Manteca Soroptimists Holiday Affair is more than just an evening of conversation, complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a chance to win prizes.
The $75 ticket helps provide the gift of hope — and in some cases life — for distraught teens who are contemplating suicide.
The Holiday Affair, now in its 39th year, has allowed the service club to donate over $350,500 to help the Manteca Unified School District fund the Teen Crisis Counseling project.
The reception takes place Wednesday, Dec. 12, starting at 6 p.m. at the Bank of Stockton, 660 N. Main St., in Manteca. The $75 ticket covers entry for the ticketholder and a guest.
Funding the teen crisis center is the club’s signature project. It was 30 years ago that a cluster of teen suicides rocked the community. Four promising lives ended in a suicide pact.
The Soroptimists — a collection of business and professional women brought together by their drive to serve the community — stepped up. They made a significant donation to help Manteca Unified secure on-campus counselors from Valley Community Counseling Services. It has paid dividends in keeping teens from losing their lives when dark thoughts overwhelm them dealing with things such as parents divorcing, a family member with substance abuse problems, the death of a parent or sibling, and handling other pressures
School officials have credited the teen crisis counselors for substantially reducing the potential for young people to make decisions that could result in negative consequences to their academic performance, future career paths, their health and lives.
Helping support the teen counseling services in the schools is just a part of what the service club does.
Projects benefitting from the Holiday Affair include the Raymus House, Haven of Peace, the Boys & Girls Club of Manteca, Manteca Mural Society, Hospice of San Joaquin, more than $8,000 in annual scholarships to local high school seniors as well as other community projects.
The $75 tickets are not available at the door. You can purchase them at Tipton’s Stationery & Gifts, 169 W. Yosemite Ave. (823-7644). You can also contact Connie Meintasis at 823-5828, Arleen Sevor at 823-5356 or any Soroptimist member
Drive-thru nativity
Friday & Saturday
The 22nd annual Drive-thru Living Nativity is being staged Friday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8 in the parking lot at Sequoia Heights Baptist Church, 1050 S. Union Road.
The free event takes place both nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Approximately 1,000 cars drive thru each year. For more information call 823.2089.
SONdance Christmas
performances Dec. 8
The SONdance Christian dance will present “The Heart of Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Ripon Christian Schools Performing Arts Center, 435 N. Maple Ave., Ripon. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
You can purchase tickets by going on line at sondance.com or call 823-1740.
Manteca Recreation
Breakfast with Santa
The annual Manteca Parks & Recreation Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane.
The event includes breakfast, photos with Santa, and a small gift from Santa as well as craft activities.
The event is designed for children 10 and under
Tickets are $7 and must be purchased in advance at the senior center. The event typically sells out. It is limited to 125 children.
Choir, handbell concerts
Dec. 9 & Dec. 16
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are blending their musical talents to present the 3rd Annual Christmas Concert for the community.
The performances will include exceptional choir selections, special Handbell medleys, String ensembles, and a Congregational carol.
There will be two performances, Sunday, Dec. 9, 910 E. North St, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, beginning at 7 p.m.
The second performance will be Sunday, Dec. 16, 6060 E. Northland Rd., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, beginning at 7 p.m.
A donation of canned food items for St. Paul’s Food Pantry would be welcomed at both locations.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
