Fiesta de la Familia
We will continue to celebrate the 40th (Ruby) Anniversary of ARCC through December 31st and hope you will do the same. Yet the last official anniversary event was the Fiesta de la Familia held on Saturday, August 2 at Emma Prusch Farm Park. Families left the day with smiles and comments such as “Thank you for doing this! You really made us feel special.”
Staff Kudos
There are many people to thank – an intrepid team from PEI including Daisy Espinoza, Erika Arrizon, Nadine Villa and Olga Lizama who volunteered months ago to be face painters. Their booth turned out to be the most popular, by far, and their early commitment is deeply appreciated.
MCRC was well represented by Kevin Henriquez who arrived very early and worked on every aspect of set-up. Almost immediately following Kevin’s arrival Andrea Urton showed up announcing her willingness to be the ultimate ‘utility player.’
Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Lennox, jumped in early leading her teams from YMCA San Jose North Service Club, Tacos al Pastor & Oakridge Dental. Michelle stepped up big time borrowing canopy tents from SJSU and securing a brilliant array of drawing prizes for our families from Family Giving Tree!
Larry Hanville, Patricia Chiapellone, Rigo Rosas and Vicky Tamashiro staffed the Registration table throughout welcoming not only ARCC client families, but guests from the neighborhoods we serve as well. (Extra points to Larry whose wife Keri was an incredible help all day!)
Rene Ramirez engaged his daughter Emma and working together they set up the prize table, the Cupcake Walk (where brownies proved more popular as cupcake icing melted under the hot sun) and Art Station.
Representing FIRST 5, Akiko Chung and Larry along with Vicky and CSU’s Linda Franklin got physical moving around tables, chairs and canopies.
Colleen Kleier, CSU, stepped in to run the Art Station and was relieved by PEI’s Scott Lafranconi on the fingerpainting brigade. The kids loved it and I am now thoroughly enjoying their precious art my office.
Chris Park, Rocio Flores, Viridiana Ramirez, Justina Valdez were on hand to help make our guests feel welcome and to lend a hand where needed.
It Takes a Village
Presenting Sponsor The Health Trust made the day possible along with additional Fiesta Sponsors Chapman Insurance, Healthier Kids Foundation, San Jose Councilmember Xavier Campos and Dr. Navjyot Panjrath of Amazing Smile in Sunnyvale. Whole Foods (Los Gatos) donated fruit for those delicious (and healthy!) fruit cup desserts.
Exhibitors included Kaiser Permanente (hula hoop heaven), Oakridge Dental’s water and coloring station, Gardner Health Systems/WIC, Community Health Partnership, Santa Clara County Dental Society.
Tacos al Pastor – again a connection of Michelle’s – provided delicious – and nutritious – lunches enjoyed by all!
One Brick – an organization I’ve worked with on many past events – had a team of eight volunteers on site – with half their number arriving early for set-up and staying right through tear-down.
It really is all about teamwork and this was a very special, very helpful team who have my heartfelt appreciation for all the hard work in the hot, hot sun! And to the many staff who invited client families (with nearly 500 signed up by Friday night) a huge THANK YOU! Your connection to the families you serve is tremendous and taking on the task of inviting and reminding and re-reminding with all you have on your plates is truly inspirational!