Help Wanted
My son, his fiancé and their three daughters are visiting us. On Thursday, the parents decided to go to Universal Studios – Halloween Haunt. So a trio of grandmas (and one grandpa – Steve) decided to take the kiddos to a local pizza place where the two teenagers (well, one teenager and one ’tween – 12 and 13 years old) could play video games. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the pizza place we learned there was a loud fundraiser going on with few seats available.
Where to go instead?
Thankfully, Mary O’Keefe (one of the grandmas) runs the local youth center – the Fire House – and she suggested we head over there. With a pool table, air hockey game and tons of board games, there was plenty to keep the teenagers and the younger kids (one 4-year-old, two 2 year olds and a 7-month-old) busy. And it was much cheaper for us oldsters, too.
The Fire House was started in 2010 and founded by the youth arm of the former CV Drug & Alcohol Prevention coalition and then-vicar Bryan Jones of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church. In fact, St. Luke’s graciously hosts the Fire House as part of its mission. In addition to being open on Thursday mornings (that was the late start of Rosemont Middle School) the Fire House has opened its doors in the face of local tragedies including several deaths of youth by suicide. Until COVID it was also open on Tuesday nights for high school-aged students. It is known as a gathering spot for several local organizations. The CV Chamber of Commerce has met at the Fire House as have other local organizations.
Today, the Fire House continues serving the community by providing breakfast for Rosemont Middle School students on Rosemont’s late start day – Wednesdays. About 70 kids show up on Wednesday mornings ready to devour a hot breakfast that typically includes pancakes, sausage, cereal, juices and different snacks.
Who pays for this you might ask. Volunteers typically dive deep into their pockets to provide food for our local youth. However, their pockets aren’t that deep. Though the Fire House has received funding by some parents and local non-profits, keeping the coffers (and shelves) full – and being on hand to prepare breakfast weekly – is a challenge. Volunteers are needed to help on Wednesday mornings doing everything from flipping pancakes to patrolling the grounds. I encourage everyone who has enjoyed the Fire House, whether dropping their kids off on Wednesday mornings or taking part in a meeting held there, to donate their time or money. Checks should be made out St. Luke’s of the Mountains then write Fire House in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to St. Luke’s, 2563 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta 91214.
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A quick thank you to those who have donated to the recovery of CV Weekly and the CV Chamber of Commerce. Our GoFundMe page (https://gofund.me/0f90b728) has received donations and local folks unfamiliar with GoFundMe have sent in money to help. I was reluctant to approach the community but I am in awe of the support.
Thank you.