With final numbers tallied after their month-long Community Support Campaign led by chairman Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich, the Youth Center in Los Alamitos successfully reached their goal of raising $200,000 in donations to support the top award-winning non-profit for the coming year.
Not only did The Youth Center reached their goal but due to the amazing leadership by Chief Joe and the support of the Lions Club, Affliction, Griffins’ Grill, Brew Kitchen Ale House, their final amount reached $190,000.
Campaign funds go directly towards their vital programs and activities for the year ahead including the Youth Center’s After School Program, elementary school Music Program, Every 15 Minutes teen drunk driving determent event, the Leadership Academy and Summer Camps. Scholarships awarded to families in need are in part made available due to campaign funds raised.
“When busy people who absolutely have no time come together to raise funds for something that’s dear to their heart and the community, they always succeed as they did this year,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “I want to thank all the campaigners and supporters especially Chief Joe for stepping up and helping us to raise funds so we could keep our doors open for all the families who need us.”
With the uncertain future of the Youth Center, Chief Joe said he knew it was critical to reach and surpass their campaign goal. He humbly continued to say that he in particular did not make this year’s fundraising efforts a success.
“The team and community are responsible for the success,” he said. “This year we were able to activate many communities to work as a team. Residents and businesses in Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Cypress and Long Beach all worked hard.”
He gave a big thanks to his division leaders Shawn McLean, Brandon Petersen, Scott Newton, Karen and Eric Frankenberg, who have been involved for years with the Youth Center, crediting them for their dedication and leadership in making everything possible.
A passion for the Youth Center and telling their story is what motivated Campaign Division Leader Scott Newton to successfully raise $25,000 with his campaigners.
“Inspiration comes from knowing how important The Youth Center is to our community and our kids,” he said.
Driving that point home was a recently produced video about the organization that’s viewable on YouTube and Facebook.
It was in Newton’s eyes an “amazing motivator” for people to give this year as well as the campaign kick-off at Affliction in Seal Beach and events at Spaghettini in Seal Beach and the Seal Beach Lions Club meeting.
Amazingly motivated is Youth Center Programs and Operations Manager Julie Rubin who will be braving an ocean swim challenge thanks to donors giving $1,000 or more to her campaign efforts. “I set out to design a big challenge for myself in doing the ocean swim because the kids mean so much to me,” she said. “At first I was hesitant but I am now ready for the challenge.”
She already was “T.P’d” by the After School Program students for single donations of $50, and recently sported a “Youth-Center-blue” wig for donations of $100.
“This year’s response to the campaign from parents, friends, family and community supporters to the needs of the Youth Center was absolutely amazing. We are very grateful,” she said.
Campaign Team Leader and Youth Center Board Member Arnie Fine humorously said he motivated his team to reach their goal of raising over $12,000 by “threatening them all with bodily harm!”
On a more sober note he said, “We all realize that it is important that we raise funds so we can continue offering our programs along with potentially new ones.”
“I told them (his campaign team members) that people give to people, and that they will give to the Youth Center because of who they are and what they believe in,” he said. Leading by example, Fine alone raised over $2,500, significantly more money than what was expected by being positive, enthusiastic and no procrastinating. “I’m ‘the legend’ so that already got them thinking they better do a good job,” he said.
Major contributors who donated $1,000 or more will get a special engraved leaf on the Youth Center’s Donor Giving Tree, designed and created by Mark Lengsfeld, owner of Build It Workspace.
Although the month-long campaign has officially come to a close, The Youth Center accepts contributions year-round.
If you are interested in making a contribution, contact them by calling 562-493-4043 or visit their website at www.theyouthcenter.org.
