26 Sep 2013

Puente’s annual volunteer and donor celebration marks 15th Anniversary

Puente’s annual volunteer and donor celebration marked Puente’s 15th Anniversary. Nearly 220 participants enjoyed the sunny day at Echo Valley Farm. Thanks to our hosts at Echo Valley Farm as well as our anniversary sponsors. Check out more anniversary photos on Puente’s Facebook Page.

: Chef Amy Glaze and Edible After School crew prepared and served the meal.

: Puente staff

: Gift bags were designed by Fly Girl Farm’s, Airielle Love.

: Carol Young-Holt was honored for her longtime work with women and children

: Former and current Puente board members.

: Founder, Rev. Wendy Taylor, and Executive Director, Kerry Lobel

: Luncheon menu

20 Sep 2013

Event brings 44 new car seats to Pescadero children

Thanks to Puente and our partners, 44 children have new car seats and an important safety issue has been resolved for many low income families that live in Pescadero. And 52 families have received education about the proper installation of car seats.

Among those who attended was grandmother of two (ages 4 and 7) Rosa Marin, who went into the seminar ignorant of car seat safety protocols.

Following the event she said, “Yo quiero estar segura que mis niñas estarán seguras…el taller despejo muchas de mis dudas que tenía acerca de los asientos de niños.” (I want to make sure my children will be safe… The seminar cleared up many doubts I had about the car seat).

These events were made possible by the many partnerships that Puente has forged which include the San Mateo County EMS, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and Redwood City CHP. Working together, these agencies were able to gather the necessary resources and certified installers to make this event a success.

Arturo Montiel, member of the California Highway Patrol, commented “It’s a good thing Puente is doing this for the community… We’ve seen lots of seats that have not been installed properly.” Working in conjunction with the agency volunteers were the Puente Youth Staff, who assisted them by serving as interpreters, and the Puente Senior Staff, who coordinated the combined efforts.

At the end of the day, 38 families left Puente with new or properly installed car seats, insuring the safety of their children.

16 Sep 2013

Farm Bike Repair

This past Sunday, a group of 12 volunteer bike mechanics descended upon Pescadero and spent a sunny afternoon bringing battered farmworker bicycles back from the dead. An idea originally conceived by Kyle McKinley of the Santa Cruz Bike Church, fellow mechanics Every Day and Lior Shaked made the dream a reality by rounding up a few mechanic friends along with a whole bunch of spare parts and heading out to one of the local farms where bikes are a critical part of work life and personal life. All in all, over 20 bikes were repaired. A few of the farmworkers even showed off their musical skills by entertaining the volunteers with live music and singing while they worked. At the end of the day, there were plenty of smiles to go around!