Good works: P&G donates record amount, Girls Inc partners with area schools
By Staff Report
Oxnard manufacturer Proctor & Gamble donated a record amount, $328,000 to United Way of Ventura County, the nonprofit said in a May 6 press release.
According to the release, throughout November and December, Procter & Gamble Oxnard Plant employees raised $270,000 from employee, retiree, and corporate giving.
Additionally, more than $58,000 in special events and sponsorships were raised.
Employees have also given back in other ways as in August, they volunteered to pack more than 200 Stuff the Bus backpacks for local school children in need and provided Welcome Home Baskets for families housed through United Way’s Landlord Engagement Program.
“I am thrilled that our P&G Oxnard Plant has set a new record for employee contributions to this year’s United Way Campaign for the second consecutive year,” Rachel Buchenroth, plant manager of Procter & Gamble Oxnard, said in a press release.
“We have continued to drive generous donations through the kindheartedness and community spirit of our P&G employees and retirees. The P&G Oxnard team is energized by this achievement and continue to drive our long-standing dedication to supporting the great work that the United Way organization provides to Ventura County.”
STRONGER, TOGETHER
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara has partnered with the Santa Barbara Unified School District in an effort to bring Girls Inc. programming to elementary schools in the district.
Announced May 10, this program — which was approved by both the school district and board — will be offered during lunchtime and after school hours, serving up to 600 girls across nine elementary schools in Santa Barbara free of charge to families and the district.
The new program will focus on a range of subjects tailored to the needs and interests of each unique cohort of girls, including leadership development, STEM education, healthy living, and financial literacy.
Through interactive workshops, hands-on activities and mentorship, girls will have the chance to explore new interests, build self-esteem, connect with positive role models and make new friends, the press release read.
Participating schools include: Adams Elementary School, Cleveland Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Harding University Partnership School, Mc Kinley Elementary School, Monroe Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Community Academy and Washington Elementary School.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Santa Barbara Unified School District to offer this impactful program to elementary school girls in our community,” Cydney Justman, executive director of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, said in a press release.
“By providing free programming during lunchtime and after school on a regular basis, we aim to reach as many girls as possible and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
DOUBLING THE IMPACT
Oxnard-based Gill’s Onions will match all donations up to $15,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SeeAg) through the end of May as part of SEEAG’s 5th Annual Double Your Impact Challenge.
SeeAg’s mission is to build awareness and appreciation among grade schoolers for agriculture and the importance of eating healthy, CEO Mary Maranville said.
“The program combines classroom learning with farm field trips where students learn about the origins of their food,” she said.
The Farm-to-Food Lab program is held throughout the school year in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and is provided at no charge to students, teachers and schools.
As such, SeeAg relies on donations to keep the program free and to continue to enhance the learning experience.
GIVING BACK
A $12,000 check was presented to the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark and Simi Valley from GreatWay Roofing and CEO Rod Menzel on April 30.
Celebrating its 25th year in business as a Ventura County and Los Angeles County business leader, the $12,000 check will go toward replacing the roof of the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark and Simi Valley building located at 200 Casey Rd. in Moorpark.
Moorpark Mayor Pro Tem Tom Means was at the check presentation on April 30 while Menzel presented the check.
POWERFUL TUNE
Six Santa Barbara musicians took home thousands of dollars in scholarships after competing in the annual music contest organized by the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation.
The contest, which took place at Music Academy of the West in Montecito, happened on April 28 with awards ranging from $500 to $6,000 and totaled $26,000 overall.
This year’s vocal division winner was Ava Zimmer, 22, a soprano and junior at Westmont College.
The 2024 adult instrumentalist winner was Tiffany Yin, 23, a pianist and recent graduate of UCSB’s Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance program.
And first prize in the junior instrumentalist category went to Henry Woodruff, 16, a violist and student at the Colburn Music Academy in Los Angeles.
