Newcomers Club donates to SVHS Culinary Arts program
Brigitta Crews was ecstatic when she got the call. Upon hearing the news, the director the of Culinary Arts at Sonoma Valley High School couldn’t believe that her program had been chosen – one of 40 applicants – as the Sonoma Valley Newcomer’s Club’s 2010 philanthropic recipient.
“A member of Newcomers sat on the senior boards last year and was so impressed with the food the Culinary Arts students prepared and served that she recommended our program as a candidate for the Philanthropic Tea,” said Crews. “Not only is it an honor to be selected as this year’s recipient but to be approached and recommended shows a true interest in and dedication to our program.”
Over the course of the summer, Crews received a total of $7005 – in large and small amounts from individual members of Newcomers – that will go towards running her program. The extra funds are extremely welcome and Crews has plans for new lab coats, field trips and food items that are ordinarily out of her budget.
“I just bought $10 worth of pecans for my students to caramelize. What a treat. Normally we’d use walnuts so it’s great to be able to splurge.”
This is the largest amount raised and donated by Newcomers as a result of their annual Philanthropic Tea. Sandy Hicks is the current President of Newcomers and said that the program just resonated with members. “Our members are interested in teens and education and they made a connection with this program,” said Hicks. “We like to look for an organization where our contribution can make a difference. Brigitta’s program is the perfect example.”
The purpose of The Sonoma Valley Newcomers Club is to welcome and bring together women who are new to Sonoma. The nonprofit organization sponsors fundraising events to maintain operating expenses and support philanthropic endeavors. To date they’ve awarded more than $40,000 to local nonprofits, most recently Operation Youth in 2009.
