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“Enough” clothing shop wants to ensure families in need have just that—for free

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

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I was absentmindedly scrolling through Facebook recently when I came upon an event invite for the grand opening of “Enough,” a “family-friendly, trendy thrift shop serving underprivileged families in our community.” This thrift shop was opening on the campus of NorthPointe Community Church, located on Milburn just north of Herndon Ave. in northwest Fresno.

The concept piqued my interest and I decided to check it out. In my day job, I work with families who are going through times of need and I always like to be aware of as many community resources as possible.

enough shop

Enough is located in the NW corner bungalow on the NorthPointe Church campus

My plan for the grand opening was to attend, shop around, ask for more information from the people running the shop, and perhaps purchase a few items. However, once I arrived, I realized there was actually nothing for sale! The entire shop truly is dedicated to supporting anyone who has a need for quality, second-hand clothing for themselves or their family. Anyone in need can visit Enough during its open hours and select any ten items they like, and there is no charge or obligation whatsoever.

enough shop

Enough seeks to provide in-style clothing that is in good condition to those who need it most for free

I spoke with Katie Fauntleroy, the visionary behind Enough, to learn more about her motivation to open the shop. “I’ve wanted to do this for ten years. I couldn’t rent a building, but recently, after a message in church where our pastor told us that, ‘We are the church,’ I felt compelled to ask for the space on the church grounds. I was told enthusiastically, to ‘Go for it!’ ”

Katie said she didn’t have the capital or infrastructure she needed to start a store, but with help from others in the church, she found the pieces coming together. She was able to purchase clothing racks from another thrift store that was closing its doors. Then, when she found she needed more racks, a trip to Home Depot and a conversation with an employee there inspired an affordable solution: fence piping and ladders would make for additional rack space and s-hooks could even hang accessories from ladder arms. People from the church learned of Fauntleroy’s goal to help those in need and began donating clothing. “The clothing was so nice, some of it with the tags still on, even. People just wanted to help,” Katie says.

enough shop

Ladders and pipe shelving provided a creative and affordable solution when additional clothing racks weren’t available.

According to Guest Services Director Tanya Nichols, Enough is part of NorthPointe’s plan for serving the community, a plan that is based on a successful community outreach model piloted by Saddleback Church (a mega-church located in Southern California). Their plan is to serve by eliminating “spiritual emptiness, corrupt church leadership, poverty, illiteracy, and disease.” Thus, their community outreach work will focus on providing spiritual support, strong and transparent leadership, aid to those in need, assistance with education, and health needs. “Saddleback is offering recovery programs for addiction, ESL classes, health clinics, a thrift store, and a food pantry for their community. We’re not there yet, but that’s what we’re working towards! At this point, we have ESL classes, one of the largest Celebrate Recovery groups in the area, and now we have Enough.”

Shoppers can visit Enough on Monday evenings or in the morning on the first Saturday of each month

enough shop

Enough offers formal and business attire and shoes for those in need of work clothes or interview attire

While I was speaking with Katie and Tanya, a woman carrying a toddler on her shoulders overheard our conversation and excitedly told me, “I’m so grateful for this! I’m a single mom and I was starting to wonder what I was going to do. It’s getting colder and he’s outgrowing everything. This came at the perfect time! I got here a half hour before they opened, and I’m just so glad they’re doing this. This means the world to me!” She happily perused the racks, her toddler content on her shoulders.

Enough hours and information

If you know of an individual or family in need who could benefit from the gift of free clothing, Enough is open on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Shoppers do not have to have any specific religious affiliation or attend the church to receive clothing.

If you have gently used clothing from size 0-3 months up to 3X in adults that you’d like to donate, Enough is happy to accept your donations during its operating hours, or by appointment if you call the main church office at (559) 276-2300. Enough is also happy to accept donations of clothing racks, store shelving, and hangers.

Backpack donations happening Saturday in Fresno

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FresYes Writing Team

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The Valley Dream Center in partnership with EPU Children’s Center will hand out backpacks with pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, binders, and more on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 1-4 p.m. at the Valley Dream Center gym located at 1835 N. Winery in Fresno.

