Serving on average more than 300 meals a day to North Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities.
Events
12 / 14
Start: 5:24 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Troop 37 would like to thank all of you who contributed food or funds for our 11th annual Scouting for Food drive, and to thank Chase International Properties for sponsoring the printed door hangers for the entire northern Nevada area, Incline Village included! George LeBard of Project MANA says that although demand on food banks has increased this year, food donations are down nationwide, and that includes right here in our little village. We were worried that our food drive would reflect that trend, but once again Incline Villagers stepped up to feed locals who need our help, and once again, we brought in more, just slightly more, than we did last year. On behalf of all the rumbling tummies and Troop 37, thank you for making it happen once again. We are proud to be part of such a supportive and generous community.
Kim Schmidt, Troop 37 Committee Chair
Incline Village | ||
12 / 15
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12 / 19
Start: 5:22 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: At the recent Parasol Community Awards on Dec. 1, the Service Integration Team received the Chairman's award for Excellence in Service and Resource Collaboration. This program combines the resources of four agencies to address the needs of our community. To accomplish this we had to be willing to change the way we think and do business. Instead of working alone as individual agencies competing for clients and funding we are working together to develop smarter and sustainable strategies for helping families in need. The core concept of this program is "to empower clients by identifying their strengths and the resources they need to move forward and be productive, contributing members of our community." We would like to thank Bill Horn, past chair of the PCC, for his leadership and support in recognizing the value of this program. We also want to take this opportunity to thank the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, the Nevada Women's Fund, The noon Rotary Club, Robert Herrera, Incline Village Book Club, Dr. John and Valia Hylin, Richard Goodman, and the United Way of Northern Nevada for having the vision and foresight to provide financial support. We also want to recognize and thank the family advocates who are responsible for the success of the program, Viana Zuchet, Patty Ahsoak, Molly Messerly, and Irma LeBard. Without their support many families in need would not receive services.
George LeBard,
Executive Director, Project MANA Karen Edwards, Lori Miller, Annett Reed, | ||
12 / 20
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12 / 21
Start: 5:20 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: On behalf of Project MANA's Board of Director's and staff I would like to thank Tahoe Mountain Club, Florian's Fine Wines, Uncorked, and the Pour House for collaborating on the fifth annual Holiday Cooking Demonstration. The event, hosted by Tahoe Mountain Club and organized by Kendra Murphy and Jeanne Kirschner, was held on Dec. 9 at the Coyote Moon Golf Course Clubhouse. Following delectable appetizers provided by Northstar Catering and Florian's, some of our region's most talented chefs shared their expertise and helped raise over $18,000 with ticket sales and a live auction. Mark Estee, of Moody's and board president for Project MANA, acted as the master of ceremony for the event. Chefs David Lutz (Tahoe Mountain Club), Billy McCullough (Dragonfly), Guy Frenette (Moody's), Bill Arnoff (Pianeta), Jay Verrege (Big Water Grill), and Michael Plapp (Pacific Crest) demonstrated various exotic courses for a first class experience. Once again it was one of the best events of the year with six courses of delicious, mouth watering food. Hosts Debbie Casey, Jeanne Kirschner, and Kendra Murphy made everyone feel right at home. The serving staff did an excellent job. A special thank you to musicians Ben Martin and Crystal Craig for serenading the diners, to auctioneers extraordinaire Jim Simon and Jim Porter, and to sponsors Alpine Meadows, Alsco, Arrow Financial Services, ART-Active Release Techniques, Big Mack Charters, Black Tie Ski, Blue Onion, Boreal Mountain Resort, Bradbury's, Brent Collinson, Channel 6, D'Andrea, Diversified Systems Int'l, Edgewood, Event Masters, Fifty-Fifty, Flash Photography, Full Belly Deli, High Camp Food, Ice Lakes Lodge, Julie Young, KTKE, Leslie Wagner, Lost Trail Lodge, Merry Maids, Mountain Massage, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Purchasing Solutions, Reno Runs, Resort at Squaw Creek, Resort Supply, River Ranch, Royal Gorge, Safeway, Scraps, Sierra Sun, Skin Rejuvenation, Southern Wine, Squaw Valley USA, Stirrings, Suddenlink, Sugar Bowl, Switchback Marketing, Sysco, Tahoe Adventure Co., Tahoe Telephone Directories, Tango Beads, The Tahoe House, TIP Printing, Truckee Donner Chamber, Truckee River Rafting Co., Truckee Tahoe Kennels, Truckee Tahoe Lumber Co., Village at Squaw, and Wild Thyme Catering. Everyone had a great time and left with a handy recipe book for recreating the courses presented that evening. It was the perfect way to bring in the holidays.
