May 1, 2008

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Holy Spirit School hosts 7th annual walk-a-thon

On April 17, Holy Spirit School’s kindergarten through eighth grade students gathered to walk in support of the missions overseas.

Students spent a couple of weeks gathering sponsorships and pledges from families and friends in support of their walk. They learned that only $5 could provide a 6-year-old with the shots and medicines they need for a whole year and that $50 supplies almost 20 children with a pair of socks and shoes.

The majority of funds earned by the students are planned to go to the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), a national organization supporting missionary efforts around the world. The HCA relies on Catholic schools and their generosity to enable the provision of food, medical assistance and education to thousands of children in need. The remainder of the funds raised is planned to go to the South American missions of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM Sisters). They serve the poorest communities in Peru, supplying a Catholic education and meals.

Kicked off in the school courtyard with a prayer for a successful walk and for the poor, the students began walking through and around the school campus, festively decorated with red and blue balloons. Students were rewarded for their dedication along the way by dozens of donated water bottles and orange slices and a special frozen treat at the end of the very warm afternoon.

Bret Harte to host cultural fair

It’s time to buy tickets for the Over & Around This World Bret Harte Cultural Fair FOOD! The event, scheduled for May 21 at 4 p.m. will feature food and fun in a fantastically festive but fiercely ferocious setting.

There will be food from a number of countries including Vietnam, Venezuela, the United States, Turkey, Switzerland, Scotland, Russia, Portugal, the Philippines, Peru, Pakistan, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Ireland, Iran, India, Greece, China, Argentina, the Arab world, various African countries and Invisible Children.

For questions, to volunteer or for tickets, call Aida Tessie Crosby at (408) 914-1129, or e-mail critical.thinking4kids@yahoo.com.

AVAC to host May 17 TurningWheels for Kids fundraiser

Almaden Valley Athletic Club, the family facility that offering health, fitness and wellness programs for all ages, invites community members to participate in its second annual fundraiser to benefit TurningWheels for Kids on Saturday, May 17 at 7:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

TurningWheels for Kids is a nonprofit organization that encourages physical fitness among children by providing bicycles and helmets to underprivileged youth throughout Santa Clara County. AVAC and TurningWheels for Kids aim to raise enough funds to surpass the 2,200 bikes that the organization was able to give to children during the 2007 holiday season.

AVAC will host two spinning classes at 7:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. on its outdoor pool deck.

Each session will feature a high-energy cycling class taught by a team of certified spinning instructors and choreographed to music. A $50 donation will guarantee one of 40 available seats. Each donation will purchase a bicycle for TurningWheels for Kids. Those who cannot physically participate may also purchase $5 “Spokesperson Wheels” that will also benefit the organization.

The Almaden Valley Athletic Club is located at 5400 Camden Ave. For more information or to register for the event, contact AVAC Activities Director Becky Smothermon at (408) 445-4919 or visit www.avac.us.

For more information about TurningWheels for Kids, visit www.turningwheelsforkids.org.

YMCA receives $5 million from The Valley Foundation

YMCA of Santa Clara Valley has received a $5 million gift from The Valley Foundation to revitalize the historic YMCA Camp Campbell, a 72-year-old camp nestled among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The YMCA will use the funds to repair, refurbish and renovate facilities on 87 acres of land in Boulder Creek beside the San Lorenzo River.

The foundation’s gift is its single largest grant ever made.

“We believe that a camp experience truly can transform lives for both children and adults,” said Phillip R. Boyce, chairman of The Valley Foundation. “YMCA camp is a great way for children to learn about nature, to practice independence, and to learn social skills that can help them in their overall development. Families can bond while spending quality time away from their busy daily routines. By making this contribution, we want to be a catalyst for additional support from other agencies and individuals so that children and families can enjoy camp well into the future.”

“We are so grateful for this gift from The Valley Foundation to help revitalize camp,” said John P. Pencer, board chair of YMCA of Santa Clara Valley. “Since 1936, YMCA Camp Campbell has been lovingly consumed. Now we need to make some investments to continue to serve the children, adults and families of this community. This generous contribution will help camp provide extraordinary experiences for many years to come.”

Summer resident camp includes sessions for children and teens—from three-day, two-night mini-camps for second and third graders to one- and two-week leadership camps for teens. The facility also hosts a variety of specialty camps throughout the year, including family camps, women’s wellness weekends, and adventures in sailing, skating, surfing and kayaking.

Girl Scouts visit Unicorn Thrift Store

Marilyn Wright, the Unicorn Thrift Store president, recently greeted 10 excited Daisy girls to accept their donations and tour the thrift store. Daisy Troop 603 from Simonds Elementary School earned their Rose Petal "Making the World a Better Place." The girls delivered used clothes and toys to benefit children. The Unicorn is an Auxiliary of EMQ Children & Family Services, which serves children in crisis. The store is run entirely by volunteers. The girls got to meet the dedicated volunteers. Accompanying mothers included troop co-leaders Bettina Kohlbrenner and Christy Barrese, both residents of Almaden Valley whose daughters Tatiana and Libby are in kindergarten at Simonds Elementary.

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