Friends of Oakley Christmas Basket Program

The Friends of Oakley will be conducting the Oakley Christmas Basket program for needy families in Oakley again this year. Last year the Brentwood Regional Community Chest worked with our organization as Oakley families who had been traditionally supported by Brentwood came under our caring embrace. We received financial and organizational support from Brentwood Regional Community Chest as we delivered holiday meal fixings, canned foods, and wrapped gifts to 125 families at our inaugural event. This year our goal is to provide for 250 families. We have doubled the families we will serve as the need for food on the table is ever greater within our community not only from the displacement of families but from families whose ability to provide is greatly constricted in this challenging economy. If donations allow, we plan to reach out further into the senior community and provide holiday meals.

Funding for the Oakley Christmas Basket program will come from proceeds from our fundraising efforts at our Wine, Cheese, and Children’s Art event on October 10th and from local business and service provider contributions. Our budget is $10,000 and we are half-way there! Local schools and businesses will host our donation barrels – Friends of Oakley – Toys for Oakley Families and Friends of Oakley – Food for Oakley Families – which will solicit donations of non-perishable boxed or canned foods and toys. Friends of Oakley – A Community Foundation commits to returning 100% of the toys and food goods donated in Oakley to our registered families in need in Oakley. The Oakley Union Elementary School District has chosen our organization as the beneficiary of their Holiday Canned Food Drive. We are so pleased.

We will be registering needy families on Monday, November 9 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm; Thursday, November 12 from 2 pm to 4 pm; and Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 1 pm at the City of Oakley White House Community Annex , 204 Second Street . Families must bring either a water or power bill with the family name as proof of residence to register as well as a matching State of California identification (driver’s license or ID card). Only one family meal will be provided per residence. At least one toy will be wrapped and given for each child in the family up to age 18. The Oakley Christmas Basket program will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, December 20th at O’Hara Park’s gym and registered families will receive a pick-up time at the November registration.

Please consider being a part of this event and helping us give back to those seeking assistance in our Oakley community during this very special time of the year. Any funding you can provide to help us make this event successful and bring the happiness of the holiday season to our 250 families will be much appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration,

Pat Anderson

Friends of Oakley, Board of Directors, Secretary

 

Oakley 2010 Relay For Life Meetings and Events

Update 10/28/2009 – RELAY FOR LIFE OF OAKLEY
“KICK OFF”
NOVEMBER 12TH AT 6:30PM TO 8:00PM
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
1050 NEROLY RD.
THE MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM IS LOCATED AT NEROLY & BROWN. (THE
CAFATERIA)
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT JOE BALLARD AT OAKLEYRELAY@GMAIL.COM

 

Freedom Walk – 2009

On September 11 the Antioch Military Families & Friends sponsored a walk to remember the events of that day at the Somersville Town Center Mall in Antioch. The event features and outdoor opening, a solemn walk around the mall and then a indoor closing ceremony. Aside from the 100 degree temperature during the walk the event was a success. I was asked to speak during the closing ceremony and I have been asked by a number of people who were unable to attend to let them know what I said-

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It has been 8 years since 19 terrorists high jacked 4 planes and crashed them into the 2 towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 men, women and children.

We are here today to remember those victims as individuals who left behind family friends and a life unfinished.

We are here today to honor the heroes who were first on the scene, Fire, Police and Emergency Medical personnel. They entered the towering infernos with one objective – too save lives. Unfortunately many gave their lives in the process.

We are here today to recognize the sacrifices of our men and women in the Armed Services. Without their commitment the freedoms we have enjoyed today, the freedom of speech, the freedom to assemble and the freedom to associate may be in jeopardy.

To all of the people who serve us on a daily basis, Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Personnel and our Military thank you and God bless you and God bless the United States of America

 

Fireworks in Oakley

On July 4th Oakley celebrated not only the 4th of July but also 10 years on City-hood with a fireworks extravagance that delighted an estimated crowd of over 6,000. Photos by Megan Romick

 

 

Relay for Life – May 2-3, 2009

It started and ended in the rain but, despite the weather Oakley’s first Relay for Life event was a success. Thirty-eight teams from Oakley, Knightsen, Bethel Island and other areas in East County came together this past weekend to walk in circles to raise not only money but awareness in the battle to find a cure for cancer. Saturday morning’s starting Survivor Lap was met with rain. It rained most of the morning causing some minor flooding issues at the drainage end of the field; however the rain stopped for the rest of the afternoon and into the night.