George LeBard
Executive Director Project MANA | ||
12 / 22
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12 / 23
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12 / 24
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12 / 25
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12 / 26
Start: 12:20 pm
A long time, I forget now. What do you do for the organization? Help with distributing food — to people who are homebound. How often do you distribute? Once a week, sometimes twice if they need more help. Have the holidays been busier? Not specifically, no. We had more distribution for Thanksgiving. But if they need extra help, sure, I’ll do it, why not? Why did you get involved? I like to help people, those who are really in need. What would you like to say about Project Mana? There are special people working and volunteering with Project Mana. It is nice when it comes from the heart. More volunteers would always be nice. I invite people to come and volunteer. The Sierra Sun’s Amy Edgett interviewed Miguel Martinez for this week’s “Volunteer Corner.” To contact Project Mana, call (775) 298-0008. Please send your suggestions to aedgett@sierrasun.com, subject Volunteer Corner. For volunteer opportunities in the North Tahoe Truckee area, visit www.handsontahoe.com. | ||
12 / 27
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12 / 28
Start: 5:17 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: On behalf of IVGID Senior Programs I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who supported the 2008 Holiday Giving Program (HGP) Ð Senior Component. Each of you who purchased items and made cash donations to The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation for the HGP - Seniors Component, assured that 27 seniors in need living in the Incline and Crystal Bay communities received their requested essential items, a special Wish List item and a delicious Christmas dinner for four. A very special thanks to IVGID Senior Program's Assistant Coordinator and AmeriCorps Member, Shannon Skarritt, IVGID's Recreation Center Office Manager, Judy Crocket, Donald W. Reynolds Center Meeting Coordinator, Irma LeBard, Project MANA Executive Director, George LeBard, Parasol's Development Director, Lynn Berardo and Community Volunteer, Bobby Witty for gathering gift requests, collecting donations and shopping for and wrapping approximately 200 items. Additionally, delivery of the gifts would not have been possible without the assistance of Head Elf, Judy Crocket. Finally Ð I would like to thank the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza for the great coverage of the HGP. Many donors learned about the program through your stories and Web site. Thanks for a job well done and helping to put a smile on the faces of the program's recipients! Again, thank you all for making the 2008 Holiday Giving Program a success and for helping to warm the hearts of several of our community's senior residents. I wish you a blessed New Year!
