It was truly a stellar evening for parents and community members who gathered for the inaugural youth volunteer awards, “A Night Among the Stars” on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.
It was truly a stellar evening for parents and community members who gathered for the inaugural youth volunteer awards, “A Night Among the Stars” on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.
The Youth Center hosted the formal event with Los Alamitos High School Jazz Combo Band and dessert bar for about 150 parents and community members to recognize the philanthropic achievements of 25 local youths. All were awarded certificates with two recipients receiving scholarships. Nominees had volunteered anywhere from 100 to 1000 hours for organizations in and around Los Alamitos including Precious Life Shelter, Casa Youth Shelter, Seal Beach Lion’s Club, Grateful Hearts, Honoring Our Fallen and the Youth Center.
“They are just amazing,” said Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendant Sherry Kropp, who was on hand at the ceremony.
“We feel truly blessed by our volunteers,” said Theresa Murphy, executive director of Precious Life Shelter.
The audience came to its feet when volunteer, Cullen Fitzgibbons, a special needs child, was awarded a $500 scholarship. A representative from Grateful Hearts, where Cullen volunteers said “He comes in daily and puts smiles on everyone’s faces, and that he’s always up to the task.” “We are so thankful God brought him our way.”
The second scholarship award winner was Evan Jenkins who worked with the Seal Beach Lion’s Club. A representative from the Lion’s Club said, “Evan volunteered over 500 hours, and that he always was the first and last person there.” “This is a kid who will give back for the rest of his life.”
Of all 25 award nominees, the Youth Center’s Executive Director Lina Lumme said that they all were the first example of what it means to be a stellar volunteer, and that they truly made the community a better place to live.
Receiving certificates were award nominees Rebecca Ahn, Sarah Ahn, David Balladares, Ian Burgos, Jackie Burgos, Sarah Casillas, Alyssa Campbell, Elise Chalfant, Conner Fatone, Cullen Fitzgibbons, Julian Guerrero, David Halafihi, Milad Hassibi, Joshua Hulsey, Kian Iranineiadian, Evan Jenkins, Breanna Jones, Erica Mogilevsky, Phoebe Ortega, Matthew Patz, Isaiah Porter, Brendan Rossi, Ray Sabo, Traci Swayer and Rachel Udabe.