ChildHelp IE Welcomes New Leadership

The Inland Empire Chapter of Childhelp installed their 2015-2016 Executive Board on Wednesday, June 17, at the Arrowhead Country Club in San Bernardino. Special guest San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos, who is also the San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor, performed the installation. "I am very thankful Childhelp invited me to be a part of their Installation Ceremony," said Chairman Ramos. "Childhelp is a great organization that is dedicated to helping children who suffer from abuse and neglect." The incoming board includes Annette Winn, President; Jill Robbins, Vice President; Peggy Brier, Treasurer; Barbara Ehlers, Recording Secretary; Karol Mason, VP; Fundraising; Jo Ann Von Wald, Membership Chair; Addie Collins, Parliamentarian; Barbara Katzka, Chaplain; Debbie Ashbrook, Corresponding Secretary; Angie Wheeler, Historian; Kathy Hyland, Village Liaison (for the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont); Gail Mummery, Hospitality & Altruistic Chair; and Clare Van Loon, Education & Awareness Chair/Newsletter. Robbins Ashbrook, and Mummery all reside in San Bernardino. Winn, Katzka, Collins and Wheeler are residents of Highland. The chapter began in 1980 at the Redlands home of former San Bernardino County Supervisor Barbara Riordan, who recently reminisced about that meeting. “I don’t really know how many attended, but it was a house full!” The meeting was called to address the problem of child abuse and neglect in the Inland Empire, and an estimated 150 came – nearly four times the expected number. The chapter currently has 50 members throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and supports Childhelp and its many programs. In September of 2013, the chapter coordinated with the Redlands Council of PTA’s to bring a representative from the Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe anti-bullying and child abuse prevention curriculum to speak to the Council. Later that year, RUSD Superintendent Lori Rhodes, acting on the request of a district parent familiar with the program, met with Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jon Best to discuss implementing a pilot program of the curriculum. Seven schools in the district successfully completed the sessions over the past school year: Franklin, Lugonia, McKinley, Mentone, and Mission Elementary Schools, and Beattie and Clement Middle Schools. The program has made such a positive impact that it will continue next year. “Not only will it continue, but I plan to expand it,” stated Best. The RUSD pioneered the program in the Inland Empire, and their initiative spurred the San Bernardino City USD to follow suit. The RUSD pilot program also gained the attention and admiration of the Western Region Coordinating Council, which represents coordinates all Childhelp chapters in California, Arizona, and Utah. The chapter also holds annual fundraisers to support the many programs of Childhelp, such as the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont and the Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe abuse prevention curriculum. One popular new effort is the Strike Out Child Abuse bowling event, held around St. Patrick’s Day. This March will be the third annual bowling day. This year’s main fundraiser will be a Forest of Hope, a gala affair with special entertainment, raffle prizes, and the chance to win one of several elaborately decorated artificial Christmas trees. Local notables such as U.S. Congressman Pete Aguilar, which represents parts of San Bernardino, have emceed the event. This year’s Forest of Hope is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21. The emcee and entertainment are to be decided. Monthly meetings of the chapter take place on the third Wednesday of each month, at the Arrowhead Country Club, and all are welcome.