The Luminaria ceremony offered its usual inspirational moments. The lights were turned off and the was path lit with luminaria to remind us all of the lives that have been lost and to those that have survived. From the stage 16 year old Taylor Oxley of Oakley related to us how she dealt with the deaths of a grandfather and a grandmother to cancer and her own current struggle with Thyroid cancer. A rather somber lap gave us all time remember those who have fallen, celebrate those that have survived and become more determined to fight back.

After a rousing closing ceremony on Sunday morning, where Joe Ballard, Cathleen Knight and Tobie Meyer were recognized for their outstanding efforts in putting the event together, we started off on the final lap. Appropriately as the “Fight Back Lap” began a light rain started to fall. This “baby relay” (first-time relay) raised over $58,000. Congratulations to all those who participated in this event.

 

More Trees to Plant

The next planting of the 1,000 Oaks Program is set to happen on Saturday, April 4th at 1‐3 pm at the Vintage Parkway Legless Lizard Preserve with the Antioch Church of Christ volunteers. We are going to plant the 150‐200 seedlings that are from Oakley seeds and have been Oakley grown to see how they do in a natural preserve habitat. Trees will also be available at the Community Awareness Day at the Raley’s shopping Center on April 18th.

The easiest way to get there is Highway 4 to Big Break to Vintage Parkway to Walnut Meadows Drive. The area is located between the Railroad and Walnut Meadows Drive

A legless lizard might just be one of the most peculiar of earth’s creatures. In most cases it resembles a snake, and many might wonder why the legless lizard isn’t simply called a snake. Although in appearance, it looks like a snake, it is in fact a lizard, and still retains vestigal remnants of a pelvis and legs. It is typically shorter than a snake, and like most lizards, it will release its tail if caught by a predator.

Unlike the snake, the legless lizard family has external eyes and ears. They also have tails as long as or longer than their bodies. Their tongues are fleshy rather than narrow. They are smaller than snakes, but size variance exists in different types. Legless lizards, like many snakes, are completely harmless to humans.

The legless lizard is nearly endemic to California. It ranges from Oakley in Contra Costa County south through the Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges, along the western edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and parts of the San Joaquin Valley and Mojave Desert to El Consuelo in Baja California. Its elevation range extends from near sea level on the Monterey Peninsula to approximately 1,800 meters above sea level in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

 

The Season of Giving

Last Friday and Sunday the Oakley/Delta Lions Club and the Friends of Oakley handed out Christmas dinners and presents for those in need this Holiday Season. Even in a year that has been marked by an economic downturn, the outpouring of support from the citizens of Oakley and East County went beyond expectations. There are so many people and organizations that need to be thanked that the process is somewhat intimidating. I am doing a lot of this from memory so if I have forgotten someone I apologize now.       

 

First on the list are Lions Bill and Denise Arnold. They have been handing out Christmas dinners long before I knew them. Thanks to the following schools for their food collection: Iron House, Delta Vista, Gehringer and O’Hara Park. The students and faculty of Gehringer Elementary School for their hard work in preparing the baskets.  The wrapped Christmas presents given to the children come from Freedom High. From the back of a rented U-Haul the baskets and turkeys are handed out by members of the Lions Club. To everyone in involved – Thank You

Bill giving direction - Photo by Megan Romick

The Friends of Oakley, A Community Foundation was given $5,000 by the Brentwood Community Chest to hold their first Christmas Basket giveaway. This gift helped jump start our program by a year. The Community Chest also made sure we had enough food and toys to complete job. The following Oakley stores provided locations for food and toy drops : Paul’s Automotive Center, Bank of the West, ECC Bank, Diamond Hills Sports Club and Spa, Round Table Pizza, Black Bear Diner, Ace Hardware and Pompei Nursery. Other locations participated in our toy and food drive: The Commons at Oak Grove Apartments, Eagle City Mobile Estates  and Red Men/ Pocahontas of Oakley all filled both food and toy barrels. To all the elves that helped with wrapping presents, thanks.

