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Like Riding a Bike
On Feb. 8, the Golden State Foods Foundation (GSF Foundation) partnered with the Taco Bell Foundation to host a Bike Building event benefiting the children on the waitlist for Big Brother Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire (BBBS OC/IE). Held at the organization’s facility, the event paired each child with a volunteer from one of the sponsoring organizations to help them assemble their very own bike. In total, 22 bikes were built. Each child also received a helmet and a lock.
“This Bike Building program is a win-win-win for everyone involved,” said John Page, chairman of the board and CEO, GSF Foundation. “It’s a win for the kids, who get a shiny new bike that they helped build, gaining a sense of independence and accomplishment in the process; a win for the volunteers, who act as Bigs for the Day and provide an enriching experience for children on the match-up wait list; and a win for the promising new partnership between two corporate Foundations and an impactful organization serving local youths.”
Guided by their “Bigs for the Day”—including Taco Bell franchise owners, food innovation team members and Live Más Scholars—kids tightened bolts and adjusted handlebars. Volunteers completed safety checks and children decorated their helmets before taking their bikes for a spin.
“This inspiring collaboration underscores the power of mentorship, teamwork and giving back to the community,” said Sloane Keane, CEO, BBBS OC/IE. “The commitment by our many corporate partners, such as Golden State Foods and Taco Bell, is a vital enabling force in helping our youth thrive and reach their full potential.”
A Transformational Gift
Charlie and Ling Zhang, restaurant entrepreneurs and founders, Zion Enterprises, have given a $500,000 gift to support the Bowers Museum’s upcoming exhibit World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century, which opens to the public on May 24.
The Zhangs serve as lead chairs of the Terracotta Warriors Project. Additional support for the exhibit comes from Southern China Airlines, South Coast Plaza, PNC Bank, East West Bank, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and Huaxie Int’l Fine Art Freight Service Co. Ltd.
World of the Terracotta Warriors features more than 110 newly excavated relics from ancient sites across Shaanxi Province, many never seen in North America. Curated by Bowers Museum’s Chief Curator Dr. Tianlong Jiao, the exhibition brings to light groundbreaking archaeological discoveries that redefine understanding of China’s First Emperor and the civilizations that came before him.
A Walk in the Rows
On March 15, nearly 1,000 Orange County residents gathered at Tanaka Farms for Second Harvest Food Bank’s third annual Walk to Feed OC. The event raised $223,000 through peer-to-peer fundraising and sponsorships—enough to provide 11 truckloads of milk for the community.
“Walk to Feed OC is a powerful opportunity for local families, companies and community groups to make a difference for the one in 10 Orange County residents who are food insecure,” said Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest. “This event raises awareness and funds that are critical for our community. Together, we can ensure that our community members have reliable access to nutritious food.”
Presented by The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation | Ralphs Food 4 Less, the event was held during National Nutrition Month. The nearly 1,000 participants walked 1.5 miles, including a new path through rows of ripening strawberries.
“Every step taken today was a step toward a hunger-free Orange County,” said Salvador Ramirez, corporate affairs manager at Food 4 Less and Ralphs. “The energy, the support and the commitment to making a difference prove that when we unite for a cause, real change happens.”
Second Harvest distributes food through 286 partners at 394 sites, serving an average of 442,000 people each month.
Bits & Pieces
Families Forward welcomes three new board members: Bill Brooks, vice president, leasing and real estate, Capital Group; Barry Curtis, senior director, entitlement for Irvine Company; and Kimberly Pollard, senior vice president, large-scale communities, Seabreeze…Laguna Art Museum is now offering free admission for all visitors ages 19 and under, removing the barrier of cost so that children and families can access fun and engaging recreational activities that build academic and social skills…The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) announces the election of Christopher Tower, CPA, to its Board of Governors, who brings a wealth of expertise in financial oversight, sustainability, and strategic leadership, joining a distinguished group of business and community leaders who guide one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing community foundations.