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December 2021
Dear Friends, When I wrote you at the end of 2020, I spoke with hope that we were heading into a new year, free to get back to life as we’d once known it. As we all know, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. 2021 has been another challenging year for us all, but hope remains abundant! With respect to COVID, our Exceeding Expectations family is largely made up of what is called a “vulnerable group." Yet we’ve had very few cases and no hospitalizations. And this includes the parents who were unable to quarantine because it was necessary to continue to go out into the working world every day. I credit each EE kid and adult with staying safe by taking precautions to protect themselves and others around them, including getting vaccinations for every eligible person. Throughout much of the 21-month ordeal, the group has continued training to stay physically fit, mentally sound and doing well academically.
The recent Run for Ike 5K in Palm Springs was our first in-person race for the entire group since the pandemic began and it was a day that looked and felt almost like the “old days.” An added bonus for EE was that one of our kids, Arian, took the overall win and three of our team finished in the top ten.
Overall winner Arian
being congratulated by Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills
The three with the
medals placed first, second and third in the kids race.
Our calendar is full of races and events in the months ahead, and we also have a number of EE kids racing at Mount San Antonio College ("Mt. SAC"), whose motto is: Where the World’s Best Athletes Compete. Top track and field athletes are selected to compete at this prestigious venue, which has produced many national champions and Olympians. One of our EE members, Isi Ibarra (below, bottom), is coaching some of the participants, including several EE kids. We’re very proud to have Exceeding Expectations represented at Mt. SAC.
On the academic front, we have thirteen EE kids currently in college, which includes two, Marlene and Josh, working on Masters Degrees and another, John Alvarez, who will graduate this month with his Bachelor’s degree. In June ’22 Arian, Yoselin and Fernanda will graduate from high school and are now in the process of selecting colleges for the next phase of their lives.
Jeffrey Aguero
graduated boot camp is now a full-fledged U.S. Marine, stationed in
Pensacola, FL.
Over the years, you Exceeding Expectations supporters have been very generous. This has made it possible for us to use training and racing to develop the attitudes and skills the kids need, and to make certain we have the financial means to assure that every EE kid has the opportunity to get a good education that will become his/her ticket to a better life. We are very grateful to each of you for the role you play in this.
I never want to overburden you, and at this time am simply asking for EE to be on your list of potential recipients if you are in a position to do any giving this year. Our foundation is a non-profit 501(3)c, which means that your donation is fully tax deductible (Tax ID 20-4227809). If you choose to contribute you can do it by check, made out to “Exceeding Expectations” and sent to: Exceeding Expectations 31855 Date Palm Dr., #3-505 Cathedral City, CA 92234-3100
Or, you can donate securely using PayPal through our website, even if you don’t have a PayPal account. http://www.eefoundation.org/donate/
We’re excited about our annual Awards and Scholarships party on December 19th. Out of extra precaution, we’re planning on doing it outdoors again this year. As in past years it will be a celebration of the kids’ accomplishments and what Exceeding Expectations is all about. Stay tuned for pictures.
Thank you for your support – Happy Holidays – Stay well.
-Cherie
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