In September 2006, four Freshman High School students from Viewpoint School in Calabasas—Jared Stern, Michelle Germain, Alex Van Trigt and Cassidy Case—formed the Zeitgeist Committee to mentor and tutor Zeitgeist children and help with fundraising.  Since that time, six other Viewpoint students have joined the Zeitgeist Committee full time. They are Valerie Pitsch, John Anderson, Nicole Lotte, Cherish Pichetrungsi, Hunter Pritchard and Nicole Klein.  Zeitgeist Committee members have contributed thousands of hours mentoring and tutoring Zeitgeist children as well as completed several successful fundraising drives.

Over the last two years, the Zeitgeist Committee has spent a great deal of time with Zeitgeist children in and out of the Center.  In addition to trips to the Center for tutoring, the Zeitgeist Committee has set up an instant message account between the Center’s computers and the Zeitgeist Committee members so that the students can tutor the youngsters as needed.  The Zeitgeist Committee has also celebrated many holidays and special events with the Zeitgeist children.  For example, for the last two years, the Zeitgeist children were brought to Topanga Elementary School for a Halloween carnival and dinner.  Similarly, for the last two years, the Zeitgeist Committee brought all of the Zeitgeist children together to celebrate the Winter Holidays with games, presents, food, sports, and demonstrations.  The Zeitgeist Committee has also participated in and arranged numerous educational field trips and even camp-outs with the Zeitgeist Children.

These activities were made possible in part by the fundraising efforts of the Zeitgeist Committee. In 2007, the Zeitgeist Committee held a swim-a-thon at Pierce College that raised in excess of $32,000 for the Center.  Over 60 swimmers from Viewpoint School and the Sting Ray Swim Team at Pierce College participated in this all-day fundraiser.  Similarly, on April 6, 2008, the Zeitgeist Committee held its second annual swim-a-thon at Pierce College.  Again, swimmers from Viewpoint School and the Sting Ray Swim Team logged thousands of laps.  Through its remarkable efforts, the Zeitgeist Committee raised in excess of $43,000 for Zeitgeist this year.

The work of the Zeitgeist Committee continues with many new and exciting plans. The Committee will be enjoying a “summer of science” and “environmental education program” with the children this summer. They will be going to places like Sea World for an overnight in the Arctic Encampment, Malibu Lagoon, Santa Barbara Zoo and overnight at the beach just to name a few!

The bond of friendship and love is very strong between the students and the children of Zeitgeist. On a regular basis, the Committee meets to discuss its plans for Zeitgeist’s future and how it can help to brighten the lives of the Zeitgeist children.  Each year the Committee’s commitment to the children of Zeitgeist grows deeper and stronger.