Whether it’s because campaigners are inspired, grateful or see the need in the community for The Youth Center, all are united in their overall mission to help local children have a bright future.
“The children are our future, and we must support our future,” said ‘Awesome Volunteer’ Flo Garcia Perry who believes in the Youth Center because it’s a vital, energetic part of the community. She’s raised about a quarter of her individual goal of $750 so far during the last two weeks of the Community Support Campaign, and will next call on all individuals, companies and corporations help the Youth Center reach its overall goal of raising $150,000 during the month of April. As of their second week campaign night on April 12 that was held at the Brew Kitchen Ale House in Los Alamitos, The Youth Center has so far closed in on the gap of their monetary goal by raising more than $70,000, according to campaign chair Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich.
With a hearty sense of humor, first time campaigner Perry is daring donors to give by willingly cracking an egg on her forehead when she reaches her $750 individual goal, and will be dying her hair Youth Center blue when she reaches $1,000. With a big grin on her face, the vibrant senior who lovingly gives her time and talents by volunteering and campaigning imparted, “The more you give, the happier you’ll feel!”
On a more serious side, new campaigner Jeffrey Blancq who just became a Youth Center board member a month ago, says he’s campaigning because he simply believes in the cause. “I believe when we are young we look up to people, and when we grow up we need to give back,” he said. “I grew up in this community. I was given to as a child and I want to give back.”
Blancq first learned of the Youth Center through his middle school dances years ago when he attended Pine School and would meet his friends at neighboring Oak Middle School to go next door to the Youth Center. “We’d hang out and played basketball until our parents would come pick us up or got tired and walked home.”
He says to parents and donors to look to their children, and imagine them not having a positive place to go after school in light of all the negative influences there are out there. “The Youth Center is here and is a positive influence,” he said. “Imagine the alternative.”
Returning campaigner Sean Payne who has children himself is passionate about the youth in the community, and is equally excited to give back in any way he can. “I’ve campaigned for seven or eight years now, and every year is important,” he said. “I’ve raised a few hundred dollars so far, but more is in the works!” He added he’s been excited about having ‘Chief Joe’ leading it this year.
Payne also mentioned what a positive influence the Youth Center’s After School Program has in the community. “I was a latchkey kid growing up, and didn’t have anything like the Youth Center growing up, so I want to give it to the kids now. The Youth Center is focused on the children and providing them with positive opportunities. They rely upon our donations because they don’t receive any government funding.”
Long time campaigner and Youth Center Board Member Arnie Fine who grew up playing hockey, basketball and baseball with a place like the Youth Center also echoed the sentiments of how vital the After School Program is for kids. “The Learning Center here is invaluable for the kids as some don’t have computers at home and the kids benefit from them by doing their homework. We keep a lot of middle school kids safe and in a nurturing environment rather than running the streets and getting into trouble.”
“We have a wonderful organization which impacts nearly 3,000 children a year,” added Fine in reference to all Youth Center programs.
“The Youth Center really makes a difference for kids to have a safe place, a home after school,” said another veteran campaigner and board member Karen Frankenberg who is campaigning this year because she’s grateful that the Youth Center helped her family when she needed it, and because she didn’t grow up with anything like it back in Indiana. “It makes a difference to a kid to have freedom in a safe environment,” she said. “All our programs help kids and the community.”
If you’d like to find out more about the Youth Center or how you can be a part of the Community Support Campaign or be a donor, please visit them online at theyouthcenter.org.
