Dear Lions, Friends and Family,
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to share an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and teachers at Bethel School in Hopewell, Jamaica.
We have embarked on the Jamaica School Supplies Project, a heartfelt initiative to provide essential educational resources to this wonderful school. Our goal is to equip 660 students and their teachers with the tools they need to enhance their learning environment, inspire creativity, and improve academic outcomes.
Why Bethel School?
Bethel School serves a diverse group of children who face challenges accessing basic school supplies and modern learning tools. These shortages hinder their ability to achieve their full potential. By supporting this project, you can help bridge the gap and open doors to brighter futures for these young learners.
What Are We Collecting?
We’re seeking donations to provide:
- Books and Reading Materials: Storybooks, educational resources, and literacy tools, with a special focus on Caribbean and African stories.
- School Supplies: Pencils, crayons, notebooks, markers, glue, and rulers.
- Technology: Tablets, projectors, smart boards, flat-screen TVs, and printers.
- Classroom Tools: Jolly Phonics kits, math manipulatives, and educational games.
- Creative Arts Supplies: Paints, craft materials, paper, and more to foster artistic expression.
How You Can Help
We are calling on your generosity to support this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:
Monetary Donations: Your financial support will go directly towards purchasing essential supplies and covering shipping costs.
- Item Contributions: If you’d like to donate specific items from the list above, we’d love to coordinate with you.
- Spreading the Word: Share this message with your network to help us reach even more supporters.
To Make a Donation: Donate or Contact JD 831-295-1633
Every dollar or item donated brings us closer to empowering these students and their educators.
Your support, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting impact on the Bethel School community. Together, we can help create a nurturing and resourceful learning environment that inspires these students to dream big and achieve even bigger.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to give back. Let’s come together to make education a gift that keeps on giving. We are accepting donations now through August 15, 2025.
With gratitude,
jD Dang President, Cabrillo Host Lions jdang88@gmail.com
Project Manager, Books and School Supplies for Bethel School, Hopewell, Jamaica
Donation Hotline: 1-831-295-1633 or
email us at: cabrillohostlions61@gmail.com
Jeena Dang, LEO - Aptos High School, Project Coordinator
Dr. Ken Roberson, Project Director
WWI Monument Centennial Commemoration Ceremony
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, local groups. officials and the public observed a Veterans Day tribute of the WWI Monument at Freedom Boulevard and Soquel Drive in Aptos. It was a Centennial Commemoration ceremony, with presentations by the daughters of the American Revolution, Scouts, Cabrillo Host Lions Club, Second District County Supervisor Zach Friend, and Second District Historic Resources Commissioner Kevin Newhouse.
One hundred years ago, on Christmas, the local chapter of the daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) installed the stone Monument bearing a plaque alongside the Santa Cruz-Watsonville Road to honor the 60 soldiers from Santa Cruz County who perished in The War. It was a wide spot in the road near Aptos that later became nearly buried after the modern Highway One got built, and Santa Cruz-Watsonville Road became known as today's Soquel Drive.
In 2002, a young Scott Evans noticed this WWI Monument, which had become overgrown and all but forgotten. In reading the plaque, he appreciated its significance and felt it should be relocated to a more visible spot, so as not to be forgotten. This great task became his Eagle Scout project, and on April 3, 2002, residents and businesses that included Granite Construction Co., successfully moved the Monument to its present location at the intersection of Freedom Blvd. and Soquel Drive in Aptos.
Scott received many accolades from local civic groups, and a Citizenship Award from DAR. He left the area for college a couple of years later.
By 2010, a young Matt Marani noticed the Monument landscaping needed some work. He took the initiative to work with friends and family to clear the weeds and vines, again making the Monument visible and attractive. Soon, however, Matt went off to college himself, and his family took over the annual weed clearing and brush removal duties to keep the Monument from being forgotten.
In 2018, the Cabrillo Host Lions Club, led by Barbara Chamberlain, did a big clean-up, and adopted the site as a Club Project to maintain. It was Lion Aumao Toalepaialii who declared that the last Saturday morning of each month. the Club would schedule working bees to ensure regular maintenance work got done. Lion Jay Johnson donated concrete work for the pathway renovation to the Monument, and members landscaped and mulched the area to create an attractive garden.
Lions Charlie Ukestad and Tui Aiono trimmed back the overhanging tree branches shrouding the stone Monument. Blew out cobwebs, rid of critters, moths, lichen, fungi and algae in stone cracks and crevices. Removed dirt and debris to expose dates, names of prior caretakers and volunteers embedded on the concrete ground floor. Install the Centennial banner and added US flags with solar-powered lights allowing the flags to remain illuminated 24/7, resembling twinkling stars at night.
The gathering on Veterans Day this year was somber yet powerful in that the effort to honor those who perished in The War has not been forgotten 100 years later. The new flagpole, donated by Matt Marani, was hoisted, and will fly the U.S. Flag on all appropriate holidays. The freedom for which it stands will endure, thanks to Veterans, active service personnel, and many good citizens in our community,
Program Agenda.
1) Ann Fay and Rob Marani...Welcome.
2) Rob Marani and Scouts...Raise the Flag and Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Ann Fay...Introduction of Supervisor Zach Friend.
4) Ann Fay & Priscilla Partridge...About Daughters of American Revolution.
5) Ann Fay, Debbie Brown, and Priscilla Partridge...Read list of names of WWI Santa Cruz County soldiers who perished (60 names).
6) Kevin Newhouse...History of the site...Santa Cruz-Watsonville Road and Rob Roy Junction.
7) Rob Marani...on behalf of Scott Evans, Eagle Scout.
8) Priscilla Partridge ...on behalf of Gina Gallucci, Scott's Mom.
9) Barbara Chamberlain, Valerie Tudor, Janet Sparks, Aumao Toalepaialii, Tui Aiono and Charlie Ukestad...recognize the transition to Cabrillo Host Lions Club caring for the Monument.
10) Ann Fay and Rob Marani...Closing comments. Invite people to take a yellow mum home for a souvenir.
11) Tui Aiono ...play recording of "Taps"
12) Adjourn
