With the final numbers in after their five-week-long fundraising “cruise,” the Youth Center in Los Alamitos Community Support Campaign met their annual campaign goal of $125,000 in donations to support the non-profit this coming year.

“We had a tremendous support this year and I want to thank everyone for their time and financial contribution to our children,” said Lina Lumme, Executive Director.

The Youth Center’s annual campaign funds vital activities including their After School Program, Music Program, Every 15 Minutes teen drunk driving determent event, the Leadership Academy and the Summer Day and Teen Camps. Scholarships are awarded based on need to families in the area.

“It’s been a great ‘cruise,’ and I really loved how people care for our youth,” said Campaign Chairman and “Captain” Scott Newton, who heads up efforts for the Every 15 Minutes event along with community supporters. “They are willing to invest in the kids in the area so they can be the best they can be.”

Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp said, “One of the things I appreciate the most in Los Alamitos is the commitment we have to children and youth, and the Youth Center plays a pivotal role in this commitment.”

Executive Director Lina Lumme went on to say that if we continue investing in our youth today, we will have a thriving community in the future but that the Youth Center can’t do it alone. “Our volunteers, staff, and supporters believe that what we do is important. Programs like Every 15 Minutes are important to the students, parents and community. Kids need us and my hope is to better and expand our programs for them,” she said.

The Every 15 Minutes event, held bi-annually, was done about two and a half weeks ago is a realistic simulation of a drunk driving accident with Los Alamitos High School student involvement. This year’s event even had a rescue helicopter land at the intersection of Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard. One mother of a student who “died” in the accident suggested at the final campaign night that driving while texting should be included in the next event.

Of the event Los Alamitos High School student Megan Kizziar said it “makes her learn responsibility,” and “that it really does change lives.” She went on to say that it gave her a greater appreciation for being alive. Another student participant Karina DuBourdieu said the event brought her closer to her parents and that she can’t imagine losing someone to drinking and driving. “This program changes lives,” she said.

“It’s a worst case scenario to have a child die before you pass, and Every 15 Minutes reinforces that kids have real choices to make,” said another parent. LAHS student participant Sky Meredith was overwhelmed to learn that her “death” at the event made her realize how many lives she impacts on a daily basis at school. “Students I didn’t even know said they were glad I was alive,” she said.

“I think we have made a huge impact in the community with Every 15 Minutes,” said Newton. At the end of the two-day event, Los Alamitos High School holds assemblies for all grade levels. Some of this year’s event students were impressed to participate in the event while in their freshman and sophomore years.

“The Every 15 Minutes Program saves lives and teaches our young adults how important it is to make good and healthy choices in the moment,” said Dr. Kropp. “We love our young people and are grateful for the Youth Center in helping to keep them safe! The Every 15 Minute Program is powerful, shows the possible consequences of drinking and driving, and brings families closer together through the process.”

Bringing families closer together is at the core of what the Youth Center is all about. Cassy Lumme, 11, daughter of Executive Director Lina Lumme has been brought closer to her mother particularly during campaign season this year. She challenged individuals to either donate or get a plate of whipped cream in their face, and then dared them to ask two other people to do the same. She raised $1,600 and was awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year on final campaign night. “The Youth Center is my second home and I hope to work here or for a non-profit like my mom.”

The Youth Center is still accepting donations. If you are interested in contributing to them, please contact Executive Director Lina Lumme or Office Manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043. For more information on their programs, please visit online at theyouthcenter.org.

The Cypress Art League Open Show was held April 26  at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue in Cypress.  Once again, it was an outstanding exhibit with 221 pieces entered.  The judge was Jason Dowd, an art educator who teaches at the Laguna College of Art and Design, and is a past member of the Disney team. The open show winners will be on exhibit at the center through May 17.

To introduce young women to the workings of state government, local high school student Chloe Carpenter participated in California Federated Republican Women (CFRW) Advocacy Days. Carpenter, a junior at Los Alamitos High School, joined Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Women Federated Advocacy Chair Stephanie Janji in Sacramento on April 20 and 21.

Advocacy Days follows the annual CFRW Spring Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento. Created in 1974, following a suggestion by then-governor Ronald Reagan and other Republican legislators, the program has become a viable force in the legislative process helping to seat many women in political appointments, influence legislations and make the conservative views known throughout Sacramento.

During Advocacy Days hundreds of CRFW women from throughout California converge on the state capitol to lobby both Republican and Democrat legislators.

Ms. Carpenter had personal meetings with California State Senator Janet Nguyen (34th district) and California State Assemblywoman Kim Young (65th district), among other politicians. She asked questions regarding life in Sacramento, their view of the current legislature and their position on specific bills.

Chloe also sat on Assemblywoman Kim’s Transportation Committee meeting, which focused on Online driving training instructors needing 2,000 hours certification to have a business license, and rear-facing child seats for children up to two years of age.

High school students participating in Advocacy Days also Skyped with best-selling author and movie director Dinesh D’Souza where the question and answer session focused on his hit film America. D’Souza had a film crew in Sacramento following the students throughout their workshop, tour of the State Capitol as well as attending meetings.

During their two days of watching how Sacramento functions, including the way lobbyists use meeting recesses to push their agendas, the most talked about legislative bills presented focused on California’s ongoing drought, the measles vaccination debate and legalizing marijuana.

“The Youth Advocacy Program offers conservative students the opportunity to see our California government in action and learn how each person’s voice is important to the process,” said Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated Club President Nancy Hathcock. “The students come away armed with the knowledge that our leaders in Sacramento are accessible. Moreover, they start thinking about becoming part of the process by being an advocate or even running for office.”

