BONNES MERES SERVES HOPE AND LOVE AT HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Trinity Wallace-Ellis, guest speaker at Thursday’s Bonnes Meres Auxiliary Holiday Auction at the National Orange Show Event Center, gave a powerful and inspirational presentation on her own experiences as an abused child.

Orginally published in The Sun on 11/3/16

By Michel Nolan

Those good mothers have done it again.

Officially known as “Bonnes Meres” Auxiliary of Children’s Fund, the lovely Bonnes Meres members — and a handful of Bonnes Peres — hosted their annual Holiday Auction and Luncheon Thursday to make life a little easier for our most vulnerable San Bernardino County residents — its abused and neglected children.

The money raised at the fundraiser goes to help children with the most immediate and urgent needs.

There are now more than 6,000 children in the foster-care program in San Bernardino County.

On Thursday, a gathering of about 350 filled the Renaissance Ballroom of the National Orange Show Events Center, which was transformed into a glittering autumn fantasy of fall foliage and pumpkins, themed “Harvesting Stars for a Brighter Future.”

The theme was the idea of president Barbara Rozema, who said she was inspired by thinking of the stars as children, who could shine brighter with love and hope.

There are only 38 active members of Bonnes Meres, along with additional groups of Lifetime and Honorary members.

In the words of Betty Chambers of Children’s Fund, “They’re small but mighty.”

After last year’s huge success, the group has a tough act to follow.

Last December, the nonprofit presented a check for $75,000 to Children’s Fund to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and equal opportunities for social development.

Since Bonnes Meres was founded in 1958, more than $1.7 million has been raised for these children.

The event included the traditional silent auction, luncheon, opportunity drawing for fabulous prizes, and a spirited live auction presided over by Neal Waner, Bonnes Meres board president, and Martha Green, cooking guru and owner of Martha Green’s Dough’Lectibles.

Live auction items ranged from a Magical Gingerbread Party at a private home, to six seats behind home plate at an Angel baseball game.

Highlight of the event was the talk given by guest speaker Trinity Wallace-Ellis, consultant and inspirational speaker — also a foster child.

“Your experiences don’t change with age, but how you cope with them, does change,” she told the group.

Her powerful story of her own childhood and the abuses and neglect she endured.

There weren’t a lot of dry eyes in the house — including mine — when she finished speaking.

Trinity’s emotional talk went to the heart of why Bonnes Meres does what it does.

The generous souls of the community have given these children a voice. Without the passion and dedication of humanitarians, the young voices would be silenced.

The good mothers host two fabulous events — in addition to the annual Holiday Auction in the fall, there is the Spring Birthday Luncheon, which provides birthday gifts for all the children in the foster-care system — all 6,000 of them.

Charity donates 10% of sales to Children’s Fund on Opening Weekend

Swarovski will donate 10% of sale proceeds made during their black tie event and on Saturday November 12th and Sunday November 13th to Children’s Fund

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – On Friday, November 11th, SWAROVSKI at Victoria Gardens will host its Invitation Only Black Tie Gala Opening to introduce the finest crystal jewelry and home decor to residents of Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding cities.

The operators of this luxury boutique are very community minded and have pledged to donate 10% of sale proceeds made during this black tie event and on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th to a local charity, Children’s Fund. This charity was founded in 1986 and their mission is to give our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships.

“Swarovski, first opened in Rancho Cucamonga in October, 2009 and although we departed for a brief period, we are proud to become reacquainted with the city and center we first met several years ago.” said Hiral Patadia, Swarovski’s General Manager. “Our Team is thrilled to reward loyal customers and surprise new shoppers with sparkling offers with an all new Swarovski Crystal Forest store experience, featuring unparalleled and excellent customer service.”

Paying it forward is an integral part of this boutique’s mission statement. This event will be the first of many where we will team up with a worthy cause that will benefit those in need, in and around Rancho Cucamonga.  The event will be a red carpet extravaganza with the fashion world in attendance as well as local community leaders.

We will be inviting a representative from Children’s Fund to speak to build awareness of their needs and how we can all help. Together, everyone achieves more.

The event is to launch the first Swarovski Crystal Forest Licensed Boutique at Victoria Gardens. Swarovski is a luxury brand that has its origins in Austria with a 121 year history, and is a well-recognized brand in America – Since 2004, Swarovski has created the 9-foot-diameter (2.7 m), 550-pound (250 kg) star or snowflake that tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City. The tree ornament now serves as the inspiration for the smaller Annual Edition ornaments that have been sold in the retail stores since 1991. During our event, the NEW 2016 Christmas Ornament will be unveiled and raffled, so a lucky guest can take a little history home with them.

This Gala Grand Opening will be a true Red Carpet affair. There will be live fashion models showcasing the exquisite jewelry collections by Swarovski, sparkling SWAG gift bags for guests, Hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, professional photographer, and more. Friday, November 11th will be a one-of-a-kind event at Victoria Gardens that will be talked about long after it’s over.

