LAKE COUNTY — Lake County agencies, organizations, children”s groups and businesses have been doing their best to bring a happy Thanksgiving to all in the area. Alliances have been formed between several groups that will help make this holiday one to be thankful for.
From veterans to kindergartners, legislators to teachers and business proprietors to community volunteers, efforts have been focused on ensuring that a happy Thanksgiving is enjoyed by all.
Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) began the week with “Operation Gobble,” which incorporated the efforts of Golden State Water Company and Senator Wesley Chesbro and Assemblywoman Patty Berg. LCCAA Food Program Manager Lou Denny along with Jim Manley, picked up 200 turkeys on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 15, and spent the rest of the day delivering the birds to locations around the county. Chesbro”s representative, Lisa Badenfort, and Kathy Kelley, representing Assemblywoman Berg”s office, made a brief visit to Clearlake where they thanked Golden State Water Company, represented by serviceman Mark Illia, and LCCAA for their contributions to
Operation Gobble
Operation Gobble, a campaign launched 16 years ago, affords water utilities within the incorporated company the opportunity to support their local communities. The program is also designed to entrust the partnership of state legislators with local service organizations, to ensure the donations reach those most in need. The water company donates the turkeys to district representatives in the state legislature and they donate them to agencies as they see fit. LCCAA has assisted in the program for several years.
This year the LCCAA delivered turkeys to 14 Lake County sites including Calvary Chapel, First Baptist and Village Baptist and churches in Clearlake; New Jerusalem Community of God In Christ in Lower Lake; St. John Episcopal Church in Lakeport; the Rotary Food Program, Free Kitchen Program, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Lake Family Resource Center in Lakeport; CCHAP and the Drug and Alcohol Alternative Center in Clearlake; North Shore Ministries and Robinson Rancheria Eldercare program in Upper Lake; and Catholic Charities in Middletown.
LCCAA continued its goodwill throughout the week with help from the United Veterans Council and students and staff of Konocti Unified School District. Campuses throughout the Konocti district collected canned food products, which were received by the United Veterans Council and delivered to the action agency. Students from Carl? High School helped sort and package the contributions. Carl? students included Melanie Ferreira, Yvette Kinyon, Tiffany Montiel, Kristina Edwards, Zanetta Phillips and Jon Jones. Community volunteers also helped including Gary Moore, Janet Abbott and Rodney Blair.
Area youngsters also expressed their holiday spirit by collecting enough tidings from local businesses and individuals to make Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the community. Girl Scout troops from Clearlake and Lower Lake came together in one huge effort, which resulted in 65 dinner baskets to be given to families who may not otherwise have enjoyed a holiday dinner. A total of 12 troops, ranging from the youngest, being the Daisies (kindergartners), to the oldest, Studio II B (high school girls) and all the troops in between (the Brownies and the Juniors) gathered at Pomo Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 16, when they were thrilled to combine their efforts and make their contribution to the community. The baskets will be distributed through Healthy Start sites throughout the Konocti school district.
“We all worked really hard,” said Catrina Tutor, Girl Scout event director. “All the girls, all the troops and the community really came together. We surpassed our goal and we were able to produce 65 Thanksgiving dinners.”
Local businesses contributing to the Girl Scout”s project included Griffin”s Furniture, Foods, Etc., Ray”s Food Place, Sentry Market, Safeway and Perfect Printers.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drocken stein@clearlakeobserver.com.
