$1 Million Donation to Help Abused Children

Children’s Fund announced a $1,000,000 gift from the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation during the grand opening of the Children’s Assessment Center of San Bernardino, hosted by the Children’s Fund President’s Circle which was held recently. The donation will benefit the children who are treated at the Children’s Assessment Center. The Children’s Assessment Center treats children ranging in age from 0-18 from every area of San Bernardino County who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect. Nearly half of the children seen at the Assessment Center are under the age of 5, signaling that a significant portion of the population served by this Center are very young and often cannot speak for themselves. Last year, the Center treated more than 1,300 children from our own communities. “This is the largest single gift in Children’s Fund’s history,” states Erin Phillips, president & CEO of Children’s Fund. “This gift will support the Center's continued emergency response to children, as well as provide a seed investment for a Children's Fund endowment, which will help protect the future of the Center.” The lobby of the Children’s Assessment Center has been named the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Lobby in response to their generosity. Erin Lastinger, daughter of A. Gary Anderson, spoke about the donation. “It is our mission and passion to carry on my father’s legacy to support at-risk and abused children. Gary and I promise we will do everything in our power to protect and serve our kids in this community.” The A. Gary Anderson Memorial Golf Classic, benefitting the Children’s Fund, is in its 22nd year and has raised more than $5.5 million to assist abused and neglected children. Dr. Clare Sheridan-Matney, the medical director of the Children’s Assessment Center, was honored for her 30 years of dedication and hard work, treating thousands of abused children throughout her career. “It’s hard to see the cruelty that people inflict upon children,” states Sheridan-Matney. “It is especially touching when you meet children who have managed to retain innocence and humanity throughout it all.” Speaking about the new Center, Sheridan-Matney continued, “We want the children to feel comfortable at the Center. We want them to understand that they do matter, that we are here for them, and they do have a voice.” Children’s Fund is proud to support the Children’s Assessment Center as a fundraising partner. Created in 1986, Children’s Fund is a non-profit whose mission is to prevent child abuse in our community; to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished, or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education; and to provide equal opportunity for social development for these children. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.3 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows by making a donation, go to www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000. Follow us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/W4Wymf