All families are welcome to attend, and all children will receive a backpack while supplies last. Once the backpacks are handed out, there will be additional school supplies available. 

backpack donations

Last year, the Valley Dream Center handed out 250 backpacks to kids. This year, they will double that number. [photo: Valley Dream Center]

Services provided free for the whole family

The Valley Dream Center has worked for the last year to reach families in the community with a focus on those in the 93702-03 area codes, though all families are welcome to use its services. Currently, the center provides GED classes, ESL classes, computer classes with access to a computer lab, an “Incredible Years” parenting class, a dads support group, a monthly food distribution, and a clothes closet. All services offered at the Valley Dream Center are free. 

Follow Valley Dream Center for more info

This is the second year the center has done a backpack giveaway. Last year, 250 backpacks were handed out to children. This year, they have over 500 backpacks to give out. 

The Valley Dream Center is always willing to take donations from the community. For more information on how to make a donation or take part in the center’s classes or events, visit their website here or follow them on Facebook.

backpack donations

Learn about the Central Valley Red Cross, their work, and how you can help

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

 

With all of the fires occurring in California this summer, as well as in the Pacific Northwest, the Red Cross is a name we frequently see in the news consistently providing help to those in their time of greatest need.

As you may know, the Central Valley is home to its own very active Red Cross chapter. I wanted to take some time to learn more about what its staff and volunteers are doing to help others, plus find out how we, as fellow Valley residents, can be of assistance to their work. I spoke with Taylor Poisall, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist at the American Red Cross Central Valley, to learn more.

FresYes: Can you tell me a bit about your position with the local Red Cross, and what drew you to the work?

Taylor Poisall: I am the Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, which means I have the incredible opportunity to speak with our community members about how they can volunteer with the Red Cross throughout the Central Valley. I originally started as a volunteer during my senior year of college, and thankfully found a role in the Red Cross.

Working with volunteers is a truly enjoyable experience, and they continue to inspire me. It is incredible work that our volunteers do, whether it be helping communities prepare for emergencies, assisting people affected by disasters, connecting families or simply lending a helping hand to members of the community. Every day is different and exciting and our volunteers make it very enjoyable.

Central Valley Red Cross

The Red Cross sends Disaster Relief teams to help after a disaster on average 64,000 times per year

FY: What type of work is our local Red Cross most involved in?

TP: Our Disaster Services team is extremely busy in the Central Valley. Our Disaster Action Team responds to almost one home fire a day to support victims of household fires. To combat this, the Red Cross has a “Sound the Alarm” campaign where volunteers and partners canvass high-risk neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, and help families create escape plans. Residents looking to take part in our free smoke alarm program can call our chapter office and make an appointment to have free smoke alarms installed.

Our Service to Armed Forces volunteers work with the VA Hospital to provide support to veterans and participate in Reconnection Workshops with active duty members and their families.

Lastly, we are always training for ongoing disaster seasons. We deployed trained disaster volunteers to several wildfire responses this summer, and we are preparing for the upcoming hurricane season.

Central Valley Red Cross

The work of the Red Cross is carried out largely by teams of trained volunteers. Read on to learn how you can help!

FY: Are there elements of the work our local Red Cross does that you were surprised to learn of, that you didn’t know about prior to your work with the organization?

TP: Before I started, I knew that Red Cross taught Health and Safety classes and that they were there in big disasters I saw on the news.

After working with the Red Cross for three years, I am constantly encouraged by what our volunteers can do. Almost every day in Fresno County, Disaster Action Team members are waking up in the middle of the night to go support victims of home fires. Nationwide, Red Cross volunteers respond to over 64,000 natural disasters a year, and most of them are home fires.

FY: What are the greatest needs currently for the Central Valley Red Cross, and how can Fresnans help?

TP: Volunteer at the American Red Cross of Central California to make an impact today! People can volunteer at our office working on administrative projects big and small, teach education classes to prepared students and community groups, train to be on a disaster team, work with our VA and other veteran groups—the list goes on.

