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January 24
1888 - Acton post office established; Richard E. Nickel, postmaster [story]
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| Tuesday, Apr 4, 2017
April, 2017

A Message from the President

Circle of Hope recently decided to add melanoma (or malignant melanoma) to its list of cancers addressed. Why melanoma? Here are some facts you should know. According to the American Cancer Society…

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can spread earlier and more quickly than other skin cancers.
In 2017, over 87,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed, with almost 9,200 of those in California; an estimated 9,730 deaths will be attributed to melanoma nationwide.
The risk of melanoma increases as people age. The average age of people when it is diagnosed is 63. But melanoma is not uncommon even among those younger than 30. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults.
If caught in the earliest stages, melanoma is entirely treatable, but because it spreads quickly, early detection and immediate treatment is critical.

Melanoma often starts out as a mole and can be removed if caught early. Risk factors for melanoma include fair complexion, family history, severe sunburns as a child, and using a tanning bed multiple times a year or more before age 30. If you or someone you know is struggling with their melanoma-related medical bills, please give us at call at (661) 254-5218 and select Option “2.” And have a dermatologist look at anything abnormal on your skin!

A Special Thank You!
At Circle of Hope, it is our mission to ease the struggles of those diagnosed with cancer in the Santa Clarita Valley. We strive to provide emotional assistance, educational opportunities and much-needed financial resources to those stricken with breast, colon, reproductive cancers and melanoma.
The cost of treatment varies from patient to patient, cancer to cancer. How many will ask for help this month? Who will finish treatment this year? Budgeting for Circle of Hope is no simple task. Because we get no governmental funding, we are constantly seeking support from the community through public and private donations.
In the fall of 2016, Dan Sterkel, General Manager of Galpin Subaru of Santa Clarita, generously added our charity to the Subaru “Share the Love” campaign. In March, our modest and hard-working board of directors turned out in force for the resulting check presentation, which we all hoped would reach as much as $8,000.00-enough to add one or two newly diagnosed clients.
The amount of the donation was a well-kept secret until the moment the faux check was revealed to us. As our small group focused on the amount-$27,852.00-confusion, shock and joy spread across our faces as the realization hit that we would be comfortable and confident in taking on not one or two, but several possible new cancer patients. Our gratitude toward Dan, his staff, Galpin Subaru and Galpin’s Share the Love campaign is immeasurable. Thank you to everyone for helping us make a difference today, for a brighter future tomorrow!
For more information, please visit http://www.circleofhopeinc.org.

photo by Arnold Bryant

Caption: (L-R) Caren Kahan, Taylor Kellstrom, Alexander Hafizi, Dan Sterkel,
Cheryl Gray, Pam Ripling, Judy Penman, Lori Carpenter, Janice Murray

Community Spotlight on:
Vista Valencia Golf Course
Circle of Hope has a special love for Vista Valencia Golf Course.

Vista Valencia Golf Course is located near Six Flags Magic Mountain and offers a fun and challenging golf experience for players of all levels.
This 27-hole facility features an 18-hole, par 61 executive course, and a 9-hole, par 3 course in a park-like setting. Vista Valencia Golf Course-featured in The Signal Newspaper as the “Best Golf Course in the SCV – 2012” -is an exceptional setting for a round of unforgettable golf.
For more information about Vista Valencia Golf Course go to http://www.vistavalenciagc.com/.
Board Member
Spotlight:
Taylor Kellstrom
Our Nominee for SCV Man of the Year!
When you talk about what makes a good citizen, an outstanding volunteer, a compassionate leader, you can talk about TK in that same sentence. What you see in the Magazines, on Facebook and other social media only touches the surface of what this guy actually does. Because Taylor isn’t only about getting photographed in all the right places. Nor is he about having his name listed on multiple board rosters. It’s about doing the hands-on work to help people in need.
When Taylor’s own family was touched by cancer several years ago, it made a huge impression on him and he knew he had to do something to fight back. He didn’t know it at the time, but after working hard to support patients at Children’s Hospital through the now memorable Bowling for Kids, he would be approached by COH and given an opportunity to begin that fight. He immediately put plans into action to help the way he knew best:  by holding an inaugural event to raise funds to support new cancer patients. Bowling for Hope, now in its fourth year, was another amazing success just last month.
Last year, when COH found itself in need of a new chair for one of Santa Clarita’s largest wine events, Taylor didn’t blink an eye before volunteering to steer the ever popular Vine2Wine. And guess what? It turned out to be the most successful event we’ve ever held.
In what little “spare time” Taylor has, he enjoys a lifelong love of Motocross and gets into just about every pro-sport LA has to offer. He loves spending time with his beautiful significant other…  But most of all, he is enamored with caring for his adorable 6 month old nephew whenever he can!
The impact Taylor has made on SCV is real. When he is not bringing support to local kids and cancer patients, speaking to high school students about their futures, picking out Christmas gifts for a COH client in need, or representing our charity to the community… he is figuring out how we can spread more awareness of our cause. Our nominee, our president-elect, is Taylor Kellstrom!
Featured Event:
Vine 2 Wine
We are so excited to announce that Vine 2 Wine is coming back August 12, 2017 at California Institute of the Arts: CalArts at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA  91355.
Online ticket sales begin on May 1st and end on August 11th at midnight. Tickets will be $80 online.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $95.  Due to the nature of the event, guests must be 21 or older. Please be prepared to show I.D.
Money raised from Vine 2 Wine will go to help those individuals in the Santa Clarita Valley diagnosed with breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine, prostate, malignant melanoma, testicular or colon cancer.
Contact info@circleofhopeinc.org or call 661-254-5218.
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SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES
Friday, Jan 23, 2026
Thursday, Jan 22, 2026
Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra has announced the winners of its Young Soloist Competition, celebrating the extraordinary talent of young musicians from the community and surrounding areas.
Thursday, Jan 22, 2026
The Olive Branch Theatricals will present "Rosalinda, CA," an original story by Carlos Gomez,Jr., 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14- Sunday, Feb. 22 at Valencia Town Center.
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026
The Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2026 Non-Profit Love Match designed to connect passionate professionals with local nonprofits searching for volunteers and board leaders.
Monday, Jan 19, 2026
The Walk to End Alzheimer's Santa Clarita Valley planning committee is recruiting new members for it's 2026 walk.

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