The new board, front, left to right: Nan Nasser, communications, Joan Roberts, executive vice president, Ann Coziahr Golden Goose representative, Maggie de Block president, Emilie Siarkiewicz recording secretary, Anne Everett treasurer and Judy Williams vice president Kids’ Closet; Back row: Doug Sweetland special events, Steve Groth vice president Education, Mary Britton corresponding secretary and Gayl Van Netter recording secretary
Nan Nasser
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach held its annual volunteer appreciation on Monday, April 14. Not only does SBCO acknowledge particular volunteers and sponsors, but sums up the year with an overall picture of what we accomplished. We are 100% volunteer and are grateful for all the volunteers who give time to the kids.
SBCO began its operation 17 years ago by providing 385 youngsters in a San Manuel elementary school with used clothing so that they could attend school on a more regular basis. As of this April that program, Kids’ Closet, has clothed 30,117 students with 39,989 wardrobes and today all the clothing is new. The children are primarily elementary school age with a few exceptions.
Teen Closet is a separate program that takes high school students on shopping trips for appropriate outfits for the classroom.
Education began with tutoring in the Tri Community area and today includes math and reading in schools from Ironwood Ridge High School to Mammoth STEM School. Scholarships for college/trade schools were offered in 2001 for 11 students for a two year period. Today we have assisted 161 students over the years and now offer a four year scholarship. Enrichment programs have changed from summer opportunities to worthwhile programs throughout the year.
We held our first community food drive in 1999 and by 2014 we had collected an estimated 233,266 pounds of nonperishable items and $36,766 in cash! The collection is now donated to the Tri Community Food Bank in Mammoth based on severe need and lack of substantial community support.
Other accomplishments in 17 years include the Adopt A Family helping 871 families and 1,941 individual children, Thanksgiving Food Baskets distributed in Oracle (260), $44,310 from the recycling of aluminum cans, $236,554 from the resale of golf balls and for those of you using the Bashas’ Community Support Card we have received almost $6,000 in two years.