Our 2nd Annual “Valenteer Party”
On February 8, we hosted our 2nd annual “Valenteer” Party celebrating a year of tremendous growth and success in 2017. To show our volunteers our love and appreciation, we decorated our office with Valentine decorations, provided refreshments, conducted fun activities and handed out certificates to volunteers who went above and beyond in 2017.
The Children’s Foundation of America would be nothing without the support of the community and our wonderful volunteers because they believe in our mission to help children heal, learn and thrive. Thanks to the combined efforts of over 400 individual volunteers (more than double from 2016), the Children’s Foundation of America was able to provide care packages for 3,400 children in foster care and homeless shelters. To celebrate this wonderful achievement, we invited all of our volunteers to join us at the Foundation headquarters in the Claremont Village for a night of celebration, acknowledgement and togetherness.
Community Outreach Coordinator, Rebecca Ustrell and AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, Marie Maghuyop, presented awards to individuals like Faye Schoborg (pictured above), who volunteered multiple times last year. The awardees received special certificates from the Foundation, Senator Anthony J. Portantino and a free ticket to our comedy benefit show, Funny 4 A Reason.
As a fun activity for volunteers, we asked them to bring books to donate as part of our “Warm & Fuzzy February” campaign. Volunteers who participated were entered into our raffle drawing for some great prizes. Delilah DeBellis, one of our consistent volunteers, won a $10 Jamba Juice gift card, Jayme Ramirez from Claremont Smile Design won 2 tickets to Funny 4 A Reason and Jose Briseno won a Horn Blower dinner coupon!
Haley Amidan frequently volunteers with the Foundation and we gave her special recognition for recently getting hired at our partner organization Trinity Youth Services. She will be part of the Trinity El Monte residential therapeutic program support team.
Haley was interested in volunteering and working with youth in foster care as a result of the trauma she experience in her youth. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if I stayed in the situation I was in. Now, I want to help other kids find their way and heal from their pasts,” she said.
At the end of our event, representatives from Claremont Smile Design presented the Foundation with materials to help our volunteers continue to make blankets for our “Warm & Fuzzy February” campaign and dental hygiene kits and books for children in foster care.
It is our devoted volunteers and supporters who truly make the difference for children in need and we are so grateful to everyone who invests in the future of these children. If you would like to volunteer with the Children’s Foundation of America, check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities here.
See a video recap of our “Valenteer” Party here:
Rebecca Ustrell, Community Outreach Coordinator
Becky acts as liaison for Children’s Foundation of America. On any given day she could be meeting with potential donors, coordinating a fundraising event, recruiting volunteers and forming partnerships with other nonprofits that can benefit from the help of our Foundation. Becky is currently studying sociology as well as fine art and helps organize the Claremont Art Walk. You will most likely find Becky working on freelance illustrations, playing the cello, mingling at a chamber of commerce event or volunteering in the community.
800-543-7730 | rustrell@trinityys.org
Valentine’s Day Craft: Hot Air Balloon Candy Catcher
We’ve found a Valentine’s Day craft that has really captured our heart. It’s not only cute, but functional too! This colorful, heart-shaped paper hot air balloon holds Valentine sweets in a paper cup bucket and can be hung from just about anywhere for easy access to tasty treats. You can make one for the kids or get them involved and make one with you!
What You Will Need:
- 1 Ball of Yarn
- 1 Paper Cup
- 1 Marker or Pencil
- Scotch Tape
- Hole Punch
- Stapler
- 5 Pieces of Construction Paper
- Assorted Candy
Your Work Space:
Make sure to have ample space to spread out your craft supplies. For our assorted candies, we chose colorful treats to match our multicolored paper balloon. You can choose your favorite color combinations for the paper and for the candies! Make it your own style. You can even draw or color on the paper for extra customization.
Step 1:
Stack all pieces of paper and fold them in half horizontally. Use a marker or pencil to trace a half-heart shape onto the paper along the fold. Cut the half heart shape out of the stack of paper along the line you traced.
Step 2:
Unfold the stacked paper being sure to keep all of the pieces stacked evenly. Staple along the fold crease twice to secure the bottom half. Punch one hole on the center fold crease approximately a half inch from the top.
Once the heart shape is secure and hole punched, it’s time to start assembling the structure of the balloon!
Step 3:
Thread the yarn through the top hole punch and tie a knot at the end to create a loop. This can be as short or long as wish. If you are making multiple hot air balloon candy catchers, consider making the loops different lengths to give height variation in your display.
Punch one hole approximately a half inch from the base of the center piece of paper on each side. Cut off the top of the paper cup so it is only about 2 inches tall from the bottom. Punch two holes on opposite sides of the cup just below the top edge. Next, thread a piece of yarn through from the paper to the paper cup on each side securing it with a double knot.
Step 4:
It’s candy time! Fill the paper cup with your Valentine’s favorite candy. The more colorful the better!
Find someplace to hang your hot air balloon to surprise your Valentine. Happy Flying!
Rebecca Ustrell, Community Outreach Coordinator
Becky acts as liaison for Children’s Foundation of America. On any given day she could be meeting with potential donors, coordinating a fundraising event, recruiting volunteers and forming partnerships with other nonprofits that can benefit from the help of our Foundation. Becky is currently studying sociology as well as fine art and helps organize the Claremont Art Walk. You will most likely find Becky working on freelance illustrations, playing the cello, mingling at a chamber of commerce event or volunteering in the community.
800-543-7730 | rustrell@trinityys.org