Responding to an urgent need for blood, platelet, and convalescent plasma donations, the Vikings of Solvang have expanded their next blood drive to span two days, March 9 and 10, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Solvang Elementary School gym.

Each donor will receive a $25 voucher for dinner at participating local restaurants. 

Professionals with Vitalant Blood Services will again handle the work involved in drawing blood, with special care for disinfection of all furniture and materials between donations.

“The need for blood, platelet, and convalescent plasma donations is ongoing even during this pandemic,” said Vicki Wolfe, communications manager for Vitalant. “People are still getting into accidents, being diagnosed with cancer or COVID-19, and having complications during childbirth.”

Since the novel coronavirus pandemic began, the number of blood donations overall has dropped, Wolfe said. Thousands of blood drives have been canceled because of school and business shutdowns and the shift to a remote lifestyle, she added.

If donors have tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, their convalescent plasma donation may be able to help patients currently fighting the virus, according to Vitalant. Additionally, Vitalant tests all blood and patient donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

Donors must be healthy and at least 18 years old. They also must wear masks. Each person’s temperature will be checked upon arrival, and donation chairs will be spaced six or more feet apart.

Walk-ins are welcome, but Vitalant urges donors to make reservations online in advance. This not only saves the donor time but limits contact with others during in-person registration.

To make an appointment to donate, go to www.blood4life.org, click on “Donate Blood,” and search by Solvang’s zip code (93463). Then choose either the March 9 or 10 blood drive listed as “Solvang Vikings Large Hall.”

The $25 dinner voucher, redeemable that night at participating local restaurants, is courtesy of the Vikings with help from the participating local restaurants.

 “The Vikings rely on the generous people in the Santa Ynez Valley for a successful blood drive,” said Richard Kline, this year’s Viking chief. “The free dinner is our way to thank you for your support — and for your donation of blood for those who need it.”

Donors are asked to eat something and drink plenty of water before arriving, and to bring photo identification. For more information, call Blood Drive Chairman Kim Jensen at 805-266-8768.

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving everyone’s quality of life.

For more information about the Vikings, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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The Vikings of Solvang have donated an $8,000 LiteGait to a medical therapy program for young patients in Buellton and Lompoc. 

The LiteGait is specialized equipment to help children and young adults improve their mobility. It is a large frame with a suspended harness that partially bears the patient’s weight. Without it, therapists have a difficult time working safely with people who are heavier than 100 pounds.

The California Children’s Services Medical Therapy Program provides physical therapy and occupational therapy services for local residents from birth to 21 years of age who have eligible physical disabilities. The program is a joint effort of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the California Department of Health Care Services. It has medical therapy units in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria.

A spokeswoman said the program has no budget for capital expenses this large, and the LiteGait equipment “creates an ideal environment to treat a wide range of impairments and functional levels.”

“Since the Vikings were founded in 1974, we have contributed more than $3 million to help fulfill the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, and this year we had $90,000 available to carry on that mission,” said Vikings Chief Richard Kline. “Especially during a pandemic, we’re grateful that we can help.”

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works solely on the strength of tax-deductible donations from Vikings members and others in the community. About $1 million of the group’s philanthropy has been given to individuals. The other $2 million has been donated to organizations such as local senior centers or spent on the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for special-needs children and their teachers in northern Santa Barbara County.

Members pay for all the group’s operating costs, so every penny donated goes directly to helping someone. Each donation is invested in a carefully managed endowment fund, which has allowed the group to maximize each dollar donated by earning interest on it. Only a portion of the interest from the endowment, not the principal, can be spent each year, so donations to the fund help in perpetuity.

Vikings grants have helped local people build wheelchair ramps, get prosthetic limbs, buy disabled-accessible vehicles, pay their insurance deductibles and fulfill many other needs.

To apply for a grant from the Vikings, donate to the group’s endowment fund, or get other information, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com or contact Chief Richard Kline at rskcom@aol.com or 213-716-1111. 

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Amid concerns of a nationwide blood-supply shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vikings of Solvang will host their second blood drive of the year from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

Each donor will receive a $25 voucher for dinner at participating local restaurants. 

