2016 Christmas Chalk Walk

Aliso Viejo, Calif. -- The Laguna Niguel Stake hosted its third annual free community event, A Christmas Chalk Walk, on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 16 and 17) evenings.

Over 150 various artists participated in the event who ranged from young children to professionals that flew in from as far as Mexico and Canada. Artists began creating their masterpieces on Thursday and Friday while battling the rain. The skies cleared and the heavens opened Friday afternoon in time for the open house. 

The parking lot was full of Christmas magic as visitors meandered through the colorful displays of holiday whimsy. Guests were treated with hot chocolate to warm their spirits, fresh cinnamon rolls and pizza to please their bellies and festive music to delight their ears as they enjoyed the sights. 

A live nativity was presented to the patrons of the event as young men and women from the Laguna Niguel Stake portrayed the spectacular event of the coming of Jesus Christ. 

Event organizer and director of activities for the Laguna Niguel Stake, Kristen Kamerman remarked, "The artists have such a passion for doing this and find joy in sharing their talent. " 

Kamerman was supported by her "Dream Team" who helped with donations (Big Air, Nothing Bundt Cake, JimBoy's Tacos, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Sapphire Restaurant) volunteers, baking, cleaning, musicians, nativity cast and so much more to make A Christmas Chalk Walk a memorable tradition. 

Seven Boy Scouts Earn Eagle Award

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Seven young men from Troop 77 of Laguna Niguel were honored with Boy Scouts of America’s top award of Eagle Scout, Saturday (October 15) night.

Chad Ames, Thomas Blackwelder, Luke Hamilton (not in attendance due to serving an LDS mission in Bentonville, Arkansas), Blake Hawkins, Ethan Hoopes, Ethan McBride and Luke Myer were recognized at a Court of Honor at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Laguna Niguel Stake Center. The Court of Honor included a beautiful rendition of The National Anthem performed by Maddie Vance, along with a presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance by Troop 77 and led by Senior Patrol Leader, Darin Patel.

A slide show of the newest Eagles Scouts’ experiences during their years in Boy Scouts was presented to the audience of more than 100, along with an invitation to the Eagles Nest where Eagle Scouts in the audience were invited to stand up and share when and where they earned the award.

The honorees were bestowed the award of Eagle by Scout Master, Brian Hawkins which was followed by remarks by each new Eagle Scout of their favorite scouting memories and an introduction of their Scout Mentor. 

“I love baseball, I love my family, I love church, I love school and I love scouting,” reflected Eagle Scout, Ethan Hoopes.

That sentiment was felt throughout the night as the Eagle Scouts talked about their memories, their extensive Eagle Scout projects and their characters that have been shaped during the years in Boys Scouts of America.

The ceremony concluded with remarks by Bishop Troy Simmons and the retiring of colors by Troop 77.

The audience was treated to a reception with refreshments and tables that represented the Eagle Scouts with mementos, photos and displays of personality.

A highlight of the event included a five-table exhibit of Boy Scouts of America memorabilia dating back to the beginning of scouting, by Laguna Niguel Stake Scout Leader, Roger Miller. 

Congratulations to the seven new Eagle Scouts and their families. 

Laguna Niguel Stake Hoedown

Laguna Hills, Calif. – Howdy partner, the Laguna Niguel Stake Hoedown sure was a charmer. Folks were treated to good grub and all the fixins, fancy treats, games for all ages, mechanical bull, dancin’, and a show!

Nearly 1,000 stake members, family, friends, neighbors and surrounding communities enjoyed the afternoon and evening Saturday (October 8) at the Laguna Hills Community Center park celebrating in clean old-fashioned fun.

Stake Activities Director, Kristen Kamerman reflected, “Everyone came together and helped to give us an opportunity to unite the stake, reach out into the community as a beacon and have the light of Christ.”

Party-goers were treated to Sweet Lou’s BBQ savory pulled pork and chicken sandwiches along with beautifully delicious cupcakes provided by event guests. There was plenty to wet your whistle during the warm evening with water, lemonade and quenching watermelon.

