Winter YAL Newsletter

Winter Newsletter

Volume 01 - Issue 02 - YAL News & Events

In This Issue:

Message from Executive Director
Fall 2018 Grants
4-H Achievement Night
Rohnert Park Holiday Lights Celebration
Director Spotlight
Center Upgrades
Pancake Breakfast
Dates to Remember

A Message from the Executive Director

As the end of the year wraps up, I'm looking back on a tremendous year of change and growth for our Foundation. Even with all the challenges of a new Executive Director, new name and a difficult date for our annual fundraiser, I believe the future is bright for the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County. Our supporters have stood by us with all these changes and challenges and have given us renewed energy to continue our good work into the new year. We have a lot planned for 2019 that I believe will bring the foundation up to a new level. Stay tuned in the new year for more about how we will be creating a greater impact on youth agriculture in Sonoma County. Happy Holidays!

~ Felicia Rush

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CENTER GETS NEW LIGHTS

The Center in Rohnert Park recently received new energy efficient LED lights. These lights are much brighter and will help us reduce our energy costs. We would like to thank all the generous donations to our Fund-A-Need for helping make this improvement possible. If you would like to donate to our Center, please click the link below!

Donate to the Center

FALL 2018 CLUB GRANTS

On November 15th we received 13 grants from different 4-H clubs and projects requesting over $5,000 to support their projects. We were able to award over $2,000 to 9 groups. These funds will be used to purchase food processing equipment, floral supplies, rocketry kits and so much more. We look forward to seeing their projects grow and prosper with their new materials. We would not be able to provide this support without our donors. If you would like to support club grants please donate to our grants fund, hopefully we can award even more money next year!

Donate to our Grants Program

ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT

November 3rd was all about achievement! The annual 4-H Achievement night went Under the Sea at the Center in Rohnert Park to celebrate members' achievements from all over Sonoma County. Congratulations to all our local 4-H'ers for your achievements, we are proud to support your continued efforts to serve our community!

HOLIDAY LIGHTS CELEBRATION

The Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation staff attended Rohnert Park's Holiday Lights Celebration this December passing out treats to families and sharing the good work the foundation does as well as encouraging children to join 4-H clubs. The event was a fabulous opportunity to connect with our community. We look forward to more chances to share our story at events such as this! If you have an event we should attend please contact our office!

Director Spotlight:

Terri Balletto

This quarter we would like to spotlight Director, Terri Balletto. Terri has served as a director for the YAL Foundation of Sonoma County for 8 years and is currently the Secretary on the Executive Committee. Terri truly cares about agriculture and the education of youth, each year she donates time, facilities, money and wine to the Foundation in support of our mission. Terri and Balletto Vineyards are supportive to the Foundation in ways that sometimes go unnoticed. If there is ever a need, Terri is there to lend support and offer up whatever is needed so that the Foundation is able to continue to support Sonoma County agriculture and youth. Wine Industry Advisor recognized Terri and her husband John as 2018 Wine's Most Inspiring People, we couldn't agree more.

Check out the article here!

Pancake Breakfast

The 2019 Pancake Breakfast is fast approaching. This year our fun morning fundraiser will occur on March 23rd. If you have donations for the auction or are interested in sponsoring the event please contact ashleyyouthagleadership@gmail.com . We are excited to show off our new lights at the center and come together to support the commitment of the foundation to youth and agriculture in Sonoma County.

Dates to Remember

Spring Grants Due - February 15, 2019

Ag Days - March 12-13, 2019

Scholarship Applications Due - March 15, 2019

Pancake Breakfast - March 23, 2019

Scholarship Interviews - April 12-13, 2019

Chicken Que - May 5, 2019

Annual BBQ Fundraiser - August 24, 2019

P.O Box 1283

Rohnert Park, CA 94927