Professionals with Vitalant Blood Services will again handle the work involved in drawing blood, with special care for disinfection of all furniture and materials between donations.

Donors must be healthy and at least 18 years old. They also must wear masks. Each person’s temperature will be checked upon entry, and donation chairs will be spaced six or more feet apart.

Walk-ins are welcome, but Vitalant urges donors to make reservations online in advance. This not only saves the donor time but limits contact with others during in-person registration.

Each donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and the donor will be notified of the result in about two weeks.

To make an appointment, go to www.blood4life.org, click on “Locate a Blood Drive,” and enter Sponsor Code 1081 or search by Solvang’s ZIP code (93463), and then choose the blood drive listed as “Solvang Vikings, Large Hall.”

The $25 voucher, redeemable that night at participating local restaurants, is courtesy of the Vikings with help from the participating local restaurants.

 “The Vikings rely on the generous people in the Santa Ynez Valley for a successful blood drive,” said Richard Kline, this year’s Viking chief. “The free dinner is our way to thank you for your support — and for your donation of blood for those who need it.”

Donors are asked to eat something and drink plenty of water before arriving, and to bring photo identification. For more information, call Blood Drive Chairman Kim Jensen at 805-266-8768.

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving everyone’s quality of life.

For more information about the Vikings, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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To meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Buellton Senior Center has nearly tripled the number of meals it provides daily throughout the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos and has taken on new responsibilities for feeding the hungry. 

In response, the Vikings of Solvang have donated $5,000 to support the center’s efforts.

 “Our mission is to help qualified local people and organizations with their medically related needs,” said Vikings Chief Richard Kline, “and in this case, helping to keep people healthy when they would otherwise go hungry is completely fitting. Nutrition in a time of hunger is clearly a medically related need.”

Senior Center Executive Director Pam Gnekow said that in the first three weeks after community-wide COVID-19 closures began on March 9, the center began serving 324 lunches per day instead of its average of 133.

“At the same time we had to close our Thrift Store, our main source of income, and reduce payroll,” Gnekow said. “We couldn’t do it without the Vikings. The Vikings always come through for us.”

In addition to delivering the Meals on Wheels lunches, the center is providing prepared meals for community distribution twice a week at St. Mark’s Church and has delivered more than 87,000 pounds of fresh produce to seniors who cannot shop safely during the pandemic.

The Vikings of Solvang have quietly provided $3 million in aid since the group was founded in 1974, solely on the strength of tax-deductible donations from Vikings members and others in the community. About $1 million of the total has been given to individuals. The other $2 million has been donated to organizations such as local senior centers or spent on the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for special-needs children and their teachers in northern Santa Barbara County.

The group has zero overhead costs because it has no employees or office, and members pay for all operating costs — so every penny donated goes directly to helping someone. Each donation is invested in a carefully managed endowment fund, which has allowed the group to maximize each dollar donated by earning interest on it. Only a portion of the interest from the endowment, not the principal, can be spent each year, so donations to the fund help in perpetuity.

Vikings grants have helped local people build wheelchair ramps, get prosthetic limbs, buy disabled-accessible vehicles, pay their insurance deductibles and fulfill many other needs.

The group also operates two large blood drives each year and provides each donor with a $25 gift voucher for dinner at a local restaurant.

To apply for a grant from the Vikings, donate to the group’s endowment fund, or get other information, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com or contact Chief Richard Kline at rskcom@aol.com or 213-716-1111. 

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With the help of a generous community, the Vikings of Solvang collected a record number of donations — 161 units of blood and plasma — at their blood drive March 4.

The effort was administered by employees of Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services), with all coordination and other support provided by Vikings members.

“Once again, people in the Santa Ynez Valley showed their true spirit, taking the time to give the gift of life to people they may never meet,” said Vikings Chief Richard Kline. “We’ve been hosting blood drives for decades, and this is the best response we’ve ever had.”

“The Vikings’ mission is to take care of our community, so a gift of blood is a really a gift to ourselves,” added Kim Jensen, who chairs the blood drive with fellow Viking Aaron Petersen.

In addition to publicizing and coordinating their blood drives twice a year, the Vikings offer each donor a $25 voucher for dinner at a participating restaurant. This year, Vitalant also offered a $10 gift card that was redeemable online at iTunes, Amazon, Target, Chipotle, Domino’s, or Barnes and Noble.

