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.”

Walmart presents check to Children's Fund

Children’s Fund Director of Marketing and Public Relations Shari Hunke, Children’s Fund President and CEO Stacy Iverson, Walmart Store Manager Sandra Nuterangelo, Shift Manager Ruby Wylie, and Faith Powell are on hand for presentation of a check for $3,000 from Walmart to Children’s Fund in honor of Faith’s collection for toys for Children’s Fund last Christmas.

Originally printed in the Highland Community News on Jan. 28.  Written by Charles Roberts.

Faith Powell, 11, of Highland decided for her birthday she would like to give to others. To raise money, she collected and sold old shoes, and then accepted gifts from others to supplement the toy donation to Children’s Fund, which supports foster children.

Last Christmas, she went to Walmart with her money and bought baskets of toys and donated them to Children’s Fund in San Bernardino.

On Tuesday, Jan. 26, Walmart chipped in $3,000 to Children’s Fund in Faith’s name to help the cause.

Faith’s mother, Tracey Powell joined Faith and Children’s Fund President and CEO Stacy Iverson in accepting the check from Walmart Store Manager Sandra Nuterangelo at the Highland Avenue Walmart in San Bernardino.

Faith will be honored for her efforts at the annual Heart Awards presented by The Unforgettables on Feb. 12 at the Fox Theater in Redlands.

Amazon associates pull together for Celebration of Giving Campaign

---Makes holidays brighter for Inland Empire youth

PHOTO Credit - ABC News: An employee prepares an order at

Amazon's fulfillment center in San Bernardino, CA

Originally published in the Inland Empire Community News
by Yazmin Alvarez -  December 30, 2015

Associates from Amazon fulfillment centers across the Inland Empire worked together to help make the holidays a special one for thousands of children in San Bernardino County.

Employees from the facilities in San Bernardino, Redlands, and Moreno Valley collected and sorted more than 5000 holiday gifts for the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino’s 27th Annual Celebration of Giving Campaign.

The collection, which took place from Nov. 27- Dec. 11, also happened to be Amazon’s busiest time of year, and Scott Anderson, general manager of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Bernardino, touted employees for pulling together to make such a successful event.

“Even among one of our busiest holiday seasons, I am proud of how hard Amazon employees worked to collect and sort gifts to make holiday wishes come true for thousands of children in our community.”

The collection brought in everything from bicycles and skateboards, to teddy bears and mp3 players, according to Amazon. Associates sorted the thousands of items by catergories and separated them accordingly so children would have an age-appropriate gift.

Charles Perkins, an Amazon employee, said he was proud to be part of this year’s drive and help give children a deserving holiday.

“Thousands of Amazon employees live in this community and I am glad we were able to give back to the community we call home. Every child deserves to have something special on Christmas.”

All together, the gifts donated by Amazon were enough to fill two mid-sized moving trucks, according to a news release from the company.

The annual giving campaign aims to support underprivileged youth throughout the community, including children in foster care.

To learn more about the annual campaign or to make a monetary donation, visit www.childrensfundonline.org. 

Bonnes Meres brighten the holidays for at-risk children

Big Smiles for a Big Check!

Members of the Bonnes Meres Auxiliary present a check for $75,000 to Children’s Fund President and CEO Stacy Iverson. Left to right: Bonnes Meres Vice President Barbara Rozema, President Sally Robertson, Iverson, and Annual Auction Chair Mallory Mudge.

By Anne Viricel - Special to Highland Community News (pub. 12/17/15)

The Bonnes Meres Auxiliary of the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino has donated $75,000 toward the organization’s operational expenses. The check presentation took place at the Bonnes Meres holiday luncheon Dec 15 at Redlands’ Burrage Mansion in front of a capacity crowd of Bonnes Meres members and their guests.

The funds were raised at the Bonnes Meres Annual Auction which was held at the National Orange Show Convention Center in November. Members have been anxiously awaiting the total ever since.

Before revealing the total, Bonnes Meres President Sally Robertson shared her thoughts about the annual event which this year combined silent and live auctions with a luncheon and entertainment for over 300 attendees.

“It is truly a labor of love and this organization is such a sisterhood. We enjoy working together for this important cause, and we are so very proud to be able to present this check to the Children’s Fund,” she said.

“This is such an amazing group of women to work with,” added 2015 Auction Chair Mallory Mudge. “Their hearts are there for the children and each and every one of them is willing to put in the time needed to raise these funds.”

Mudge was responsible for the nearly one dozen committees that combined their targeted efforts toward the successful outcome.

Receiving the check was new Children’s Fund President and CEO Stacy Iverson.

“The extraordinary generosity of the Bonnes Meres women has brightened the future for thousands of children in our county who need us the most,” Iverson said. “I am so in awe of them and all they are willing to do. This is just extraordinary.”

Bonnes Meres’ next fundraiser will be their Annual Birthday Luncheon in April at Redlands Country Club. This event collects thousands of toys and gifts for youth in the San Bernardino County foster care system.

