Spurred on by the energy in the season, the men and women of Central County are busy, busy, busy. They are so busy that I’m falling behind in getting all of their good news out to your neighborhood.
To start, the Martinez Loyal Order of Moose held a daylong fundraiser April 2 at the Moose Family Center 1164, at 414 Escobar St. in Martinez, under the leadership of co-chairmen Ricky Green and Mika Kouvonen.
Starting with the pancake breakfast, the members and guests enjoyed their luck at the Wheel of Fortune. Lunch was hot dogs and hamburgers, and was followed up with the spinning of the Wheel once more.
The grand prize drawing was held with Larry Smith winning round-trip tickets for two aboard Amtrak to Reno, plus three days and two nights at Harrah’s Casino. Second prize of $100 went to Thomas Proud, and Brenda Boll won the $50 third prize, said Robert Whalen, community fundraising chairman.
After the drawing, there was a live auction, and the day ended “with live music donated by friends of musician Steve Starr,” Whalen said.
“The all-day event raised $4,500,” he said. “It was split three ways and each nonprofit organization received $1,500.”
The nonprofits selected to receive the money were California Nevada Moose Association (CNMA) Youth Awareness; the SHARE Food Pantry in Concord; and RES (Redefining Educational Services) Success in Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Pittsburg.
Representatives for the groups assembled recently for a check presentation — Fred Reichelt, president/CNMA Youth Awareness; George Conlow, president/SHARE Food Pantry; and Nicole Howell, clinical services/RES Success. Also on hand were Angela Green, clinical services administrator/ RES Success; Bill Sizemore, administrator/Martinez Moose; and Whalen.
“The fundraiser was made possible by all who attended, and (by) merchants from Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek who donated gifts and monetary donations for the U.S. Savings Bonds,” said Whalen.
For more information on the three organizations, call the lodge at 925-228-8822.
Hats off to the members and families of the Martinez Moose.
Women of Distinction
Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista held its annual Women of Distinction luncheon March 30, at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, and honored several outstanding women of the community.
Sue Rainey, former councilwoman and mayor of Walnut Creek, was named the Making a Difference for Women, 2011 Woman of the Year “for her over 40 years of public service serving as mayor of Moraga and Walnut Creek. Sue also served on many boards, organizations and committees shaping the community for the present and future,” said Jo Harlow, club vice president.
Three more women were also honored as Women of Distinction. Lana Hilling, who designed and implemented the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at John Muir Medical Center-Concord, was recognized for Making a Difference through Promoting Health.
Kathy Schuenzel, who has been involved with several community groups, including Christ the King Social Justice committee and the Monument Crisis Center, was honored for Making a Difference through Community Service. Cathie Wright, who is active with the Get Real Academy and California Beta Alpha Delta Kappa, a women educators’ honorary society, was recognized for Making a Difference through Education and Service.
“Four young women were given scholarships and monetary awards at the event,” said Harlow.
The quartet, their honors and scholarships were:
Members of Diablo Vista Soroptimists actively volunteer with many community groups and agencies, including the Monument Crisis Center, Shelter Inc., STAND for Families Free of Violence, and the Gretta Foundation, which funds educational scholarships to increase the nursing workforce worldwide. The Soroptimists also raise funds to give scholarships and recognition to deserving women and girls in the county.
Congratulations to all of the winners, and to the members of Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista.
Stamp Out Hunger
Saturday, May 14, is the day to join the country’s letter carriers in the 19th annual Stamp Out Hunger, the largest single-day food drive for food banks nationwide.
All you need to do is go to the market or check your pantry for nonperishable food items, such as tuna, peanut butter, stews, rice, pasta and cereal. Place the items in a grocery bag and put it by your mailbox early Saturday morning and before the mail is delivered.
Letter carriers will collect the food items, deliver your mail and then take the food to the local food bank or collection area.
“Last year locally, the Stamp Out Hunger letter carriers’ food drive collected more than 1 million pounds of food for those in need through out the Bay Area,” said Lisa Sherrill, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, in a news release.
To learn more, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Flip ’em
It’s time for Sveaborg Lodge’s annual Swedish Pancake Breakfast. The lodge, one of many in the Vasa Order throughout the country and Scandinavia, is holding the event from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at Odd Fellows Hall, 4349 Cowell Road in Concord.
The event is open to the public, and event organizers Olle and Tessie Forsberg have been working for weeks with their helpers to prepare the menu. And head chef Larry Ard has been sharpening his knives to carve the ham.
“Larry is well-known in Contra Costa from when he was chief deputy of the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department,” said Bob Burman, publicity coordinator.
Breakfast includes Swedish pancakes, lingon preserves, ham, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee. And it’s all for $7 for adults and $3 for children, ages 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the door.
“We are proud of this tradition that has gone on for over 30 years,” said Sveaborg chairman Rob Laaback.
The lodge is open to those of Scandinavian heritage; for more information, call Linnea Soderland at 925-938-6008.
Tables, fashions on display
The sixth annual GFWC Clayton Valley Woman’s Club’s Festival of Tables and Fashion Show was held April 2, with a nod to Easter preparations and spring apparel.
“The event was a huge success,” said Barbara Glass, publicity coordinator. “Over 184 women attended the sold-out event coordinated by (chairwoman) Merle Whitburn and her committee.”
There were 23 tables, uniquely decorated by club members for the Festival of Tables. They included a variety of themes, from “Spring has Sprung,” to “It’s a Froggy, Froggy World,” to “A Day at the Beach.” Lunch, catered by Rick’s on Second of Antioch, was served to the guests seated at the colorful tables by special servers — the husbands, sons and friends of club members.
Club members and volunteers from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano modeled the fashions from Coldwater Creek of Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek.
“There were over 34 baskets filled with goodies, donated by club members and local businesses and assembled by club members, plus many silent auction items donated from local organizations,” said Glass.
Proceeds from the event benefited the food bank.
Applause to the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club on continuing an event that is both fun and fundraising.
Items for the column can be e-mailed to goodneighbor@bayareanewsgroup.com or mailed to Jacquie Oliverius/Good Neighbor, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Submissions to the “Good Neighbor” column about upcoming events must be received by noon Wednesday, at least one week prior to the event date. Due to space restrictions, non-timely items may not be immediately published.
