November 15 2012
C O M M U N I T Y N E W S T H AT M A K E S A D I F F E R E N C E
Vol 21 No. 22
Serving Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom, Watsonville, & Pajaro
Sometimes It Takes A Village
Beth and her children
By Colleen Hughes
T
Willy Elliott-McRea accepts $10k donation from Bay Federal President Carrie Birkhofer.
SECOND HARVEST HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE Set a Plate For Kate’ — 2012 theme for fighting hunger
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crowd of 300 community movers and shakers from local schools, government, businesses, media and nonprofit organizations gathered together at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz to kick-off Second Harvest’s annual
Holiday Food Drive. The attendees were told that this year’s goal is to raise enough donations of food and money for 3.5 million meals. To get the message out, a little imaginary girl call Kate is at the center of the food bank’s
theme, “Set a Plate For Kate.” She appears on posters, cutouts, websites, Face Book and as the central character in a video. The point is to help spread the word that many people in our community are in need of a helping hand. It could be the result of a
job loss, health crisis, or a family emergency but many are at risk of not having enough money to provide adequate food for themselves and their children.
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he recent passing of Aptos resident Rick Prichard, turned life upside down for his wife Beth and their three kids. They were left with not only their profound loss and sadness, but the uncertainty of what life was going to be like. There were so many decisions and few options. Beth was not sure how she would be able to raise three kids on her own with just one income. Could they stay in their house? Could they stay in Aptos? What about all of the friends they had made over the past 12 years? Beth’s family lives in Wisconsin and moving there was something to be considered. The Prichard children, Donovan, Ryley and Caden have lived here their whole lives. Both Ryley and Caden go to Rio Del Mar Elementary and Donovan is an honor roll student at Aptos Jr. High. This is their home, their community, their village. Many friends, family, strangers and Aptos businesses came to the Prichard’s aide. A trust fund was set up for the family. Beth’s friends went to work on organizing a fundraiser that would allow Beth and the kids to stay here in Aptos while things settle and get back to a different kind of life.
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