Diaper drive shows love to Childhelp youngsters

Miss Beaumont Brittany Ramos and her court are sponsoring a baby diaper drive to help youngsters at the Childhelp Foster Family Agency based in Redlands and Los Angeles.

There are currently 69 children in Childhelp foster homes.

Brittany and her princesses, Raina Mosley, Ria Reyes, Danielle Martinez and Leah Calvert, are encouraging Pass residents to donate disposable diapers to a worthy cause. The diaper drive ends on Nov. 11.

Packages of diapers may be dropped off weekdays at the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Center, 1310 Oak Valley Parkway (Hours: Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Diaper history

Maybe you’ve spotted the city’s cute “Baby Diaper Drive” logo on flyers showing a baby holding a pacifier and a rattle. It’s a throwback to a bygone era before disposable diapers became the norm.

In the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, diaper services with names like “Dy-Dee Wash” sent their trucks to homes and picked up soiled diapers in special five-gallon containers. They returned later with fresh clean diapers in a sterilized container.

By the 1960s, disposable diapers quickly started replacing cloth diapers as many mothers began working outside the home and youngsters went to daycare.

Today, with Pampers and Huggies readily available, it’s easy to help with our diaper drive!

Community service

Brittany and some of her court recently had dinner at Childhelp and toured the facility. They saw all the deserving children and immediately wanted to get involved with Childhelp.

Miss Beaumont and her court represent the city at many local functions, including the Cherry Festival and the Summer Concert series.

“We hope to get more involved with Childhelp and build an even closer relationship,” said Community Services Manager Eileen Rodriguez. “We are looking for many ways to show our love for the children. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping these babies in need.”

Anyone with questions may call Rodriguez at 951-769-8524.

If you want to become a foster parent or adopt a child through Childhelp, you can contact Jennifer Quinn, director of Childhelp’s Foster Family Agency in Redlands at 909-335-1164 or at jquinn@childhelp.org

Building character with basketball

It’s time to shoot some hoops in the Pass!

Registration is underway for the Beaumont Community Youth Basketball league.

The League, with 350 boys and girls ages five years old through high school, is signing up youngsters right now.

“Our motto is, `Leadership, integrity and community values,’ said League president Roy Mickles. “Basketball teaches teamwork on and off the court, how to overcome adversity and also helps develop a `winning spirit.’”

“You don’t win all the time, but if you do your best, you’ve succeeded.”

Registration details

Early registration can save you $20 per child, officials said.

The early registration fee is $70 per youngster through Friday, Nov. 4. The fee for late registration is $90 per child after the Friday, Nov. 4 deadline.

Registration forms, with a check or money order, should be turned into the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center, 1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, or mailed to Beaumont Community Youth Basketball, P.O.B. 3126, Beaumont, CA., 92223.

The registration fee includes a full uniform, trophies, team pictures and medical insurance. Each youngster’s playing ability will be assessed at an evaluation before a player is drafted to a team. But all those registered ages 5 through high school are eligible to play, officials said.

Opening Day is Saturday Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with food and prizes. Practice starts the week of Nov. 14, and the season gets underway Saturday, Dec. 3.

Play ball!

The 10-game season is played at the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center on Saturdays from Dec. 3 to Feb. 25, except holidays. “March Madness” will take place on the third week of that month. During “March Madness,” Beaumont’s basketball League will choose an all-star team to compete against the best young players in Southern California. In all, 61 cities from the Southland will vie for the championship.

With the season about to start, BCYB is looking for volunteers and also to the future. Parents are being surveyed about the possibility of year-round basketball.

At the moment, the League needs coaches, assistant coaches, time keepers, referees, score keepers, help setting up games, running the snack bar, fundraising, web design and help with the All-Star tournament.

“Everyone can play a role in youth basketball,” Mickles said.

For information: http//: www.thebcyb.net; League President Roy Mickles: 951-575-7172; bcyb.mickles@gmail.com