Page 5 - Dinuba Sentinel 12-13-18 E-edition

The Dinuba Sentinel
Community
Thursday, December 13, 2018 | A5
Parade
Entertainment Plaza. Parade winners will be awarded at the entertainment plaza and entertainment will be provided by the Dinuba High School Band and the Monson- Sultana Choir. Refreshments will also be available.
The only difference between Saturday’s celebration and the
Her platform motto, "Dream Big", is now the name of the care bag program. Inside of each bag is a "Dream Big" shirt, along with a toiletry bag, a blanket, a journal, books, and even stuffed animals for the young children. Menard wants every foster child to feel as loved as she did when she went through the system.
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originally scheduled will be the tree lighting ceremony. Tapia said the tree was on a timer and has been lit ever since Dec. 1, when the tree was originally scheduled to have its tree lighting ceremony.
According to Tapia, Saturday’s parade will go on rain or shine.
Dream
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her new title to speak on the subject wherever she was called out to. It started first at her church, then Pro Youth, Dinuba Youth Football, the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce. She would hand out flyers to people when she was invited to events.
Soon donations were pouring in Menard was able to raise over $5,000 from
future,” said Boyd.
According to Menard, one other item that will
be included in the care bags will be letter to the child, reminding them that their past, or present, situation does not define them and encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
various groups, organizations and individuals from throughout the community. Pro Youth was so moved by her efforts, they donated $1,000 to the cause. Others who donated were Grace of God of Dinuba, Dawnings Pregnancy Center, Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Dinuba Nazarene Church, Dinuba Youth Football and individuals like Dr. Kuldip Thusu and Kerri Pomarolli, to name a few.
“I had the amazing opportunity to be placed in an amazing home where I can grow. And so are they, and they have the choice like I did.”
— Audrey Menard 2018 Miss Dinuba
“I had the amazing opportunity to be placed in an amazing home where I can grow,” said Menard. “And so are they, and they have the choice like I did.”
The bags were distributed this week to two foster agencies in Tulare County, Golden State Family Services and Legacy Family Services. Though there are many foster agencies in the county, Boyd said these two agencies were selected because they were in the greatest need of such supplies.
The Dream Big care bag program has received overwhelming support from throughout the community, says Boyd. Many have asked if the program will continue to be an ongoing thing. As for now, Boyd said it may continue as a seasonal event, assuming the needs and the support remain. She said she has also been in contact with a local t-shirt printer who says he can get the shirts and bags at lower prices, translating to more care bags. “If we could do more,” added Boyd. “That would
be fantastic.”
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Christmas is Coming!
The Reedley Exponent & Dinuba Sentinel
WILL BE CLOSED
Dec. 25 & Jan. 1
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For the Christmas Issue of the Reedley Exponent
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Helping pack the bags was
Pastor Nancy Boyd, who raised Menard since she was just a child.
Boyd said Audrey was just six-months old when she first came to her. Her mother came along at the time as she was trying to battle through substance abuse. But by the time Menard was four her mother had relapsed again, and that was when her step-father dropped her off at the Boyd’s, her few possessions in a garbage bag.
“Kid’s parent’s choices should not limit their
On Friday, 2018 Miss Dinuba Audrey Menard, with the help of members from her church Grace of God of Dinuba, packed over 100 care bags that were to be distributed to two foster care agencies in Tulare County.
Menard wants children in foster care to look beyond their current circumstances and think of the future.
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