You can also help people affected by disasters big and small, like wildfires and countless other crises, by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters. Click, call, or text to give: visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

FY: I know there are events coming up that support the Red Cross. Tell me what’s ahead on the calendar.

TP: Local Red Cross of Central Valley volunteers are excited to support A Taste of River Park 2018, a volunteer favorite. You can join us on Sept. 8 from 6-10 p.m. for a 21+ event in the River Park shopping center. This 9th annual event consists of food, wine, fashion, and lots of fun. Located throughout the event will also be two bars, various vendors, wine sampling, and of course food tasting! Guests will receive one taste from each winery and restaurant. The American Red Cross Central Valley is the proud beneficiary of this year’s event. A portion of the proceeds will support disaster relief. To purchase tickets, you can visit atasteofriverpark.com.

Additionally, you can join us this fall as the American Red Cross of Central California introduces Shelter of Hope, a major regional fundraising campaign to raise funds and awareness to support disaster relief by simulating the experience of staying in a Red Cross shelter. The Shelter of Hope will be in Fresno on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at River Park. There will be plenty of events for the entire family. For more information, visit redcross.org/hope.

FY: Anything else you’d like FresYes readers to know??

Whether it’s a wildfire, a call for help after a devastating home fire, a call from a service member or military family in need, the Red Cross is there. All Red Cross assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money. The Red Cross delivers help to whoever needs it regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or citizenship status. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and people who have disaster-caused needs do not need to be American citizens to access Red Cross services.

If you have an interest in volunteering or learning more about our programs, you can contact me at taylor.poisall2@redcross.org or visit redcross.org/centralvalley to learn more!

Central Valley Red Cross

“Bras for a Cause” event benefits women fighting breast cancer

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Sarah Soghomonian

TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!

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An upcoming Paint Nite event will benefit women dealing with breast cancer. It’s organized by the non-profit organization, Bras for a Cause Fresno, and will take place at Wassabi Off the Hook in Fresno’s Fig Garden Village, Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

bras for a cause

A positive, fun-filled night

“Bras for a Cause is on a mission to celebrate, inspire, and educate women who are fighting breast cancer,” says Angelique Smith, founder of Bras for a Cause Fresno. “We do this by partnering with local community resources to provide the necessary education and applicable options for breast cancer-related matters.”

At the Paint Nite event, attendees will create a one-of-a-kind painting. An instructor will guide folks through the painting process.

“What people can expect at Paint Nite is a night filled with positive energy, great fun, and sushi,” Smith says.

Attendees will also get to meet Bras for a Cause board members and hear from woman who have benefited from the work of the organization. There are other Bras for a Cause groups located throughout California. They help women who are uninsured or under-insured get access to mammograms and other health services.

This is the painting attendees will be painting at the event.

25,000 new cases of breast cancer every year

“We strive to give women added confidence to own their femininity,” Smith said. “Bras for a Cause celebrates the strength of all women who are living [with] and surviving breast cancer.”

The most recent figures from the American Cancer Society show that there are about 25,000 new cases of breast cancer in California women each year. Of that, 564 cases are in Fresno County.

Funds raised from the Paint Nite event will go towards purchasing bras, wigs, scarfs, and lymphatic sleeves for women in need.

Tickets are $45. To learn more about the event, click here.

Community Food Bank is looking to grow, help more in need

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Sarah Soghomonian

TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!

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It’s a big summer for the Community Food Bank. They are working towards moving to a larger facility in southeast Fresno.

The Community Food Bank has raised over half of their $5 million Building Hope Capital Campaign goal. Lynda and Steward Resnick and The Wonderful Company donated $2.5 million dollars to kick off the campaign. The Amendola Family and Valley Wide Beverage also gave a $1 million donation.

“These transformative gifts will be felt for decades to come,” says Robin Allen-Maddox, Executive Assistant and Communications Specialist for the Community Food Bank. “Being able to provide children and families with the food they need to thrive is hard to put into words. We are proud of the work we do and only want to continue to do it better.”