Carpenter will share her experience during the May 16 meeting at the Cypress Courtyard Marriott. The networking and breakfast program is $20 per person and begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a guest speaker discussing human trafficking in Orange County. It concludes at noon giving members and guests plenty of time to enjoy the day. For more information, contact Chris Barnes at chris.barnes4727@gmail.com or 562-865-3258.

The Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach recognized many new Paul Harris Fellows at it’s meeting on April 7, including Dave Barnes, Shelley Hasselbrink, Dr. Sherry Kropp, Mike Obradovitch, John Paulson, Blair Pietrini, Bev Houghton, Kay Mount, and Amy Payne.

Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or whom have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006.

Fred Woods was recognized at the meeting as PHF+1. Judy Klabouch, Theresa Murphy, and Dick Ramseyer were recognized as PHF+2. Bob Dominguez was recognized as a PHF+3, while John Mount and Tom Stretz were recognized as PHF+4.  Dixie Fried was recognized as a PHF+5. John Mount was also recognized for becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society. Judy Klabouch pledged to become a Paul Harris Society member.

The Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach meets at The Eagle’s Nest on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at noon, varing locations on the 4th and 5th Tuesdays of the month. Visitors are welcome. For more information, please visit www.losalrotary.org.

Rotary International is an international service organization working to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 34,282 clubs and more than 1.2 million members worldwide.

“Every 15 Minutes someone in the United States dies in an alcohol related accident. Today it was me,” said one Los Alamitos High School student. It is the opening sentence of the letters 35 participants wrote their parents for the “Every 15 Minutes” program on Thursday and Friday.

Life’s lessons are best learned through experience. Unfortunately, when the target audience is teens and the topic is drinking and driving, experience is not the teacher of choice. The Every 15 Minutes Program offers real-life experiences without the real-life risks.

Under the leadership of the Youth Center in Los Alamitos and in collaboration with many community public/private organizations as well as many volunteers, the event took place at Los Alamitos High School and near the intersection of Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Blvd., where a rescue helicopter landed.

This emotionally charged event is designed to dramatically instill teenagers with about the dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol. It challenges them to think about personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions. “This program has been incredibly emotional and impactful,” said Alison Bayer, one participant. “It’s so powerful and reaches so many people.”

During the first day’s events the “Grim Reaper” calls students out of class who had been selected from a cross-section of the entire student body at LAHS. One student is removed from class every 15 minutes. A police officer immediately enters the classroom to read an obituary, which is written by the “dead” student’s parents. It explains the circumstances of their classmate’s demise and the contributions the student made to the school and the community. Simultaneously, uniformed officers made mock death notifications to the parents of these teens at their home, place of employment or business.

The morning of the simulated traffic accident at LAHS, rescue workers treat the injured student participants, where they experienced the first-hand sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-related collision. Student victims were then extricated by the jaws-of-life manned by firemen and paramedics, with the coroner at the scene to handle deaths.

A helicopter airlifted a victim to be treated at the local hospital. Police Officers investigated, arrested, and booked the “drunk driver.” Students went on an actual trip to the morgue, the hospital emergency room, and to jail.

At the end of the day, the students who participated in the staged accident and who made-up the “living dead” were transported to a local hotel for an overnight retreat. The retreat simulated separation from family and friends, with counselors and police officers to facilitate.

During it the students wrote letters to their parents, each beginning with, “Dear Mom and Dad, every 15 minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol-related accident, and today it was me.” Meanwhile, parents were at the Youth Center writing similar letters to their children.

On the following morning, a mock funeral service was held at the LAHS with an assembly that began with a video of normal school day activities. It included scenes from the first day of the “Grim Reaper” and the staged accident. Speakers included Antonio Carillo, who killed his friend in an alcohol-related accident. Students then read letters they wrote to their parents, and parents read letters to their children. The assembly stressed the effects of consuming alcohol and how it can affect many more people than just those who drink.

“Being a part of Every 15 Minutes and being ‘dead’ for a day changed my perspective on life forever,” wrote Skye Meredith on her Instagram at the end of the program. “Every choice we make affects our path and can change someone else’s. Take every moment you have and cherish it because you never know which one will be your last.”

The goal of the event is to utilize strengths, talents and resources of public and private organizations in order to prevent drunk driving. Participating were Los Alamitos Police Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Los Alamitos Medical Center, Orange County Courts, Cypress Forest Lawn, Seal Beach Lions and Leo’s Clubs.

Funding for Every 15 Minutes is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information about the program, please visit online at www.Every15Minutes.com or www.theYouthCenter.com.

More than 200 women and men attended the Woman’s Club of Cypress (WCC) Rose Garden Tea at the Cypress Community Center on March 28. The annual spring Victorian Tea, the organization’s primary fundraising event, raised more than $8,000 to help fund their community outreach programs.

Volunteer servers were members of the Key Club from Oxford Academy and Cypress High School. Their participation in the event allows them to complete their high school community service requirement.

Singer Tony Rogers entertained and had many women dancing along. During the show, members and students sang My Girl … in a performance that only Rogers could enthusiastically emcee.

In addition to hostesses at each of the 20 plus tables creating a uniquely different theme, there were vendors selling a variety of jewelry, clothes and other gift items. The club also had door prizes, opportunity baskets and a silent auction.

The Rose Garden Tea is the main source of income that funds many of the club’s philanthropic projects. Some of the beneficiaries include the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Acacia Adult Day Care Services, Cypress College Foundation, HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) and the Seal Beach Animal Shelter.