It’s anchors away for the Youth Center’s nautical themed Community Support Campaign’s four team fundraising captains who reported raising $55,695 in their first week of the fundraiser on April 7 at the El Dorado Bar and Grill in Long Beach. The non-profit based in Los Alamitos is off to a solid start in their goal of raising $125,000 by the end of April.
“We’re off to a great start,” said campaign chairman and "Captain" Scott Newton. “In one week, we’ve done a really good job.”
It’s anchors away for the Youth Center’s nautical themed Community Support Campaign’s four team fundraising captains who reported raising $55,695 in their first week of the fundraiser on April 7 at the El Dorado Bar and Grill in Long Beach. The non-profit based in Los Alamitos is off to a solid start in their goal of raising $125,000 by the end of April.
“We’re off to a great start,” said campaign chairman and "Captain" Scott Newton. “In one week, we’ve done a really good job.”
Newton reported on the four teams of "cruise" executive officers. The team headed by Los Alamitos City Council Member and Youth Center Board of Director’s President Shelley Hasselbrink brought in $7,998. Another campaign team headed by board member Karen Frankenberg brought in $5,614.Of the campaign in general, her husband Eric said, “This starts our season of raising money, funding the programs the Youth Center provides for the community.”
The team of Board Member Brandon Peterson of Ganahl Lumber brought in $8,600, and the team of ‘Legend’ Arnie Fine brought in $8,484.
Retired Principal Newt Hart who is also on the board of directors said he got started campaigning after former Youth Center Executive Director Tom Stretz encouraged him take on an active role. “The Youth Center is a very valuable part of our community,” he said. Hart is now "paying it forward" to Stretz and current Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme by campaigning since his own kids were active in the organization while they were young and in high school.
Yet another board member Heather Cronan said she’s campaigning because she wants “to support the After School and Music Programs.” “The Youth Center is far more important (in the community) than people realize,” continued Cronan. “We sometimes go unnoticed, but we really do an amazing number of things.”
Besides the programs she mentioned, the Youth Center also offers Summer Day and Teen Camps, Leadership Academy and Every 15 Minutes, a drunk driving determent program.
To honor and acknowledge all the Youth Center does with their programs, others came to the Community Support Campaign to lend their support including first time campaigner and volunteer Ron Stevens who said, “I came tonight to the mixer to celebrate and recognize all the work (the Youth Center) does.”
Another recognizing the role of the Youth Center is John Osborn of Alamitos Eye Care who said he came out because the Youth Center “fills a necessary role in the community,” and that “we have great people in the community who are committed to the Youth Center.”
The Youth Center’s Presidential Round Table donors who have thus far given at least $1,000 each include Alamitos Eye Care, Alandale Insurance, Arnie and Lynda Fine, Beth Piburn, Bolsa Chica Self Storage, Brandon Petersen, Cypress Courtyard by Marriott, Cypress Forest Lawn, Dan Schwartz, Debbie Kent, Ganahl Lumber in Los Alamitos, Hans and Lina Lumme, Joe’s Premium Painting, Laura Herzog, Mr. Snowman, Newt and Carol Hart, Raindrops on Roses, Ron Stevens, Sir Speedy of Los Alamitos, Tom and Tammy Barclay, Trend Offset Printing, and Xenet.
One of many local businesses committed to the Youth Center is Braithwaite Chiropractic of Seal Beach. They are fundraising during the month of April by offering 100 percent of proceeds for all new patient exams to go to the Youth Center.
Other individuals from around the community are donating items towards the Youth Center’s annual Garage Sale. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 2971 Copa de Oro in Rossmoor.
Anyone can bring items to the Youth Center at 10909 Oak St. in Los Alamitos Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The public is invited to come and learn more about the Youth Center at their next Community Support Campaign mixer on April 14 at 6:15 p.m. at Thailusion restaurant in Los Alamitos. For more information on how to donate or campaign for the Youth Center, please call Lina Lumme or office manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043.
