LOV NEWS
LOV’s 2024 Planning Retreat – Preparing for the Future!
Monday February 10, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
On Saturday, February 1st, LOV board members, staff, and key volunteers gathered for our annual planning retreat, focusing on strengthening programs, enhancing fundraising efforts, and expanding community outreach. 📌 Highlights: ✅ Reviewed current programs & fundraisers, identifying opportunities for growth ✅ Introduced new initiatives, including a Halloween event and clothing drive ✅ Discussed future fundraising strategies, including Bingo enhancements & sponsorships ✅ Strengthened our community engagement plan, ensuring a greater presence at local events This retreat set the stage for an impactful year ahead, ensuring LOV continues to grow and serve the community effectively. Thank you to everyone who participated—we’re excited for what’s ahead in 2025! 💙🌟
Holiday Toy Drive 2024 – A Huge Success!
Thursday January 23, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, LOV’s 2024 Holiday Toy Drive brought joy to children across Fremont, Newark, and Union City! 🎁 Toys Requested: 7,843 🎁 Toys Received: 4,450 🎁 Toys Distributed: 4,322 to 22 local agencies & Adopt-A-Family recipients With the help of businesses, community groups, and individual donors, we fulfilled over 87% of toy requests—ensuring thousands of children had a brighter holiday season. While we prioritized smaller agencies with specific family needs, even our largest requesters received hundreds of gifts. As we look ahead to next year, we aim to expand collection efforts to ensure we can meet the growing demand—especially for teens and infants, our most difficult age groups to fill. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Tri-City children! 🌟 If you’d like to get involved in future drives, please contact lov@lov.org. 🎄✨
Adopt-A-Family 2024 – Spreading Holiday Joy!
Tuesday January 7, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Through the generosity of our community, 130 families were matched with Adopters, sponsors, or received gift cards, ensuring they had a joyful holiday season. Every family also received a turkey donated by Costco Newark along with a holiday food box filled with all the trimmings. Adding a special touch of warmth, The Piecemakers Quilt Guild donated beautiful handmade quilts, and talented community members provided crocheted afghans—bringing comfort and joy to local families in need. We loved seeing the smiling faces of those who might not have been able to celebrate otherwise. Thank you to everyone who made this season brighter with your kindness and generosity! ❤️🎄
Thanksgiving Community Meal 2024 – A Heartwarming Success!
Tuesday December 3, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Thanks to our incredible volunteers and generous donors, LOV’s 2024 Thanksgiving Community Meal was a day filled with delicious food, smiling faces, and community spirit! Together, we provided a warm holiday meal to thousands in need across Fremont, Newark, and Union City. 🥘 Total Meals Served: ~3,140 🦃 Turkeys Cooked: 275 🙌 Volunteers: 500+ ⏳ Volunteer Hours: Over 1,400 From homebound meal deliveries to a beautiful sit-down dinner at Newark Pavilion, this event wouldn’t have been possible without our community’s support. Leftover food was donated to local homeless camps, ensuring nothing went to waste. Special Thanks to Our Generous Donors: ❤️ Newark Pavilion, Swiss Park, Salvation Army Tri-Cities, Arctic Glacier, Fremont Grocery Outlet, Sysco, Fremont Bank Foundation, and many more! 💛 We are grateful for everyone who helped make Thanksgiving special, and we look forward to celebrating with you again in 2025!
LOV’s 2024 Summer Recreation Program: A Huge Success!
Monday August 5, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
The League of Volunteers’ (LOV) 2024 Summer Recreation Program was a resounding success, continuing its tradition of excellence in providing enriching experiences for local youth. With over 175 campers each week, the program offered a wide range of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, and educational presentations from Alameda County Fire, Newark PD, and Fremont Recycling. This year, our LOV staff and more than 20 dedicated teen volunteers, along with numerous parent volunteers, were instrumental in making the program a success. Their commitment, combined with a generous grant from the City of Newark and support from our community partners, helped keep registration fees accessible at just $10 per week. Feedback from both campers and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring LOV’s deep commitment to community service and youth empowerment. Here’s a heartfelt message from a community member who lives near Mayhews Landing Park: “I live across the street from Mayhews Landing Park, and this summer program has been incredible! Even after just three days, it’s clear that there are more children participating than ever before, and the number of helpers is impressive! The variety of activities keeps kids of all ages engaged all day long. My congratulations to everyone involved this year. I’m sure the entire summer will be a success!” – Joyce Allen
Casino Night 2024: Fiesta Fantastica Recap - RAISED $13,600
Monday May 6, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Our second annual Casino Night, Fiesta Fantastica, was a smashing success! We didn’t think it could top last year’s event, but with piñatas, tacos, karaoke, casino games, a silent auction, raffles, and a photo booth, the night was filled with excitement and fun. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported, contributed, volunteered, and attended. We were honored to have several distinguished guests, including: • Alex Lee - 24th District Assemblymember • Mike Bucci - Newark City Councilmember • Sucy Collazo - Newark City Councilmember • Matthew Jorgens - Newark City Councilmember • Eugene Baranowski - Co-Founder of LOV This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: • Fremont Bank Foundation • Toni Diane Souza • Shirley Sisk • Larry & Ramona McMaster • Tri-City Voice • Aces Up Casino Parties • Swiss Park • Lion Center • Nefab A special thank you also goes out to our dedicated volunteers, silent auction donors, and everyone else who made this night one to remember!Stay tuned for information about our 2025 Casino night. We’ll announce the theme soon!
