Garcia thanks community for VA support
An overflow crowd turned up at Old Ranch Country Club Friday as the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce held their year-end meeting after being entertained by one of the most heralded high school choirs in the nation.
In recent years, the Los Alamitos High School Show Choir, under the direction of David Moellenkamp, have become the highlight of the Chamber’s December meeting, entertaining the membership and their guests with a medley of show tunes and holiday songs.
Following a 20-minute concert that included a variety of songs, individual solos and even a violin solo, Chamber members gave the Show Choir a rousing ovation before getting down to business.
“That was amazing,” said Chairwoman Dawnette Palmore, thanking the choir and Judy and Karen Klabouch, of Green Street Interiors, for sponsoring their performance.
Palmore announced five new members of the Chamber, including Code Ninjas, a new coding academy for youth that has located in Los Alamitos.
Swathi Bhamidipati, the owner of the Code Ninja, said while children are spending so much time online, they can learn to code and create their own video games and perhaps, even sell them in an app store.
Art Garcia, the owner of Maderas Steak & Ribs, thanked chamber members for their tremendous support of his efforts to feed hospital bound veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital on Christmas Day.
“We are so privileged to be able to get our hands around our heroes at Christmas,” said Garcia, “to tell them that we love them and appreciate them.”
Garcia began feeding veterans in spinal cord ward years ago, feeding them a filet mignon steak, all the trimmings and cheesecake made in the form of a heart. “I’m so grateful to God to be able to bring Christmas to our men and women.”
He said the program has grown each year, saying that he plans to feed 210 veterans this year. Garcia said he needs more than 60 volunteers to facilitate the event. More than enough of his restaurant customers have already signed up to help.
Even more amazing, he said, of the planned 210 meals, all but four of the meals had already been paid for. Garcia asks donors, customers and anyone interested in helping to contribute $25 toward the cost of each meal served.
Also, he said, musicians and other volunteers had signed up to sing Christmas carols to the hospital bound veterans on Christmas Day. “Thank God for making this another amazing Christmas for us and them,” he said.
Incoming Chairwoman Nesi Stewart presented flowers to Klabouch, Palmore and Chamber administrator Toni Hauger for their efforts in putting the event together and for their dedication to the Chamber. She also cited the “Heroes Luncheon” held recently as a major win for the Chamber.
Stewart, who will officially become Chairwoman at the Chamber’s installation, said the Chamber will hold another “Gala” in January to announce community awards and install the new Board and Officers.
Last year’s trial run of reintroducing the “gala” went so well, Stewart said “we want to make this a growing community event.” She asked Chamber members to support the event, even those who cannot attend, Stewart listed other ways the event could be supported.
Finally, Carrie Logue, the executive director of the Los Alamitos Educational Foundation, explained the fundraising changes that have been instituted for their fundraising efforts.
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