Another milestone the Vikings recently achieved was being able to provide $3 million in aid since they were founded in 1974, solely on the strength of tax-deductible donations from Vikings members and others in the community. The Vikings have zero overhead costs because they have no employees or office, and members pay for all operating costs — so every penny donated goes directly to helping someone. Each donation is invested in a carefully managed endowment fund, which has allowed the group to maximize each dollar donated by earning interest on it.

About $1 million of the total has been made to individuals since the Vikings were founded in 1974. The other $2 million has been donated to organizations such as local senior centers or spent on the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for special-needs children and their teachers in northern Santa Barbara County.

The Vikings medically related grants have helped local people build wheelchair ramps, get prosthetic limbs, buy disabled-accessible vehicles, pay their insurance deductibles and fulfill many other needs.

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving people’s quality of life.

For more information about the Vikings, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com or email Chief Richard Kline at rskcom@aol.com.

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Donors at a blood drive hosted by the Vikings of Solvang on Wednesday, March 4, will receive a $25 voucher for dinner at participating local restaurants as well as a $10 gift card that is redeemable online.

Walk-ins are welcome during the event from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, but donors can save themselves time by making an appointment online in advance with Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services), who will operate the blood drive.

To make an appointment, go to www.blood4life.org, click on “Locate a Blood Drive,” search by Solvang’s ZIP code (93463), and then choose the blood drive listed as “Solvang Vikings, Large Hall.”

The $25 voucher, redeemable that night at participating local restaurants, is courtesy of the Vikings. The $10 online certificate is a new reward from Vitalant.

“The Vikings’ mission is to take care of our community, so a gift of blood is a really a gift to ourselves,” said Kim Jensen, who chairs the blood drive with fellow Viking Aaron Petersen. “I would love to reach 200 pints of donated blood.”

“The Vikings rely on the generous people in the Santa Ynez Valley for a successful blood drive,” added Richard Kline, this year’s Viking chief. “The free dinner is our way to thank you for your support — and for your donation of blood for those who need it.”

The $10 gift online gift card is redeemable at iTunes, Amazon, Target, Chipotle, Domino’s or Barnes and Noble.

Donors must be 18 or older. They are asked to eat something and drink plenty of water before arriving, and to bring photo identification. For more information, call Kim Jensen at 805-266-8768.

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving people’s quality of life.

For more information about the Vikings, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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The Vikings of Solvang have pledged a five-year donation of $50,000 to Solvang Theaterfest. The contribution is designated for Theaterfest’s campaign, IMAGINE! Building the Future – The $4.7 Million Capital Campaign for Solvang Festival Theater. 

The $50,000 is earmarked for the rebuilding of the theater’s wheelchair ramp during major reconstruction of the venue, anticipated to start in 2021.

Solvang Theaterfest is the 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation that owns, maintains, and operates Solvang Festival Theater. The 46-year-old outdoor theater presents plays and musicals from PCPA in the summer, plus Theaterfest-produced concerts and events from April through December. Several times a year, it is utilized by regional nonprofit organizations, such as Friendship House, to stage their own benefit events.

Vikings of Solvang, established in 1974, is a philanthropic and social men’s organization, highly regarded in the community for its volunteerism, annual Christmas party for hundreds of developmentally disabled students, blood drives, and more.

The decision to make the grant to Solvang Theaterfest was explained by outgoing Chief Dave Bemis: “The Vikings’ mission is to help qualified individuals and organizations with their medically related needs, and we are proud to help improve access at the theater for disabled people as part of the theater’s reconstruction.”

The $50,000 commitment was celebrated in a ceremony at Solvang Festival Theater on Jan. 13. In attendance were several Vikings who also serve on the Solvang Theaterfest Board: Chris Nielsen, Bill Bernstein, David Wyatt, and Jean-Paul Demeure. Other Viking members there were Bemis, incoming Chief Richard Kline, Bob Raleigh and Norm Anderson. Anderson utilizes a walker, making the new ramp particularly meaningful for him. 

