Foundation of Grand Terrace Celebrates Decade of Service

After a decade of service to the community of Grand Terrace, the Foundation is taking time to celebrate the accomplishments of the last 10 years and envisioning plans for the future of service in the community. The celebration will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28, and will include the presentation of the Grand Terrace Lions Club’s first annual Tony Petta Community Spirit Award. The Foundation of Grand Terrace began in September 2003 with the goal of establishing a community endowment fund that could support the organization’s mission of: “… enhancing the quality of life in our community by working with our neighbors, service organizations and civic leaders to undertake projects that support the future of Grand Terrace.” Initial contributions exceeded the original goal of $25,000 to establish the endowment, and now 10 years later, the Foundation reports that its endowment has expanded to over $100,000. The Foundation’s Vice President of Development, Ryan Stephens, explained, “The endowment is the key to establishing a lasting legacy in the community. The interest earned from the endowment funds allows us to provide annual grants to support a variety of projects in the City; as the endowment grows so does our ability to make a difference in the community.” Over the last decade the Foundation has used its funds to preserve land on Blue Mountain, raise money for the Fire Department paramedics, host the annual Grand Terrace Community Days, contribute to the sculpture in the pocket park, sponsor city beautification and cleanup days, donate trees to the city, support the local Grand Terrace Cub Scouts, sponsor reading programs, secure land for a future dog park, and assist local veterans in accomplishing their goal of creating a veterans’ memorial in the city. Yet with all that the Foundation has accomplished in the last 10 years, board members believe there is still more to accomplish, and that the best days of service are still ahead. Grand Terrace City Council Member and Foundation President Darcy McNaboe stated, “The Foundation has taken on an increasing number of projects, such as city events, youth programs and beautification projects, and as our capacity to support these projects increases, our impact and significance to the well-being of Grand Terrace also increases.” On Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Azure Hills Church Fellowship Hall, the Foundation will hold a celebration to showcase their past accomplishments, raise money to continue their work in the community, and set a vision for the future of service in the City. The Lions club will present their first annual Tony Petta Community Spirit Award at the event. To purchase tickets, go to https://gtfoundation.eventbrite.com/ or call Sally at 909-238-9944. Donations to the Foundation of Grand Terrace are tax deductible as a 501(c)3 affiliate of the Community Foundation. You can visit the Foundation of Grand Terrace website www.grandterracefoundation.org or the Foundation Facebook page www.facebook.com/GTFoundation to become involved in future community projects.