Canyon Lake: Upcoming parties will raise money to help kids

Two fundraiser parties, one for children and one for adults, are being sponsored by Canyon Lakers and former Canyon Lakers to help children.

'First Candle' fundraiser at Pump It Up

The first “party,” specifically designed for children and their parents, will be held Thursday, April 17, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., and Friday, April 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 6 to 8:30 p.m. at “Pump it Up,” the inflatable party zone at 41785 Elm St., Ste. 203, in Murrieta.

Sponsored by Pump it Up and the Hanna family in memory of Jackson Fischer Hanna, who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the fundraiser will benefit First Candle SIDS Research (sidsalliance.org).

According to Jackson’s mother, Jamie Hanna, the admission donation of $10 per child will provide unlimited play in both arenas in addition to pizza and drinks. Because space is limited, prepaid reservations are required by calling 677-1933.

Jamie and her husband Mark lost their baby to SIDS in July 2006 when he was three months old. They were Canyon Lake residents at the time and held a private memorial. Since recently moving to Temecula, Jamie remains active with Canyon Lake Mommy and Me. Although Jackson’s loss is still an emotional memory, she says the family wants to commemorate what would have been his 2nd birthday with a special party for parents and children to benefit SIDS research.

'Cam Power West' at Pala Casino

The second party will benefit a little girl who lives nowhere near Canyon Lake but is sponsored by family members here who love her dearly. The little girl, Cameron Diamond, is the niece of Gil and Diane Guillen.

Gil and Diane lived in Canyon Lake almost 20 years and made Cameron’s plight known to their many friends and neighbors when she was diagnosed with leukemia soon after her birth in April 2000. Over the years, Cameron has faced one medical emergency after another, but she now faces the biggest challenge of all – a lung transplant.

To support her family while they are staying with Cameron in the ICU unit of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Gil and Diane, as well as Canyon Lakers Jim and Jen Ayres (Gil and Diane’s daughter) and Keith Ayers are hosting “Cam Power West,” a dinner and auction, at the Pala Resort and Casino on Saturday, April 19. The silent auction begins at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:30.

At a cost of $75 per person, the party will feature dinner, live entertainment and dancing and a live and silent auction of over 50 items, including a guitar signed by all the band members of Maroon 5. Only 200 spots are available at the party; make reservations by April 4 by calling Diane Guillen at 909-815-6240. Diane says they are seeking additional items for the auction and drawing and would welcome a call about those, too. Those who can’t come to the party can make a monetary donation at http://www.camerondiamond.org/help.html.

Two fundraisers at Monteleone Meadows

The owners of Monteleone Meadows were so moved by the story of young Mackenzie Monteleone (no relation to the family) and the damage to her brain caused in a golf cart accident last November, they offered their grounds for a fundraising event on May 3. It will be called the “Pink Tie Affair.”

Mackenzie’s family used to live in Canyon Lake. The injuries she sustained left her in a persistent vegetative state and family members continue to seek new avenues of treatment, leading them to obtain stem cell injections at a clinic in China for a cost of $25,000. The trip to do that is scheduled for June.

Among the many things planned for the “Pink Tie Affair” is a silent auction. Individuals or businesses who would like to donate items or services would be greatly appreciated. The event is open to the public and will be held Saturday, May 3, from 4 to 10 p.m. For more information or to make a donation, call April Kling at 244-0938 or aprilkling@verizon.net.

Six Canyon Lake kids will be recipients of camp scholarships from Community Outreach Ministry at an inaugural fundraiser luncheon at Monteleone Meadows in Murrieta on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. Youngsters will speak at the luncheon about their opportunity for a life-changing experience. The cost is $20 and proceeds from the benefit luncheon will provide “solutions, opportunities and scholarships” (SOS) for at-risk kids.

During the luncheon, Lovee’s Bridal of Temecula will have top-of-the-line designer dresses for special occasions for sale at low prices, with all proceeds benefiting SOS. Lori Stone-Rubin with the Riverside County Board of Supervisors will be a special speaker. There will also be drawings and door prizes.

Donations and sponsorships can be sent to Community Outreach Ministry, 23905 Clinton Keith, Suite 116, Wildomar, CA, 92595. For more information contact Mona Davies at 698-7650 or info@communityoutreachministry.org.