Style Magazine Folsom El Dorado Hills: October 2019

GET TO KNOW
Erica Pope
Rocklin resident Erica Pope remembers a
childhood bustling with activity, especially
cooking and cleaning—not for her family,
but for others. “My parents were always
doing community work and bringing people
together,” she fondly recalls. Their example
influenced Pope’s decision to go into the
nonprofit field where she worked in fund
development and community outreach
for Eskaton Foundation, an organization
that provides care and support services
for seniors while giving caregivers time for
themselves. “I loved feeling like I was making
a difference in somebody’s life,” Pope
shares.
But Pope’s life took an unexpected turn
when she had to stop working to care for
a family member who was ill. At the same
“We all have
a social
responsibility.”
—Erica Pope
time, she learned
that she would need
spinal surgery. Yet,
Pope was eager
to get back to the
career she loved and
after her recovery,
she jumped at the
chance to become the new Director of
Development for the Me-One Foundation
(me-onefoundation.org), a local nonprofit
that funds an annual pampering weekend
retreat in the Santa Monica mountains
for adult cancer patients and their family
members. Like many others, Pope has had
family and friends affected by cancer and
she knows how impactful such services can
be. She’s also a mom of two who hopes to
inspire her children to help others just as
her own parents once did for her. “We all
have a social responsibility,” Pope says. “The
community gives so much to us and we
should give back.” —Amber Foster
Q&A
What advice would you
give to your younger
self?
Take care of your body
and mind. They will either serve you well or
catch up to you. Either way, what you do
when you’re young will influence the rest of
your life.
What comes to you naturally?
Public speaking. I love the challenge of
engaging an audience and that moment
when you know you have them.
Are you high or low maintenance?
I’m high maintenance when it comes to food,
shoes, and coffee. But I’m low maintenance
when it comes to vacations or entertainment.
I’m content sitting around a campfire or
playing board games.
Biggest life inspirations?
Both my mom and dad are incredibly
remarkable and inspiring but my biggest life
inspirations come from the journeys and stories
of all the people I know and have yet to meet.
Everyone has a story and a lesson if we take the
time to listen.
What are you most proud of?
Keeping two children alive. I understand why
wild animals occasionally eat their young.
My children are 16 and 8 so anything is still
possible.
Favorite humanitarian cause?
Cancer causes and hunger. My dad often went
hungry as a child and the few stories he shared
were heartbreaking. No one should ever have to
experience that—especially children.
Best words of wisdom you’ve received?
“Always be on your best behavior when you
are out and about. You never know who knows
you or knows someone who knows you.”-Izetta
Jansma (my grandmother)
FAVORITES
AUTHOR/
WRITER
Barbara
Kingsolver
and Geoffrey
Chaucer
MEAL IN
TOWN
Sweet Pig
Pizza at
The Place
20 stylemg.com | OCTOBER 2019 | /stylemg /stylemediagroup /stylemediagroup /stylemags
MOVIE
Lock,
Stock
and Two
Smoking
Barrels
MUSICIAN/
BAND
Red Hot Chili
Peppers and
The Beatles
LOCAL
LANDMARK
Marie’s
Donuts on
Watt Avenue
(I have been
going there for 40
years. )
ESCAPE
Stinson
Beach
PLACE
TO BUY
A GIFT,
LOCALLY
High-Hand
Nursery
Fruit Shed
ANNUAL
EVENT
Me-One
Foundation
Masquerade
Ball
SAYING
Be a good
human!
(Something
I tell my
children
every day.)
Photos by Dante Fontana.