RE: ATWATER’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Dear Atwater Village,

In 1991 a small group of local residents and business owners started one of Atwater’s most cherished event… the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Since its inception the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) was proudly the leading community group organizing and paying for this yearly event. As the years passed this Atwater tradition grew and other community groups joined in the effort. Today, the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is an event that belongs and is enjoyed by the whole community.

A lot has changed since 1991. Our “Charily Brown” red wood pine tree has grown over 80 feet tall. This has added to the overall cost to decorate and light it each year. In addition, the City no longer installs our decorations / lights for free as they did for so many years, forcing the hire of a private contractor.  The event attendance has also grown, adding the need for chairs, tables, a stage, sound system and so on.

What hasn’t changed is the need for funding and volunteers. In recent years Atwater’s Neighborhood Council (AVNC) has provided the lion’s share of funding to decorate and light our tree. We appreciate the AVNC’s funding for this event and we hope they continue to do so. On the volunteer front we continue to rely on individuals that give their time selflessly so others can enjoy this event. In addition, a core-group of volunteers that would comprise the Tree Lighting Committee is also needed to “rally-the-troops” and make sure the event is a successful one.

These past years we had Alex Ventura, Dana Schwartz and Luis Lopez (and other volunteers) to thank for keeping this wonderful event going and for last year’s incredible tree lights/decorations; the best yet. We thank them for their years of service.

The time has come for a new crop of Villagers to take the lead. As such the AVNC is organizing a new Tree Lighting Committee. We urge you to join it and even lead it if you think you have the moxie for it. Spearheading this event can be difficult and it is not without obstacles. However, the satisfaction and community pride one feels afterward is reward enough. Don’t give it a 2nd thought, join the Tree Lighting Committee and make a difference.

To join please attend the next AVNC Board Meeting:

AVNC Board Meeting

Thursday, August 14th, 2014 – 7pm

3852 Edenhurst Avenue (Christ’s Church at Griffith Park)

 

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce

THE WINNER OF THE ATWATER VILLAGER OF THE YEAR IS ….

Assemblymember Mike Gatto (left), Honoree Bruce Fleenor (center) and Chamber V.P. Alex Ventura (right)

Assemblymember Mike Gatto (left), Honoree Bruce Fleenor (center) and Chamber V.P. Alex Ventura (right)

Atwater Village, CA: Bruce Fleenor, local volunteer and the pastor of Christ’s Church at Griffith Park (a local church located in Central Atwater) is the winner of the Atwater Villager of the Year for 2014.

This annual award, determined by community nominations and presented annually by the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce, is for someone “whose noteworthy good deeds has served to preserve the uniqueness of our community or improved those areas that needed improvement.”

As pastor at Christ’s Church, since 2006, it was Bruce’s idea to open up his church to Atwater’s civic, educational and self-help groups. Recognizing the lack of adequate meeting spaces Bruce has actively welcomed the use of the church building for community meetings, voting and other events. All free of charge to the community and the organizations that use the space. Groups that benefit from Bruce’s hospitality include Atwater’s Neighborhood Council, Residents Association, Urban Homeschoolers, Overeaters Anonymous and other local groups.

He also is a gifted pastor and teacher that serves the spiritual needs of our community. With Bruce, what you see is what you get.  He is a real and straight-shooting pastor that is known for his openness and honesty. As pastor and teacher he does his homework, is quick to share his knowledge and rarely pulls the "scholar card”. 

While not at Church he works to help local youth reach their full potential as a basketball coach at Chevy Chase Rec Center. Coaching is close to his heart, as evidenced by the many hours each year he puts in coaching basketball.

Bruce grew up in Morro Bay and graduated from Hope International University in Fullerton. He’s been married 27 years to his wife Tanya Fleenor and has two wonderful kids, one cat, one dog, and one foster-dog. 

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A heartfelt Thank You to Bruce Fleenor for his dedication to Atwater Village, keep up the good work!

Sincerely, Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce