Leona Valley Sertoma

Making A Difference through Service To Mankind

Jan Clark

Leona Valley Sertoma on the Horizon

Leona Valley Sertoma on the Horizon

Each and every year Leona Valley Sertoma is excited to introduce new members and ones who are enthusiastic about bringing new energy and ideas to our board. This is what we hope for and we appreciate our new members helping us to put Leona Valley Sertoma on the Horizon and better serving our communities.

As always, our mission is to connect those who are called to serve, not just in our own community, but our surrounding communities – thus, maximizing “Service to Mankind”.

Our newer members, Catherine Lord and Michelle McAlister, who have served less than one year, have shined a new light of enthusiasm into our group and are greatly appreciated … They proved to be starters with a “take charge” guidance.

Little Leona VNew on the Leona Valley horizon, a “meet and greet” social is planned for our members, spouses and a few sponsors on September 28th. The “Canine Companions for Independence” will bring our “gooLeona V in her yellow vest, represents Leona Valley Sertoma's new Horizons.d will” ambassador puppy (Leona V) up to our area for a visit allowing our members to witness her training progress. In 2018 we hosted a special “Gala Under the Stars” fundraiser to provide enough funding just for the privilege of naming Leona V. We certainly succeeded.

Next, due to popular demand, we have our 5th Murder Mystery Dinner planned for November 16th. This fundraiser event is for scholarship provision.

Last, but not least, for 2020, a special two – day “Paint and Sip” scholarship fundraiser event is scheduled for April 4th and 5th at Barrett Cellars winery.

Please remember that when we raise scholarship funds, it is not only for our local scholarship applicants, but includes a scholarship for one Antelope Valley College student who is majoring in deaf studies or who is personally deaf themselves.

Leona Valley Sertoma is definitely moving forward in so many capacities. The above are just a very few to mention — stay tuned for any and all details. To insure you never miss one of our blog post you can subscribe using the sign up form in the right hand column. (On your mobile device you may need to scroll down to find it.)

Blessings to Everyone,
Jan Clark

Leona Valley Sertoma New Member, Angie Hughes

John Seymour, President of Leona Valley Sertoma, presents new member, Angie Hughes, with her membership packet, as Jan Clark (right), looks on. We are so pleased and proud to have her as a member and count on learning so much from her.

Joh Seymor presents new member, Angie Hughes, her membership packet.

Sertoma is always grateful for new members and invite you to join us at any one of our 8am breakfast meetings on either the first or third Saturday of any month at Jack’s Place, 40352 90th St. W. Leona Valley

For those of you who wish to serve and become an experienced and meaningful volunteer, Sertoma would love to break bread with you.

What: Breakfast at 8am
When: The first or third Saturday of each month
Where: Jack’s Place – 40352 90th St. W, Leona Valley

Sertoma is one of the oldest service clubs in the United States of America and operates Nationwide. We ask you to share your expertise and help us grow, and at the same time, we will help you develop your leadership skills to care for the needs of our local community and beyond.

PLEASE go to: LeonaValleySertoma.org to read about the many ways OUR MEMBERS have made a big difference.

We have many passions and missions and here are just a very few:

    1. 1. Scholarships to local high school graduates – Antelope Valley College scholarship to a student who is either majoring in deaf studies and/or who personally has a hearing disability.

 

    1. 2. Hearing test equipment upgrades for the AV Hospital Medical Center for the testing of all newborns.

 

    1. 3. Special sound systems to help aid hearing impaired children and teachers

 

    1. 4. Provided funds to help sustain “Canine Companions for Independence” pertaining to the training and wellbeing of special service ambassador dogs for a hearing impaired person ~ check out:

www.cci.org

Be on the lookout for an article (coming soon) about our new member, Angie Hughes and her passion for raising service dogs for the blind.

For Information:
Call our Membership Chairperson Kathy Bramwell @ 818-679-7257

2018 – Gala Under the Stars

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 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Bravery Brewing rep. Kristine Bobrosky 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 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Clifford Meridth owner of Stray Leaf Vineyard and Melissa Billingsley rep. for Canine Companions for Independencebrought 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. 2018 - Gala Under the Stars - Gala vendor Heart 'N Soul Coffee House

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.

2017 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner – Review

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