Inland Empire Economic Partnership Names Santa Claus Inc. 2017 Non-Profit of The Year by Karen DiCarlo - City News Group, Inc.

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Inland Empire Economic Partnership Names Santa Claus Inc. 2017 Non-Profit of The Year

By Karen DiCarlo
Community Writer
01/17/2018 at 01:26 PM

Santa Claus Inc. has been awarded the “Nonprofit of the Year” Award by The Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) for their exemplary leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life of the Inland Empire. Santa Claus Inc. will receive the Nonprofit Award at the annual awards dinner scheduled to be held Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario.

“The IEEP is pleased to honor Santa Claus Inc. as Nonprofit of the Year,” said IEEP’s CEO and President Paul Granillo. “They truly demonstrate servant leadership and work tirelessly to serve families in need and strengthen our communities.”

Karen DiCarlo, Executive Director of Santa Claus Inc. (SCI) said, “Our entire team is elated to be named as “2017 Nonprofit of the Year” by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP). Amongst other noteworthy non-profits considered, SCI is very humbled to have been selected.” Founded in 1952, Santa Claus Inc. has provided seasonal and basic needs services to over 1,000,000 children throughout the Inland Empire. SCI is committed to improving the economic, social, and physical wellness of youth throughout the Inland Empire. 

“It takes a village,” said Karen. Santa Claus Inc. relies on hundreds of dedicated volunteers, local and national corporate partners, financial supporters, and in-kind product donors to ensure Santa Claus Inc. can deliver on its mission’s promise. The mission of Santa Claus Inc. is, “To provide critical services to youth in the Inland Empire by empowering families through year-round and seasonal programs.” 

Santa Claus Inc. distributes services through two distinct programs – Youth Enrichment Services (Yes!), and its annual Christmas Distribution Program. SCI is well-known for its flagship              Christmas Distribution Program that provided services directly from its warehouse to over 6,000 families for Christmas in 2017. These families encompass an estimated 15,500 children! Additionally, the Youth Enrichment Services (Yes!) program provided external indirect Christmas Distribution support to many qualified nonprofit organizations and schools. According to Sandra Lourenco, who leads the Yes! Distribution program, “Yes! Provided services to over 105,300 kids – an increase of 5% over 2016.”

SCI continuously provides for the needs of youth through Youth Enrichment Services and Christmas Distribution programs to ease the struggles that children raised in extremely impoverished conditions encounter daily. It is because of Santa Claus Inc.’s strong partnerships that this IEEP award belongs to every volunteer, donor, and partner.

The Inland Empire Economic Partnership understands that through strong relationships, the Inland Empire will achieve desired results in moving our region forward economically, educationally, and by improving the quality of life of families generationally.  

“We are thrilled to partner with organizations like the AACR as we continue to recruit the brightest scientists and build a broad research community,” said Julie Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “Our grant recipients have been shaping the research field and are actively bringing us closer to improving patient outcomes.”

To learn more about Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), visit www.ieep.com. The Inland Empire Economic Partnership’s mission is to help create the region’s voice for business and quality of life in San Bernardino and Riverside County. Our membership, a collection of important organizations in the private and public sector, gives the organization the knowledge and perspective needed to advocate and provide a vibrant business and living environment. Follow us on Facebook @IEEconPartnership and Twitter @IEEP_. 

To learn more about or how to directly contact Santa Claus Inc. at 909-885-0090. Additionally, you can choose to donate online at www.SantaClausInc.com. To follow the successes and stories of Santa Claus Inc. and Y.E.S. services, Like them on Facebook at Facebook.com/santaclausincorporated, on Instagram at #SantaHeartstheIE, and on Twitter @Santaclaus_Inc.