Local businesses support key fundraising event

COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy

Children from Sycamore Elementary School sing in front of the train depot in the Village on Friday during the Claremont Educational Foundation’s annual Shop & Dine fundraiser.

Local businesses support key fundraising event

The Claremont Educational Foundation’s biggest annual fundraising event brought much needed extra traffic to the Village on Friday.

The 6th Annual Shop & Dine event attracted hundreds of people to local Claremont businesses whose purchases will help raise money for the educational organization.

Though the number of participants was down from last year, CEF board member Al Moreno was thankful for the members of the community who were present.

“We’ve got a good group of people and everybody rallies really hard,” Mr. Moreno said. “What the state can’t do, we want to provide for our kids. With the economy the way it is, there is even more of a need for community support. We started out with really supporting the arts and music programs but we’ve been branching out to technology in recent years.”

COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy

The newly built Pomona Valley Health Center is located on the corner of Claremont Boulevard and Monte Vista Avenue. The 50,000 square foot facility features state of the art medical care and includes an urgent care wing.

CEF has been a significant supporter of Claremont Unified School District since 1991, particularly in the areas of arts and music programs. The foundation presented a $100,000 check to the district last fall and holds other fundraisers throughout the year such as the Phonathon and Mi Casa es Su Casa wine tasting event.

Nearly 40 businesses supported the fundraiser this year, including new businesses such as Fresh Produce, Burger Bar and No Sugar Added. A trendy women’s clothing store featuring all-cotton fabrics, Fresh Produce has been open for just 2 weeks.

“We’re here and we want to participate and be a part of the community,” said Mendy Romo of Fresh Produce.

Rhino Records has been a regular supporter of Shop & Dine since its inception. Owner Chuck Oken Jr. said Claremont businesses and schools are linked when it comes to the city’s well being.

“I’ve got 3 kids in the school system and there is no doubt the schools are taxed with what they can provide,” Mr. Oken Jr. said. “We get asked on a daily basis to support different causes and [unfortunately] we can’t contribute to everything. But this is special because the schools are the foundation of everything we love in Claremont. It’s even more important now because of the economy.”

Along with discounts and drawings, Shop & Dine featured a variety of musical entertainment. The Claremont High School and El Roble Intermediate School Jazz Bands performed together outside city hall, the CHS cheer, dance and Wolfgang teams displayed their moves at the Packing House, and elementary students provided choral entertainment at the train depot. Student artwork was showcased in several stores.

The people in attendance had various reasons for attending Friday’s event. But the crowds were united in their desire to see CUSD schools continue to offer arts and music opportunities for its students.

“We have a son in the band that goes to Claremont High School,” said Matthew Groughan. “We were going to go another year but it didn’t work out so this was the first year we showed up. We really enjoy how this event raises money for Claremont schools and also showcases the kids at the same time.”

Mr. Groughan’s wife, Kathy, finds one of the perks of Shop & Dine to be the location of event itself.

“We love this time of year and to be in downtown Claremont during this time of year is lovely,’ Ms. Groughan explained. “It’s nice to have the Village and it is a charming place to walk around.”

—Landus Rigsby