Includes Mission Elementary School’s 50th Anniversary mural project
Saturday, January 15, 2024, 10:00am-1:00pm
“Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr., Montgomery, Alabama 1957.
Join us this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we spend “a day on, not a day off,” encouraging all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch!
Join us at the Antioch Senior Center/Nick Rodriguez Community Center
Bring your senior relatives (e.g., grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, etc.) or neighbors to the Antioch Senior Center and Nick Rodriguez Community Center, at 415 W 2nd Street in Antioch, to take part in a day of engagement with community members of all ages. Experience exciti19ng and engaging activities, be part of thoughtful discussions and enjoy lunch served by school-age volunteers.
#10892: Volunteer and lead an installation/ mural-based project at Mission Elementary School
Sign up and join us to help create a mural at Mission Elementary School at 1711 Mission Drivein Antioch in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.
#10899: Senior to Senior (ages 14-18) (max 30) We are looking for high school volunteers to have a moderated discussion with Senior citizens about the impact of MLK, equality and equity on our society. Students can also perform spoken word poems and read other MLK related speeches.
#10900: Arts & Crafts (max 20) Volunteer and lead a Martin Luther King Jr. arts and craft themed project for the community.
#10902: Karaoke (max 20) If you like to sing and dance, sign up to volunteer to lead karaoke with the community. Music will consist of themes based on MLK, Jr., freedom, community and celebration of life.
#10903: Activities (max 30) Volunteer to join us for a room full of fun board games, puzzles, and other games. Lead a round of a game or simply take part in playing.
#10904: Lunch Services (max 15) Volunteer and lead the service of preparing and providing lunch to the community and other volunteers
Kristine Barbanica knocks on the door as the other three “Santa’s Helpers,” Gary and Kristen Vistalli and Councilman Mike Barbanica arrive with wrapped, donated gifts and speak with one of the recipients, Isabella on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
The annual effort benefited 125 families with 400 children this year
By Allen D. Payton
On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, owners of Antioch’s “Disney House”, Kristen and Gary Vistalli were joined by Councilman Mike Barbanica and his wife, Kristine, to deliver some of the gifts donated during the Help for the Holidays Event co-hosted by the Antioch Police Department on Dec. 9th.
The donations were received at the Vistallis’ home, which is decorated each year with over 35,000 lights and Disney characters. Their son Tyler and daughter Amanda helped with receiving the donated items, which also included blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves, as well as cash and Venmo donations. Kristen refers to the annual event as the “spirit and support drive, and gift giveaway”. (See related article)
Councilman Barbanica speaks with Isabella after he, his wife Christine, and Kristen and Gary Vistalli arrive with gifts on Dec. 21, 2023.
The gifts were delivered by the four Santa’s Helpers to two girls, 8-year-old Isabella and 15-year-old Veronica, at their aunt’s home where they now live because their mother recently passed away and the girls had nowhere else to go.
“They are having a rough time, and their aunt said the gifts would help,” Barbanica shared. “We just wanted to come by and drop off these gifts to you,” he said after the gifts were placed under the family’s Christmas tree. “Hopefully this helps out for Christmas.”
“Thank you for everything,” their aunt Iris responded.
About being off school for the holiday break Isabella said, “It’s said. I like school. Because I like my friends and I like PE.”
Gary and Kristen Vistalli place some of the gifts under the family’s Christmas tree on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
Regarding the toy drive, Disney house owner Kristen said, “This is the fourth year we did this with the Antioch Police Department. We switched to the drive-by during COVID which has worked out. It’s grown, every year.”
“To help over 125 families with 400 children, it’s just amazing and extremely rewarding,” she added.
This is the Vistallis’ first time delivering gifts to a family, meeting and speaking with them.
“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support and making this happen,” Kristen stated.
A few police officers were expected to participate in the gift delivery, but several were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit at the time.
Photo by APD
You can still drive by and see the decorated Disney House in all it’s lighted glory this week at 3732 Colonial Court in Antioch.
Learn more about Kwanzaa, the annual, seven-day African American and pan-African celebration of family, community, history, heritage and culture which begins on December 26, here.
“It is a privilege to stand by Opportunity Junction and other grassroots community organizations,” said Dana Bockstahler, BAC Community Bank CEO. “We are honored to assist in providing the vital financial support that fuels their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on local lives.”
With a mission to “help motivated Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security,” Opportunity Junction provides no-cost job training and wraparound support to income-eligible individuals with barriers to employment.
