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IORF holds 16th annual Christmas pajama and toy giveaway in Brentwood

December 29, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Pajamas are sorted and ready to be packaged for the 2022 giveaway. Photo: IORF

Thanks donors, supporters and volunteers

BRENTWOOD, CA – The International Orphan Relief Foundation of Brentwood held their 16th annual children’s pajamas, toy and grocery gift card giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Led by organizers former Councilwoman Claudette and her husband Johnny Staton, they partnered with Toys for Tots by the U.S. Marines and helped about 150 families, this year.

The families signed up for the giveaway through three organizations, Sisters of Immaculate Heart, Delta Community Services and Village Community Resource Center of Brentwood. The giveaway was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Brentwood.

“It was heartfelt to see people, especially the children with smiles on their faces and so grateful to receive the gifts,” Johnny shared.

“We want to thank Fremont Bank branch in Brentwood, specifically branch manager Deborah Willis and Community Outreach Manager Julie Moore who supported us throughout the years as well as McNally Insurance Company, as they are our major donors.”

“We also want to thank all those who donated toys and pajamas, Toys for Tots, Got Kicks and Tammy Young of the Streets of Brentwood, the volunteers, JoAnn Klement, Surah and Shaddin Abukishk, Dawn Bass, mother Gloria and daughter Gloria Pantoja, Claudia Rodriguez, Allen Payton, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and Carol Ilch-Rojo,” Claudette said.

Organizers Johnny and Claudette Staton were joined by several volunteers for the 2022 giveaway event. Photo: IORF

The Statons also thanked last year’s donors including Dub 4 Kids and past volunteers Jilda Fairhurst, Roy and Elma Richards, Villa Millan Serrano, for helping on distribution day, as well as all the past volunteers over the years including Glen Combs.

Finally, they thanked their legal counsel, Hon. Elihu Harris, former Mayor of Oakland, and Dr. Sheila Wells.

Johnny said, “I also want to thank my wife, Claudette for being such caring person.”

“We do it all for the praise and glory of God,” he added.

For more information and to donate to IORF visit International Orphan Relief Foundation (www. iorf.org).

Filed Under: Community, East County, Holiday

Kwanzaa is a “synthesis of continental and diasporan African cultural elements”

December 26, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The Gye Nyame Kwanzaa set includes a candleholder, candles, unity cup, corn and mat. Source: officialkwanzaawebsite.org

7-day celebration began Monday

By Allen D. Payton

Kwanzaa, the annual, seven-day African American and pan-African celebration of family, community, history, heritage and culture, was created in the 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of the department of Africana Studies at Cal State University, Long Beach. Each year it begins the day after Christmas on December 26th and continues through January 1st.

According to edarabia.com, “The term ‘Kwanzaa’ originates from the Swahili expression ‘matunda ya kwanza’, which means ‘first fruits of the harvest’.

During the holiday, families and communities gather to honor and remember The Seven Principles of  Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. Participants celebrate with the lighting of seven candles, feasts, music, dance, poetry and narratives. It ends with a day of reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles.

According to hearinnh.org, “Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but it is particularly popular among African-Americans. The holiday is observed in all 50 states, as well as in Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. It’s difficult to say precisely how many people celebrate Kwanzaa, as there is no official census data on the subject. However, estimates suggest that around 1.5 to 2 million Americans observe Kwanzaa each year.”

This year’s theme is “Kwanzaa, Culture and the Practice of Freedom: A Message and Model for Our Times”.

According to the Official Kwanzaa Website, “The Holiday Kwanzaa is a product of creative cultural synthesis. That is to say, it is the product of critical selection and judicious mixture on several levels. First, Kwanzaa is a synthesis of both Continental African and Diasporan African cultural elements. This means that it is rooted in both the cultural values and practice of Africans on the Continent and in the U.S. with strict attention to cultural authenticity and values for a meaningful, principled and productive life.

Secondly, the Continental African components of Kwanzaa are a synthesis of various cultural values and practices from different Continental African peoples. In a word, the values and practices of Kwanzaa are selected from peoples from all parts of Africa, south and north, west and east, in a true spirit of Pan-Africanism.