Victoria Gardens, an upscale open air shopping complex, is well located off the 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, the Inland Empire’s premier city. Rancho Cucamonga has grown to become a vibrant, family oriented community. Victoria Gardens is currently home to popular retailers including Macy’s, JC Penney, Banana Republic, Apple, H & M, Victoria’s Secret, Aldo, Kiehls, Lush, Pottery Barn, Sephora, among many others.

COMMUNITY MALL ORGANIZES DONATION FOR KIDS

Montclair Place Collects Backpacks and School Supplies

Montclair Place and their major sponsors donated 500 backpacks and school supplies for each backpack (valued at $19,500) to Children’s Fund, with the assistance of KOLA radio on July 30, 2016. (From L to R):  Ann Morgan Kaser CMD, Senior Director Retail Marketing, Montclair Place; Caitlin Jae Valencia, Sr. Marketing Coordinator, Montclair Place; Luis Lara, Store Director, Superior Grocers; Irma Blanco, KOLA radio; Hend Alqleh, KOLA radio; Betty Chambers, Programs Manager, Children’s Fund.

MONTCLAIR, California (Wednesday, August 13, 2016) – Over 500 backpacks and school supplies valued at $19,500 were collected at last week’s Backpack drive, organized by Montclair Place to benefit children in the Ontario/Montclair region, and other vulnerable children in San Bernardino County.

Major contributors to the collection include supermarket Superior Grocers and nonprofit Christmas Cheer All Year.  Superior Grocers, with locations throughout the Inland Empire, donated 500 backpacks.  Christmas Cheer All Year, a nonprofit founded by Rick Lozano from KTTV, donated a van full of all the supplies a child will need on their first day of school.

KOLA 99.9 radio joined Superior Grocers and Christmas Cheer All Year at Montclair Place on Saturday, July 30, to present the donations to Children’s Fund, a 30 year-old nonprofit serving the most vulnerable children in San Bernardino County.

“Children are full of excitement on the first day of school,” says Stacy Iverson, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “Arriving with the tools they’ll need to succeed will make that day even more special for them. We are grateful to Montclair Place and their sponsors for such a generous gift.”

Founded in 1986, Children’s Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.4 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows, go to or call 909.379.0000.

A. GARY ANDERSON MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC RAISES MONEY FOR CHILDREN

$6.4 million raised for Children’s Fund since the beginning

Crown Printers presents Children's Fund with a check for $10,000 at the
24th Annual A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic in June 2016.
From L to R: Stacy Iverson, President & CEO, Children's Fund; Eric Shorett, Crown Printers; Erin Lastinger, A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation; Denny Shorett, Crown Printers.

SAN BERNARDINO, California – The 24th annual A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic, a fundraiser for nonprofit Children’s Fund in San Bernardino County, was held in June at the Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.

This year’s donations brought the total to $6.4 million raised since the first year of the tournament, the largest annual fundraiser for Children’s Fund.

The event’s co-title sponsors were the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation and Diversified Pacific and Colonies/Crossroads.

Guest speaker was Bobbi Albano, a local realtor who was once a recipient of Children’s Fund’s services.  Denny Shorett from Crown Printers was honored at the event for his decades of philanthropic support to Children’s Fund.

Founded in 1986, Children’s Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.4 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows, go to www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000.

CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THE FONTANA FOUNDATION OF HOPE DONATION

Children’s Fund Receives a $50,000 Donation

Fontana Foundation of Hope Board Members, Adriana and Jack Long;
Children’s Fund President & CEO, Stacy Iverson, and Director of Development, Sandra Lubbers.

SAN BERNARDINO, California – The Fontana Foundation of HOPE bestowed a $50,000 donation to Children’s Fund which will make a difference in many vulnerable children’s lives.

Children’s Fund has provided more than 69,000 services to children in need this past year, including emergency needs support for children and enhancing services through privately-fundraised dollars. Examples of services provided last fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 include:  sending 125 graduating seniors to Computer Camp, which provided training, laptops, printers, and software; acknowledging all San Bernardino County foster youth on their birthday and the holidays with gifts to ensure they know they are cared for; providing beds/bedding to children so they don’t have to sleep on the floor or couch; seeing 1600 child abuse victims at the Children’s Assessment Center; paying for orthodontic support for children to brighten their smiles; and awarding 28 scholarships to foster youth attending college.

“The Fontana Foundation of HOPE shares our vision of providing a bright future for every child,” states Stacy Iverson, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “This generous partnership is a true testament of their dedication to the vulnerable children in our communities.”

Founded in 1986, Children’s Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.4 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows by making a donation, go to www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000. 

The Fontana Foundation of HOPE vision statement is helping families and communities by providing hope and resources to children, seniors and those who are in need. 

Together, Children’s Fund and the Fontana Foundation of HOPE can do so much more for the kids in our communities. 