The elf wrappers at work - Photo by Megan Romick

Mary and Danielle wrapping - Photo by Megan Romick

The basket preparation and dinner handout went surprisingly smooth. The weather held for us and the event was a success. Once again to all the volunteers who made this possible, thank you. The success of the day is truly yours.

 

 

Waiting patiently - Photo by Megan Romick

Turkey Kings Jim and Ray - Photo by Megan Romick

A very tall Santa - Photo by Megan Romick

 

Cops for Kids

For the past 3 years the Oakley Police Dept and the Sheriffs Delta Station personnel have held an event for the kids in our East County communities. This year about 90 kids and their families participated and came in for a light meal, crafts and a photo with Santa. Each child is allowed to select a toy of their very own. The department keeps this event very low key. There is no advertising, the names are provided by local schools and it provides an excellent opportunity for police officers to interact with families in the area.

This event is made possible through donations from community members and businesses. This years donors were Delta Municipal Corporation, Delta Scrap Metal, The Sheriffs Possee, and several City and County employees who dug into their own wallets to make it happen. As Chief Thorsen stated “Where are blessed with some very special folks!”

 

The Marines are looking for a few good toys

This past Saturday the Delta Diablo Detachment 1155 of the Marine Corp League and the Street Bike Freaks out of Pittsburg held a toy drive and motorcycle stunt show at Freedom High. Although the day was cold and blustery a supportive crowd of over 200 showed up to witness the skills of the riders and donate toys. The Marines and Toys for Tots received quit a haul. However, Toys for Tots are still far short of their goal. There have been requests for 70,000 toys county wide and thus far only 38,000 have been collected. There are a number of collection barrels scattered throughout the county. Check the website http://www.ccctoydrive.org/toy-drop This site is updated regulary. Scroll past the map for an up to date list of locations.

A t-shirt for me

 

Santa readying for take off

Toys, Toys, we still need more toys

 

Don't try this at home

 

Saturday night in Oakley

Saturday night started off with a Pork Chop the size softball. The colossal chops had been marinated and baked throughout the day. The meat peeled away from the bone without a knife and was a culinary treat. The chops were prepared by the Redmen/Pocahontas for their annual Pork Chop dinner fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research. This fundraiser is important to me as I have watched this insidious disease take 3 of my 4 grandparents and am currently seeing the debilitating effects on my Dad. Since 1991 the Redmen/Pocahontas National Charity program has contributed over two million dollars towards Alzheimer’s research. Don’t miss next year’s event.

 

 

After dinner we headed over to the Oakley Civic Plaza for the Oakley Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Tree lighting. Although the weather was damp and cold there were a couple of hundred people on hand waiting on the tree lighting and Santa. Before the tree was lit we enjoyed the singing of the Oakley School District’s district wide choir. Following a boisterous countdown the tree was lit. Santa arrived shortly thereafter via pickup truck instead of the customary fire truck (ECFPD was called away for a structure fire). After the lighting the crowd was entertained by the St Anthony’s Quartet followed by a number of choirs from Freedom High.        

Oakley Schools district wide choir - Photo by Megan Romick

Photo by Megan Romick

Photo by Megan Romick

St Anthony's Quartet - Photo by Megan Romick

Freedom's Choir - Photo by Megan Romick

Toys for Tots - Photo by Megan Romick

Photo by Megan Romick

 

Donate Food and Toys in Oakley

 

It seems that nearly every family has its own unique Christmas observances. Many people are especially proud of Christmas traditions brought to the United States from their countries of origin. The wonderful diversity of foods, music and songs, prayers and stories all make Christmas the holiday of holidays in the United States.

The family Christmas dinner, when the house is full of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles who may only see each once a year, is one of the most cherished events of the holiday season. Whether the meal is traditional, with a feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and an assortment of baked goods, or is of an ethnic nature makes no difference. The mere fact that you are “home” for the holidays and surrounded by a loving family and friends is the key to holiday bliss.        

