New shirts worn by C’YA Board Member Kate Stoddard, left, and Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen, as Santa summer in LA were made by Velasquez Productions, LLC and part of a re-branding effort with a grant from the Los Alamos Community Foundation. Courtesy photo
‘Ohanna Forever’ is one of three trees still available to benefit C’YA’s Vets with Pets, shelter work and sending mail to military projects. Check out C’YA’s Facebook page for more pictures or call 505.695.9139. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions
We have been fortunate the last 8 weeks, so how about a long thank you article with a pinch of shameless self-promotion?
It kicked off with the 10th anniversary for Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) and two new logos by Los Alamos High School (LAHS) student Joey McCulloch. Joey’s work was combined with a grant from the Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) and our re-branding efforts are underway. Branding is one of three areas that LACF will help us with, as well as technology and board development.
Local and regional businesses hosted Change for Change, where one can (in which to place spare change) was combined to support mental health education in the community. The businesses include Kristy Ortega at RE-MAX First, the Youth Activity Center, Flowers by Gillian, Judy Hoffman at Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement) and the Jemez Mountain Brewhouse. These small businesses will allow this small non-profit to host four additional educational opportunities.
The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce just hosted our first multi- business suicide prevention training for a variety of community leaders. This was a huge opportunity for us to allow many other businesses to train their staff at no cost to them. Also, remember that we will be saying farewell to Ryn Hermann this month. I will assure the community that I have seen first-hand that Cinderella’s slipper fits just perfectly on the foot of incoming director Sandy Jones.
Finally, Los Alamos Retired Seniors Organization (LARSO) was gracious enough to welcome two final installments of the Festival of Trees, after my departure at LARSO’s helm. The fundraiser benefitted both the senior centers and C’YA for many years.
However, we ended up with three 4-1/2-foot trees that received no bids. Both donors have blessed me to try and give them one more shot as Christmas in July ends. We will include a few photos here and you can find us on Facebook or drop us a text.
The first tree by an anonymous bidder is “Ohanna Forever”, a Hawaiian themed tree with many accoutrements including Hawaiian Santa hats, matching stockings, two Disney prints from Lilo and Stitch and more.
The next two trees from the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi are sold separately. The first is “Movie Night” and has a pizza and popcorn theme. Each popcorn has been hand knitted by Amanda Sheridan.
Second, “Sweet Holiday Traditions” is decorated in ornaments depicting hard candy, candy canes and gingerbread men. All three trees can be delivered free to your door if you live in Los Alamos or White Rock.
These funds will be used for our Vets with Pets, shelter work and Mail for Military programs. If you have someone serving in the service, please let us know.
We thank you for the kindness you have shown and hope you will continue to support our programs.
