SoCal Gas Hosts Drive-Thru Donation Drive for Children's Fun

Inland Empire SoCal Gas employees spent the morning participating in a drive-thru donation drive to bring much-needed supplies for Children's Fund, San Bernardino, many decorating their cars and playfully honking their horns as they paraded through the Children's Fund parking lot on Hospitality Lane.

"The gas company has been doing a lot in the community, especially helping those in need during the COVID-19 [crisis], and we were trying to identify organizations that could use some of our assistance," explained Kristine Scott, senior public affairs manager at SoCalGas, during the event. "We've been a partner with the Children's Fund for several years now, and we knew there was a need for this organization, so we pulled our troops together, got the employees together, and thought it would be great to get involved and find a way to help the kids in San Bernardino County.

"It's always good to give back, especially during tough times," she added. "We don't succeed as a company unless the community we serve succeeds, so it was really important and we wanted to help our children and families in need during this time. And if we can help, we want to."

"Childrens Fund, for over 33 years, has been providing support, opportunity, and hope to vulnerable children in San Bernardino County, experiencing poverty, abuse, and neglect, and we make sure that their emergency needs are met in order to stabilize the mind, body, and soul of a child," shared Childrens Fund President and CEO Ciriaco "Cid" Pinedo. "And then we provide them with an opportunity to improve their lifestyle by providing scholarships for either education or job skill training and enhancement. And then, for those children that are severly abused or neglected, we provide services to them through our children's assessment center, and there, their hope is restored and they're able to move forward.

"SoCal Gas says that they're glad to be of service, and this is proof that they are here to serve the community," he continued. "They reached out and asked what do our kids need during this COVID-19 pandemic, and we told them that they need those essential items such as hygiene kits, baby and infant items, and they said, 'Absolutely. That's what we're here to do.' And so they stepped up, and they came forward to serve our vulnerable kids."

He expressed that some of the ongoing needs for the organization include hygiene kits, beds and bedding, school supplies, and rental assistance. Members of the public who wish to donate can go here, and designate "COVID-19 relief fund."