Shelia Leijon
Recreation Coordinator/Seniors, Incline Village Parks and Recreation Start: 5:18 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Collaboration is a mighty powerful process when applied with planning, purpose and passion for positive outcome. That is exactly what happened this year in the Parasol Holiday Giving Program. This program served 150 families, more than 342 children and 27 seniors who live below the federal poverty guidelines in our community. The richness and success of this program would not have been possible without the incredible collaboration between the following groups and individuals. Yes, Virginia, there really is a very generous Santa Claus spirit when collaboration takes place. If you have not made a difference to someone in our community this year, there is still time to go online and make a donation at www.parasol.org. Click on our Online Donation Center (top right box on the home page) and travel to the bottom of the page of donation categories. Over the next few months, we’ll be shopping, stretching your donated dollars in the sales for jackets and snow boots to ensure all children will have warm clothing next year too! You may also send a check to Parasol Holiday Giving Program, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451. Submitted with sincere thanks to all who made this holiday merrier and brighter for those in our community by Lynn Berardo, development officer for Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. | ||
12 / 29
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12 / 30
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12 / 31
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01 / 6
Start: 5:15 pm
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: The North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation wants to thank the Tahoe community for its wonderful support in carrying out the 2007 Holiday Food and Clothing Project. With help from numerous segments of the community, the Holiday Food and Clothing Project held on Dec. 22 was a great success and provided more food to more families than ever before. The Holiday Food and Clothing Project supplied food and winter clothing to 226 North Shore families thus providing food and winter clothing to more than 1100 people. The event supplied 23,000 pounds of food and an enormous amount of winter clothing to North Shore families in need. There are many people, businesses and organizations we want to acknowledge. First, we want to thank Ron Stanger and Village Market for their generosity. We also would like to recognize Dave Rouse and his staff at Safeway Kings Beach for their tremendous help. We want to thank the Safeway Corporation for its extremely generous grant. We also thank Darius Vigil and Raley's for their helpfulness. We would like to thank the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation for their financial support. We also want to thank Jim Stohlgren and Stohlgren Brothers for their continued support and donations. Thank you to the many generous community members who donated money, food and winter clothing to the project. We want to recognize the NTPUD and the North Tahoe Conference Center for extending themselves and donating the space in which to conduct the event. We greatly appreciate the help of George LeBard and his staff at Project MANA for their ongoing support, assistance and generous donations. We also want to thank Dan Clift and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Sara Coolidge and the Family Resource Center for their help. We also want to thank the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and the Sierra Sun for publicizing this event. We are grateful to Pastor Chip Larson and the Christ the King congregation for their kind donation of winter clothing. We want to thank the dozens of community volunteers who worked extremely hard on the food organization and distribution days. We especially thank Cindy McClelland and her Incline High School volunteers (Citlali Barajas, Jennifer Martinez, Maggie Castillo, Rosa Valdovinos, Alma Aguilar, Sean McClellan, Karan Duran, Edgar Baez and Wendy Topio ) for their tireless hours of work. The entire Tahoe Community was outstanding in supporting the 2007 Holiday Food and Clothing Project, and we are deeply grateful.
Jeffrey Corpuel
North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation Holiday Food and Clothing Project Coordinator | ||
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01 / 13
Start: 5:10 pm
As you might expect, growing up in Belize would be very different from growing up in the United States. "In Belize children go to elementary school until they finish the 5th grade. Then they go directly to high school. There is no middle school," said LeBard, and the students must buy their own desks, chairs and books. LeBard was born into a family of eight children in the small village of Yo Cree in Belize, where she lived for 35 years. "When a child finished a grade, they moved their desk and chair to the next grade," she said. But if they had outgrown the chair or desk, it would be passed on to the next member of the family or sold. She said that it was also that way with the textbooks. "I never wrote inside a book. I wrote everything in my exercise book," she said. And it is still like that today in the little village. "The biggest difference from how I grew up in Belize to how kids here grow up," LeBard said, "is that in Belize they stay with their parents no matter how old they are until they are married. And the youngest child always stays with the parents, even after marriage, in order to care for the parents until they pass away." Growing up in Belize was fun, LeBard said. She played on a softball team and belonged to a youth group at the local Catholic Church. "All through school and even after finishing elementary school, I continued to play on the softball team," She said. She also helped her cousin care for an aunt with cancer who did not have children. "I never worked. I always did chores and helped other family members that needed help," LeBard said. She also would walk to the sugar cane fields to deliver food to the workers because her father was a sugar cane farmer. Walking or