Amigos de los Niños Luncheon
This past Tuesday Amigos de los Niños held their Annual Awards Luncheon, celebrating 30 years of benefitting many physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged children of Southern California. For the second year in a row, we have been honored by Amigos, receiving a $7,000 grant this year for the purchase and licensing of software we use in assessment and intervention with our students. We are so tremendously thankful for their generosity and support.
This year’s luncheon speaker was 2002 World Series winning Anaheim Angels (of Los Angeles!) manager, Mike Scioscia. Mike told the crowd stories of his childhood, and also about life playing under Tommy Lasorda. As funny and entertaining as he was, even he admitted it was a “tough act to follow all the award recipients.”
Of the 22 organizations that received grants, only six were selected to tell a little more about what they do. Amigos de los Ninos specifically asked to have Michelle Ukleja represent Opportunity Schools. She was the last speaker to take the stage before Mike spoke. Michelle told the audience how the program gave her the skills and confidence she needed to be successful in school and to go on and earn her B.A. degree from CSULB in Early Child Development. Following her passion, she is currently employed at Bethany Preschool in Long Beach.
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- Director of Education, Joanne Foland, with Louise and Michelle
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- LB Bethany Baptist principal, Bill Cook, and Pre-school Director, Tonia Hill
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- Opp Schools’ Founding Director, Anita Burch, and husband Ted
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- Amigos board member, Harold Taber, with Michelle
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- Michelle and Louise w/ Rex & Jennifer Hudler
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- Michelle Ukleja, Louise Ukleja & Mike Scioscia
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- Managing Director, Janice Eisenberger w/ Mike Scioscia
Again, we are so thankful to Amigos de los Niños and to all of our donors who make our vision a reality! Words can never express our gratefulness, and we could not reach the students we serve without your faithful support!