The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Receives National Recognition

Andrew Watt of AFP with Erik Anderson and Erin & Gary Lastinger of A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation

Erin Lastinger speaking at AFP National Conference in Washington, D.C.

A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Receives National Recognition from AFP

                                                       

                                                      

Erin Lastinger, Erik Anderson and Gary Lastinger are awarded 2014 Outstanding Foundation by AFP in Washington, D.C.

(Arlington, VA) October 7, 2014:  The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, located in Irvine, California, and one of the region’s philanthropic leaders, has been named the 2014 Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The foundation will receive its honor at the National Philanthropy Day® Honors: A Celebration of People and Impact awards event on November 15 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Passionate about philanthropy, A. Gary Anderson established the beginning of the foundation before his untimely passing at the age of 52. Now his children, Erin Lastinger and Erik Anderson, along with Erin’s husband Gary, have continued his legacy, investing almost $46 million to over 200 organizations since 1994.

Just some of the organizations the foundation has supported include Chapman University, the University of California Riverside Foundation, the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Children’s Fund.  The foundation has worked with many charities to re-evaluate their methods, leading to improved program delivery, partnership, and outreach for fundraising.

The foundation has also focused significant funds on serving youth. Through a longtime partnership with Children’s Fund, the foundation has provided instrumental support to the Children’s Assessment Center, where abused and neglected children in San Bernardino County receive medical assessment of their injuries, tell their story just once to all appropriate investigative personnel, and receive therapy and referrals to ongoing resources—all in a child-friendly environment.

“The A. Gary Anderson Foundation was established by my father with the express desire to help at-risk youth,” says Erin Lastinger. “It is our mission and passion to carry on my father’s legacy to support these children.  Our family will continue to do everything in our power to protect and serve our kids in this community.”

The National Philanthropy Day® Honors recognize outstanding leadership, commitment and generosity in philanthropy. The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation is one of six finalists who will be honored on National Philanthropy Day®, November 15, the day to celebrate philanthropy and its impact on the world. More information can be found at www.npdlove.com .

40,000 BOOKS COMING TO SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

First Book to Distribute Books on Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014

A sample of books to be distributed.

A total of 40,000 books will be distributed from First Book on Friday and Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014 at the Inland Empire United Way Warehouse located at 9644 Hermosa Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

Friday, October 17, 2014 First Book will hold a Media Day beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Media will be able to take video/photos of the 40,000 books and their distribution as teachers, child care providers and other child-serving professionals select their quantity of books designated.

Ted Alejandre, deputy superintendent, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Tomás Morales, president of California State University, San Bernardino will be in attendance to experience the County receiving these much needed books.

"County Schools is pleased to participate with First Book in this very important event for the children of San Bernardino County,” states Alejandre. “Research shows that early literacy is essential to a student’s academic success. Providing children with books early on helps to develop a love of reading they will carry through their academic and adult life, contributing to life-long learning and future success."

San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department, Children’s Fund, First 5 San Bernardino, Inland Empire United Way, Child Care Resource Center, County of San Bernardino Library, National CORE and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools have joined together as an Advisory Board to form “San Bernardino County First Book (SBCFB)”.  First Book provides access to new books for children in need, transforming the lives of children and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis

Learning to read is critical to a child’s success – both in school and in life.  Literacy is one of the best predictor’s of a child’s success. For children who are growing up in poverty; books are scarce. Only 42% of third graders in San Bernardino County are proficient in reading. 

Through grass roots efforts and networking, the Advisory Board worked to get several schools and organizations registered (more than 675 registrants) to be eligible to receive books through First Book.  The books will be given to 20,000 children (each child will receive two books) to take home.

First Book President, Kyle Zimmer, founded First Book with two friends in 1992 to create an organization dedicated to providing new books to children in need.  In that first year, First Book distributed 12,000 books in three communities – and now deliver more than 35,000 new books on average per day.

8-Year-Old Raises $2,500 for Children's Fund

Raven Cases of Highland raises $2,500 to help underprivileged kids

 

Raven Casas is 8 years old and lives in Highland, California.  She attends Valley Preparatory School in Redlands.  She is not like most 8-year-olds! In May of this year she decided that she wanted to help kids who can't afford things, even things as simple as school supplies.  Her grandparents helped her surf the internet, and Raven chose Children's Fund to donate to because they help underprivileged children.  Since May she has raised $2,500 through the help of fellow students, family, and friends.

