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Linda Vasquez is a nonstop dynamo when it comes to supporting veterans and community outreach, and her efforts have been rewarded with a key to the city of Stockton.

Vasquez, an administrative assistant for , said she was shocked when Stockton City Councilmember Sol Jobrack told her of the honor.

鈥淚t certainly was a surprise, and something I did not expect,鈥� Vasquez said. 鈥淏ut I am very appreciative. I love the city of Stockton and I want to help people in our community.鈥�

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln asked all seven city council members to select a key to the city recipient. Jobrack, council member for District 1鈥攚here Vasquez lives鈥攏amed her.

鈥淚 really like the concept that the mayor came up with鈥攖o honor people who may not always get credit for the great things they do,鈥� Jobrack said. 鈥淭hat certainly is the case with Linda. I am constantly hearing in my district from people praising the work that Linda does on so many events and projects. She has a sincere desire to help others whenever possible. Linda is very deserving of her key to the city.鈥�

The key will be presented to Vasquez at a cookout at Stockton鈥檚 Karl Ross American Legion Post 16 on July 9. Given her dedication to helping veterans, the site is appropriate.

鈥淚 have so much respect and love for veterans and I want to do everything I can to help them,鈥� Vasquez said. 鈥淲hen it comes to veterans, I just cannot say no.鈥�

Vasquez organizes the annual Fourth of July Parade in Stockton. She also serves as events coordinator for the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County.

Vasquez played an integral part in the Vietnam Moving Wall coming to Stockton twice in recent years. The wall is a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., with the names engraved of those who lost their lives in the war.

鈥淲hen I was in high school, the Vietnam War was always on television. I have a special place in my heart for Vietnam veterans,鈥� Vasquez said. 鈥淚 wore a POW (Prisoner of War) and MIA (Missing in Action) bracelet. I was so fortunate that the person鈥檚 name on my bracelet was able to come home. His name was William Shankle and I was able to meet him.鈥�

Her community involvement increased when she worked for the Stockton Thunder (now Stockton Heat) minor league hockey team for eight years. She was a member of the United Way Community Council and served on the board of directors for United Way of San Joaquin County.

Her dedicated outreach continued when she started work with Pacific Athletics six years ago as an administrative assistant for the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball programs. She later moved into her current role supporting the overall athletics department.

鈥淚 have been fortunate to have jobs where community service and outreach is a priority,鈥� Vasquez said.

During the pandemic, she helped Pacific Athletics work with minor league sports teams in Stockton on food drives for those in need.

At Pacific, she has helped support athletes, coaches and staff during a pandemic year filled with uncertainty and hardships, but also including success on and off the field. Pacific student-athletes had a cumulative 3.30 grade-point average in the 2020鈥�21 school year.

鈥淚t was very difficult for our student athletes,鈥� Vasquez said. 鈥淭hey would get prepared for a game, and then the other team would test positive and the game was off. It was tough on everyone. But everyone worked together and made the most of a difficult situation. I鈥檓 very proud of the way we all handled this.鈥�

Vasquez said receiving the key to the city is a big life moment that she is sharing with her husband Hector and blended family of five children (Monique, Christopher, Melissa, Julie and Nicole).

鈥淢y kids were all very excited about it,鈥� Vasquez said with a smile. 鈥淭hey want to know what the key will open.鈥