MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO DONATES TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Within the historic Serra Chapel, Mission San Juan Capistrano provides inspiration to those suffering from cancer as it houses the St. Peregrine statue, the patron saint of cancer sufferers.
This summer, the 237-year-old landmark did something new and hosted its first ever yoga-inspired, stretch and strength classes in honor of St. Peregrine, and in an effort to support its many visitors who suffer from cancer. With the series designed to accept donations for after-hours admission, funds were used to pay for an instructor from “I Heart Yoga in the Park” with the hopes that net proceeds could support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of San Juan Capistrano.
The Mission team had no idea how many would be interested in attending this new experience and was appreciative of the fact that over 300 people attended this program over three separate sessions.
At the end of the stretch and strength series, a check with the net proceeds of $1,176.50 was presented to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of San Juan Capistrano during the Mission’s annual Fab Four – Beatles tribute summer concert on Saturday, August 31.
This first check was presented by Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director of the Mission, along with SJC resident, Steve Freese, who is currently battling cancer, to local Relay for Life Chairman and SJC resident, Ted Roberts.
The audience was awed as the speakers noted their own challenges facing cancer and the goal to beat it by raising funds for research and support locally.
The Mission organization was proud to carry out an event that generated little impact and had great meaning. The attendees, staff, and Mission Preservation Foundation look forward to hosting a stretch and strength series again next summer in the fight against cancer.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
Joe Haakenson
