Chamber Gives Back

Having successfully launched and conducted commercial businesses in local, national and international markets, Clovis Chamber of Commerce directors utilize their collective competencies to expand and support the growth and development of the community. To this end, they created the Chamber Gives Back Task Force that develops and executes programs that directly impact the Clovis community.

Hooked on Books

The purpose of the Hooked on Books campaign is to give a new book to every student in the Clovis Unified School District Title 1 elementary schools. Monetary donations to purchase new books are derived from corporate and private Chamber members and the community at large. To date, the Task Force has delivered books to Sierra Vista, Weldon, Temperance-Kutner, and Tarpey schools.

Donors include Deborah J. Ikeda, Campus President, Willow International Community College Center, Serop Torossian, Community and Government Relations Manager at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Randy Baer, Manager, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Julie Debenedetto, Facility Regional Manager and Chair, Schneider Electric Community Partnership Program at Pelco, Ronald H. Barsamian, Managing shareholder, Barsamian & Moody, Alex Contreras, public relations manager of the Budweiser distributorship Donaghy Sales, Ellie Huston, Claudia Moorefield, See's Candies Inc., Paul Nibur, Clovis Rotary, Rick and LaDonna Snow, Snowflake Designs and Jim Whitlach, Manager, Guarantee Financial Real Estate.

Annual fundraising events with contributing sponsor See's Candies are conducted at the Chamber sponsored BIG Hat Days, ClovisFest and Clovis Business Resource Fair. Hooked on Books collaborates with two student groups to enhance community outreach.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a youth club that teaches leadership, confidence, and citizenship. Every day, across the globe, hundreds of thousands of girls come together to laugh, share, and grow through fun events and challenging workshops designed to empower girls of all ages. Rainbow Girls volunteer for their community and travel around the world, visiting other clubs and making new friends. Along the way, they gather invaluable life skills that help them become the best daughter, sister, student, and friend they can be.

The Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART ) is a technology high school located in Clovis. Classes offered are Professional Sciences, Engineering, Advanced Communications, and Global Economics. Within each cluster are career-specific laboratories in which students complete industry-based projects and receive academic credit for advanced English, science, math, and technology.

The following schools will be considered for future distribution:

• Clovis Elementary
• Cole Elementary
• Francher Creek Elementary
• Jefferson Elementary
• Lincoln Elementary
• Miramonte Elementary
• Nelson Elementary
• Roger S. Oraze Elementary
• Pinedale Elementary

We continue to accept donations for this ongoing campaign. Please contact Karena K. Dillon, Vice-Chairperson, for more information at [email protected].

Marjaree Mason Center

For more than 30 years, the Marjaree Mason Center has offered shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence in Fresno County. Currently, the center operates the county's only domestic violence shelters. The Clovis Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Tachi Palace Casino and Hotel and a private donor, contributed commercial washer and dryer sets for each the laundry rooms. Another standout Chamber member, Snowflake Designs provided transportation and office supplies prior to the Grand Opening in July 2013.

Current activities have expanded to a partnership with Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Suites & Inns to provide much needed bedding, linens, cookware, dishes and silverware, while also offering employment for residents to help them establish a financial foundation for their new life.

This ongoing program welcomes donations. Please contact Karena K. Dillon, Vice-Chairperson, for more information at [email protected].