By Laurie Hanson
Many volunteers, corporations and other organizations played a key role in the successful outcome of The Youth Center’s tree lot . The award-winning nonprofit raised more than $90,000 for their various programs, of which $20,000 was donated by Ganahl Lumber in Los Alamitos.
Among those who donated time are Molina Healthcare in Long Beach, Clarion Corporation in Cypress, Golden State Water Company in Los Alamitos, Cottonwood Church in Cypress, Los Alamitos Baseball, and Los Alamitos High School Wrestling. Youth volunteers from various local middle and high schools in Los Alamitos and Cypress totaled to more than 500 youth working the lot this year.
“The great part about the tree lot is that our local kids help us during the season,” she continued. “Having the kids we serve give back to us is very rewarding!”
Funds raised from The Youth Center Tree Lot will be going towards an entire year of the After School Program, in which more than 170 children are currently enrolled daily. Scholarships for families in the music program and tutoring program will also benefit, according to Lumme.
“Without this fundraiser, keeping doors open for our After School Program would be challenging, to say the least,” said Lumme. “With a great need for supervised activities, homework help, and keeping kids active our expenses grow each year. We are blessed to have amazing support from Ganahl Lumber for the past 19 years. With the new location of the tree lot, thanks to the City of Cypress, we continued our tradition of supporting kids.”
Partnering with the Youth Center this year were the City of Cypress, Ganahl Lumber, Golden State Water Company, Jason’s Jewelry Design Gallery, Valley Vista Services, and Southern California Edison. Sponsors were Pacific Premier Bank, Leone Electric, Ganahl Lumber, ServPro, Shaw & Blasi LLP, Edward Jones and Patron Property Management, Inc.
“This is truly a holiday tradition in our community and I thank our partners, sponsors, volunteers and especially our Board of Directors, who take on an extra project during the busiest time of the year to help our local youth,” said Lumme. “Bravo to all!”
The Youth Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that’s been in Los Alamitos since 1952, whose mission to transform children’s lives one family at a time. They are funded through grants, minimal program fees, contributions from the local community, and do not receive any State or Federal funding. For more information about The Youth Center, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org. If you’d like to make a donation, please contact their office at 562-493-4043.
Photos courtesy of the Youth Center