca Children’s Foundation and assisting the Manteca Visitors’ and Convention Bureau.  She came from a civic minded family involved in the Nevada State volunteers and an uncle who was a captain in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.   “I had law enforcement all around me,” she said.   She has taken SHARPs volunteers with police officers on Christmas shopping trips every year, buying clothes and toys for less fortunate children.  

“Marty has been wonderful to work with — when I would tell her about a need, she would be right on it,” said Manteca Police public information officer Sgt. Jody Estarzio.

The Maldonados have two children, a son Michael, 45, who is a logistics manager at Sharp Depot and daughter Audrey who is the mother of three daughters.

“I’m not going anywhere, I will be right here,” Maldonaldo said.

To contact Glenn Kahl email, gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.