Children's Fund Gets BIG Disneyland Donation

Disneyland Resort Delivers Magical Gift

Stacy Iverson, president & CEO of Children's Fund of San Bernardino (wearing Mickey Mouse ears) receives a congratulatory hug from Jessica Bernard, the Disneyland Ambassador. Bernard was at the fund's headquarters in San Bernardino Wednesday morning to award them a $60,000 grant on behalf of the Disneyland Resort's Million Dollar Dazzle campaign honoring Disneyland's 60th Anniversary. Each month a children's charity is getting a surprise visit and a $60,000 grant from the Million Dollar Dazzle crew at the resort. The campaign started on Disneyland's 60th anniversary in 2015, and will total more than a million dollars when completed later this year.

By MARK EADES / STAFF WRITER

Originally published in The Press-Enterprise on May 19, 2016

Stacy Iverson of the Children’s Fund in San Bernardino thought it was a site visit, but when several people walked inside the doors, all wearing blue Mickey Mouse ears, she knew something was up.

“I thought we were going to have a little brief meeting to talk about the Children’s Fund,” she said.

The eight people were from the Disneyland Resort were actually there to surprise Iverson, president and CEO of the fund, with a check for $60,000 - a grant from the resort as part of its Million Dollar Dazzle campaign.

“I feel like I’m in an absolute dream,” Iverson said as she was given her own pair of blue Mickey Mouse ears to wear.

The Disneyland Resort team, known as the Million Dollar Dazzle crew, were led by Jessica Bernard, the Disneyland Ambassador. Bernard explained that the fund was picked as a recipient during May, National Foster Care month, for the work that it does in supporting foster youth in San Bernardino County.

“We are giving away more than $1 million dollars as part of this campaign in honor of Disneyland’s 60th anniversary,” Bernard said.

The campaign was announced by Michael Colglazier, president of the resort, on the park’s birthday, July 17, 2015, as a way of giving back to the community.

Colglazier said the program focuses on community nonprofits that support children and families based in Orange County, and surrounding areas. The grants are given in $60,000 increments at least once a month.

Iverson said the donation would be used to support scholarships for the foster youth in the area for college “so they can learn what they want to learn to follow their dream.”

Besides the donation, the fund also received 60 one-day park hopper admission tickets to the parks at the Disneyland Resort that will be distributed to foster children who have never been to Disneyland.

This was the 12th $60,000 grant given out since the program started. The first group to receive an award was the Girl Scouts of Orange County.

Children’s Network of San Bernardino County hosts Shine-a-Light Breakfast

Children's Fund Awards Scholarships to Ten Youth

Stacy Iverson, Children's Fund President & CEO, stands with four of the
Shine-a-Light Scholars at the Shine-a-Light on Child Abuse Awards Breakfast.

By Michel Nolan, The Sun
Originally posted on April 7, 2016

SAN BERNARDINO - Clouds may have obscured Thursday morning’s sun, but the Valencia Room at the National Orange Show Events Center filled with illumination as the Shine-a-Light on Child Abuse Awards Breakfast opened its doors to a standing-room-only crowd.

Children’s Network of San Bernardino County hosted its 18th annual breakfast event, presenting awards to those committed to improving life for foster youth and abused children.

In all, 21 heroes were honored for their commitment to the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable population.

Former 4th District San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt, who received the 2016 Children’s Network Lifetime Advocate Award, quoted Martin Luther King Jr. when he said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’ ”

Ovitt, who is also a lifetime advocate, educator and policy-maker, added he was “so proud of the vision we all have serving children from cradle to career.”

Other honorees included Landeros Furniture, Business; Beth Gill, Children and Family Services; Maria Flores, Children and Family Services; Rochford Foundation, Community-based Provider; Revolution Youth Advocates, Organization; Dianne Wolkenhauer, Department of Behavioral Health; Bernadette Beltran, Department of Public Health; Olga Valdez, Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; Valerio Mejia, Education, San Bernardino City Unified School District; Bob and Laura Breitel, Foster Parents; Aaron Conley, Law Enforcement, San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff; Karen Schmauss, Legal, Deputy District Attorney; Ana Lee, Legal, Deputy Public Defender; Michael A. Markel, Legal, Office of the County County Counsel; Iris Robertson, Legal, Victim Advocate, Bureau of Victim Services; Linda McDonald, Medical; Lynda Scherer, Probation; Chris and Amy Hernandez, Volunteer; San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Polygraph Detail; and San Bernardino County Human Services Warehouse Distribution Center Staff.

Scholarships were also presented by Children’s Fund to foster youth who have struggled to overcome and achieve obstacles.

The 10 young adults had written down their emotional stories so the advocates could see what a difference Children’s Network made in their lives.

Scholarships went to Rudy, Rivian, Renee, Masood, Yadira, Syrena, Vennessa, Jessie, Valerie, and Melissa.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon thanked the gathering of more than 600 for taking care of the victims.

At the end of the program, when the tiny tots from the Mill Center Head Start State Preschool sang “This Little Light of Mine,” the group of children had adults dabbing at their eyes.

School Board President Margaret Hill said she was happy to be at the gathering to see the “difference we are making in these kids’ lives.”