Sixth Annual Empty Bowls raised $18,000
Because of the generosity of our community, the sixth annual Empty Bowl fundraiser, held October 20, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Woodland, netted $18,000 – to be used to feed the hungry and alleviate homelessness.
“I participated because I wanted to help the hungry because it would not be funny if you were starving and hungry because you never know if it can be you next. Now you see why I joined and why I signed up,” said a 5th grader, one of many students who produced handcrafted ceramic bowls which were taken home by participants.
“This is the kind of spirit that keeps our community going – a caring spirit that wants to help and that wants to give hope,” said Dale Vadeboncoeur, board president of the Yolo Wayfarer Center.
Special thanks Jean Jordan for spearheading this year's event. Also thank you to our sponsors:
Bella Vie Real Estate, Woodland Health Care, Skip and Julian Davies, Tracie Olson, Suzanne and Larry Heitman Foundation, Tom Stallard, Carol Souza Cole, PremierWest Bank, Dan T's Jewelery, John and Shanna Baggaley, Omega Nu, Mann, Urrutia & Nelson, Duane Chamberlain, Friends of the Mission, Yocha De He Community Fund, Inland Business Systems, John O'Malley, Woodland Eceumenical Mnistries, Downey Brand, Norm & Ardith Callaway, David and Ann Scheuring, Matt Rexroad, Andy, Mandy, Sam and Liv Tanberg, Jean Jordan, Wraith, Scarlett & Randolph Insurance and Assmeblywoman Mariko Yamada.
Many, Many Thanks to the artists, students, and art teachers who gave so generously of themselves through their artistic bowl creations: Dingle Elementary School, Holy Rosary School, Thursday Night Crafters, Esparto Elementary School, Yocha De He Prep Academy, Pioneer High School, Woodland Christian School, Heritage Peak Charter, and Douglass Middle School.
Please patronize our food donors: Bamboo Garden, Casa de Sapore, Emily Simpson, Corkwood Restaurant, Country Waffles, Cracchiolo’s, Don’s Diner, El Charro Restaurant, Ludy’s, Main Street Café, Paco’s Mexican Restaurant, Savory Café, Road Trip, Sylvina’s Basket, Tazzina Bistro, St. John’s Retirement Village, Woodland and Pioneer High SchoolROP Culinary, Yolo fliers Club, Cachec Creek Casino and Brown's Corner.
And of course, the auction donors:Jean Jordan, Brown's corner, bob Partlow, Bella Vie Real Estate, BJ Heating & Air, Haag Farm, Michelle's Cobblers, Devon Horne, ArrowPoint Kennels, susan shelton, corner Drug, Inc., Copper Hill Olive Co., The Gifted Penguin, De La Salle Institute, Timothy's Bakery, Simas Family Vineyard, Emil's Shoe Store, The House Dresser, cornerstone IT Solutions, Manas Ranch, Monley's Carpet One, Paul and Trudi Martin, Mary Graziose, Full Belly Farms, Unique Salon, Cascade, culligan Water, SORD, My Sister's Closet, Pat Dunn, Janet & Stephen Ruggerio, Your Style, and Larry Carson Hand Cut Outs.
___________________________________________________________________
Lead with Vision
Humility is the best description of the leaders honored at the Legacy of Leadership dinner the evening of Empty Bowls. Mary McCurdy, Gary Selby and James Clayton — early leaders of the Yolo Wayfarer Center — were honored for their vision which led the agency to what it is today. All three of them gave others credit and said they were doing what they new needed to be done...from the heart. Gary Selby said he wasmoved by the clients who believed in him and James Clayton gave credit to one of the founders, Walter Zeck.
It’s been 25 years of leadership, dedication and compassion, resulting in an honorable safety net system for families throughout Yolo County.
_____________________________________________________________________
YWC welcomes three new board members
Devon Horne recently started as the new Development Specialist for the City of Citrus Heights’ Community and Economic Development Department. Her new job will be focusing on Economic Development and Redevelopment for the City. Devon is a UC Davis graduate in Community and Regional Development. Prior to graduating she landed an internship at the Woodland Redevelopment Agency. After a year, she became a full-time employee administering the Community Development Block Grant Program, managing numerous other grants, and most recently had become involved in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. Devon said she has had a long relationship with the Wayfarer Center as a funder, but now with her new duties in Citrus Heights and still a Yolo County resident, she is happy to continue her relationship as a board member. Originally from Southern California, Yolo County has slowly stolen her heart she says. She tells that at her last week at Woodland, “I had mentioned to Leona that I was going to miss Woodland and Yolo County and I wish there was a way for me to still stay connected, little did I know the suggestion she had in store for me!”
Shannon Fitzsimmons:
“I would like to thank you for accepting me as a member of the board. As a 2007 graduate of Walters House, I’m pleased to be able to give back in any capacity available to me. I m currently employed as Best Western Shadow Inn in Woodland and I’m attending Heald Business College in Roseville. My passion is working with others and I hope to gain employment working in the drug courts when I finish with college. I'm looking forward to working with you and the other members of the board.”
Doug Zeck, Jr. grew up in Woodland and as a child and young adult spent time volunteering for what is known today as the Wayfarer Center. In 1993 he began his career at Schwan’s Home Service as a sales person and in 1998 took a branch/depot management position in Redding, Ca. wherein he employed 20 employees. He and his family spent 5.5 years in Redding, “a blessed time for the business as well as for us as a family,” he said. They relocated to Temecula, Ca. in 2003 for the Schwan Food Co. as a District Manager for Southern/Coastal California and Western Arizona. In 2004 he was transferred to Northern California and the family decided to move back to Woodland where “we intend to remain for as long as the Lord will have us here.” In March of 2010 Doug parted from Schwan’s to pursue further opportunities in Christian Ministry. He is currently employed by Cornerstone Christian Academy as a Supervisor/Teacher
He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for New Testament Church where he recently received his ministerial license. He volunteers several hours a week at the New Testament Church and coaches children through the YMCA and Parks and Recreation. “I look forward to assisting the community of which we have chose to raise a family and call home. I am appreciative of this opportunity to ensure that those which have come upon hard times are given an opportunity to find their way, through the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, back to successful, independent living. I believe in the vision that the founders, including my grandfather, had established for the Wayfarer Center and look forward to see that through to success.”