City of Ventura Fire Chief, David Endaya; Ventura Chamber of Commerce CEO, Stephanie Caldwell; Ventura Chamber of Commerce 2020 Board Chair, Brad Golden; and City of Ventura Assistant Fire Chief, Matthew Brock at the check ceremony.
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce presented a check for $3,500 to Ventura City Fire Chief David Endaya at a recent City Council meeting. The check to be used in support of the firefighters’ Spark of Love Program that provides new toys and sports equipment to kids in need throughout Ventura County.
The Chamber’s support of this program has a rich history. Each year the Chamber hosts their annual Poinsettia Awards program, which recognizes those in the community who are doing great work in business, education, public service and the non-profit arenas. A popular component of the event is the Spark of Love toy drive. Over the years chamber members have donated thousands of toys for local kids in our community. This year due to COVID, the chamber was unable to host the annual event.
Then in partnership with Ventura Fire and Spark of Love, The Chamber planned a contactless drive through event at the Pacific View Mall, however, due to the State’s “Stay at Home” order this event too had to be cancelled.
“After speaking with Chief Endaya I knew that we could not let that stop us, we cannot let down these kids,” said Stephanie Caldwell, President and CEO of the Ventura Chamber. “I worked with our sponsors who generously agreed to use some of the funds originally earmarked for the Poinsettia Awards to support Spark of Love.”
On Tuesday, December 15, Chamber Board Chair, Brad Golden and Stephanie Caldwell presented the donation to Chief Endaya. Not only will these funds be used to purchase much needed toys for the program, but the funds will be spent right here in our own community, at local shops and sporting goods stores, increasing the power of the donation locally!
Special thanks to the generosity of members who supported the program with donations: Ventura Auto Center, Montecito Bank & Trust, California Resources Corporation, Ventura County Credit Union, Aera Energy, Christina Vanarelli, Inc. A Professional Law Corporation, Aegis Living, Bank of Sierra, Sespe Consulting, Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services, AT&T, So Cal Edison, UCLA Health and Channel Islands Designs.
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that advocates on behalf of the business community. With nearly 700 members, representing more than 24,000 employees locally, the Chamber engages on a variety of issues that help to drive a strong local economy as The Voice of Business.