Community Food Bank

The Community Food Bank relies on volunteers to help with things like food drives and distribution.

Community Food Bank feeds families across 5 counties

The Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that acquires and distributes fresh produce and nonperishable food. They partner with over 220 agencies to distribute the food to Central California residents who are hungry. They work with churches, schools, and other organizations in Kern, Kings, Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties.

“We have several programs including Neighborhood Markets, Mobile Pantry Program, the BackPack Program, and CalFresh Outreach,” says Allen-Maddox. “The community can be involved in several ways. One way is to volunteer at our distribution center or in our office.”

The Community Food Bank acquires and distributes 40 million pounds of food per year. To make this a reality, they have many food and fund drives. A Feed Hope Gala is being planned for the fall and there will be a Feed Our Children Golf Tournament on Nov. 5.

Community Food Bank

Giving back is fun! The Community Food Bank is always looking for new partners to build and grow with.

“We live in the agricultural mecca of the United States, yet one in four people in Central California are hungry,” Allen-Maddox says. “This is simply unacceptable and we are here to change that statistic. Having access to food is a basic human right. Many of our clients are working individuals who need the extra boost to make ends meet.”

The need is great during summer months because kids are home from school and utilities increase, putting additional strain on families. The Community Food Bank says every $1 donation provides seven meals right here in our community.

Community Food Bank

The Community Food Bank provides fresh fruits and vegetables to local families in need.

“We hear countless stories of people who struggle to make their paycheck stretch through the whole month and the food we provide them relieves high levels of stress and anxiety,” Allen-Maddox says. “Our clients love having access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”

To learn more about the Community Food Bank’s Capital Campaign, click here. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Community Food Bank’s volunteer manager at jduka@communityfoodbank.net or sign up online.

Support Marjaree Mason Center during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

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With over 5,000 calls made to the Fresno Police Department last year alone, domestic violence is more common in our area than you might think.

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Fresno’s Marjaree Mason Center is offering several ways you can get involved to take a stand against domestic violence and show your support for those affected by it.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

How Marjaree Mason Center helps

The Marjaree Mason Center has been helping adults and children affected by domestic violence since 1979. It’s Fresno County’s only dedicated provider of domestic violence shelter and support services. Last year alone it helped over 5,700 adults and children. 

The center’s mission is to support and empower adults and their children affected by domestic violence while striving to end the cycle of abuse through education and advocacy. Help comes in several ways: through providing emergency and long-term safe housing, support services like legal assistance and counseling, and crisis support.

According to the Marjaree Mason Center’s Executive Director, Nicole Linder, “Domestic violence continues to be an unspoken epidemic in our society. By participating in Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are pulling back the curtain and saying abuse is never okay.”

Ways to support the Marjaree Mason Center in October

Marjaree Mason Center is offering a number of ways for you to show your support during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

1. Selfie With A Cause. Throughout October, take a photo of yourself makeup free. Next, post it to social media and tag it #MakeupFreeforMMC and tag @MarjareeMasonCenter. You never know who will need to be aware of the center and the services it provides.

2. Wear purple. You can wear purple on Thursday, Oct, 19, to raise awareness. It’s a quiet way to show support at work, school, and even at the grocery store.

3. Donate to the Marjaree Mason Center. With so many affected by domestic violence, your contribution will be helping individuals of all ages who really need it. Find out more by going to mmcenter.org or by calling (559) 237-4706. Remember, even a small, tax-deductible donation can make a big difference in someone’s life.

4. Attend an event and get informed. Currently, the 34th Annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards is sold out, but you can get on the waiting list by calling (559) 487-1313.

You can still get tickets to Understanding Domestic Violence and the Church. This event takes place Friday, Oct. 20 at People’s Church and will help you identify signs of domestic violence and give you helpful information on how to act. Every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted in America. This is an unacceptable statistic, but you can learn how to be part of the change. You can get tickets to this event here.

