Foothills Sentry - December 2023

Foothills Sentry Page 8 December 2023 M e r r y Chr i stm as! dan @ D an S l ate r . co m 7 1 4 - 7 4 4 - 2 2 0 2 1 5 3 7 E . Cha p man Ave. Orange, CA 9 2 8 6 6 DAN SLATER Assistance League of Orange "Soars with Valor" Assistance League of Orange “Soaring with Valor” volunteers meet at the Orange Plaza flagpole twice a month on Wednesday evenings to serve hot coffee and cookies to veterans gathered for a flag-lowering ceremony. Started years ago by veterans, the flag ceremony is now a regu- lar Wednesday night event. Ev- eryone sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” and listens to “Taps.” For veterans at Santiago Can- yon College, Assistance League collaborates with the Veteran’s Resource Center to serve food or treats. Members make personal connections with individual vet- erans and build relationships. Assistance League also provides laptops, clothing, nutrition and hygiene products to students. During holidays, in cooperation with other veteran groups, Assis- tance League brings Thanksgiv- ing dinners and meals for other celebrations. High school graduates who are entering military service are cel- ebrated at a “Salute to Service,” a dinner hosted for students and their families in May. Assistance League is a non- profit organization that empowers ordinary citizens to improve com- munities through volunteerism. The Orange Chapter exists to serve the unique needs and chal- lenges of the Orange community. Dino Dash is dyno-mite The Dino Dash Ride and Run for education attracted 7,700 partici- pants with thousands more on hand to show support. Sponsored by the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, the Nov. 5 event raised money for enrichment programs for all 30 TUSD schools. The Dash included 5K, 15K and 50K cycling events as well as a 2K fun run, walk and 5K and 10K timed races with division trophies. Finishers in the 2K walk brought their own version of race parapher- nalia. Winners and sponsors received hand-made ceramic dinosaur awards created by students. It was an early morning start for cyclists of all ages in the bike events. Michael Short given SCC Community Partner Award Retired Orange High School teacher, conductor of the Orange Master Chorale, pioneer of the Orange annual tree lighting pro- cession and leader of the Greater Orange Community Arts Theater project, Michael Short was the inaugural recipient of Santiago Community College Perform- ing Arts Department Community Partner Award. He was pre- sented with the award, Nov. 4, at the colleges Musical Brilliance Concert, where he took a turn conducting the Four Seasons Or- chestra. Lower right, Short with SCC President Jeannie Kim. Photos by Joshua Sudock, SCC CPOC dark in December The Conservative Patriots of OC swapped its December meet- ing for a holiday Fantasy of Trees luncheon, Dec. 2. The event fea- tured a raffle for decorated table top Christmas trees, a silent auc- tion and chance to win a Newport Beach weekend getaway. The group will reconvene Jan. 18 at the Santa Ana Elks Club with a buffet dinner and “parade at the podium.” Veterans gather each Wednesday for a flag ceremony, camaraderie and refreshments provided by Assis- tance League of Orange.