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Philanthropy & Nonprofits

30th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GIVING TOY DRIVE A SUCCESS

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There is Still Time to Give

SAN BERNARDINO, California – Children’s Fund, a nonprofit serving vulnerable children in San Bernardino County since 1986, has concluded the 30th Annual Celebration of Giving toy drive campaign, and the results demonstrate the generosity of our region.

Nearly 33,605 gifts and gift cards were collected, inventoried, and distributed this holiday season to foster youth and other vulnerable children throughout San Bernardino County. Year after year, more people get involved and donate more gifts than the previous year. Last years’ campaign allowed us to serve 33,000 children.

“Many children in our community go without a gift during the holiday season,” said Dr. Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, President & CEO of Children’s Fund. “That is just unacceptable to us. With the support of our many donors, we ensure those children are not forgotten.”

Pinedo explains 26% of the children living in San Bernardino County live in poverty. Those families use their limited resources for food, shelter, and basic needs. Often, there isn’t enough left over for holiday gifts.

Pinedo states that “a gift for a child sends them the message that they are valued and gives them the confidence to continue on with hope for the future.”

In order to collect and distribute so many gifts each year, Children’s Fund works with many volunteers and community partners. Organizations that volunteered this year in the toy warehouse include West End Auxiliary of Children’s Fund, Lamar, Union Bank, Lippert, Diversified Pacific, Public Defenders Office, Goodwill, Gateway Youth, Project Life Impact, Aspiranet, Victory Rescue Group, and many individuals.

Children’s Fund also received funding from First 5 San Bernardino, Larry H. Miller Charities, Rite Aid-KidsCents, and other generous donors, plus gifts from families, businesses, clubs, and departments within the county. Spark of Love and the San Bernardino County Fire Department provide truckloads of gifts, and 86 agencies throughout the entire county help distribute them to the children.

“Children’s Fund has made our job more joyful,” stated Mindy Chavez from the Family & Collaborative Services agency at the Ontario-Montclair School District. “They created an opportunity for us to spread cheer and happiness at a time when these families are highly stressed.”

Aiden, an 8 year-old boy from Ontario, agrees. His note to Children’s Fund states, “Thank you for all these nice gifts. You made me feel happy. Merry Christmas.”

It is not too late to get involved. Children’s Fund is still collecting monetary donations to offset the $40,000 needed for the gift cards they provided to the 1,600 foster teens in San Bernardino County. Donations can be sent to Children’s Fund- 348 W. Hospitality Lane #110, San Bernardino County, CA 92408 or can be made on our secure website at www.childrensfund.org.

If you would like to receive information about how you or your organization can get involved in next year’s Celebration of Giving campaign, please contact us at 909.379.0000.

Founded in 1986 by the Honorable Patrick Morris, the late Jack H. Brown, and Co-founder A. Gary Anderson, Children’s Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving our vulnerable children support, opportunity, and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships. Last year, Children’s Fund provided more than 118,000 services to children in need in San Bernardino County and since its inception has facilitated over 1.5 million points of service to children and families. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows, go to www.childrensfund.org or call 909.379.0000.

The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.

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Philanthropy & Nonprofits

A Great Milestone Reached! The Otis Dream Project Has Been Recognized in Zambia, Africa!

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A Great Milestone Reached! The Otis Dream Project Has Been Recognized in Zambia, Africa!

Have you been wondering what happened to the establishment of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), the Otis Dream Project in Zambia, Africa? Well, wonder no more! As of August 10, 2023, the Otis Dream Project has become a reality! Yes, the government of Zambia has recognized the Otis Dream Project as a legal entity. Thanks to our incredible team on the ground and all the hard work they put into the project, the Otis Dream Project has become a legal NGO in a much shorter time frame than most NGOs in that country. This is a BIG milestone, the first of many more! Again, thanks to our hardworking team: Derby Chipwande, Chali Ezra Mwansa, and Edwin Mukwamba.

