The 2018 – Gala Under the Stars

On June 9th, our Leona Valley Sertoma organization hosted the 2018 – Gala Under the Stars, which proved to be a very special and successful wine, beer, bourbon and food tasting event. It was a “sell out”! We are proud to say that with all of the many events that we have hosted in our community, this was a first time raising funds for Canine Companions for Independence” and I believe that, by now, you understand that our main mission and goals are to contribute to nonprofit organizations pertaining to the hearing impaired.

The realization came to us that we have never provided help to a person with a hearing disability who was in need of a special assistance dog. Due to many requests to host another Gala Under the Stars, Leona Valley Sertoma knew we needed to begin the process and secure the plan very soon – HOWEVER, who would be receiving the funds raised! We were directed to contact “Canine Companions for Independence” (CCI), in the Oceanside area, and to speak to Melissa Billingsley in Tehachapi, who operated a CCI satellite office for assistance dogs… she not only spoke at one of our meetings but brought three very well trained dogs to demonstrate the many commands that were required to be the eyes, ears and hands of their human partners. At our meeting, it was a unanimous decision that the 2018 – Gala Under the Stars would definitely take place and ALL PROCEEDS would go to sponsor one goodwill ambassador service dog.

There are four types of assistance dogs: Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Facility Dogs and Skilled Companion Dogs —– why not visit the Canine Companions for Independence website to better understand the actual meaning of these four categories and also learn so much more about “Canine Companions for Independence”. I guarantee that you will be amazed and will learn that they are “miracle dogs”.

With the generosity and faith of our sponsors, vendors, entertainers (and especially our guests) Sertoma was proudly able to recently provide a $10,000 check to CCI which gives us the honor of naming a puppy on behalf of Leona Valley Sertoma, but also help provide the essentials to raise the puppy during its training session.

As ALWAYS, we in Leona Valley Sertoma are forever grateful for the support you have given to each and every event we have hosted, but your generosity toward CCI was “over the top”.

Sertoma in general, has always stood for “Service to Mankind” and we truly believe that we have done a great job proudly representing the needs and requests of Leona Valley and beyond, as there is nothing stronger than the heart and spirit of a volunteer.

Thank you, again, from ALL of our Sertoma members and you are invited to check: LeonaValleySertoma.org for more information.

A Big Thank You To All

This Year’s Leona Valley Sertoma St. Patrick’s Day Dinner could not have been a success without our volunteers and all those who came and dined with us.

A few days have passed now (3/23/17) since Leona Valley Sertoma hosted one of the greatest St. Patrick’s Dinner events EVER!!! We were blessed with perfect weather, which included NO WIND in our precious valley. We weren’t certain about the turnout because local families were on Spring break and due to respecting Lent, we thought many guests wouldn’t be eating meat, giving up dessert or not having cocktails. WELL, OUR THOUGHTS DIDN’T RING TRUE!

WE FED CLOSE TO 200 VERY HUNGRY PEOPLE!!! Actually, our preparation began six days ahead of time with the inclusion of staffing about 25 hard working volunteers, and in the end, we served 258 pounds of corned beef, 100 lbs. of red potatoes, 80 lbs. of carrots, 80 lbs. of onions and 55 heads of green cabbage – not to mention complimentary desserts of all kind, coffee and lemonade.

Our chefs, Bud Lehner and Bill Moore were guided by head supervisor, John Seymour. For two days their cooking expertise begun with firing up the stoves at 5am allowing the games to begin. Bob Reader and Ron Remy specialized in trimming and slicing ALL of the meat to perfection. Charlene Moore specialized in glazing some of the meat — Our staff included many of our members and local people, Home Depot servers, Live Again Christian Facility (using their muscle) and naturally many of our members focusing on specific details to make things run smoothly… Our treasurer, Juanita Kirkpatrick, along with friend Merrie Profitt, took care of the entrance tickets, Bev Brownfield, along with Tom Joynt served as the bartenders, Linda Joynt coordinated all decorations and member, Ray Mullins, took some pretty nice photos. I have to say that I, Jan Clark, had the honor of this year’s organization from beginning to end – Very proud day for us all and we look forward to what lies ahead for 2018. We Sertoman’s are most grateful for everyone’s energy and dedication and we sincerely thank this year’s sponsors for their generous donations that contributed to a most profitable and joyous event.

Gratefully yours,

Jan Clark – Chairman of the Board