And finally, Kwanzaa is a synthesis in the sense that it is based, in both conception and self-conscious commitment, on tradition and reason. Kawaida, the philosophy out of which Kwanzaa is created, teaches that all we think and do should be based on tradition and reason which are in turn rooted in practice. Tradition is our grounding, our cultural anchor and therefore, our starting point. It is also cultural authority for any claims to cultural authenticity for anything we do and think as an African people. And reason is necessary critical thought about our tradition which enables us to select, preserve and build on the best of what we have achieved and produced, in the light of our knowledge and our needs born of experience. Through reason rooted in experience or practice, then, we keep our tradition as an African people from becoming stagnant, sterile convention or empty historical reference. Instead, our tradition becomes and remains a lived, living and constantly expanded and enriched experience.” From: “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture – by Maulana Karenga / pp 15-16 / Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press (2008)

Filed Under: Community, Holiday

Be Exceptional Programs to hold annual Winter Ball in Brentwood Friday, Dec. 16

December 15, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Free event for special needs teens and adults

By Lynda Green

The Be Exceptional Programs for special needs teens and adults will hold our annual Winter Ball this Friday, December 16, 2022, in Brentwood, this is a free event.

We are also seeking community support to provide snacks or drinks.

To register and more information can be found on our website at beexceptionalprograms.com or our Facebook page.

Filed Under: Community, East County, Recreation

Veterans’ Voices to air “Best of 2022” show Dec. 12

December 8, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Vito Imbasciani. Source: Veterans’ Voices

Includes interview with Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs Dr. Vito Imbasciani

By Ray Alvarado, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media 

On Monday, December 12th, at 7 pm (PST), the Veterans’ Voices show will premiere its “Best of 2022” show, highlighting some of the best moments from the past year. It will showcase some of the most interesting interviews from a wide range of topics important to the Veterans community. The show will feature Veterans from all branches of service sharing their experiences. It will also include an interview with the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Vito Imbasciani.

The Veterans’ Voices program is broadcasted on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) on the second Monday of every month at 7 pm. It can be seen live online at facebook.com/veteransvoices1. You can find an archive of past shows and show resources at https://contracosta.ca.gov/5163/Veterans-Voices

or on our YouTube channel Veterans’ Voices of Contra Costa. The show is re-run multiple times on CCTV on Comcast Channel 27, Astound Channels 32 and 1027, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.

Join us as we present our year of topics discussed from the Veterans’ point of view. We are proud to share these open and honest discussions and honor those who serve.

 

Filed Under: Community, Veterans

East County Grand Community Chanukah Festival and Menorah Lighting in Brentwood Dec. 18

December 6, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Biggest Menorah in Eastern Contra Costa!

You are invited to join us for a grand Chanukah Celebration

Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chabad of the Delta and our surrounding communities as we light the Grand Menorah on Sunday, December 18 at 4:30 pm in Brentwood City Park.

Our local community leaders will participate in kindling the giant “Menorah of Freedom”. There will be fun activities for everyone including:

  • Chanukah crafts, glitter art and a photo op!
  • Delicious traditional latkes and donuts!
  • A Grand Raffle!
  • Fire and LED performer Aaron Zamarron

For many of us, Chanukah prompts warm, loving memories from our childhood. We light the Menorah every night of the 8-night holiday. These lights offer warmth, joy, strength, inspiration and renews our sense of identity.

Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid, director of the Chabad of the Delta Jewish Center, describes Chanukah as “a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jersusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.”

As we celebrate in East Contra Costa, we join millions the world over, promoting the universal message that good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness!

Make sure not to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends! Outdoor event, please dress accordingly.

This is a FREE event. All donations are appreciated! Register by clicking here.

For more information, contact Chabad of the Delta at (925) 420-4999 or online at JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community, East County, Faith, History

John Muir Land Trust to hold Winter Festival Dec. 10

November 25, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

YOU’RE INVITED

Join John Muir Land Trust at Family Harvest Farm for our Winter Festival on Saturday, December 10, 11 am – 3 pm.

Get outside and celebrate the holiday season with the whole family! Festivities include:

  • Educational farm tour
  • Wreathmaking workshops
  • Food trucks, free hot cocoa and cider
  • Free Facepainting
  • Music by DJ Kendo and The Fresh Crew
  • Holiday toy drive for foster youth*

The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

UPDATE: At this time, all wreathmaking workshops are full.

*Please bring unwrapped gifts and gift certificates for children and youth in foster care ages 5-21 years old to the event or send to: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Contra Costa County, 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 295, Concord, CA 94520.

Located in Pittsburg, CA, Family Harvest Farm is a program of John Muir Land Trust that employs transition age foster youth as apprentices and leaders in the community. Through on-the-job training in organic farming, the farm provides a healthy, nurturing environment for program participants and affordable, high-quality food for the community.

To register click here.

