Helpful Honda Reps Visit Grand Terrace

GRAND TERRACE >> During a five-week summer camp program funded by the City of Grand Terrace, Grand Terrace mayor Darcy McNaboe, the San Bernardino County Sheriff and the Helpful Honda People came to visit. The city selected The REC Center to oversee the program. The REC Center is a nonprofit organization established to enrich communities by providing recreation, education and creative arts programs, especially in communities with limited resources. This year, the center had the opportunity to serve the youth of the community thanks to a grant by the City of Grand Terrace. This grant allowed them to serve 65 to 80 kids per week at Richard Rollins Park in Grand Terrace. After a post on Facebook received numerous "likes" and comments, the Helpful Honda People responded by showing up unannounced and providing free ice cream to all the campers on the last day of the camp as a part of their Random Acts of Kindness. They also visited Grand Terrace Daycare and Grand Terrace High School Band Camp to provide frozen treats to all of those involved. The summer camp, which ran June 20 through July 22, focused on recreation, education and creative arts. Each child also received specialized training in an enrichment class of their choice: cheer, sports, STEM, art or theater. In addition, the center had a group of middle school students who participated in the teen leadership camp and high school students who volunteered or were employed as youth counselors. Shelly Hernandez, a parent whose daughter attended the camp, said in a press release the camp was a godsend. "Experience is so important and my daughter has come home every day with a good story of what she's learned each day and throughout the week," Hernandez said. "She has made new friends and and learned new skills. Every week of this program has brought a new adventure for her and I am just so thankful that this was available to our community this year." Lunch was provided daily by the Colton Joint Unified School District summer nutrition program for the first three weeks, then by the City of Grand Terrace Child Care Services for the final two weeks. "I personally am extremely grateful and overwhelmed by the success of this program," said Jennifer Araiza, executive director of The REC Center, in a press release. "We have worked diligently for the last few years to get to this point. This truly is the ultimate example of commUNITY. So many organizations and individuals were involved in making this possible for our youth. Thank you to the City of Grand Terrace, CJUSD, Terrace Hills Middle School, the City of Grand Terrace Child Care, The REC Center Board, staff and volunteers, San Bernardino County Sheriff and Fire Departments, Helpful Honda People, United Rentals, 3Ring Creative, Inkling STEM, local businesses, parents and especially local youth for making the investment into the future of our community."