Leona Valley Sertoma

Making A Difference through Service To Mankind

Leona Valley Sertoma Blog

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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

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Leona Valley Sertoma recently held its election of officers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Front Row (l-r): 2nd Vice President , Jan Clark (seated); Corresponding Secretary, Charlene Moore; 1st Vice President, Catherine Lord; Treasurer, Juanita Kirkpatrick

Back Row (l-r): CEO, John Seymour; 1st Year Director, Teresa Braley; 3rd Vice President, Bridget Razo; Recording Secretary, Shirley Kraft; President, Kathy Bramwell; Sergeant at Arms/2nd Year Director, Bev Brownfield; 2nd Year Director, Ray Mullins

Missing: 1st Year Director, Susan Heinold; 1st Year Director, Michelle McAlister; 2nd Year Director, Mary Thomas

 

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Leona Valley Sertoma Presents Scholarships

Each year the Leona Valley Sertoma presents scholarships to deserving graduating high school students. In addition, a scholarship is awarded to a community college student moving on to a four year college. This year Leona Valley Sertoma was able to present six very deserving young ladies with scholarships. It is fair to say they beautifully represent the Lakes and Valley communities served by Leona Valley Sertoma. We look forward to hearing of their successes and adventures when they come back home to visit family and friends. They are our future and we wish them great success in all their endeavors.

The Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarship fund is made possible through the generosity of everyone who supports our fundraising events and we cannot thank them enough for their participation and support of Leona Valley Sertoma. Anyone interested in learning more about us is encouraged to visit our home page at leonavalleysertoma.org, or join us for a meeting. We meet at 8:00am, on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, at Jack’s Place, on 90th Street West.

Leona valley Sertoma awards a scholarship to Veronica Castro
(l to r) John Seymour, Veronica Castro, Kathy Bramwell

Antelope Valley College Scholarship

On May 17, 2019, Leona Valley Sertoma (LVS) had the honor of presenting Antelope Valley College student, Veronica Castro, with her scholarship. Veronica is majoring in deaf studies and will also be pursuing a second major in Child Life Advocacy at California State University – Northridge. In attendance to present Veronica with her scholarship award were John Seymour, LVS CEO, and Kathy Bramwell, LVS President.

– GOOD LUCK, Veronica

Quartz Hill High School Scholarships

Quartz Hill graduating seniors receive their scholarships from Leona Valley Sertoma.
(l to r) Evelyne Copeland, Paige Delgado, Juanita Kirkpatrick (Sertoma treasurer), Hannah Clark, Jan Clark (Sertoma 2nd VP), Eileen McGregor, and Madeline Copeland

On May 29, 2019 , Juanita Kirkpatrick, Treasurer, and Jan Clark, 2nd V.P.,   were happy to award the Leona Valley Sertoma Scholarships to our Quartz Hill High Graduating Students. Receiving scholarships were Evelyne Copeland, Paige Delgado, Hannah Clark, Eileen McGregor, and Madeline Copeland.

Thank you, girls for all your hard work and dedication allowing you to cross the high school finish line and proceed on to your new college adventure.

Sertoma is beyond proud of you.

 

GOOD LUCK to each of you.

 

 

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Comedy Night and Dinner a Success

Event Committee Deserve a “High Five”

On May 18th, 2019, our Leona Valley Sertoma took a chance to organize and present a Comedy Night FUNdraising event for our local residents and out-of-town guests. Happily, this comedic event was well received and we raised proceeds that are dedicated to our annual scholarship fund.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the many people who made the evening a grand success. Finding sponsors is always an important step to making any event a success and Rally Auto Group and Round Table Pizza were happy to sign on as our main sponsors. Since 2006 this dynamic duo has never let us down and we continue to be most grateful for their continued support of our community outreach and our mission of SERvice TO MANkind. (SERTOMA)