Opportunity Junction President and CEO Brianna Robinson said her organization’s Administrative Careers Training program has offered mental health services to participants since 2003, but this BAC Community Bank-sponsored grant will now make those services available to all individuals enrolled in the Healthcare Career Pathway and Career Counseling and Placement Assistance programs.
“We are deeply grateful for this support,” Robinson continued. “We recognized in 2003 that addressing trauma was critical to helping job seekers overcome barriers to employment. As we have grown over the years and added more programs, we are excited to offer these services to all our job seekers with the goal of supporting high graduation and employment retention rates.”
The AHEAD program enables FHLBank San Francisco members like BAC Community Bank to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities.
Since the program’s inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California and Nevada. In 2023, the FHLBank San Francisco board of directors allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects. BAC Community Bank applied for the grant in partnership with Opportunity Junction and was awarded the $70,000 after a competitive selection process. This is the fourth year that BAC Community Bank has participated in the program.
“Each year, we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, FHLBank San Francisco senior vice president and community investment officer. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including BAC Community Bank. These financial institutions are pillars in their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with our members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”
For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2024, please contact BAC Community Bank or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website at www.fhlbsf.com to learn more.
About BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties. Centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, BAC is continuously recognized for its strength and banking excellence in the communities it serves. BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.
About Opportunity Junction
Opportunity Junction was founded in 2000 on the fundamental belief that everyone who works hard deserves the opportunity to succeed despite facing personal and systemic barriers. The organization provides training, support, work experience and placement assistance to empower Contra Costa job seekers to achieve financial security. More information is available online at www.opportunityjunction.org.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — promote homeownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. More information is available online at www.fhlbsf.com.
All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of January 1, 2024. Proof of age is required (please bring a copy of your birth certificate).
The competitions will be held on January 5, 2024, at Giovannoni Parish Center.
Ages 8-11 registration at 5:30 pm competition begins at 6:00 pm
Ages 12-14 registration at 6:30 pm competition begins when the 8-to-11-year-old competitors are done The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.
2023 local winner and State qualifier, Justin Uribarri, with organizers (L) Wayne Steffen and (R) Mike Hayes. Photo: Knights of Columbus
2023 Winners
The two State qualifiers from this year’s competition were 14-year-old Justin Uribarri who placed 3rd at State, 11-year-old Ezra Palec but she was unable to attend the State competition. Ezra made 22 out of 25 shots at Regionals. That would have been enough to win the State competition. Another local winner was 12-year-old Thalia Pham. She lost at Regionals in a shoot-off to the girl who ended up being State and International champion.
For more information contact: Wayne Steffen 925.890.0119 or Mike Hayes 925.565.4482
Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.
You are invited to join us for a grand Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 4:30 pm!
Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chabad of the Delta and our surrounding communities as we light the grand Menorah on Sunday, December 10th at 4:30pm at Brentwood City Park.
Our local community leaders will participate in kindling the giant “Menorah of Freedom”. There will be fun activities for everyone including:
Musical Entertainment by Aaron Smith
Epic Magic Performance with Nathaniel Sagel
Giant Menorah Lighting with Dignitaries
Chanukah Donuts
Latkes
Chocolate Gelt
Chanukah Crafts
Festival Indoors, Lighting Outdoors
Win Chanukah Gifts
Security Presence
Free Fidget Dreidel for the first 50 Children
For many of us, Chanukah prompts warm, loving memories from our childhood. We light the Menorah every night of the 8-night holiday. These lights offer warmth, joy, strength, inspiration and renews our sense of identity.
Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid, director of the Chabad of the Delta Jewish Center, describes Chanukah as “a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.”
As we celebrate in East Contra Costa, we join millions the world over, promoting the universal message that good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness!
Make sure not to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends!
For more information, contact Chabad of the Delta at (925)420-4999 or online at JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.
Also accepting blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves and cash or Venmo donations.
By Antioch Police Department
This Saturday, December 9th, from 5:30- 10:00 pm, take a drive by the “Disney House” at 3732 Colonial Court in Antioch. This spectacular house has over 35,000 lights. The Vistalli Family and friends will be on-hand collecting new unwrapped toys as well as new blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves and cash or Venmo donations, that will be donated to our Help for the Holidays Event which will provide extra help for those struggling this holiday season.
Thank you to the Vistalli Family for their continued help to bring some joy to the families in our community. We couldn’t do it without you.