Filed Under: Community, East County, Environment, Holiday

St. Vincent de Paul, De La Salle Lacrosse “Team-Up” to provide Thanksgiving dinners for needy Concord families

November 23, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

DLS Lacrosse Team supports SVdP – St Francis Turkey Drive on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Photo: St. Vincent de Paul

By Brian Boyle, Communications & Development Associate, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the St. Vincent de Paul branch at St. Francis Assisi church in Concord, and the coaches and players on the De La Salle Lacrosse teams provided over 100 turkeys and over 100 volunteer hours to help hungry Concord families.  As a result, these 100 families, (over 400 individuals), will have a special holiday meal to serve their family this Thanksgiving.

Isabel Lara, the leader of the St. Vincent de Paul volunteer team in Concord said that they would not be able to extend this program to the needy without the help of the De La Salle Lacrosse teams.

“The kindness and support of the DLS Lacrosse players and coaches at the Thanksgiving distribution was a gift to the community!” she shared. “The happy faces from the parents and their children as they received their turkey, and the bags of food was a beautiful expression of their gratitude.”

The St. Vincent de Paul branch at St. Francis of Assisi operates a food pantry, provides home visits to extend basic needs assistance, (rental & utility assistance), and other services for the needy.

The De La Salle Lacrosse teams have provided this assistance to St. Vincent de Paul for 12 years, distributing over 1,650 turkeys, raising over $35,500 and contributing over 1,230 volunteer hours.

If someone needs help, please contact SVdP at www.svdp-cc.org, or (925) 439-5060.

About St. Vincent de Paul

The mission of St. Vincent de Paul: A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County provides help to neighbors in need regardless of gender, national origin, race, or religion. It is part of an international non-profit, organized locally to bring concrete aid and comfort to those who are poor and suffering in Contra Costa County. The Society collaborates with other people and organizations of good will in mitigating need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served.

 

Filed Under: Central County, Community, Concord, Faith, Sports, Youth

IORF’s annual East County Christmas Children’s PJ and Toy Drive seeks donations

November 18, 2022 By Publisher 2 Comments

The International Orphan Relief Foundation wishes you a happy holiday season! We would love for you to be a part of our annual East County Christmas Children’s PJ and Toy Drive. Please click the link below to see how you can impact the youth and families in East County and bring joy this Christmas!

Donate to our Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/DirCStaton

Filed Under: Community, East County, Families, Holiday

Friday is deadline for non-profits to apply for Youth of Promise Fund micro-grants

October 27, 2022 By Publisher 1 Comment

Source: Youth of Promise Fund

Must serve Eastern Contra Costa County

The Youth of Promise Fund, a partnership between the Contra Costa County Probation Department and the Antioch Community Foundation, is now open to accept applications for micro-grants of up to $10,000 for non-profit organizations serving Eastern Contra Costa County youth and families and to support priority program/service areas described below for the period: October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023.

Priority Program/Service Areas Include:

  • Academic success, mentoring, and tutoring;
  • Leadership development
  • Civic engagement/social justice;
  • Prevention;
  • Youth employment, internships, or work-ready skills training; and

Among others that support and promote strategies and best practices that effectively prevent or reduce juvenile crime and provide youth and their families with opportunities to achieve, grow, and thrive.

Application Process and Timeline

Non-profit (501c3) organizations serving justice-system involved youth and/or youth at risk of justice-system involvement in East Contra Costa are eligible to apply. (A pool of $85,000 has been allocated for this grant application cycle.)

Applications must be submitted to the Antioch Community Foundation via online or by email at grants@acfcommunityimpact.org. See the link below for the application.

Applications are due no later than 5:00pm Friday, October 28, 2022.

  • No mailed or faxed documents will be accepted.
  • Funding decisions will be finalized by the ACF Board by Monday, November 14, 2022, and notification to organizations of grant funding status will be made by Friday, November 18, 2022.
  • Organizations that are awarded a grant must confirm acceptance and provide any revised documentation to the Antioch Community Foundation by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, November 29, 2022
  • Grant awards will be mailed by Friday, December 2, 2022.
  • To be considered for future funding, grantees must submit a grant report for 2022-23 by Friday, September 1, 2023, or within 2 months of completion of any one-time event for which the award is given.

For questions, please send your inquiry to grants@acfcommunityimpact.org or contact Keith Archuleta at 925-584-5944/ keith@emeraldhpc.com.

 

Filed Under: Community, East County, Youth

Tickets still available for Contra Costa County Fair Heritage Foundation annual fundraising dinner Saturday, Oct. 15

October 14, 2022 By Publisher Leave a Comment

For tickets click, here – 2022 Heritage Foundation Dinner | Contra Costa County (cccfheritagefoundation.com).

Filed Under: Agriculture, Community, Dining, East County

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