Roots and Wings Winter Issue to Hit Mail Boxes in Ladera Ranch in Late November

As we enter the holiday season, its a good time to take pause and reflect on what matters most to us. Why? To avoid overscheduling ourselves and family, and to ensure that we arrange our calendar based on what's important to us and how we want to experience Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays.

Its easy to crowd our calendars by saying 'yes' to most everything and to pack more events and activities into one month than we do the rest of the year.

In the winter issue of Roots and Wings, Ladera Ranch's official community magazine, I had the opportunity to meet and interview five Ladera Ranch residents who are actively involved in making Ladera Ranch the kind of neighborly community that makes it a special place to live. They do so through their active participation, giving back, and defining what it means to be a connected community.

Cover photo (L-R):

Michelle Vorwerk is one of the founding administrators of the Ladera Ranch Mom's Facebook page, a group of over 2,000 moms who are engaged, active and help support each other in the adventures.

Joe Smith is a fire captain and also serves as a Ladera Ranch Neighborhood Representative and serves on the LaderaLife.com Committee that makes recommendations to the Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS) board on Ladera's official website including the site redesign.

Tafa Jefferson is an entrepreneur, former NFL defensive lineman, and a volunteer coach for flag football in Ladera Ranch. Tafa's passion for instilling resilience, accountability, and self-confidence through teaching is evident and is what motivates him give back.

Keri Ray has been a teacher in Ladera Ranch for over 12 years who also volunteers with her daughters.

Anmol Kaur is an honor student who serves on the Ladera Ranch Teen Leadership Council and brings a unique perspective as a leader. Anmol is actively involved in community projects and volunteering at Ladera Rancho Community Services (LARCS) events.

This year, Toys for Troops is upping their game. They have raised their goal of collecting 1,000 new toys for children of military families who have a family member who is deployed during the holidays. Toys will be collected from November 1st through December 9th. Look for details in Roots and Wings; participating businesses include: Nekter, Parker Dentistry, Ladera Ranch Strength and Conditioning, The Urge Dance Complex (formerly Ladera Ranch Dance Academy), Canopy Alley and The Goddard School.

Look for the winter issue of Roots and Wings. coming to your Ladera Ranch resident's mail boxes Thanksgiving week.