EVENTS

Project ACT Students At The California State Fair

On August 12, 2006, 16 students and their families served by Project ACT (Assisting Children in Transition) got free parking and free admission to the state fair. They were selected to participate in a “Special Rodeo” event. Originally, the event was designed to provide handicapped children with an opportunity to participate in rodeo events modified for their abilities. But, it was expanded to include able-bodied peers, and in this case, children in homeless and transitional situations who would not have been able to experience the fair otherwise.

With the help of fair volunteers, the California Cowgirls Drill Team, rodeo queens and clowns, the children were escorted and assisted in stick horse barrel racing, mock calf roping, simulated bull riding, a cowboy sing-a-long and pedal push mini tractor pulls. Children were also able to pet and interact with many animals, from miniature donkeys to “Rock” the largest horse in North America.

Each child received a gift bag with a California State Fair T-shirt, a cowboy hat, a gift certificate for a pair of Wrangler jeans and lots of other donated goodies. Everyone won a trophy and got a picture with their chaperone. As you can see by the smiles, they all had a great time at this very successful and special event!

State Fair Picture 1
State Fair Picture 2
State Fair Picture 3
State Fair Picture 4
State Fair Picture 5
State Fair Picture 6

'Stuff the Bus' Rolls into Elk Grove Unified School District to Help Homeless

A yellow school bus from the Elk Grove Unified School District will make a special run August 8, 2006. The bus will gather essential school supplies donated to homeless children. The Elk Grove school bus run will be part of a Sacramento region classroom supply drive called "Stuff the Bus." The idea is to outfit the region's neediest children with proper school gear--from backpacks to pencil pouches, socks, toothbrushes, alarm clocks and calculators. "When children have new supplies, they come to school more confident and prepared to learn," said Rebecca Santos, coordinator of Project ACT (Assisting Children in Transition) for Elk Grove Unified. More than 15 school districts from communities including Elk Grove, Stockton, Roseville, Woodland and Placerville are currently participating in "Stuff the Bus." Families are encouraged to purchase extra school and hygiene supplies and drop off the materials at 28 donation stations. Donation sites include River City Bank branches, Kovar's Satori Academy of Martial Arts and Kidlands Furniture Emporiums.

More than 5,580 children in the Sacramento region experienced homelessness last year. Over 350 homeless children were served in Elk Grove schools by Project ACT. Homeless children come from many situations. Some live in shelters, others live in automobiles or other vehicles. Some are doubled up with families. They all need basic school supplies. "We want to remove the barriers and help these students succeed" said Santos. The donated materials will be sorted by officials in each school district and distributed as needed throughout the year.

Images

Donation Station and Support Staff

Youth with Backpacks

MERVYN'S SHOPPING SPREE 2006

Saturday, August 5, 2006 will be the date for the annual Mervyn's Shopping Spree. Once again, selected students served by Project ACT will participate. If you would like to make a donation or chaperone a student please contact Rebecca Santos or Sylvia Molina at Project ACT at 686-7568 or Isabel Reynoso at Healthy Start at 392-9081.

Mervyn's Shopping Spree 2005

Students from the Elk Grove Unified School District participated in the annual Mervyn’s Shopping Spree on August 6, 2005. Needy elementary students were referred through Healthy Start and Project ACT. Through donations from Mervyns, the Soroptomists, Healthy Start, Project ACT, and generous individuals, each student received $100 worth of clothing, a haircut from Supercuts, a backpack and school supplies. We had a great show of community support with volunteer chaperones. Families were treated to breakfast by the Lions Club and fingerprinting was available courtesy of the California Highway Patrol. Engine 10 from the Elk Grove Fire Department and the PT cruiser from the Elk Grove Police Department were also on hand. Thanks to all who made this event possible, these children will return to school in new clothes and shoes, with backpacks and supplies, excited and ready to learn!

Images
Staff with student

Youth in CHP Vehicle

Director with Lions Staff

Student at breakfast

Student in firetruck