The slumping economy has taken its toll on all of us. But, there are still ways we can help those less fortunate than us. There are plenty of charities and organizations assisting low-income families this holiday season in Contra Costa County. Locally the Oakley Delta Lions Club will continue their tradition of providing Christmas dinners to those in need. The Lions will be joined this year by the Friends of Oakley, a newly established Community Foundation.

The Lions are starting preparations for their annual Christmas Food Drive to help some of the needy families in Oakley.  Over the last several years, the Oakley-Delta Lions has been able to provide food for 50 to 70 needy families during the Christmas holidays. However, this hasn’t been just a Lions’ affair.  Several other groups, as well as individuals have helped the Lions as they continue to strive in their efforts to see that those less fortunate are not forgotten.

            Gehringer Elementary, O’Hara Park, and Delta Vista Middle Schools will be doing their part by holding canned food drives, then turning the food over to the Lions Club for distribution.  A group from Freedom High School provides gifts for the children of these families. 

            Local businesses also get involved.   Dr. Mike Painter of Oakley Chiropractic holds his annual “Crack-a-Back Day” for the Lions Christmas Food Drive. He donates all his revenue from the day, as well as patient’s donations, to the Lions’ Christmas Food Drive.  (Watch for the “Crack-a-Back Day” announcement). 

In addition, through her pre-school, “A Child’s Place,” Carolyn Hays holds another canned food drive.   With each can of food donated, even the tiny tots join into the spirit of giving as the Lions’ larder for the needy continues to grow.  

            You can get involved by donating non-perishable foods such as cereal, canned goods (tuna, fruit and vegetables, olives, and cranberry sauce), coffee, tea, pasta, gravy packets, canned frosting and box cake mixes.

           With help from the Brentwood Community Chest, The Friends of Oakley will start a new tradition of working with needy families at Christmas. The Friends will place several canned food collection barrels throughout our community including: City Hall, Bank of the West, ECC Bank, Les Schwab, Black Bear Diner and Oakley Chiropractic. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and Street Bike Freaks will be working with The Friends to provide toys. There is a tentative date for the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Show of December 13 at Freedom High from 11 to 4. The UPS Store in Oakley is teaming with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to provide books to needy children this holiday season through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.    

           The Lions will have barrels available at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Civic Center Plaza on December 6^th. The Marines will also have a booth at this event to collect toys. For every food item, can or package, or cash donation, you will receive a raffle ticket for a special prize drawing to be held that evening.

If you can help the Lions and the Friends of Oakley with their Christmas Food Drive, please do.  Any effort will be appreciated. Thanks Dr. Mike and Carolyn.   The Lions and Friends of Oakley also acknowledges and extends their sincere thanks to all of these groups, teachers at Iron House and Gehringer, individual donators, schools and students for their generous participation in this annual endeavor. Thank you all and may your holidays be joyous and fulfilling.

 

Lions waiting for the next customer on a cold foggy December morning

Turkey, potatoes and a box of non-perishable foods for a family in need

 

Special Kids

It’s starting now…………Be part of it! The signs are scattered about Oakley. But, how can I be a part of it if I don’t know what’s starting? What has started is the fund raising effort to build a unique park in Oakley. The Special Kids Foundation (www.spkids.org), the Delta Family YMCA and SMF Construction are building a universal abilities playground. A playground that offers children with special needs the ability to play alongside their brothers and sisters. One where the imaginary walls created by the tanbark will not exclude any from the opportunity to feel the freedom of a swing.

Play is essential to the healthy development of all children. Early friendships for all children begin with play. Our goal and dream is to create a recreational experience without barriers for all children and their families. To paraphrase a line from President Regan – “Tear down these barriers”

The park will be located on O’Hara Ave. in front of the YMCA on city owned property. If you drive by now you will see the “fundometer “recently installed.

Jim Frazier, Jake McBride and Kevin Romick in front of fundometer

110 Magazine – A Playground for all Children