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.

New 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 “goo

Leona 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

“Exceptional Dogs for Exceptional People”

On February 3rd, our Leona Valley Sertoma organization had the honor of introducing Melissa Billingsley and Jonathan Farmer, representatives of “Canine Companions for Independence”, which was founded in 1975. Melissa spent about one hour explaining how this nonprofit organization can enhance the lives of people with hearing disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs to people “in need” of this ongoing support. We also had the honor of meeting Hiltie, Lotus and Shiann, who proved to be quite calm, but attentive dogs. Hiltie is owned by Melissa and only took verbal command from her human partner, using just a “one word” command when needed.

The assistance dogs that CCI raises, breed’s and train are not just the ears, hands and legs of their human partners. They are considered goodwill ambassadors and their best friends. There are four types of assistance dogs:

Service dogs – assist adults with their daily tasks who have physical disabilities to retrieve a phone, open doors and pull a wheelchair.
Hearing dogs – alert their partners who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Facility dogs – work with clients with special needs in a visitation, criminal justice or health care setting.
Skilled companion – enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

The investment to train and educate each dog is $50K – There are many philanthropists / benefactors who sponsor many dogs through different foundations, which makes them free to applicants who are “in need” and are approved. The dogs are bred in Santa Rosa, sent to puppy raisers for eight weeks to 18 months and then are returned to CCI campus’ (in the USA) for six to 12 months for advanced training. Fact is that 70% of service dogs fail to pass their training and 30% graduate and move on to a recipient.

“Some people wait a lifetime for a miracle, but Canine Companions for Independence raises these special dogs one at a time” and, they ARE miracle dogs.

Please check their website: www.cci.org

— The above written and submitted by Jan Clark.

If you would like to know more about Sertoma, we invite you to come to one of our meeting’s. We gather at Jack’s Place restaurant, on 90th Street West, in Leona Valley, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Meetings begin at 8:00am and conclude at 9:30am. Feel free to contact a member if you have any questions.