Additional Solvang Theaterfest Board members on hand were Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, Kathryn Wrench, Lois Brown, Denise de Bellefeuille and Dr. Bob Baehner. They were joined by Solvang Theaterfest Executive Director Mary Ann Norbom.

For more information about Solvang Theaterfest and Solvang Festival Theater, call Executive Director Mary Ann Norbom at 805-686-1789. 

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reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com

As the buses pulled into the parking lot at the Marriott Hotel in Buellton on the morning of Dec. 2, only smiling faces could be seen peering out of the windows as children anticipated the opportunity of attending a party created just for them with a restaurant lunch, gifts, and a chance to see Santa.

Disembarking, eyes widened as each child was greeted by familiar characters such as Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, a Christmas elf, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

The annual Vikings of Solvang Christmas Party, given yearly on behalf of special-needs children and young adults from northern Santa Barbara County, is the highlight of the Vikings’ many yearly projects.

More than 800 special-needs students, teachers and aides attended the Vikings’ Christmas party on Dec. 2.

Each of the more than 800 guests was served lunch in a highly decorated banquet hall while the Viking Troubadours (Suzanne Hollrah, Gene Madsen and Franci DeFranco) and the Christmas Brass Group (David Pedersen, Doug Bube, Eldon Shiffman, Eugene L. Myers, and Mike Moore) performed Christmas music. 

Each child then visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus, allowing them the opportunity to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Each one then received a bucket of cookies from Olsen’s Bakery to take home.

“The party planning began in August,” explained Jim Cassidy, chairman of the event’s committee. “We have a master list of all the schools and teachers and begin emailing invitations to see who will be attending this year’s party, then we double check the list. If a teacher hasn’t responded, we then track her or him down by telephone in order to get an accurate head count to make sure that we order enough food for the party.

“Each teacher receives a $300 Amazon gift certificate for use in her classroom,” he continued. “We have parents who bring their children as well, as some may be fearful of getting on a bus or coming alone with a teacher. … Some of the children keep coming back year after year. Some are 18 or 19 years old now.”

Approximately 100 Viking volunteers work at this special event. Some are greeters, some work at the registration desk, others are ushers and food servers, and others help control the traffic into and out of the dining room. After the children have eaten, they are guided into the room where Santa and Mrs. Claus await them. 

“The teachers and aides are absolutely remarkable. They are so peaceful and calm. They know how to handle their children. They have the ‘patience of Job’,” said Dave Bemis, chief of the Vikings this year. “They are so skillful, working with their individual kids, helping them to succeed.”

“Putting on this event is not work, it’s a pleasure,” said Cassidy, who has been chairman of this committee for about 10 years, taking over from the late Hans Birkholm who had run the program for decades before stepping down.

“Sometimes I think it is more pleasure than work,” Bemis agreed with a grin. “But then again, the chief does very little with regard to this event …. Jim is the person who is really in charge.”

“The Marriott is doing such a good job for us. We have been coming here for 10 years now. The Marriott provides a fine team that works with us, making sure everything goes off as planned,” said Cassidy. 

“Every time a bus comes in, we see kids with all kinds of issues, but 99 percent of them step off the bus with smiling faces, and then we start smiling,” Cassidy continued. “I think that’s why we have so many volunteers – it’s because it makes them so happy to be here. The Vikings have close to 200 members. Most service clubs have a hard time recruiting, but we have at least 20 new members each year.”

“We feel very blessed to have the opportunity to attend this party with our kids and to have the Vikings’ support each Christmas. Everyone is having such a wonderful time,” said D.J. Barber, long-term substitute Special Ed teacher at Taylor Elementary School in Santa Maria as the children at her table were happily feasting on hamburgers, French fries, and treats that were being served to them by the Vikings and Marriott staff members.

“This is such a heart-rending event – it makes me want to cry,” said Viking Al Salge. “It makes me so thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.”

The Vikings are a social and philanthropic nonprofit group that exists to provide help with the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County. This year, in addition to the cost of this party, they have made grants for medical needs that total nearly $85,000.

For more information, log onto www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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Contributing Writer

The Vikings of Solvang displayed not only their culinary expertise but their sense of humor and camaraderie at the Los Alamos Senior Center’s dinner on June 19.

