Raise The Ante For A Good Cause
The Upland Military Banner Program has serviced over 300 families with military banners. The city of Upland benefits from a variety of programs put on by the Upland Community Foundation, including the Upland Military Banner Program honoring the residents currently serving in the military. Previously largely funded by the families of the service members, the Upland Community Foundation stepped in to help raise funds to support the banner program. “Our goal is to never have families have to purchase their own banner,” said Executive
Board Member Lisa Monforte. “We feel that their sacrifice was having their loved ones serve our country. We have had family members that wanted to sponsor their own child’s banner which is fine, too, but we didn’t want to make that as criteria.” The only provision for a member of the military to have his or her name on a banner is that the service member has to be from Upland or have an immediate family member in Upland. The banners stay up as long as the person re-
mains on active duty. Once they are non-active, the banner is given to the family. The UCF installs new banners, while also replacing torn and tattered banners. Monforte said that since the foundation began fundraising efforts in 2011, it has provided banners to more than 300 military families. Local businesses and communities are responsible for supporting the fundraising efforts, which began with a Texas Hold’em poker event in 2011. This year’s primary fundraising event is a Viva Las Vegas Casino Night on June 7 at the George Gibson Senior Center from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The casino night will feature roulette, 21 and poker games, along with a buffet dinner, silent auction, opportunity drawings, no-host bar and musical entertainment. Admission is a $60 donation. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of the banners, hardware and installation. Monforte said that sponsorship is available to sponsor a military mom or dad to attend the event. Sponsorships range from $500 to $125 depending on the type of sponsorship. For more information, contact Monforte at (909) 985-5429. The Upland Community Foundation is an independent organization from the city of Upland, but collaborates with the city to benefit the people and organizations throughout the community.
Recreational Swimming Offers In Depth Classes
The Upland City’s Recreational Swimming includes swim classes and camps and clinics. When the Upland High School pool was renovated and made deeper in 2006-2007, the changes benefited the water polo and swimming programs at the high school. The community has also benefitted from the renovation. While they no longer have the open recreational swimming for safety purposes, they have continued summer
swim classes, swimming camps and water polo camps for Upland residents and others throughout the region. Recreation Coordinator Valerie Guzman-Garcia, who has worked for the city for 25 years, oversees Upland’s recreational swim programs. She’s proud of all of the community water recreation and
education programs, especially those for youngsters. “We do an amazing job,” said Guzman-Garcia. “One minute they’re crying and the next they’re doing some strokes and swimming and knowing to go back to the wall. I’m really very proud of the program.” Classes including the “Me and My Parent” course for the younger kids to the advanced classes run from June 16 to August 18. The staff members have competitive swimming experience or played water polo in high school or college. Guzman-Garcia hires instructors who have lifeguard qualifications to ensure the safety of the swim class participants. A competitive swim camp, water polo camp and evening adult swim lessons will be held at the Upland High pool from August 11-15, 2014. The water polo activities have gained recent popularity, and Guzman-Garcia says she would like to offer additional recreational aquatic classes. “Someday I’d like a junior lifeguard program. Someday maybe water aerobics classes for adults. We only have so much time between school ending and starting in the summer time. The city doesn’t have our own pool and we’re lucky enough to use their pool,” said Garcia. 909 MAGAZINE 15 909 MAGAZINE 15