Congratulations to the 2020 Kinecta Kindness Recipients!
City of Hope South Bay
The City of Hope South Bay opened its doors in 2018. It brings expert cancer care, including medical, radiation and surgical oncology, to the surrounding communities. The City of Hope is a recognized world leader in cancer research and treatment, and that expertise is available to every patient at every location including its South Bay location.
Thank you to the staff at City of Hope South Bay for their kindness and for being positive role models in your community. For their act of kindness, City of Hope South Bay received a $250 donation.
Photo Credit: City of Hope
Street Racing Kills
Congratulations Street Racing Kills #KinectaKindness recipient.
Guy P. nominated Lili Trujillo and Street Racing Kills. Here’s what Guy submitted, “Lili and Street Racing Kills are doing amazing things for our community. They educate our youth about the dangers of illegal street racing and traffic safety. Their goal is to save teens lives and spare a parent from losing a child while keeping her daughter’s memory alive!”
Lili founded Street Racing Kills (SRK) in 2014 after her 16-year-old daughter, Valentina was killed by a young man who was street racing and crashed while giving her a ride home. Lili’s life changed forever that day. With Valentina by her side in spirit, her mission was born; to save lives by mentoring and creating awareness among the youth.
Lili, we are so sorry for your loss but appreciate your mission of helping to save lives by teaching youth about the dangers of illegal street racing and traffic safety. For her act of kindness, Street Racing Kills received a $250 donation on Lili’s behalf.
Little Red Wagon
Anasia O. nominated Trina Rodgers and Little Red Wagon. Here’s what Anasia submitted, “I'm nominating Trina because of the amazing work her organization does providing free transportation for critically ill, disabled, and special needs children and their families to ensure uninterrupted access to medical care. It also provides more time for each other."
Thank you, Trina for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Little Red Wagon received a $250 donation on Trina’s behalf.
Breast Cancer Angels
Marianne B. nominated Debbie Stroman and Breast Cancer Angels. Here’s what Marianne submitted, “I work with many people who make the world a better place, but Debbie is utterly unique in that she has failed to get that hardened skin we all get after seeing so much suffering. Even after 6 years, Debbie still cries every time she loses a person she helped to breast cancer.”
The mission of Breast Cancer Angels is to provide financial and emotional assistance for individuals and their families as they are going through breast cancer treatment in Orange County, Long Beach/South Bay, and San Diego.
Thank you, Debbie for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Breast Cancer Angels received a $250 donation on Debbie’s behalf.
Open Hearts Homes
Stephanie M. nominated Lisa Barrett and Open Hearts Homes. Here’s what Stephanie submitted, “Open Hearts Homes helps to house so many women and children who were once chronically homeless.” Open Hearts Homes caters to youth, elderly, and families at risk of homelessness and provides diverse resources to assist with enhancing the lives of all participants.
Thank you, Lisa for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For Lisa’s act of kindness, Open Hearts Homes received a $250 donation on her behalf.
Caterina's Club
John R. nominated Chef Bruno Serato and Caterina’s Club. Here’s what John submitted, “Caterina’s Club provides warm meals to homeless and low-income families throughout Southern California. Chef Bruno and his team serve these meals with love to hundreds of children each day. Chef Bruno takes action every day to make this world a better place.”
Chef Bruno, Caterina’s Club volunteers, supporters and staff members have been fighting the Coronavirus with pasta by working on the front lines every day. Since the Coronavirus Pandemic, Catrina’s Club has provided over 1,000,000 meals!
Thank you, Chef Bruno for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Caterina’s Club received a $250 donation on Chef Bruno’s behalf.
Haven Academy of the Arts
Carlos M. nominated Jon Kubler and the Haven Academy of the Arts. Here’s what Carlos submitted, “Jon is a business owner who has fully engulfed himself in the fight for a better life for children, especially inner-city kids. Jon continuously volunteers in his South Bay community and donates time and money to various nonprofits/churches from California to Charlotte, N.C.
Haven Academy of the Arts provides quality performing arts training for youth ages 3-21, with an emphasis on character development. Their mission is to develop character in future leaders through the performing arts and give them the tools, life skills, and sense of purpose they need to leave a legacy in their community.
Thank you, Jon for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Haven Academy of the Arts received a $250 donation on Jon’s behalf.