Wards (congregations) competed in a relay match-up racing wheelbarrows, potato sack hopping, rolling pumpkins and a three-legged race. The mechanical bull was in full-force for the entire evening while children and adults displayed their prowess on the metal stag.

“The Stake BBQ was so perfect. Raising our family here (in a “big city”) has its advantages, but I miss many of the things I did as a child in a small town. The BBQ had those same wonderful feelings ---a safe, fun environment where I felt part of an extraordinary gathering,” expressed Jami Ward, stake member.

The evening continued with entertainment on the greenbelt. The crowd got on their feet doing the hokey pokey, that heralded into line dancing lead by professional caller, Vickie Jackson. Children and adults alike enjoyed dancing the night away with tunes expertly spun by DJ, Bruce Chang.

Laguna Niguel Stake President, mechanical bull rider and line dancer Robert Davis remarked, “Absolute grand slam. This event appealed to everyone.”

“Everybody thought the afternoon was wonderful. The location allowed for several different activities to be ongoing at the same time. The children were considered in the activities and more than adequately entertained and provided for,” raved stake member Dean Owens.

Attendees were invited to contribute to a school-supplies donation drive that will benefit school children affected by the floods in Louisiana along with local outreach programs.

Missionaries, serving in the California Irvine Mission and assigned to the Laguna Niguel Stake, assisted in facilitating a service booth where guests had the opportunity to make sleeping mats for the homeless. The mats are woven together using plastic shopping bags to create a beautiful crocheted looking mat that can provide comfort and is easy to care for.

The night was capped off with a movie under the stars as giggles and laughs filled the park watching the computer-animated comedy, Barnyard.

Kamerman along with high councilor, Walt Hick, and their “dream team” presented the community and stake with an event to remember. Reah-Ann Nobleza, Scott Flora, Bruce Chang, Patty Mackin, Bryan Thacker, Paige Flora, Kristy Rich, Kimberly Pearson, Jeff McPherson, the Laguna Niguel Stake Presidency and their wives on food service, countless stake members with food donations and every participant at the Hoedown contributed to a spectacular and joyful evening. 

Stop Hunger Now

April 30, 2016

 Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Last Saturday, over 750 local volunteers gathered to sort, prep and pack over 100,000 nutritious meals to be sent to school feeding programs in 65 countries around the world. The Stop Hunger Now national organization (stophungernow.com) and its local chapter organized the event which was sponsored by a local church congregation and community.

“By providing meals for school feeding programs children stay in school which helps bring up literacy rates and break the cycle of poverty and end hunger,” remarked Ryan Ponds of Stop Hunger Now.

 The local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints known as the Laguna Niguel Stake hosted the volunteer packing event at its Aliso Viejo chapel. The Church identified the project via its JustServe Helping Hands platform (justserve.org) which matches faith, non-profit, community and governmental organizations that need volunteers willing to help.

“Millions of men, women and children in this world go hungry every day and we wanted to do something about it,” reflected Jenna Harline, Assistant Director of Interfaith Relations for the Laguna Niguel Stake and local organizer of the event.

Church members and general members of the community also raised over $30,000 dollars to fund the components of the meals that were packaged. Each meal cost 29 cents to develop, apart from the volunteer labor to assemble and pack for shipment. The project’s goal was to package at least 75,000 and that goal was surpassed by more than 25,000 meals.

“This is a fantastic example for the whole community and surrounding cities. The families that are here are really learning a great lesson from the church,” observed Ross Chun, Aliso Viejo City Councilman.

It took the volunteers under six hours to package all of the meals. Every time they reached 1,000 meals a gong was hit and the crowd cheered. The event provided everyone a chance to serve as volunteers ranged in age from two to 92. 

“There is such a great feeling here today. As you look around, there is a part for everyone in this process of building these meals. We are grateful for all who have joined us today,” Robert Davis, Laguna Niguel Stake President.

 “The best thing about this JustServe project is seeing a community come together to make a difference and be excited about it,” Jenna Harline, event organizer.