First 5 San Bernardino Provides more Than 8,000 Gifts

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, Dec. 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 non-profit 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.