Still needed is an additional $937,000 by June 6 to break ground on the PAL Center. Added inspiration to make the Big Push fundraising drive successful came from the recent Saratoga High production of Guys and Dolls, performed at Los Gatos High. Principal Kevin Skelly said he was dazzled, calling it an "incredibly professional, thoroughly entertaining show." Seeing Guys and Dolls was bound to ratchet up enthusiasm for fundraising for the new center—so that Saratoga would have a center worthy of the talent and potential of Saratoga teens.

Since the start of Big Push, donations and challenge pledges have totaled $645,000 from families, individuals and organizations. Now it's on to the crucial June 6 deadline. Several Chinese parents translated the fundraising letter so it could be mailed to members of the local Chinese community.

Bill Barmeier is president of the Saratoga High School Foundation, which drives the Big Push campaign. Volunteer parents are needed to help out at the farmer's market performances.

FOR THE HOMELESS: The spring tea is the one fundraiser per year that the American Associaton of University Women Committee on Homeless Women and Children depends on. The committee uses money from that one event to support the Georgia Travis Center in San Jose, where lunch is served along with job training, parenting classes and job referrals.

The co-chairwomen of the tea are Nancy Anderson and JoAnn Lambert. Anderson recounted the story of a woman named Helen who made good use of the center. After going through a rehab program, Helen started to pull her life together using the resources of the Georgia Travis Center.

Today she has a new job and a place to live, thanks to the help she received.

AUTISM BENEFIT: Saratogan Donna Shuster spearheaded a benefit for autism in the heart of Saratoga last weekend, her first. Called "A Toast to Life," it was held at Wildwood Park and netted $2,500, which will be sent to the Autism Society of America.

There was live music, comedians, a silent auction, food and wine. Shuster and her committee coordinated it all in seven weeks. "It was awesome," she said of its successful execution in such a brief space of time. April is Autism Awareness Month.

Shuster became interested in autism when she babysat for a family with an autistic child while her friend, Becky Frey, a behavioral therapist, was working with the child. Now 4, the child gives no evidence today of being autistic. The experience changed her life, Shuster says.

Frey was a committee member for the benefit, as was Terry Richardson, who owns Blue Rock Shoot. Both are Saratogans. Other committee members were Adam Beckett, chef at The Plumed Horse, who organized the food for the benefit; Shannon Halterman, a behavioral therapist; and Tim Nadzan.

COLOMBIA CALL: Berit and Dan Wick are working at Colegio Latinoamericano in Colombia, a school with 800 students. It's a Christian school, founded more than 50 years ago to serve poor families. The school has very limited funds, and the facilities are in dire need of maintenance.

But none of that dampens the enthusiasm of the students at the school or that of the Wicks, who have rented their Saratoga home for the duration of their ministry. "We love the kids, and they love to hang out with us. They all want to learn English and computers," Berit says.

Berit will teach English and computers and Dan will work in the school's administration. Along with the staff and teachers, the Wicks are helping coordinate projects for the coming year. "There are so many needs and challenges, and we feel affirmed that God called us to serve here," the Wicks say via email.

Daughter Kristina is adjusting to life in Colombia as well. She goes to an international school and is an avid member of the girls basketball team.

THE WOLFS: The Wolf Cub Scouts, second-graders at Sacred Heart School, received The Light of Christ Award in recent ceremonies at the Religious Awards Recognition Ceremony. The boys had completed a study of Catholic programs during the year.

This included sharing Bible stories with their families, completing writing exercises and focusing on the sacrament of First Communion, which they will receive in May.

The award recipients were Jeffrey Castello, Peter Infantino, Ryan Johnson, Nicholas Keyes, Joshua Liss, Nathan McCabe, Calix O'Hara, Anthony Pallone, Michael Scott and Austin Woodard. Don Campanga is the pack leader, and Kathleen Liss and Fonda Pallone are the den leaders.

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