 Challenge Team organizers teach strategy and cooperation through a variety of team exercises at Alta Vista High School. |
Local philanthropists have offered to match 2005 Town Crier Holiday Fund donations up to $80,000. The matching funds would double the benefits for a total of $160,000 to assist non-profit agencies in the community.
Two of the programs, which count on fund support, focus on young people.
Challenge Learning Center
“This year, thanks to the 2004 Town Crier holiday fund, we were able to put on one of our peer-to-peer programs at Alta Vista High School,” Executive Director Emily Johnson said.
The center trained Alta Vista’s leadership class in techniques for leading experiential activities based on teamwork. Those students then led the student body through a halfday of activities. The goal of the program was to provide students with a tangible experience leading other students and being responsible for their safety, and to help the whole school break down barriers and work together on a new level.
“When students can interact in a different way, people get to know each other, and they start to develop relationships,” Johnson said.
Hidden Villa Camperships
The 1,600 acres of organic garden and wilderness provide a unique retreat for young people to explore the natural world and bond with other members of the community.
Younger campers spend days at Hidden Villa exploring the wilderness, meeting farm animals and learning about the natural life cycle. Older children attend overnight sessions that include hiking, gardening and arts and crafts. Teenagers can try the 12-day overnight “Bay to Sea Backpack,” a trek across the Santa Cruz mountains to the coast that builds backpacking and wilderness skills.
The Town Crier Holiday Fund, now in its sixth year, has a target of $80,000 in challenge matching funds to encourage more people to contribute because each dollar given is doubled.
Those who provided challenge grants in the past are returning this year: Steve and Michele Kirsch Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Skoll Community Fund, Rambus Inc., Charles and Nan Geschke Foundation, William and Gay Krause Foundation, Los Altos resident Ed Dowd and Silicon Valley Association of Realtors and a new matching fund donor, Everlasting Private Foundation.
The value of each donation is enhanced by the Town Crier, which is absorbing all overhead and administrative costs. One hundred percent of each donation goes into the fund for distribution to the organizations.
Other recipients for this year’s fund are Sunday Friends; East Palo Alto Kids Foundation; Bayshore Christian Ministries; Truck of Love; Community Homeless Alliance; Career Closet; CSA Dental Voucher Program; Mother Branch; Help One Child; Community Health Awareness Council and Downtown College Preparatory.
The Community Foundation Silicon Valley is the fiscal agent for the Town Crier Holiday Fund. It provides the tax-deductible status for the fund. Each contribution to the Town Crier Holiday Fund will be acknowledged as a 501(c)(3) gift.
Checks should be made payable to the Town Crier Holiday Fund and sent to 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022. For credit card contributions, call Leverne at 948-9000.
