At its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 30, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Robert Rickman’s proposals to provide dedicated District 5 Funds to several programs serving communities throughout the county.
Among them is Escalon’s Senior Fun Bunch, an organization that originally began in 2019.
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch will receive $5,079 to cover program costs for efforts creating a social support network and a culture of belonging, promoting good health and providing valuable and pertinent information to seniors, with the goal of improving the participant’s quality of life. The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch is an independently managed ministry of Saron Lutheran Church of Escalon, a nonprofit formed in 2019 to support and empower the senior population of Escalon through social events and education, with over 200 active members and increasing interest and participation. There are no fees charged to seniors to participate.
With a regular gathering on the third Wednesday of each month, hosted at the Escalon Community Center, this month’s event on July 15 will celebrate the Red, White and Blue in observance of America’s 250th birthday. Those attending are encouraged to wear red, white and blue attire. Guest speakers will be the McHenry Mansion Museum Merry Maids and Hannah Brady from the Senior Advocate Network. Entertainment will be provided by the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Singers and the July 15 gathering runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., with fun, refreshments and prizes all being planned.
Other recipients approved for the District 5 funding by the county board offer a variety of programs and services.
Aaria’s Blue Elephant will receive $10,702 to cover costs for program equipment and materials that will further their abilities to serve their neurodivergent participants. Aaria’s Blue Elephant is a nonprofit organization dedicated to neuro-inclusion, fostering inclusive events, promoting early intervention, and building a compassionate community through shared experiences, creating non-judgmental spaces where every child is celebrated for exactly who they are. The organization works to fill a critical gap in developmental needs by providing specialized, sensory-safe social and educational workshops for neurodiverse youth.
One Church Ripon will receive $15,000 to replace outdated equipment and acquire additional technology, allowing them to enhance program quality, expand capacity, and reach more students.
The Ripon Chamber of Commerce will receive $2,519 to acquire decorative lighting to enhance the appearance of Main Street, creating a more inviting atmosphere as well as increasing safety, encouraging visitors to spend more time downtown supporting local businesses, boosting the local economy.
The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce will receive $3,000 to use towards 15 billboards buys in outreach efforts for the Standing Together Against All Regional Theft (STAART) initiative furthering awareness and encouraging business and community participation. STAART is an initiative launched by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and County support, to combat retail theft and improve community safety in San Joaquin County.
Tracy Interfaith Ministries will receive $20,000 to replace their 20-year-old swamp cooler with two new swamp coolers to help maintain a suitable workspace and lessen the strain on their refrigerated areas. Tracy Interfaith Ministries is a nonprofit volunteer-run organization based in Tracy that provides food, clothing, and assistance to low-income and homeless families and individuals.
“Great communities are built one partnership at a time. By investing in organizations that support our children, care for our seniors, strengthen families, enhance public safety, and serve our neighbors, we’re making an investment in the future of San Joaquin County,” said Supervisor Rickman.