A Future SuperHero and Friends
Kwesi J. nominated Yuri Williams and his non-profit, A Future SuperHero and Friends. Here’s what Kwesi submitted, “I am nominating A Future SuperHero and Friends for all they have done before & during the coronavirus pandemic; feeding over 3,000 houseless individuals, donating 300+ new toys to hospitals, delivering groceries to over 50 families and providing 50 pizzas for essential workers. This non-profit is making a difference.”
Yuri founded A Future Superhero and Friends after his mother, Lynda passed away from cancer. It took Yuri 5 years to somewhat recover from losing his mom. During this time, Yuri came up with an idea to help the underserved in his community by dressing up as Spiderman or Deadpool. Yuri has participated in several events dressed up as Spiderman or Deadpool including blood drives, movie-nights, toy drives, feeding and clothing the homeless and also visiting communities in 50 states. Yuri says, “We are good people just wanting to show love and compassion to everyone we encounter.”
Thank you, Yuri for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community after the loss of your mom. For his act of kindness, A Future SuperHero and Friends received a $250 donation.
Smiles by Angels Foundation
Luis nominated the Smiles by Angels Foundation. Smiles by Angels Foundation is a non-profit organization inspired by Luis and Corine’s son AJ, who was born an Angel. Although they did not see his smile in their daily lives; AJ and all babies born as Angels are alive through the smiles they bring to children in need.
Since 2019, Smiles by Angels Foundation has provided sweatshirts to children attending Kinecta’s backpack event.
Thank you, Luis and Corine for your kindness and for being positive role models in your community after the loss of your son AJ. For their act of kindness, Smiles by Angels Foundation received a $250 donation.
Ryan Rossow - South Bay Food Initiative
Ryan is a graduate of Mira Costa High School. He is also the Founder and President of the South Bay Food Initiative. Friends Ryan, Andrew and Max wanted to help people in their community who were hungry and did not have enough to eat. They started volunteering by sorting food at a local soup kitchen. Then decided to start a club at their high school. The South Bay Food Initiative has donated tons of food and has delivered educational messages about food insecurity.
Thank you, Ryan, Andrew and Max for your kindness and for being positive role models in your community. For his act of kindness, Ryan received a $250 donation for the South Bay Food Initiative on his behalf.
Diane Hata - Friends of the Covina Public Library
Lilly J. nominated Diane Hata and the Friends of the Covina Public Library. Here’s what Lilly submitted, “As a volunteer Literacy Tutor, Ms. Hata has helped children, adults, and families learn how to read and improve their lives. As a member of the Friends of the Covina Public Library, Ms. Hata has organized fundraisers to help raise funds to help support library programs which in turn help our community.”
Thank you, Ms. Hata for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Ms. Hata received a $250 donation to Friends of the Covina Public Library on her behalf.
Akuyoe Graham - Spirit Awakening Foundation
William T. nominated Akuyoe Graham and the Spirit Awakening Foundation. Here’s what William submitted, “Akuyoe Graham is an actor and writer who volunteers her time teaching foster children and kids in juvenile camps creative writing. Now she has started the Spirit Awakening Foundation where she can serve more children.”
Thank you, Akuyoe for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Akuyoe received a $250 donation to Spirit Awakening Foundation on her behalf.
Cherie Unholz - Age Well Senior Services, Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center
Marsha M. nominated Cherie Unholz and the Age Well Senior Services, Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center. Here’s what Marsha submitted, “Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, Age Well Senior Services Florence Sylvester Center has provided over 3,500 free meals. Cherie and her staff coordinate through Meals on Wheels to have meals provided to their senior citizen community.”
Last month, the Florence Sylvester Senior Center delivered over 7,000 nutritious meals through Meals on Wheels to seniors who are living at home with little or no assistance to obtain adequate meals. Age Well serves all ages (60+) and all incomes with a suggested donation of $9 per day, though no one who is eligible is turned away for inability to pay. Their approach to deliver more than a meal means they also provide friendly Wellness Checks to alleviate loneliness while monitoring health & wellness.
Thank you, Cherie and Staff for your kindness and for being positive role models in your community. For her act of kindness, Cherie received a $250 donation to Age Well Senior Services, Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center on her behalf.