What to do if you need help

The statistics are sobering, so chances are someone reading this may need help. First, the Marjaree Mason Center has a 24-hour crisis hotline. You can call anytime at (559) 233-HELP (4357). If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Finally, you can follow the Marjaree Mason Center on Facebook, and see encouraging comments from people who have been through domestic violence here.

It’s time to take a stand against domestic violence. Participating in Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities is a start.

Everything You Should Know About ValleyPBS as it Celebrates 40 Amazing Years

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

Last week, ValleyPBS, Fresno’s local PBS station, celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Originally founded by the Fresno County Office of Education with donated equipment and a grant from the federal government, and operating under the call letters KMTF (stood for Kings, Madera, Tulare and Fresno counties), the station now known as KVPT (Valley Public Television) has a long, rich history of serving Valley viewers.

ValleyPBS 40 years

ValleyPBS celebrated its 40th anniversary on Wednesday, April 12.

Interesting historical tidbits about ValleyPBS     

• Originally located on L Street (in the former KFSN 30 building), ValleyPBS moved to 1544 Van Ness in 1990, purchasing the building from KSEE 24 for $1 (and the land for $25K).

• The station has had just three CEOs: Colin Dougherty from 1977 to 2003, Paula Castadio from 2003 to 2015, and Phil Meyer from 2015 to today.

• “The Great TV Auction,” a live auction show, became a well-known, highly viewed, annual fundraiser for the station, and it took hundreds of volunteers to pull off the show each year. Auction items included everything from rugs to vacations, tools, and even livestock.

• Local programming has been a focus of the station since its start with both weekly series and one-time special programs being written, produced, and aired right from the local building.

• The station held a capital campaign and fund-raised for a full decade to make it happen, but when the time came to go from analog to a digital signal, ValleyPBS converted successfully.

ValleyPBS

 

Things Valley residents should know about ValleyPBS:

• ValleyPBS is a member-supported, independent, non-profit television station that raises 80% of its own operating budget. Only 20% of funding for the station comes through government sources such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

• The cost of funding PBS television stations’ government allocation is only $1.37 per tax payer, per year.

• PBS is the 5th most-watched network (broadcast and cable considered) in the country, and locally, viewership of ValleyPBS is nearly double the typical PBS viewership rate of other cities across the country.

• 82% of Valley children who are preschool-aged are unable to afford to participate in a quality, preschool program. Though many subsidized preschool spots exist, most are half-day and do not work for families with working-class parents, as parents typically can’t leave their job midday when the preschool day ends. Because of this, ValleyPBS commits 70 hours of air time each week to quality, educational, PBS Kids shows so that children who are unable to attend preschool can still learn the necessary reading, math, science, and social skills needed to enter kindergarten prepared for success.

• ValleyPBS is a public television station, therefore it presents balanced and fair information on all topics, and does not (cannot, and will not) allow any of its programming to be influenced by commercial interests or biases.

• ValleyPBS is largely supported thanks to the generosity of the 11,000 local viewers and fans who have made the commitment to help support the station’s ongoing operation by providing a financial donation either monthly, annually. or through larger, one-time gifts.

ValleyPBS 40 years

Proud ValleyPBS staffers gather at the 40th anniversary event, including producer Oscar Speace (back center), who’s been with the station over 35 years.

How ValleyPBS serves the community (aka things you can enjoy but may not know about!)

• Beyond offering viewers an unprecedented array of high-quality PBS programming on its main channel, ValleyPBS HD (channel 18.1, Comcast 8 and 708, Dish 18, U-verse 8 and 108), ValleyPBS offers three additional channels (local listings for all channels can be found here):

  • ValleyPBS Kids 24/7 – the first channel to air beloved, educational and entertaining PBS Kids shows, all day, every day with no cable subscription required (channel 18.2, Comcast: 395)
  • ValleyPBS Create – airs viewer-favorite PBS how-to, travel, and cooking programs (channel 3, Comcast 396)
  • ValleyPBS World – provides a thought-provoking lens to explore the worlds of non-fiction, science, nature, news, public affairs, and documentaries (channel 18.4, Comcast: 394)

• ValleyPBS Learning Media is a free, online treasure trove of over 100,000 media items such as show clips, full-length episodes, audio files, printable curriculum, interactive PC and white board games, and more just for teachers and educators. Teachers can search by topic, Common Core Standard and grade level, and save items they’d like to use in their classrooms to their favorites folder.

