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Affinity Group Honors Three Community Volunteers
...At the Heart of Supporting Operation Teddy Bear®
Members of the Affinity Group invite you to join them for a Community Volunteer Awards Luncheon benefiting the Volunteer Center's Operation Teddy Bear on Wednesday, June 21 at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. Jean Adelsman, Ann Buxton and Joyce Kochanowski will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the community at this year's luncheon.
Jean Adelsman is a longtime community volunteer who is a past chair of the board of the Volunteer Center and currently chairs the Food for Kids program. She is a former president of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation board and has been active in the past on the H.E.L.P., RSVP and Community Helpline boards. She is also a member of Affinity.
Ann Buxton has been a key supporter of the Palos Verdes Art Center and its support group, The Circle. She is past president of that group and is currently president of the Center board. She has also chaired the successful Homes Tours for both PVAC and Neighborhood Church. She and her husband David have hosted two Affinity Legends fund raisers at their beautiful home.
Joyce Kochanowski has volunteered for many community organizations. She is past president of Las Primeras and currently president of Las Vecinas, support groups of the Assistance League. She has been Treasurer of Toberman auxiliary and currently is treasurer for both The Associates of PVAC and the Affinity Group. She is also a volunteer for H.E.L.P. and adds sunshine wherever she volunteers.
The luncheon will also feature a Broadway music by singer Jeralyn Glass. Single tickets are $75, or you may become an event sponsor at one of two levels - Platinum Sponsor ($1,000; includes a table of 10) or Gold Sponsor ($500; includes two tickets). Email [email protected] to become a sponsor or obtain more information about attending the event.
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The Volunteer Center's 2016-2017 Progress Report
...At the Heart of Making a Difference
Last May, we asked donors like you to support a number of projects. As a follow-up, we've created a progress report to show you what we were able to accomplish with your gifts.
Now more than ever, the impact of local volunteerism is incredibly valuable. We hope you will choose to invest in our growing family of nearly 15,000 volunteers so they may continue to serve our community in ways that benefit all of us. Click here to donate online by June 30 to support the Volunteer Center's Spring Giving Campaign.
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Five Durfee Family Scholarships Awarded
...At the Heart of Helping College-Bound Students
The Volunteer Center recently awarded five $800 Durfee Family Scholarships to local high school seniors to assist them with the cost of classes and materials during their first year of college. We received applications from dozens of dedicated and deserving college bound students. In addition to strong academic performance and a passion for serving their community, the following five students were selected for maintaining a positive attitude while overcoming a unique set of challenges.
- Luis Ambriz - North Torrance High School/California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Leilani Ferreras - Academies of Education and Empowerment/ University of California, Santa Barbara
- Alejandra Guzman - Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy/California State University, Northridge
- Irene Morales - North Torrance High School/University of California, Irvine
- Grace Ngwa - Leuzinger High School/California State University, Chico
The Durfee Family Scholarships were established in 1998 thanks to a generous endowment gift made by the late Ev Durfee, a prior Volunteer Center Board Member and longtime supporter. We wish all of our scholarship recipients and applicants success as they embrace their bright futures ahead!
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Food For Kids Support from Our Community
...At the Heart of Feeding Families
Special thanks to AT&T, Keenan and Associates, the Torrance Women's Club and a local Girl Scout Troop for their recent support of our Food For Kids program!
- AT&T employees collected more than 1,300 pounds of food, packed 100 bags and donated more than $300 to the program as a part of their second quarter service event.
- Employees at Keenan and Associates held a drive to collect and donate 260 pounds of food, including some much-needed tuna and peanut butter.
- The Torrance Women's Club collected and donated 548 pounds of food.
- A Junior Girl Scout Troop from Manhattan Beach and their leader Jenny Sampson helped pack 100 bags of food after taking a tour of the Volunteer Center.
We depend on donations like these from the community, so we can distribute an average of 120 bags of non-perishable food to hungry families every single week. Currently, our pantry is in urgent need of non-perishable fruit, such as canned fruit, fruit cups, applesauce and raisins. We gratefully accept donations at our Torrance Office (1230 Cravens Avenue) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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2017 VolunTEEN Summer Program Kick-Off
...At the Heart of Encouraging Youth to Volunteer
Local teenagers took their first steps towards becoming more civically-engaged members of our community during our 2017 VolunTEEN Summer Program kick-off training. We look forward to seeing this group's growth as they spend the summer volunteering to serve our community!
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A few of the 2017 VolunTEEN participants (left) and the kick-off presentation
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Volunteer Opportunity Spotlight: Ride to Fly
...At the Heart of Helping Children and Adults with Disabilities
Ride to Fly is a local organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding and associated learning experiences to children and adults with disabilities, and they are currently seeking volunteers! Previous riding experience is helpful, but not necessary, as training will be provided. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.
Volunteer opportunities include cleaning and grooming horses; putting on or removing tack (saddle, bridle, etc.); guiding or walking beside horses during lessons; and assisting in the office or during special events. Learn more about these opportunities and complete a volunteer application at www.ridetofly.com/get-involved.
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Volunteer Opportunities Available 24/7!
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Looking for volunteers?
Click here to learn about becoming a Partner!
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THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS:
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Whitney Young Foundation
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Carl E. Wynn Foundation
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The Volunteer Center
South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach
Phone: (310) 212-5009 | Fax: (310) 212-7201
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