Last month, PFAR in Action (PFARIA) hosted a fundraiser at Mijares Mexican Restaurant in Pasadena to introduce itself to the Pasadena community, while raising funds for the upcoming year.
The PFARIA Advisory Board welcomed attendees, introduced its mission, presented past and current initiatives, and statistics on the number of individuals assisted. In attendance were representatives from two of the eight non-profits PFARIA has aided, this year: Union Station Homeless Services and Friends in Deed. A video was also played from PUSD Families in Transition where four staff members provided gratitude for the 250+ families the organization was able to service because of PFARIA’s generosity.
The sold-out event generated just over $3,000 to kick-off 2023. PFARIA also gained its first two Founding Sponsors: PFAR CEO, Carla Dana (Gold Sponsor) and PFAR’s 2018 President, Emilie Broughton (Bronze Sponsor) of Dilbeck Real Estate.
“The Fall Fiesta was such a great event because it featured the key ingredient in community, showing up! And show up we did! This event was a success because our industry heard the call and showed up for the underserved communities that need our help,” explains Advisory Board member Kay Tolentino, who is also PFAR’s 2023 President-Elect.
PFARIA’s mission is “Working together to give back to the community in which we serve,” which has allowed the members to touch over 1,200 lives since February 2022. To remain in alignment with its purpose, next year PFARIA is looking to double its giving efforts, partnerships, and the ability to provide grants to other non-profit organizations to reach more people. The upcoming 116th president says, “I’m honored to be an advisory board member and look forward to the growth of PFAR in Action [and] the best part of it all is that this is just the beginning.”
This holiday season, PFARIA closed out 2022 by conducting a canned food drive and pet food bank for Foothill Unity Center, Inc., and the Pasadena Humane Society. The community service-based group filled three grocery baskets with canned and dry food, snacks and beverages for the Foothill Unity Center, Inc. PFARIA also donated bags of dry and canned pet food, cat litter and dog training pads.
It’s not too late to get involved before the year ends. Give back while ordering dessert for the holidays. Go to www.dolci.com and enter “PFARIA10” at checkout (valid through Dec. 31, 2022) and 10 percent of all orders over $75 will be donated to PFARIA.