Raven's parents, Latisha and Patrick Casas are very proud of their daughter and were not too surprised by their daughter's desire to help as they try to emphasize the importance of giving. They suggested that she organize a fund drive.  A little bit nervous, this second grader made a presentation to the middle school students at her school.

"The big kids responded in an encouraging way, going to their headmaster to get permission to put a collection container in the school office," Raven said.   Not stopping there, Raven reached out to family members, friends and her karate class teammates, determined to collect enough money to make a difference.

Children's Fund is delighted that she chose their organization.  "Kids helping kids, how great is that? We are so pleased that an 8-year-old would be caring enough of others, and to actually follow through and make it happen is amazing," states Karen Blanco of Children’s Fund.

Claremont/West-End Auxiliary of Children's Fund Presents Check for $56,500

Members of the Claremont/West-End Auxiliary, Sue Volz (l) and Barbara Williams (r) presents Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children's Fund with a check for $56,500.  

FOSTER YOUTH’S STORY RECEIVES COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE

When Alicia Washington rose to speak to a room filled with successful business men and women during the 22^nd Annual A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic, silence settled over the room.

“During the first year of my life, I was left in a taxi cab and became part of the foster system,” said Alicia.  “I grew up in many different homes, and went to many different schools.  I soon realized that I wanted to create my own ‘freedom pass’ through education.  My 18^th birthday fell the day before my high school graduation, which meant I was homeless.  On the day of graduation I had to try and find transportation to the graduation ceremony.” 

Washington continued her story of being homeless for quite a while and then discovered a program offered by San Bernardino County which provided transitional housing for foster youth.  She recently graduated from California State University – San Bernardino and proudly stated, “I again graduated, the day before my birthday.”  She went on to say that she is the voice for foster youth.

After Washington received a standing ovation, a $50,000 pledge was made by the Colonies Partners for foster youth.  And, the pledges kept coming in, totaling more than $75,000 for older foster youth by the end of the evening, bringing the grand total raised by the event to more than $500,000.

The largest annual fundraiser for Children’s Fund, the event’s co-title sponsors were the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation and Diversified Pacific Opportunity Fund, and the event sponsor was Young Homes. After his passing in 1992, the A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic was established to continue Gary’s work supporting at-risk and abused children through Children’s Fund. Since its inception, the AGA Memorial Golf Classic has raised more than $6 million to serve the most vulnerable children in our region.

“I cannot say thank you enough.  Thank you on behalf of the children whose lives and futures you are changing,” stated Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “We are grateful for all that has been donated, knowing that there is still so much more that we can do together.”

$1 MILLION DONATION TO HELP ABUSED CHILDREN A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Donates to Children’s Fund

Erin Phillips, Erin and Gary Lastinger, Dr. Sheridan-Matney and Vicente Wright

Children’s Fund announced a $1,000,000 gift from the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation during the grand opening of the Children’s Assessment Center of San Bernardino, hosted by the Children’s Fund President’s Circle on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.  The donation will benefit the children who are treated at the Children’s Assessment Center.

The Children’s Assessment Center treats children ranging in age from 0-18 from every area of San Bernardino County who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect. Nearly half of the children seen at the Assessment Center are under the age of 5, signaling that a significant portion of the population served by this Center are very young and often cannot speak for themselves.  Last year, the Center treated more than 1,300 children from our own communities.

“This is the largest single gift in Children’s Fund’s history,” states Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund.   “This gift will support the Center's continued emergency response to children, as well as provide a seed investment for a Children's Fund endowment, which will help protect the future of the Center.”  The lobby of the Children’s Assessment Center has been named the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Lobby in response to their generosity.

Erin Lastinger, daughter of A. Gary Anderson, spoke about the donation.  “It is our mission and passion to carry on my father’s legacy to support at-risk and abused children.  Gary and I promise we will do everything in our power to protect and serve our kids in this community.” The A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic, benefitting Children’s Fund, is in its 22^nd year and has raised more than $5.5 million to assist abused and neglected children.

Dr. Clare Sheridan-Matney, the medical director of the Children’s Assessment Center, was honored for her 30 years of dedication and hard work, treating thousands of abused children throughout her career.  “It’s hard to see the cruelty that people inflict upon children,” states Sheridan-Matney.  “It is especially touching when you meet children who have managed to retain innocence and humanity throughout it all.”  Speaking about the new Center, Sheridan-Matney continued, “We want the children to feel comfortable at the Center.  We want them to understand that they do matter, that we are here for them, and they do have a voice.”

Erin & Gary Lastinger in the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Lobby