The Comedy Night Crew

Comedian Randy Lubas
Comedian Randy Lubas

The main core “behind the scenes and up front help” truly need to take a bow: Comedian, Randy Lubas – Music by John Spear, Jim Lewandowski and Picker – Sertoma President, Kathy Bramwell – Juanita & Vance Kirkpatrick, Bev Brownfield, Teresa Braley, Ray Mullins, Cat Lord, Raul Matos, Michelle McAlister, Angie Hughes, KJ & Sandy Miller, Karl & Linda Pearcy, Chris Decker, Nicole Nanchy, Dave Millard, Kristin Talbot, Bill McGregor, Eileen Wright Catering, Souplantation, Casa Gutierrez, Sharkey’s Mexican Grill, Lu & Pe Mexican Café, Flora Donna’s Cakery, Ice House Comedy, Laugh Factory, Comedy Sportz, Flappers Comedy Club,

Comedy Night “dinner set music” trio.
(L-to-R) John “Pokey” Spear, Guitar, Jim Lewandowski, drums, Picker, Bass Guitar

Lake Hughes Women’s Club, Cherry Chapters, AV Press, Leona Valley Improvement Assoc., Web Master, Tom Smith AND YOURS TRULY- event coordinator, Jan Clark. So who can say that it doesn’t TAKE A VILLAGE in our small community to accomplish really BIG THINGS! Leona Valley Sertoma makes “it ALL happen”.

 

From the Audience: Linda Joynt / “A wonderful event” ~~ Pam Elliott / “Had a wonderful time, GREAT JOB“ ~~ Cassandra Parks / “Thank you to Sertoma for your service to our community”.

Comedy night dinner guest.
Comedy night dinner guest

Our membership is growing with the new inclusion of Michelle McAlister. She has only been involved for a short time and has already made a huge impact on our success. Always remember that we are constantly encouraging new membership to help us make an even greater impact and difference in our community and worldwide. We would love to meet new faces and hope to see you at one of our 8am breakfast meetings on either the first or third Saturday of any month held at Jack’s Place, 40352 90th Street West, Leona Valley.

Please check our website at: leonavalleysertoma.org  and to stay tuned in for future events be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our blog in the right-hand column.
Written by: Jan Clark

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Jan Clark provided the following email with forwarded message and photos from the Canine Companions for Independence team:

Good Morning to Everyone

Going back in time to June, 2018 when Sertoma hosted their “Gala under the Stars” wine tasting event, I thought you just might want to read this info and see the progress of the special puppy that YOU ALL helped to sponsor…. Our mission was to raise $10K in order to have the honor of naming a special service dog for a hearing impaired person. WE DID THAT, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU VERY GENEROUS GUESTS, SPONSORS AND VENDORS. And, there are so many more contributors that I need to contact.

Sertoma had the honor of naming her Leona V who is 6 months old now and doing quite well adjusting to her training / it was a 50/50 success chance I requested to be able to meet her and was told that they will bring Leona V to our Sertoma meeting when she is just a little bit older… so we will give it from 4 -6 months more and they agreed to bring her to Leona Valley.

Please know that (primarily) Sertoma’s mission is to help the hearing impaired lead a very normal life – we have succeeded in so many capacities, to include the scholarship provision of one Antelope Valley College student who is majoring in deaf studies or who has a hearing impairment / this is our fifth year to accomplish this effort.

You are invited to check our web site at: www.Leonavalleysertoma.org to read ALL of our wonderful accomplishments. And, at any time, you are invited to one of our breakfast meetings held at Jack’s Place on the first and third Saturday each month.

We are MOST GRATEFUL,

Jan Clark and all Sertoma Members

Hello Leona Valley Sertoma!

Canine Companions for Independence puppy Leona V is healthy and progressing very well with her commands! Now that she is six months old, she recently graduated from the kinder-pup CCI classes to Basic-Level. She knows sit, down, heel (sit at handler’s left side), side (sit at handler’s right side), let’s go (start walking), wait (stop at doorway), under (lay down under a table or desk), and the most important: “hurry” (potty). We have been taking her out in public for short periods of time to learn proper social behaviors. She’s gone to Panera Bread where she laid down, unnoticed, under the table, and to Costco (see photo of her practicing “under”), grocery shopping at Vons, and to local malls. We got together with two other puppy-raising couples and their puppies and saw the movie “Superpower Dogs.” Leona enjoys playing with her toys (especially chew toys!), play dates with other CCI puppies, and most importantly, her food! Leona weighed only ten pounds when we got her in November and now tips the scale at 40.4 pounds!

Thank you for your part in providing “Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People!”

Connie & Chuck
Volunteer Puppyraisers
Canine Companions for Independence