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Community

San Manuel Orange County Golf Tournament Raises $425,000 for Five Tribal, Local & National Nonprofits

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24th Annual Tournament Recognizes O.C. based Meals on Wheels and Radiant Futures Among Others 

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Tribal leaders, business and community partners united for this year’s annual golf tournament to raise $425,000 for tribal, local and national nonprofits, making it the largest year for funds raised at the annual event. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has donated more than $3 million to 50 nonprofit organizations as a result of its annual golf tournament. The tournament was the first Tribal event at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club since the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians acquired an interest in the property earlier this year. 

The annual event commenced on July 16 with a celebration and a check presentation of $85,0000 each to five inspiring tribal, local and national nonprofits. The following nonprofits were awarded: Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota dedicated to providing an exemplary education to reservation students while incorporating their culture; Voices for Children which serves children in Riverside and San Diego County who are in foster care by providing court appointed special advocates; Citrus Counseling Services located in Redlands which provides mental health services at low or no cost; Radiant Futures of Orange County provides crisis support, services for survivors, and education to prevent domestic violence and human trafficking; and Meals on Wheels OC which provides programming to nourish the wellness of senior citizens in Orange County. 

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman, Lynn Valbuena, says she is moved by the community’s commitment to providing a hand up to nonprofits that are dedicated to making a difference regionally and throughout Indian Country.

“Each year I stand in awe of the thoughtfulness and generosity of our sponsors and partners to continue San Manuel’s mission of supporting organizations that are truly the boots on the ground for making our world a better place,” said San Manuel Chairwoman, Lynn Valbuena. “These five nonprofits are improving the lives of so many Native Americans, as well as local communities, and we are proud to help. The tournament is one of the many ways San Manuel demonstrates its value of giving back.” 

This year, golfers teed off on ocean-view golf courses at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point from Monday, July 17 to Thursday, July 20. 

Presenting sponsors of the tournament included Imagine This and PENTA Building Group. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino was also joined by its sports partners from the LA Dodgers, LAFC and the Anaheim Ducks.

Supporting nonprofit organizations is part of the Tribe’s commitment to their Giving Pillar also known as “San Manuel Cares.” For more information on San Manuel Care’s Program, please visit: www.sanmanuelcares.org

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Philanthropy & Nonprofits

The OTIS Academy Launches in Zambia, Africa

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In March of 2023, Eddy Sumar of ERS Consulting Services, in conjunction with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC), traveled to Zambia, Africa, to bring the OTIS Academy, the Power Project/The Power of the Dream, and the value of Financial Freedom to the youth of Zambia. 

On Tuesday, March 14, he met with CEO Chansa Mwila of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia (AmCham), where he presented her with an honorary membership to the IERCC. He also presented certificates of membership to Mr. Derby Chipwande and Mr. Edwin Mukwamba, Partners for the OTIS Academy in Zambia. All were very excited to be a part of IERCC and the OTIS Academy Project in Zambia. On the next day, Wednesday, Mr. Sumar and Mr. Mukwamba visited two schools, The Multisensory International School and Litewu School, where they demonstrated what the OTIS Academy can do for their students. They were very excited and impressed by the depth and quality of the programs offered.

The next few days Mr. Sumar took a side trip with his wife and Mr. Chipandwe and Mr. Mukwamba and his wife to Livingston, where they witnessed the Mighty Victoria Falls at the strongest it had been in decades. Next to the Falls is the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where they encountered Cape and Forest Buffalo, Vervet Monkeys, Impalas, Baboons, Zebras, and the endangered White Rhino. They also crossed the border into Botswana, where warthogs and mongooses wandered among the human population.

Back from that little side trip, Mr. Sumar and Mr. Mukwamba visited two more schools on Monday, March 20. The first was Quickstep School Limited, the second Rockview University. Again, the reception to the program was very positive. So with this trip, one can say: the IERCC has gone global, the OTIS Academy has gone international, and both have arrived in Zambia!

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