To learn more about Bonnes Meres and their local efforts, visit www.bonnesmeres.org.

Team Members at Arrowhead Credit Union Donate $11,000 in Toys to Help Children’s Fund

Giving Disadvantaged Children a
Bright and Happy Christmas

More than 650 disadvantaged children will enjoy a brighter Christmas this year thanks to true team spirit at Arrowhead Credit Union. Arrowhead team members were able to exceed last year’s goal and donate more than $11,000 in toys to support the 27^th Annual Celebration of Giving toy drive for Children’s Fund.

 “Every year the number of children that need our assistance grows and we were worried about meeting their needs, especially in light of recent tragedies. But every year, Arrowhead Credit Union comes through –this year with more than 650 gifts,”

said Jane Nottingham, Events Coordinator for Children’s Fund.  “It’s amazing how Arrowhead Credit Union supports at-risk children in our community.”

“Our team wanted to make Christmas wishes come true in a big way this year,” said Arrowhead team member Ann Wadagnolo. “It breaks my heart when a request card from a child asks for a simple wish, like a blanket or pair of socks.  Every child should have the basic necessities and a special gift to celebrate the holidays.”

Since 1986, Children’s Fund, located in San Bernardino California, has helped more than 1.4 million children who are impoverished, abused, neglected or abandoned. Children’s Fund gives vulnerable children support, opportunity, and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships.

About Arrowhead Credit Union

Arrowhead Credit Union was established in 1949 and is dedicated to building strong communities. Arrowhead is the largest credit union in the Inland Empire, with more than 125,000 members.  Visit us at arrowheadcu.org.

First 5 San Bernardino provides more than 8,000 Gifts

$50,000 contribution to Children’s Fund helps
underprivileged children during Holidays

More than 8,000 disadvantaged young children in San Bernardino County are receiving holiday gifts because of a $50,000 contribution to Children’s Fund from First 5 San Bernardino.

The check presentation was made on Tuesday, December 1 at the Board of Supervisors meeting in San Bernardino County.

“This generous investment from First 5 San Bernardino will ensure that thousands of precious children will receive a gift during the holidays, which may be the only gift they receive,” says Stacy Iverson, President & CEO of Children’s Fund.  “With one in four children living in poverty in our county, often it’s these little things, things that we may take for granted, that make a big difference to our children.”

This is the 27th year of the Children’s Fund Celebration of Giving Campaign, the organization’s annual toy drive.  It is because of community partners like First 5 San Bernardino that the campaign continues to provide more than 25,000 gifts each year within the Inland Empire. Other partners include Spark of Love, Stater Bros. Markets, Arrowhead Credit Union, Burlington, Amazon, KFROG, various departments of the County of San Bernardino, and other generous local businesses and residents who give to the campaign.

“Our relationship with Children’s Fund is a perfect example of two organizations working towards the same goal,” says Karen E. Scott, Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino. “We both strive to provide optimal health and development for young children and their families.  It’s all about the kids, especially this time of year.” First 5 San Bernardino was created in December 1998 in order to realize the benefits of the California Children and Families Act.  The act created a program for the purpose of promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age.

Children’s Fund is a 29-year-old nonprofit organization serving San Bernardino County’s most vulnerable youth. Children’s Fund’s mission is to give our vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope by breaking destructive cycles through community partnerships.

Children’s Fund Names New Leader

Stacy Iverson is named President & CEO of San Bernardino County nonprofit

SAN BERNARDINO, California (Friday, December 4, 2015) – San Bernardino-based nonprofit Children’s Fund announced the promotion of Stacy Iverson to President & CEO.  The announcement was made by Lee Jackman, Chair of the Board of Children’s Fund.

Iverson joined Children’s Fund in February 2013 as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.  Her 20 year career of working to improve the lives of children makes her a natural fit to lead Children’s Fund. 

"Stacy Iverson was the perfect choice as President & CEO of Children's Fund,” said Jackman.  “She has vast experience working with our many partners in San Bernardino County, has proven expertise in overseeing a diverse staff, and has shown herself to be a visionary leader amongst board and donors.”  Jackman believes that Children's Fund is fortunate to “have Stacy's capabilities that will ensure Children's Fund’s success well into the future."

Prior to joining the Children’s Fund team, Iverson served in the child development field as a program manager for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, working to enhance the quality of child care and increasing access to care for children throughout the county. She also served as the program manager for eight years with First 5 San Bernardino, implementing valuable programs to effectively impact the county’s youngest children.

“I am honored to have an opportunity to work with such dedicated board members, staff and community partners,” said Iverson. “I believe in the Children’s Fund mission and, most importantly, I believe in the children we serve and want to help afford them every opportunity for success.”  

Children’s Fund is a 29-year-old nonprofit organization serving San Bernardino County’s most vulnerable youth. Children’s Fund’s mission is to give 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 help, go to www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000.  Follow us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/W4Wymf.