Looking for volunteers!!

We are going to be starting open hours Monday through Friday, 3-5pm beginning January. This is a chance to be a mentor for the kids in the neighborhood who come to the Community Center to have fun. The children can study, do homework, play games, or just be social. If you can help during these hours, or for one hour a week, or one hour a month, we'd appreciate it. This is a great volunteer opportunity if you need hours for your school semester or if you want to help out in your community.

If you are interested you can sign yourself up by going to our google doc at:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkcdG21uour0dHVKZGVCeWtFTmZaclFCSHh6Y3czTkE&hl=en&authkey=CMzEq6wM
(There are 2 sheets; first tab is for "contact info", the other tab is "calendar" for you to sign up for available days. Tabs are located at the bottom bar of the page. Please, don't forget to fill out both sheets)

If you have any questions contact Kim Cruz at 801-691-5338 or email sfccboulders@hotmail.com

Story KSL did on piano recital at Community Center

Gifted piano keeps on giving

December 15th, 2010 @ 9:55pm

By Amanda Butterfield

PROVO -- Several young pianists finished up their first piano recital in Utah County Wednesday night. It never would have happened without the donation of one woman -- Cindy Rogers. 

"I grew up taking lessons when I was young and played my whole life," Rogers said.

Cindy Rogers donated a piano to the children of South Franklin Community Center 

Divorced 15 years ago, Rogers had to provide for three children alone. Although she loved the piano, she never could afford to own one.

That is until one day when a piano showed up at her house.

"I was shocked!" Rogers said.

It was an upright Baldwin piano that, now, a whole new generation of musicians are learning to play on.

"It's fun playing the piano," said Sidney Nunez, one of the 10 or so youths who takes free piano lessons at the South Franklin Community Center in Provo.

In the past decade, Cindy's circumstances improved and she got another piano, but she couldn't bear to sell her old one, so she decided to pay it forward and donated it.

Sidney and her brother, David, have been taking lessons on it from BYU student Angela Gong, who is a volunteer teacher.

"Music has been important to me, so I was trying to find a way I could share that," Gong said.

Gong teaches about 10 children a week, sometimes more. She decided to hold a recital so her students could show their parents what they had learned.

"Me and my sister are playing 'Heart and Soul,'" David said.

Playing in a recital is something these students would never have been able to do if not for Roger's donation. Rogers is just glad others are enjoying her piano.

"Music just brings so much joy into people's lives," she said.

As for the whoever gave the piano to Rogers all those years ago, "I never found out," she said.

For video go to: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13673769

Sub for Santa Sponsors

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the season. Sometimes it’s easy to  worry more about what Christmas ISN’T than what it IS – encouraging peace on earth and good will toward men.

There are plenty of things that can be done to touch the lives of those around us. You can visit a nursing home and the residents there. You can also drop off a plate of cookies or a thoughtful card for a struggling neighbor.

 If you or someone you know is looking to make a financial contribution this holiday season, you can also become a sponsor for United Way of Utah County’s Sub for Santa program. About 280 families with approximately 700 kids still need sponsors. Sub for Santa not only helps provide children with Christmas presents, but it helps fosters financial stability through workshops where applicants learn about low-cost Christmas traditions, budgeting and other community resources that are available.

For more information about becoming a Sub for Santa sponsor, visit www.unitedwayuc.org/subforsanta or call 801-356-6300.  

Volunteer Opportunity for this Holiday Season

Hello volunteers! We have a fun and exciting volunteer opportunity for you. We are looking for 2-5 people to help watch children for 2 hours during a neighborhood leadership meeting this Saturday from 12-2. The children will range from ages 0-12. We have toys, games, and crafts to help you have a good time. This is a one-time event and a good way to help your community during this holiday season.

Also, lunch will be provided for you! The meeting is held at South Franklin Community Center in Provo, UT. The address is 750 S 650 W, the building is behind the leasing office. If you're interested send an email to sfccboulders@hotmail.com or call Kim at 801-691-5338.