More than 100 people gathered for the Youth Center’s 17th Annual Community Support Campaign kick off in Los Alamitos on April 1.
More than 100 people gathered for the Youth Center’s 17th Annual Community Support Campaign kick off in Los Alamitos on April 1.
The 62 year annual tradition is chaired by Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp. She said that she thinks the campaign this year is going to be the best ever.
“I love it (the campaign) and I’m really inspired,” said Dr. Kropp. “The Youth Center is such a great organization with great leadership and community support. It is going to be wonderful.”
The Youth Center hopes to raise $115,000 by the end of April. Last year they successfully met their goal of raising $100,000 under the leadership of Chairman Sean Payne. This year there is more than 106 campaigners.
“This year’s campaign is going to be the most successful by far, because of the amount of volunteer help and campaign involvement,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “With Dr. Sherry Kropp’s leadership our campaigners are in for a treat while they help raise funds to support local children.”
Funds from the campaign support the Youth Center’s free afterschool program, scholarships for their summer day camps and elementary school music program, their high school drunk driving determent program, “Every 15 Minutes,” and more.
“We have a lot of programs that benefit youth and our campaign should be good,” said Youth Center Board Member and Los Angeles Police Sergeant James Doull, who has been campaigning for four years now. “This is our major fundraiser of the year.”
Board Member Alice Melamed has been campaigning for three years said she felt the Youth Center is going to make their goal this year. “The Youth Center is a great program, near and dear to my heart,” she said. “My son grew up with the Youth Center and is now going to go to college. It made him a better citizen and person because of all his activities with the Youth Center.”
She said her son, David Halafihi, a Los Alamitos High School senior, participated in the afterschool program, summer camps and “Every 15 Minutes” program, was honored at the Youth Center’s “A Night Among the Stars,” for his extensive volunteering for the nonprofit.
“It (the campaign) is going to be good as we got a lot of people doing it,” said Melamed who is a team leader for the campaign. Each team is in competition with each other to see which one raises the most funds in the next several weeks ahead.
At the campaign kickoff night on April 1 several pledged $1,000 including the Seal Beach Lion’s and Leo’s Clubs, Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme and her husband, Hans, Board Members Debbie Kent and Shelly Hasslebrink, as well as others.
“It’s time for us to act and make a commitment,” said Dr. Kropp. “This community is the best place to be a kid. We are all here for the kids. I don’t know of any other place than Los Alamitos where the community can come together for kids.”
Although the campaign has already started, the Youth Center is still looking for more volunteers to help them meet this year’s goal. If you are interested in joining their Annual Community Support Campaign, you can contact the Youth Center at 562-493-4043. If you are interested in making a one-time donation, on-going credit card donations or an in-kind donation, please contact Community Relations Director Lisa Lee at the above phone number.
The Youth Center is funded by private donations and grants, and is not funded by the state or federal government. All donations are tax deductible.