Today, she spends her free time volunteering for several nonprofits in Glendale. Having lost a child herself, Keen has spent the majority of her time volunteering for the betterment of children.
Donna Maranto has known Keen for 30 years, having also worked for American Airlines.
“Cathy is very organized, very intelligent and giving.” Maranto said. “If she takes something on, or says she’s going to do something, she does it with gusto.”
Keen served for six years on the board of Glendale Healthy Kids, an organization that promotes health care and health education for underprivileged children, and continues to be an active member. She received the Volunteer Service Award in 2003 for her dedication to the Glendale Healthy Kids cause.
“I’ve always liked to help,” Keen said. “I don’t like to see people hurting.”
Keen remembers meeting an 18-year-old orphan, Joseph, who was struggling with serious oral diseases, at one of the Healthy Kids medical screenings. After a doctor at the USC School of Dentistry found money to treat him, Keen took him under her wing, driving him to the clinic every month for the next two years. Keen and her family now consider Joseph a part of the family.
Keen is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale and has been elected to serve as the club’s next president. She regularly reports at the Kiwanis Club meetings and publishes its weekly newsletter four months out of the year.
“I loved it the minute I walked in,” Keen said of her first time at a Kiwanian meeting.
Keen is also involved with Las Candelas, a nonprofit that helps to improve the lives of emotionally and physically abused children. In March, she chaired the Las Candelas fashion show benefit.
“Her leadership has real respect for what other people are doing and bringing to the table,” said Karen Whyte, the president of Las Candelas.
Keen encourages others to volunteer, believing that everyone has something to give.
“There’s so many different things to do,” Keen said. “Go with your talent.”
