The Youth Center announced this week that Southland Credit Union President and CEO Tom Lent will lead their 25th Annual Community Support Campaign as Campaign Chair. The 2022 campaign theme is “All In For The Kids,” and will run from March 1 through March 25. The fundraising campaign will culminate in an “All In For The Kids Casino Night” on March 25th at the Youth Center.
Lent will build and lead a team of individuals and businesses charged with raising much needed funds for The Youth Center to provide scholarships to families in need and further the non-profit’s pursuit to nurture youth in mind, body and spirit by keeping them safe and active, providing tutoring, homework help, music instruction and more. The campaign fundraising goal is $200,000.
“As a father, I understand the importance of places like The Youth Center that provide enrichment opportunities and a safe place to go after school. I am honored and thrilled to help support the youth in our community and chair the campaign. I look forward to our team setting a new fundraising record in March,” said Lent.
Thomas Lent is the president/CEO of Southland Credit Union, a $1 billion credit union headquartered in Los Alamitos with more than 60,000 member-owners. Tom has been President/CEO since 2017, after serving nine years as the EVP/CFO. As President/CEO, Tom enjoys engaging in the many communities Southland serves, and he continually seeks new ways to give back and support those in need.
In Los Alamitos, Tom is the current chair of the Los Alamitos Education Foundation Board of Directors and is a founding member of the LAEF Los Alamitos Leadership Circle. Tom was previously crowned the LAEF “King of Hearts” for helping to raise over $100,000 in funding to support education initiatives in the Los Alamitos School District.
Tom is also actively involved in the CSU Long Beach Athletic Fund, supporting student-athlete sponsorships, as well as the Long Beach YMCA and many other local non-profit organizations, including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He has served as a volunteer board member and coach for local youth baseball and basketball organizations. Tom is a licensed CPA, holds a degree in business from CSU Long Beach and graduated from the Credit Union Executives Society CEO Institute.
Lina Lumme, executive director of The Youth Center stated, “We are thrilled to have Tom Lent as this year’s Campaign Chair. Tom, along with everyone at Southland Credit Union, has been kind and generous towards our cause. Because of their support, The Youth Center was able to provide more scholarships for children and offer free enrichment opportunities for local families.”
Asked about this year’s individual fundraising goals, Lumme replied, “Individual donation amounts don’t matter. We want to give everyone in our local community an opportunity to feel good about joining this worthy cause for children by giving what they can.”
The All In For The Kids Casino Night at the conclusion of the campaign will provide guests the fun and excitement of playing in a real casino, but instead of going to Las Vegas, Las Vegas will come to them. The fun begins on March 25, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos. Guests will enjoy a night of delicious food, drinks and entertainment, Vegas style. David Harlow, of New Zealand Wine Navigator will provide a free wine tasting of No.1 Family Estate Cuvée Methode (Bubbles), Darling Sauvignon Blanc (Cert. Organic/Biodynamic), Mondillo Pinot Noir (Central Otago) and Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon (Gimblett Gravels). The Title Sponsor of the event is Southland Credit Union.
For more information about the 2022 Campaign, to donate to the campaign or to purchase tickets for the All In For The Kids Casino Night, visit www.TheYouthCenter.org.