riding a bike was the way they traveled around. "We did not have cars. We did not even have a television until the 80s. We would do our homework right after school before it was dark," she said. Without electricity, they relied on kerosene after it was dark, LeBard said. "Usually everyone just went to sleep early at night." She also said that sometimes the young people would go to see friends or families with flashlights and they always created their own entertainment. As a teenager, LeBard's youth group started doing fundraisers to help build a new church. She said, "Our church was very old. It was made out of sticks and had a dirt floor." One of the fundraisers was a fair, where she met her husband, George. She laughs when she says, "He remembers it different and has a different story." But her version is that he paid $1 to dance with her. He was in Belize working with the Peace Corps and attended the fair. The young girls in the village charged $1 for each dance to raise money for the new church building. "After the fair he asked me if he could walk me home," LeBard said. "I started talking with him and saw him in town." Some girls on her softball team invited him to be their coach. So they started seeing each other more often. The new church was finished in 1981 and George and Irma LeBard were the first couple to be married in the church. However, it was not until 2007 that the church had a bell, after LeBard asked the Rotary Club of Incline Village if it would be willing to help purchase a bell and they donated the money. When they were married, George was living in San Lazaro, where he had started a school. "He started the school for children that had graduated from grade school but did not pass the national examination to enter high school or their parents were unable to afford to send them to high school," she recalled. "It was a regular school but also included agricultural training." Then LeBard said drugs moved in to Belize. "San Lazaro had a man that I guess was a drug lord. He had lots of men or guards working for him with machine guns. It was scary to live near him," LeBard said. One night when her husband went to pick up some of the students to bring them back to the school they heard shots. As they drove along, they saw people were already dead on the road. George returned home to more trouble. "Then one of the men with a machine gun came to our house. It was scary. We had money in our home at that time as we were preparing to move to Reno because George was finished with his work with the Peace Corps," she said. After George explained to the man they did not have money, the man left. After the LeBards moved to Reno, the ambassador of Belize asked George to take a job in Belize with the Coca Cola Company. So they moved back to her village, but the job did not work out because of problems between the government and Coca Cola. " I stayed in my village and we opened a hardware store that I ran. George got a job with a program for Belize as a consultant," she said. After about three years, the government introduced a new tax for small businesses, so they moved to Belize City. By this time the LeBards had three sons. In Belize City, George worked as an associate director for the Peace Corps for about five years. Then George took a job helping a Taiwanese school for three more years before they moved back to Reno. Once in Reno, her husband started working for Project MANA, which at that time was located in Kings Beach before moving to Incline Village. "I started working for Children's Cabinet with Virginia Miller, as her assistant," LeBard said. But she also wanted to become a cosmetologist so she took night classes in Reno after work. After two years, she received her cosmetology license and worked for a salon in Reno. "I traveled up and down the mountain for four years," she said. In 2001, LeBard became a U.S. citizen. The LeBards' children attended school in Incline Village. Two have already graduated from Incline High School and both are now attending the community college in Carson City where the LeBards now live. Both young men want to be firemen and are taking EMT courses. Their youngest son still attends Incline High School. LeBard said it is her dream to see her children finish school. "Moving here was good for me and my family. I have had experiences like working. I had never had a job. I have learned a lot and have been doing things I never imagined I could do. It has made me more confident and want to learn more. I have a dream to go to school and take English to learn the rules and become more confident with the language. If I know something I want to know everything I can about it so that I can be the best at it," LeBard said. In September of 2004, LeBard moved from the Children's Cabinet position to her current position at the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. "My goal was to see the Hispanic community use the resources we have here. To help them feel comfortable coming here for help. The building is very big and intimidating when you are on the outside looking in and in need of help," she said. She smiled when she said her job description was: "Receptionist and meeting room coordinator." LeBard said, "It's fun working with the community especially with the Hispanic community. If they walk in and see a Hispanic person at the front desk it makes it easier to walk in the door and ask for help. So I started helping with Medicaid and WIC - no one was doing that before and there really is no one else doing it now." LeBard can communicate in both English and Spanish so she is able to help in many ways. She said she has even had people call her on the telephone to translate to an employee. Not long after she started, more and more people and families in crises started coming in for help - families without jobs or money to pay rent or bills. "I have had to look to outside sources sometimes to help someone out," she said, praising the people of Incline that have come to her aid. "The two Rotary Clubs have been very helpful to me," she added. She is so quick to praise others and so humble about herself. LeBard has a gift for helping others and a desire to "be the best at it."
Jean Eick
Bonanza Staff Writer | ||