• ValleyPBS Family Circle is a membership program specifically for parents of young children. For a monthly, tax-deductible donation of $10 (or more), families can enjoy exclusive access to special monthly events and activities at no additional charge. The station partners with local children’s attractions such as Rotary Storyland Playland, Imagine U Children’s Museum, The Chaffee Zoo and the Fresno County Public Library to host Family Circle members for hands-on learning, tasty snacks (provided by Whole Foods), crafts, and character meet and greets.

The affordable monthly donation is more than offset when family members attend the events. For example, last October, Family Circle members enjoyed a day at the Pumpkin Patch on First and Nees complete with pumpkins for each child, a story time, snack, and free unlimited ride wristband, all at no additional cost. To join Family Circle, click here.

ValleyPBS 40 years

Children enjoy story time with Children’s Services Director, Jordan Escobar, at a Family Circle event

ValleyPBS 40 years

A Family Circle member enjoys sledding, in Fresno in May at a Word Girl station event

• ValleyPBS Ready to Learn is an outreach program offered through partnerships with local school districts that provides parents of preschool- and elementary-aged children a chance to get together with other parents and learn practical ways to help their children succeed in the classroom and life.

ValleyPBS has a team of 30 dynamic and motivating trainers who teach parent workshops in English, Spanish, and Hmong at schools throughout the Valley in the mornings and evenings. These workshops are free for parents to attend and include children’s books, hands-on projects and school supplies, childcare, and breakfast or dinner for the families attending! As of this week, ValleyPBS has offered 330 parent workshops and counting — just this school year! To follow their schedule of workshops so you can participate, check out the ValleyPBS Parents Facebook Page.

ValleyPBS 40 years

A father and son share a story together during a Ready to Learn workshop at King Elementary School while mom and baby brother look on

• Local Production and Video Production Services. ValleyPBS continues to produce its own local content, both in house and in collaboration with local talent. Valley’s Gold, the station’s weekly program that takes you from farm to table through a different crop each week, is produced by ValleyPBS staff in partnership with the Fresno Farm Bureau, and the station is currently working on three big, stand-alone projects which include a documentary about water (watch the water show’s trailer — it’s awesome!), one telling the powerful stories of Japanese Americans who endured the hardships of internment camp life in the Valley, and one that tells the tales veterans and soldiers sharing their stories of service. ValleyPBS also offers fee-for-service video production for outside clients from project start to finish at prices that are often below local commercial studio rates.

ValleyPBS 40 years

“Stories of Service: A Conversation” being filmed on set at ValleyPBS

How you can help ensure ValleyPBS remains strong, despite uncertain times

• Share this article with others and tell them why ValleyPBS is important to you.

• Become a member and provide an ongoing donation or one-time donation. For as little as $5 a month, deducted automatically, you can become a Sustaining Circle Member and make a significant contribution to the health of the station.

• Become a Family Circle Member for just $10 a month, and enjoy all the great exclusive, family events

• If you’re a school administrator, consider inviting ValleyPBS’s Ready to Learn program on campus to provide parent engagement services. Not an administrator, but close to one? Make sure they know about Ready to Learn.

• Eat pizza. Yup! By simply eating at any local-area Pieology on Thursdays in the month of May, and showing the flyer below (printed out or on your mobile device) you’ll be contributing 20% of your meal price to ValleyPBS!

ValleyPBS 40 years

Station employees also support the station. Many are members, and several gathered last Thursday to buy lunch at Pieology when the restaurants hosted their first ValleyPBS benefit day.

ValleyPBS 40 years

 

Disclaimer: The author of this article is an employee of ValleyPBS who grew up watching channel 18, Sesame Street, and Mr. Rogers, and who loves her job. That said, the information contained here is very much firsthand, so you can count on it its accuracy, too.