Community: Annual ‘Cops for Kids’ event presented at Elks Lodge
The decorations were scary, but guests had a great “deal” of fun at the second annual “Cops for Kids” Halloween Poker Tournament presented by the Glendale Police Officers’ Assn. recently at the Glendale Elks Lodge.
About 90 guests were greeted at the front door by two mannequins dressed as ghouls. Parked close by was a friendlier sight — the police department’s Ford Explorer painted pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Cops for Kids is a charity that gives back to the Glendale community by supporting several projects throughout the year, said Jason Ross, the association’s president.
Donations go to college scholarships, Glendale Healthy Kids, Boy Scouts and a Little League team. Funds also help Reading is Fundamental of Southern California, which provides elementary students with free books during campus book fairs.
The organization also adopts needy families and provides assistance in times of medical emergencies and personal tragedies. During the Christmas holidays, it provides trees, grocery-store gift cards and presents for families in need.
“Last year, we adopted something like 23 families — the largest amount we have ever done — and have volunteers that take a family, and they will go out and find out the ages of the children and buy age-appropriate toys and books and drop off the Christmas trees the night before,” Ross said. “It’s a way to give back to the community. We love it. It’s a huge positive influence on the kids in the community. They see us on a different level.”
The association also raises funds at a golf tournament in the spring each year.
Campbell Center benefits from Bowl-a-thon
The Campbell Center Foundation, the fundraising arm for the Campbell Center, is planning its 23rd annual Bowl-a-thon on Sunday at Pickwick Lanes in Burbank.
The event brings together bowlers and supporters from Glendale, Burbank and surrounding communities to raise funds for the center, which provides programs and services for its developmentally-disabled clients.
Participating bowling teams will compete for several awards, including First Place Team trophy; First, Second and Third Place Male and Female trophies; First Place Male Client and First Place Female Client medallion. Each team of four will be complemented by a Campbell Center client.
Some of the clients are ace bowlers, said Rita Tomassian-Hopkins, the foundation’s executive director.
One of those bowlers is Eddie Martinez, a client of the Campbell Center for the past 15 years. He sharpens his skills at Pickwick Lanes on Fridays after his work shift at the Campbell Center. In fact, he is so good at the sport, that he participates in the annual Special Olympics California state bowling tournaments and, in his words, he bowls a great game. Recently, he had the chance to travel to Sacramento to participate in a tournament there.
Advice he gives to aspiring bowlers is: “Bowl your best and be a team player. Don’t have bad sportsmanship.”
“We are very pleased to participate in the Campbell Center Foundation’s Bowl-A-Thon with a sponsorship and are looking forward to fielding teams of bowlers from our company,” said Haig Youredjian, president of Western Drug Medical Supply and member of the foundation board. “The event is an opportunity for everyone to spend a few hours with TCC clients, having fun and engaging in a most worthwhile endeavor in support of the organization’s mission.”
Teams of four bowlers are $125 each. Donors can also sponsor clients’ participation at $35 each. Financial donations are also welcome and help underwrite costs associated with producing the event.
To participate, contact Hopkins at (818) 242-2434, Ext. 312, or rita@TheCampbell.org or visit TheCampbell.org and click on the “Events” tab. Deadline to sign up is Thursday.
Knights receive top international award
For the first time, the Knights of Columbus, Crescenta Valley Council 3254, has earned the distinction of Double Star Council, which is presented to councils that have reached 200% of the membership quota for 2014.
Leading the council are Grand Knight Kerry Erickson and membership chair Brian Brady.
The Crescenta Valley Council represents men from Holy Redeemer, St. Bede’s and St. James Catholic communities.
Both the Double Star and an additional first-place award for Highest 250% of Net Membership in Division Four were presented at the monthly dinner social earlier this month at the Knights’ hall.
The Knights of Columbus provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic church and in their communities. With more than 1.9 million members in more than 15,000 councils around the world, the Knights of Columbus annually donates more than $170 million and 70 million hours of service to charitable causes.
Applicants sought for Live Your Dream award
Soroptimist International of Glendale is seeking applicants for the Live Your Dream Award presented each year to a woman who is the primary breadwinner for her family.
The award comes with a cash grant. Awardees must be enrolled in or accepted into a vocational or skills training program, or an undergraduate-degree program. Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, child care and transportation.
Application deadline is Nov. 15. The award will be presented at the Accolades Awards luncheon on March 17. For application materials, visit https://bit.ly/1MgBM9g.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.