VERO BEACH —Bonnie Steene is typical of a lot of Youth Guidance mentors; she had such a delightful encounter when she first met then 9-year-old Kaylan, the relationship has continued to blossom over the four years they’ve been together.
“I was curious about it and I had the time, so I went to the office and got matched with Kaylan,” explained Steene, adding that potential mentors can read a brief blurb on the background of children waiting for mentorship. “She liked the beach and the library, which is what I like too, and when I met her we just hit it off.”
Organizers were hoping others would have a similar positive experience with potential mentees at the Youth Guidance Annual Christmas Party, held Saturday morning at St. Helen’s Catholic Church. Youth Guidance had reached out to the community for volunteers to assist at the party and hoped there might be a few permanent matches made as a result of their time together.
There are always several hundred children on a waiting list, seeking adult mentors who can spend a few hours each week with them, and make a positive difference in their lives.
“Mentoring is the best way to be a kid again,” said an enthusiastic Carol Cooney. “It energizes you.”
Children had their choice of crafts, including Santa-styled holiday hats, 3-D tabletop Christmas trees, snowflake ornaments, Christmas stockings, white dove ornaments and ribbon wreaths, and each were given a large shopping bag to transport their masterpieces home.
Many children enjoyed trying their hand at the Frosty the Snowman snowball toss, while others took a turn at the snowball race, perching large Styrofoam snowballs atop big wooden spoons. Everyone was also treated to a pizza lunch later on; 15 boxes worth.
This was the organization’s kindergarten to fifth-grade party; the older kids through high school were scheduled to hold an evening event later in the week at the Community Church’s teen equipped youth center, Commotion.
In the past, gifts were handed out by Santa at the Christmas party, but a few years ago they decided to instead allow parents to select two or three gifts per child from the Youth Guidance Toy Shop, which this year produced 450 gifts. That way, children will have something to unwrap on Christmas morning, or whenever the family decides to present the gifts.
“For us this today is all about time spent with the adult mentors and volunteers,” said Barbara Schlitt Ford, Youth Guidance executive director.
As she has done for a number of years, Rebecca Hornbuckle chaired the Christmas Party with friends Cathi Bates and Sandra Rawls. They have it down to a science now, preparing the various components for each of the crafts and placing them into baggies ahead of time.
“It cuts down on waste and it makes it easier in a two-hour period to get the crafts done,” explained Hornbuckle. “We’re trying every year to make it better and better.”
About a dozen students from Saint Edward’s school seemed to be having almost as much fun as the younger kids. “It’s a good group,” said Lara Drondoski, explaining that they were volunteering at the event as a senior class project.
“This is a great place to get a kid for Christmas!” exclaimed Carol Cooney. “A little youth in your life is good; it makes you forget your aches and pains.”
To learn more about mentoring or volunteering, call 772-226-3092 or visit www.ircyouth.com.
