The spirit of the holiday season brought warmth to every corner of our annual Winter Wonderland event on December 14th! This cherished Sonoma Valley event brought together Boys & Girls Clubs families, staff, and our incredible community for a celebration full of joy, generosity, and connection. Together, families enjoyed a variety of festive crafts and activities, enjoyed holiday treats, posed for holiday photos with a gingerbread man, and took home toys donated by the community. Families won exciting raffle prizes, including Christmas trees and bikes, adding extra joy to their holiday season. Families also had the opportunity to take home winter coats. This holiday event had it all!

And even more, members from each of our elementary school sites—Sassarini, El Verano, Flowery, Sonoma Charter, and Maxwell Clubhouse—spent the past few weeks preparing festive performances with our literacy team. They showcased their talents at the event, delighting families and friends with their joyful performances.

We are incredibly thankful to our toy drive partners, who helped us collect over 450 toys to brighten the holidays for local youth! We want to recognize The Presentation School, Sonoma’s Best Modern Mercantile, Sonoma Police Department, Sonoma Valley Fire, Perlé, Songbird Parlour, Sonoma Cheese Factory, and Sebastiani Theatre for hosting and promoting our collection bins. Their participation brought holiday magic to so many families, and we are so thankful. 

The success of Winter Wonderland was made possible by the generosity of our community. We are deeply grateful to Nyberg’s Christmas Trees for donating Christmas trees raffled off to families, and to Operation Bicycle for providing bikes that brought big smiles to our members. A heartfelt thanks goes to our coat drive partners—G3 Sonoma, SVHS Interact Club, Rotary Club Sonoma Valley, Rotary Club Sonoma Sunrise, and Three Fat Guys Wine—who together ensured families could choose a winter coat.

We also want to acknowledge our incredible teen volunteers and staff, whose dedication and energy made this event so special. From setting up festive décor to assisting families throughout the day, their hard work helped bring the spirit of the holidays to our Clubhouse.

As we reflect on this heartwarming day, we are deeply thankful for the outpouring of support from our community. Together, we’ve made the holidays a little brighter for so many families.

Thank you for helping us make this Winter Wonderland an event to remember. Cheers to you!

Every year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley recognizes extraordinary young people who embody the values, resilience, and commitment that make our community strong. This year, we are proud to celebrate Chris, who has been named our 2025 Youth of the Year!

The Youth of the Year honor is more than an award—it’s a testament to leadership, service, and the ability to inspire peers and community members alike. It is a time-honored tradition that highlights the achievements of youth who have overcome adversity and serves as a platform for them to share their stories and inspire others.

Chris, along with three other outstanding finalists, shared their stories at this year’s Youth of the Year event, captivating the audience with their determination and vision for a brighter future.

Chris stood out as this year’s honoree due to his passionate pursuit of excellence and his commitment to achieving his dreams and the goals he’s set for himself despite the challenges he’s faced growing up. In his speech, he reflected on the obstacles he’s overcome, and the profound impact Teen Services had in illuminating his path.

“My confidence… grew in the supportive environment of Teen Services, a second home. I still remember those early days when my confidence was low, but here, I found the resources, mentorship, and encouragement to believe in myself and my dreams,” Chris shared in a speech at the event.

Chris spoke about how Teen Services programs fueled his growth and sense of belonging, with one program in particular standing out as a turning point: The Lovin’ Oven Culinary Academy (LOCA).

“It was throughout the various programs at Teen Services that I ignited my growth and found a sense of belonging like never before. But even then, one program in particular transformed my path and gave me purpose; The Lovin’ Oven Culinary Academy was the piece I was missing. The LOCA program not only provided me with valuable culinary skills and knowledge but also instilled in me the belief that I can thrive in the culinary field. Through hands-on experience, internships, and a supportive community, I gained the confidence and determination to pursue my passion for cooking and aspire to a career in the culinary field.”

Chris also shared the deep personal connection he has to the culinary industry and the impact LOCA had on his connection to his family.

“Working in the culinary industry runs in my family, almost as if I was destined to follow in my father’s footsteps… LOCA isn’t just my project—it’s the answer to his sacrifices. With it, I can finally lift the weight off his shoulders and help carry the dreams he’s worked so hard for.”

He concluded his speech with a heartfelt expression of his aspirations for the future.

“Teen Services has truly illuminated my path, allowing me to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given. Being a LOCA Intern with Teen Services inspired me to pursue a career in hospitality and enroll at Santa Rosa Junior College. I dream of one day owning my own restaurant and building it from the ground up—just like my dad.”

The event also honored the three outstanding finalists: Andrea Ayala, Cristopher Rivera, and Sebastian Martinez. Each of these remarkable individuals brought unique strengths and stories, making the selection process incredibly difficult and showcasing the limitless talent and potential among our youth.

The evening was filled with pride and celebration, as family members, community leaders, Club staff, and supporters gathered to honor the achievements of these young people. It was an empowering celebration of the incredible potential of our next generation of leaders!

Get Involved: Help Us Create More Success Stories Chris’s journey is a testament to the impact of Teen Services and the support of the community. If you’d like to be part of creating more success stories like his, consider donating today. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower the youth of Sonoma Valley.