The award-winning Healthy Kids Club (HKC) was developed in 1993 by the Zonta Club to serve the nearby community of Val Verde. The goal is to improve children’s quality of life by exposing these youth, ages eight through 16, to the arts, health issues and educational opportunities. Scholarships are also available to any HKC member to pursue additional training or education after high school graduation.
The HKC girls participated in planning activities and events during a brainstorming meeting in July. This resulted in a plan to give to others and doing things for the community, as well as fun activities.
Some of their giving to others activities included cleaning up the river during the Santa Clarita River Rally. They made a Christmas wreath to be delivered to an adopted family. Mom, Dad and three children not only received this wreath, but gifts for all were personally selected by the girls from Wal-Mart using their HKC budget. This truly helped their family enjoy the holidays and gave the girls pride in providing for others. The girls wanted to again assist with serving the homeless at the Mission in downtown Los Angeles this year. This included a tour of the facilities which made all thankful for what they have.
The girls participated in the basic aid training sponsored by the Girl Scouts of America. This training teaches life-saving techniques that can be used for the rest of their lives.
Fun activities included ice-skating, accompanied by two visiting students from India providing a look at other cultures. Whale watching in the waters off of Oxnard spotted a mother whale and calf leisurely swimming north in the breakwater and a huge male gray whale swimming up the coast. No dolphins this year, how disappointing. Coming up is a performance at the Canyon Theater Guild with a behind the scenes tour.
The Healthy Kids Club girls make us all proud for their giving and service to others.
Zonta members baked and distributed more than 200 holiday bread loaves to Santa Clarita senior citizens in early April.
Zontians traditionally bake mini-loaves during the Christmas and Easter holidays for distribution by the Senior Center.
Notes of appreciation are received by the Club from many of the recipients expressing their gratitude, as it is difficult for some to prepare home baked goodies and they love to share these with their friends.
For information about Zonta, contact Phyllis Walker at 213-922-1084 or 661-251-1172.