Holiday Programs Support Brea Seniors
Many senior members of the community have been in need over the past year and it is most apparent during the holiday season. The Brea Senior Center Case Management program was honored to provide holiday cheer by delivering gifts to one hundred seniors in Brea through the Angel Tree and Adopt a Senior programs. Gift recipients were low-income, undergoing hardship, and have minimal support at home. Angel Tree and Adopt a Senior gifts were provided by Brea Mall shoppers, local residents, and St. Joseph’s Home and Community Care Team. These donations made it possible to provide numerous individuals with monetary gifts to go toward important items such as rent, and other approved special needs. Recipients were touched and grateful for the unexpected gifts. The Brea Senior Center is grateful for everyone involved, and on behalf of the older adults who received uplift and cheer through the generous gifts, thank you for making the holiday season special.
City Hall Staff Serving the Community
The City’s Community Development Department front counter team, Alexis “Lex” Mendicino and Elisabeth “Lisa” Kataoka are excited and looking forward to serving and interacting with Brea's community.
Alexis Mendicino is the new Administrative Clerk II for the Building & Safety Division. Alexis has a passion for construction and building. She finds it fascinating to bring a building idea to life. She practices advancing her knowledge through do-it-yourself projects and is an avid woodworker. Aside from building, her other interests include listening to podcasts, baking, playing board games with her family, and being a huge animal lover. She is excited to help the public by utilizing her skills and developing her interests.
Lisa Kataoka is the new Administrative Clerk II for the department. She is a long-time Brea enthusiast. She enjoys baking, cooking, crafting, traveling, and spending time with her cat, HodgePodge. She also loves visiting Brea to enjoy activities like Brea’s Concerts in the Park, BreaFest, and shows at the Curtis Theatre. This year, she is excited about Brea’s Pet Expo. She is thrilled to be a part of the Brea team.
Lex and Lisa look forward to greeting and assisting the community. Please feel free to reach out to them for any Community Development or reception needs. They are happy to help!
1st Annual Wish Tree Fundraiser Workout
This year Brea’s fitness team at the Brea Community Center hosted a special winter workout. Through the collaboration of the Brea Resource Center’s Annual Wish Tree Fundraiser and personal trainer, Berry Liang, fitness hosted its first “Wish Tree Fundraiser Workout.”
Participants were led through a 60-minute circuit, which included TRX straps, battle ropes, slam balls, and calisthenics. All proceeds were donated to MAKE 2022 BRIGHT for Brea families in need. Due to a successful turnout, Brea Fitness and the Brea Resource Center look forward to teaming-up during the next holiday season.
Brea Senior Center’s Christmas Celebration
Last month, the Brea Senior Center hosted its annual Senior Christmas Celebration at the Brea Community Center. Delicious meals were provided free to a limited capacity group of enthusiastic seniors. Numerous donors and volunteer groups came together to make everything possible. Brea City Council members helped raffle over $12,000 in donated prizes.
The event was made extra special with live entertainment and every senior in attendance received $20 in cash.
Santa also stopped by to help thank everyone involved and wish the seniors a wonderful holiday season. It certainly made for an exciting and memorable Christmas celebration for all.
Sports Park Field Renovations
The Public Works Department has completed the annual winter Sports Park field renovations. Since the fields are highly used at the park and have bare areas from wear and tear, as well as some of the turf going dormant, the Parks Division staff renovates the fields to have perennial rye-grass so the turf will be thick and green for the beginning of the spring user group season. This process includes aerating the fields, scalping the existing turf, over seeding the fields, and top dressing the seed with an organic mixture of fertilizer and mulch, as well as some extra irrigation watering to establish seed growth. The winter renovation of the fields benefits the community and the sports user groups by keeping the fields safe, looking nice, and playable year-round.