Matthew Martinez - City of Redondo Beach (Perry Park)
Laura M. nominated Matthew Martinez and the City of Redondo Beach (Perry Park). Here’s what Laura submitted, “My son, Matthew, executed his Eagle Scout Project.
He has been planning this for months!” Matthew planned, designed, created, and executed a 90-foot long mural beautification project at their local Perry Park in the city of Redondo Beach. Laura said, “it is a beautiful inspiration for the park. Matthew has worked so hard putting this project together for the park!”
Thank you, Matthew for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Matthew received a $250 donation to the City of Redondo Beach (Perry Park) on his behalf.
Mary Simmons - Partners of Parks (AOC7)
Renee C. nominated Mary Simmons and Partners of Parks (AOC7). Here’s what Renee submitted, “Mrs. Mary Simmons is a special women! She came up with a way to give back to the kids of the community by giving them books! This is an underserved community in Long Beach where some of the children will never get into reading if it were not for Mrs. Mary.”
Thank you, Mary for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Mary received a $250 donation to Partners of Parks (AOC7) on her behalf.
Steve Marsh – Rotary Club of Mission Viejo
Marsha M. nominated Steve Marsh and the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo. The Rotary Club of Mission Viejo joined other Rotary Clubs in Orange County to help assemble 30,000 face shields for local hospitals. Steve Marsh and members of Geneva Presbyterian Church volunteered to help assemble the face shields with social distancing and safety precautions firmly in place.
Thank you, Steve for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Steve received a $250 donation for the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo on his behalf. Steve says that the $250.00 will be used for the Rotary Club’s District Grant service project this Fall.
Lori Ramsey – Quilters by the Sea
Nathan R. nominated Lori and Quilters by the Sea. Nathan submitted, “My mom has been coordinating efforts and sewing for Long Beach Quilters by the Sea by making over 1,500 face masks for local hospitals. Quilters by the Sea usually makes over 350 quilts that are given away each year. Due to COVID-19, Quilters by the Sea switched gears and started making masks. My mom even got me to iron! She also sewed extra masks for the post office workers and the rest of the block!”
Thank you, Lori for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Lori received a $250 donation for Quilters by the Sea.
Dr. Erica Witter-Davis – Range of Motion Foundation
Ezequiel Y. nominated Dr. Erica and the Range of Motion Foundation. Here’s what Ezequiel submitted, “Dr. Erica Witter-Davis has formed the Range of Motion Foundation to support underserved local high schools by providing sports medicine care to student athletes. As a former student athlete, I know this will provide immeasurable support to the students that will help shape their futures.”
Thank you Dr. Erica, for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Dr. Erica received a $250 donation to the Range of Motion Foundation.
Shane McCann – South Bay FC
Lelly N. nominated Shane and submitted: “South Bay FC uses the beautiful sport of soccer to teach valuable life lessons in a caring and encouraging environment allowing the players to grow. They always encourage academics, knowledge of the game, healthy lifestyle choices, teamwork, communication, responsibility and respect.”
Thank you Shane, for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Shane received a $250 donation to South Bay FC.
Karon Howell – Kingdom Enrichment Community Service
Karon and the Kingdom Enrichment Community Services work with people with special needs. They teach them how to be more independent. Lelly N., who nominated Karon, said they have helped her family, so she would love to just give back to them for all they do.
Thank you Karon, for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For her act of kindness, Karon received a $250 donation to Kingdom Enrichment Community Service.
Ronald Scipio – Free 2B Me Sports
Omar B., who nominated Ronald submitted: “Ronald through Free 2B Me Sports, has been helping student-athletes in Southern California for several years. Free 2B Me Sports helps youth build their self-esteem and determination through athletics and uses individual coaching and mentoring sessions to enhance the confidence of the student athletes. Change can be challenging for some inner-city youth and this program walks them through the process as the student athletes transition from high school to community colleges and universities.” Thank you, Ronald for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community. For his act of kindness, Ronald received a $250 donation to Free 2B Me Sports, Inc.
Pastor Jimmy Chaney – Church of the Beach Cities
Anthony W., who nominated Pastor Chaney wrote: “Pastor Chaney and his congregation raised money this past Thanksgiving holiday to help feed over 400 people in need at a local rescue mission.” For his act of kindness, Pastor Chaney received a $250 donation to a local non-profit organization on his behalf. Thank you, Pastor Chaney for your kindness and for being a positive role model in your community.