Tournament of Roses, Sheriff’s Dept. and Crime Survivors Donate 250 Boxes of Clothing to Local Nonprofits

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Community Advisory Council and Crime Survivors, has donated 250 boxes of clothing to Pasadena non-profits focused on helping survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness.

Tournament of Roses volunteer members sorted 500 boxes of clothes, which were generously donated by Forever 21, into 250 boxes to kick off distribution on Saturday, October 4. Artistic Entertainment Services (AES) allowed use of their facility in Azusa for the sorting and distribution.

Six Pasadena-area nonprofits picked up some of the boxes on Saturday. Nonprofits in San Gabriel Valley and Compton also received part of the donations.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank Forever 21 for their most generous donation to one of our most valued partners, Crime Survivors,” Bruce Chase, Assistant Sheriff at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, said.

Carlos Illingworth, Senior Director Community Relations for the Tournament of Roses, said their organization may be known mostly for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, but they’re also about authentic community engagement throughout the year, with an emphasis on collaboration and driving impact.

“Through this effort, we hope to leverage the strength of our brand to raise awareness of and support for local nonprofits that advocate for survivors,” he said.

Laverne Delgado, Executive Director of Freedom and Fashion, a non-profit that uses fashion and beauty to overcome trafficking, homelessness and injuries, said home isn’t always the safest place for victims of domestic violence, and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused abuse to drastically multiply.

“These resources are needed now more than ever and we are grateful to receive them in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” Delgado said of the donations.

Jenica Morin-Pascual, Training Specialist and Domestic Violence Consultant at YWCA San Gabriel Valley, said the donations will help put a smile on the faces of victims of abuse.

“Many families flee their abusive relationships seeking safety, they come with nothing, and no time to pack a bag of clothing, these donations are sometimes all they have, and can make a huge difference in helping them to feel better about themselves in a new outfit,” Morin-Pascual said.

Some of the other non-profits that received donations from the Tournament of Roses include Elizabeth House, Foothill Unity Center, Inc., Journey House and Hillsides Transitional Housing.