A group of 35 seniors and other Los Alamos residents enjoyed a traditional Danish dinner that included a Danish medisterpolse sausage, a frik’adeller (Danish meat ball), red cabbage, mashed potatoes with gravy, fried onions, a sweet cucumber salad, and green salad with dinner rolls topped off with a layer cake for dessert.

While Larry Humburger, Bent Olsen, Dave Smith and Richard Kline busied themselves in the kitchen, making salads and preparing the dinner plates, Pat Cavanaugh, Rick Mathis, Brad Vidro, David Pebley, Jim Kelly and Michael White served the guests, attending to their every need with congeniality and humor.

 “It was a feast for the taste buds,” said Nancy Clark, Los Alamos Senior Center board member. “It is one of the center’s favorite senior dinners, which we anticipate each year. We appreciate them coming to the Senior Center and for what they do for the whole county of Santa Barbara.”

Following dinner, Ron Long, co-chair of the event with Olsen, read the Viking mission statement and explained to the guests what the Vikings do to meet the medical needs of the needy in Santa Barbara County.

The Vikings then sang a rousing rendition of “Han Skal Leve,” usually sung at birthdays and anniversaries, which wishes a long and joyous life to those in attendance.

“The meal was scrumptious and the Viking members were outstanding and so friendly. They brought a lot of humor to the festivities. They are a terrific bunch,” said board member Sandee Adams.

“We had a great time and a delicious meal,” said Sheryl Woods, president of the Los Alamos Senior Center. “We look forward to the next time they cook for us at the Senior Center. It’s always a treat and we appreciate it very much.”

The Vikings are a social and philanthropic organization dedicated to providing help with the medically related needs of qualified individuals and health care organizations in Santa Barbara County.

Along with their many other philanthropic activities, they cook their special Danish dinner for all four of the senior centers in the valley.

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Staff Report

Here is the list of winners from the 4th of July Parade. We hope everyone enjoyed the many amazing entries, and congratulations to the winners! See complete coverage of the parade in our July B issue out July 16. 

Photo by Open Door Photography

Sweepstakes Winner – Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital “Clean Hands Saves Lives”Best Use of Parade Theme –

Friends Of Buellton and Solvang Libraries “We The People Value Literacy.”

Most Patriotic – Patriotic Horsemen

Most Original – Willow Creek Ranch Friends & FamilyMost Unique – Ernie Bankston’s Radio Flyer

Most Creative – Wilding Museum/Los Padres ForestWatchBest Band – Santa Ynez Valley Jazz ensemble

Best Singing Group – Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

Best Singing – Single – McKenna Smith sings The National Anthem

Best Family Group – Crowell/Morsch Family Reunion

Best Church Group – Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church

Best Senior Group – Atterdag Village of Solvang

Best Animal Group – Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society

Best Wagon Group – San Lorenzo Seminary

Best Wagon – Single – Capuchin Franciscans Vocation Office

Best Automobile Group – Local Metropolitan Car Owners

Best Automobile – Single – Richard Abrams’ 1947 Ford

Best Automobile – Restored – Charles Linquiti’s 1949 Farmall Tractor

Best Automobile – Antique – Dr. John Baeke’s 1924 Brown race car

Best Automobile Antique Group – Model A Clubs of Santa Ynez Valley & Santa MariaBest Fire Engine – Alex

Geremia’s St. Francis Ranch1928 Sanford

Best Tractor – Larry Grossini’s 1948 Case

Best Equestrian Group – Cowgirls, Ponytails, & Horsetails

Best Donkey Group – Monighetti’s Farrier – Feed & Pet

Best Viking Ship – Vikings of Solvang

Best Color Guard – American Legion Post #160

Road Apple Crew – Lucky Clover 4-H Teams

Best Clown – Lompoc Shrine Club

Photo by Open Door Photography

Best Sport Group – Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Football Team

Best Military Group – Flat Fender Friends

Best Walking Group – Swedish Candy Factory

Best Dancing Group – Garcia Dance Studio

Most Energetic – PCPA’ Million Dollar Quartet

Best Group for a Cause – Veggie Rescue

Best School Group – Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Water Polo Team

Best Youth Group – Lucky Clover 4-H

Best Candy Thrower – Rich Condit

 

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