September 1, 2005

The ‘Snow Ball’ effect

AVCS Auxiliary open house to be held Wednesday, Sept. 7

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Mention the auxiliary, and the first thing that comes to mind is the Snow Ball, an annual dinner/dance and fashion show that raises funds to support the Almaden Valley Counseling Service [AVCS].

‘Most women when they hear of the auxiliary, they think Snow Ball,” says Erin Blodgett. “But it’s much more than that.”

Although its name was derived from the snow and ski fashions modeled by auxiliary members’ children, never did they imagine that the name would come to define and symbolize its success.

The “Snow Ball” effect began in 1984 and has picked up speed ever since, adding the popular Breakfast with Santa and Almaden Times Classic to its fund-raising efforts. To date, the auxiliary has raised more than a quarter million dollars, enabling AVCS to broaden its reach and embrace the mental health concerns of all ages. Over the years, the program has remained true to its name and now provides on-campus counseling at 21 local schools, as well as classes in anger management, parenting, marriage and family counseling, and their latest, a geriatric advisement program for seniors and their adult children.

Looking ahead
Now, like any successful organization, the auxiliary is now looking to create a resurgence of interest within the community—new blood that always brings with it new energy.

On Wednesday Sept. 7, the auxiliary will hold an open house and orientation for those interested in becoming members, featuring refreshments and a tour of the facilities with Executive Director Rocki Kramer, and several board members. Additionally, opening their doors will be another way to let the community see exactly what they do, how far they’ve come, and how far they still want to go.

“The same people have been members forever,” explains Blodgett. “I think people know of the events buy I don’t think they really known of the counseling services and how they contribute to the community as much as they could.”

With a 2- and a 5-year-old to take care of, Blodgett feels that groups such as the Friends at Las Madres could potentially be a huge opportunity. By grouping people and their children together to create compatible settings that could inspire new energy, they could share the burden of responsibility as well.

“I’ll bring all the moms I know that have kids my age,” she says. “Although they don’t know much about it, that’s the perfect audience to tap into so that they could participate. That way, it wouldn’t be the same people year after year doing it.”

She hopes the added awareness will motivate community members to get more actively involved.

“I think there’s a lot of people who want to contribute to the community and they maybe don’t know that this is an opportunity for them, and how it impacts so many schools and families in the area. We just need to get the information out to them on the front end. We’re hoping this [orientation] will create more awareness and get people to join.”

“Their services are so important,” she adds, “and the fund-raisers have the potential to be even more than they are—if we get enough people involved, maybe we’ll add another event.”