Valley Churches United begins 2025 Bucks For Hunger drive
Valley Churches United is kicking off its 35th annual Spring Bucks For Hunger fundraising drive with a mailing that community residents are receiving this week.
Its year-round food pantry success comes from community support that helps fill the pantry shelves and provides assistance to local qualified residents in need.
Valley Churches United is a donor-supported, volunteer-powered nonprofit organization, not a church, which serves low-income households throughout San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and Bonny Doon.
“We are serving so many more clients who never thought they would be in a position to ask for help. The escalating cost of so many basic needs like food, housing and utilities has been overwhelming,” said Executive Director Lynn Robinson. “This spring fundraising drive is always so special to experience our amazing community stepping up and sharing with local folks in need.”
Tax deductible donations may be sent to Valley Churches United, P.O. Box 367, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, through PayPal, online at vcum.org, or donate in person at 9400 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
North County Dems host Earth Day speakers at new location
In recognition of Earth Day in April, on Wednesday, April 16, the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will host speakers from local organizations working to protect the environment.
Guest speakers will include Laurie Egan from the Coastal Watershed Council and Bryan Largay of the Santa Cruz County Land Trust. Speakers from Indivisible’s Environmental Issue Team will be available to share actions that community members can take to resist the federal administration’s efforts to undermine environmental protections and roll back EPA regulations aimed at protecting natural resources and reducing the impacts of climate change.
An update will also be provided on next steps to address threats to cut Social Security benefits.
Club meetings begin at 6:30pm. Arrive early at 6pm to write postcards to voters in CA 22 Congressman Valadao’s district to share their dismay for his supporting cuts to MediCal, the low-income health care program for Californians, for tax cuts benefiting billionaires.
The April meeting will be held at the Scotts Valley Water District Community Room, located at 2 Civic Center Drive, in Scotts Valley. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Community prayer service set for Good Friday at St. Andrew’s
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ben Lomond invites the community to a special Community Prayer Service on Good Friday, April 18, from 12-1pm. The service aims to bring together congregants from various Christian churches in the San Lorenzo Valley, with many churches also hosting their own evening services.
This year, the event is co-sponsored by Boulder Creek United Methodist Church, Crossroad Biker Church, Felton Presbyterian Church, Mount Cross Lutheran Ministries, Redwood Christian Center and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The theme of the service is “Our Need of Grace and the Gift of Grace” and will feature familiar hymns, Bible readings, and meditative reflections by Christa Garcia of Mt. Cross and Pastor Martin Yabroff of St. Andrew’s.
St. Andrew’s is located at the corner of Glen Arbor and Riverside Avenue in Ben Lomond.
Event highlights impact of kindness with film screening
The Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) will host a free screening of the documentary “The Power of Small,” celebrating the theme of kindness and its ability to enact positive change.
The event will take place on Friday, April 18, at Park Hall Community Center, beginning at 6:30pm, with the film starting at 7pm. Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A session with the film’s subject, Terri Bullock.
This 40-minute documentary, produced by Kristen Johnstone and directed by T.C. Johnstone, tracks Bullock’s initiative to empower “kindness ambassadors.” She enlisted 50 individuals to use small funds to implement acts of kindness in their communities, illustrating the profound impact of deliberate generosity. Bullock’s project demonstrated that kindness can create a ripple effect, fostering community connections and support.
The event aims to draw residents from across San Lorenzo Valley and encourages local engagement in acts of kindness. Admission is free, with suggested donations to the BLVA. Interested attendees can RSVP at benlomondvillage.org/event.
“It will be a night to celebrate the good that can happen when we choose kindness over negativity,” said BLVA Board President Heidi Castagna.
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