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Holiday Toy Drive 2023
Monday January 8, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Join us in celebrating the success of our recent Toy Drive! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to deliver 4,322 toys to 22 agencies in need. With 4,450 usable toys received, we ensured that countless children experienced the joy of the holiday season. Despite challenges, we were able to make a meaningful impact, with 128 toys remaining for future initiatives. A huge thank you to all who contributed to making this possible!
Adopt-A-Family 2023
Monday January 8, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Join us in celebrating the success of our recent Toy Drive! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to deliver 4,322 toys to 22 agencies in need. With 4,450 usable toys received, we ensured that countless children experienced the joy of the holiday season. Despite challenges, we were able to make a meaningful impact, with 128 toys remaining for future initiatives. A huge thank you to all who contributed to making this possible!
Holiday Food Drive 2023
Monday January 8, 2024 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
Appreciation goes out to all who contributed to LOV's Holiday Food Collection! Your generous donations enabled us to sustain our Holiday Meal and Emergency Food Pantry initiatives. It's essential to recognize that hunger persists beyond the holiday season. If you're considering organizing a food collection event, reach out to us for more information. We offer food barrels, signage, and pickup services to support your efforts.
Thanksgiving Day Celebration 2023
Monday December 4, 2023 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
LOV's Traditional Thanksgiving Meal made a triumphant return in 2023 at the Newark Pavilion, spreading joy and nourishment throughout the community. Over 3000 meals were lovingly served, either enjoyed on-site or delivered to local residents who are homebound, ensuring that everyone could partake in the spirit of the holiday. This incredible feat wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of 425+ volunteers, who collectively contributed over 1500 hours of their time. Their selflessness and hard work epitomize the spirit of giving that defines LOV. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our community sponsors. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Fremont Bank Foundation, Newark Pavilion, Newark Salvation Army, Sysco, Fremont Grocery Outlet, Nefab, Swiss Park Bar & Grille, The Loin Food Center, Newark Rotary, Tri-City Voice, Penske, Arctic Glacier, The Badella Family, Musiconnection, and many others whose contributions made this event a resounding success. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Summer Recreation 2023
Monday August 7, 2023 by Jodie Aquino-Sisk
In 2023, League of Volunteers' (LOV) Summer Rec Program continued its tradition of excellence, providing enriching experiences for local youth. With over 500 campers, the program offered diverse activities including sports, arts and crafts, and educational presentations from Alameda County Fire, Newark PD, and Fremont Recycling. The program remained accessible with a nominal registration fee, thanks to dedicated volunteers and support from partners. Feedback from campers and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing LOV's commitment to community service and youth empowerment. The program was started in 1983 by Donna Sisk, who recognized a need in the community. With both parents working, “Latch-Key Kids” needed a place to go during the summer. Though it has evolved, her vision has continued to positively impact countless lives over the years.
LOV Bingo "Where Everyone Knows Your Name"
Tuesday January 3, 2023 by Brooklyn Sisk
Having just celebrated 40 years since opening, LOV Bingo remains a memorable part of Newark History, having established support from generations of families in the tri city area since the start at Muller School to now at Swiss Park. LOV Bingo has had its ups and downs being one of the smallest bingo halls in the area, but through continuous support from our cherished community we have pushed through. Surprisingly, this is the first article ever being published about LOV Bingo, so it is hard to manage thanking the hundreds of people who have worked to make LOV Bingo what it is today in half a page. Nevertheless, LOV would like to honor the countless individuals who have chosen LOV Bingo over all the other larger halls on Monday nights. The gratitude felt for each of you who have given us words of encouragement, donations, funding, and love will forever remain the backbone to this organization. LOV Bingo Manager Donna Sisk even states "we're a small, hometown bingo" that wants to give thanks to "all the loyal customers" who have helped keep us open during the worst and best of times. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you have and will continue to do for LOV Bingo! LOV Bingo has done so much to support the community, and often is never recognized. To show you how much it has done over the years, let's look at the bingo card! Each spot on this bingo card represents an event that was funded by LOV Bingo in the tri city area, that was often met with overwhelming amounts of support from the community.