Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones that quietly serve others every single day.
For more than 30 years, The Youth Center and the Rossmoor Community Services District (RCSD) have worked side by side to provide thousands of local children and families with safe, affordable, and enriching after-school and summer programs at Rossmoor Park. This year, that long-standing partnership has created another lasting gift to the community, a beautiful new drinking fountain that will serve generations to come.
Replacing an aging fountain that had faithfully served the park for decades, the new hydration station offers fresh drinking water for children, families, athletes, walkers, and even four-legged visitors with its built-in pet fountain. Every year, thousands of residents gather at Rossmoor Park to play sports, attend community events, enjoy family outings, and participate in Youth Center programs. Now, whether a child is refilling a water bottle after softball practice, a Camp SHARK camper is cooling off on a warm afternoon, or a neighbor is walking their dog, everyone can enjoy this new community resource.
The project became possible through an extraordinary collaboration.
A generous anonymous supporter stepped forward to purchase the entire fountain with one simple request, not recognition, but that the gift simply serve the community. Their message, now engraved on the fountain, says it all:
“May This Fountain Remind Us That One Person’s Kindness Can Change Many Lives.”
— Anonymous Donor of The Youth Center & RCSD
That generosity inspired another remarkable act of giving.
When The Family Plumber learned about the project, owner and Youth Center Board President Mike Prencavage Jr. immediately donated the installation. Known by many as the trusted plumber for local families, Mike and his team once again proved they are also the community’s plumber, donating their expertise to help improve a park enjoyed by thousands of residents each year.
“This project is a beautiful reminder that when a community comes together, amazing things happen,” said Lina Lumme, CEO of The Youth Center. “We are deeply grateful to our anonymous donor for making this gift possible and to Mike Prencavage Jr. and The Family Plumber for donating the installation. Their generosity will benefit thousands of children and families for years to come. Every child who fills a water bottle, every family enjoying the park, and every visitor who stops for a drink will experience the impact of their kindness.”
The fountain also represents the strength of the partnership between The Youth Center and RCSD. For three decades, RCSD has provided the space where The Youth Center delivers year-round educational, recreational, and enrichment programs, while The Youth Center works with generous donors to provide scholarships and opportunities so every child can participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
Together, they have built more than programs—they have built a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.
As The Youth Center approaches its 75th anniversary of serving local youth, this fountain stands as more than a place to grab a drink of water. It is a lasting symbol of what can happen when public agencies, nonprofits, local businesses, and generous neighbors unite around a shared purpose: making our community better for everyone.
The greatest legacy isn’t always having your name on something. Sometimes it’s knowing that, for generations to come, children will pause between games, families will gather at the park, neighbors will fill their water bottles, and even beloved pets will stop for a drink, all because one act of kindness inspired many others.
About The Youth Center
Founded in 1952, The Youth Center has been empowering children and strengthening families for nearly 75 years through affordable after-school programs, summer camps, music education, leadership development, STEM education, scholarships, and family support services. Today, the nonprofit serves more than 3,500 children annually throughout the greater Los Alamitos area and surrounding communities.