Charitable Events Registry

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

We here at Bakersfield Magazine have always taken pride in the philanthropic nature of Kern County. Ours is a region full of givers. We see proof of this time and time again when we join the ranks of numerous local businesses to sponsor events or when we photograph sold-out charity dinners. Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” That concept is not lost on people in our community who continually look for ways to give back to the countless worthwhile nonprofits in Kern.

We present the first of two annual registries for charitable events, that is by no means comprehensive, so that those of you wanting to support great causes in our area will have an idea of what's ahead in 2012.

DECEMBER 2011

2-31

Annual Holiday Lights at CALM to benefit the California Living Museum's programs. CALM displays and interprets native California animals, plants, fossils, and artifacts to teach a respect for all living things through education, recreation, conservation, and research. www.calmzoo.org

9-23

BARC's 6th Annual Magical Forest hosted by Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens. BARC’s mission is to build a stronger community by helping people with developmental disabilities achieve individual goals for a better life. www.barc-inc.org

11

The 28th Annual Bakersfield Toy Run benefitting the Salvation Army Toy and Food Drive. www.bakersfieldtoyrun.org

Cookies at the Clocktower, a family day at the Kern County Museum to help fund museum programs. www.kcmusuem.org

M.A.R.E. Holiday Party. This annual event will help M.A.R.E. fund their yearly programs. M.A.R.E. (Mastering Abilities Riding Equines) seeks to provide therapeutic equine assisted activities for the benefit of people living with special needs and disabilities. www.mareridingcenter.com

JANUARY

7

23rd Annual Fog Run benefitting the Victim Witness Auxiliary of Kern County, a nonprofit with a mission to provide Kern County crime victims with immediate assistance such as medical services, shelter, food, transportation, and other needs that arise from being victimized. Also, to support crime prevention efforts. fogrun@yahoo.com

28

Rabbie Burns' Dinner hosted by The Kern County Scottish Society. The Society was formed to promote Scottish heritage and cultural traditions in Kern County, and gather for social functions. www.kernscot.com

Sterling Silver Dinner at Bakersfield College benefitting the Bakersfield College Foundation, which seeks to expand access and opportunity for students of all ages; improve the quality and diversity of instructional offerings; support the professional development of an outstanding faculty and staff; purchase leading edge technology for classrooms and learning laboratories; and enhance College facilities to create an efficient and stimulating learning environment. www.bakersfieldcollege.edu

TBA

Annual Rock-a-thon hosted by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County, Inc. It aims to provide respite, education and support to caregivers in Kern County and to maintain and enhance the quality of life for those impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders. www.adakc.org

FEBRUARY

9

Go Red for Women Luncheon hosted by the American Heart Association. Their mission for this event is to fight heart disease and stroke in women. www.goredforwomen.org/

Bakersfield Museum of Art Cultural Mixer Celebrating the De La Mano and Estampas Exhibits. The BMOA inspires and engages diverse audiences by providing a broad spectrum of creative visual arts experiences through the exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach, and special events. www.bmoa.org

18

18th Annual Easter Basket Eggstravaganza benefitting the programs of the Society for Disabled Children, which aims to identify and deliver programs and services that improve the quality of life for disabled children in Kern County. www.societydc.com

24

Furry Paws and Foggy Nights Dinner and Silent Auction benefitting the Bakersfield Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals. The BSPCA advocates the general welfare and humane treatment of animals through shelter, prevention of pet overpopulation, and adoption. www.bakersfieldspca.org

25

Super Cruise Car Event at the Kern County Fairgrounds benefitting the Society for Disabled Children. www.societydc.com

Annual Fishing Derby at Mirror Lake hosted by and benefitting the Kern County Sheriff's Activities League. The mission is to offer activities for the youth of Kern County as an alternative to gangs and drugs. www.ksal.com

MARCH

2

Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County's annual Golf Tournament benefitting the nonprofit's educational programs, which seek to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org

3

Puttin' on the Dog event and open house benefitting the Bakersfield Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. wwwbakersfieldspca.org

Pull for PAL. PAL (Police Activities League) intends to provide quality activities for the youth of our community and to establish positive relationships between youth, police and the community. www.bakersfieldpal.org

8

Art A-Go-Go: Special Evening hosted by and benefitting the Bakersfield Museum of Art. www.bmoa.org

10

5th Annual Walk For Thought sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of California to raise funds and promote awareness of brain injury. Through advocacy, education, and research, the association brings help, hope, and healing to thousands of Californians living with brain injury, their families, and the professionals that serve them. www.calbia.org

Garces Gala Formal Night hosted by Garces Memorial High School to benefit their educational programs. Garces' mission is to develop students spiritually, intellectually, and socially by instilling community respect, integrity, compassion, and courage of faith. www.garces.org

Art A-Go-Go All day art sale hosted by and benefitting the Bakersfield Museum of Art. www.bmoa.org

16

Garces Gala Casual Night hosted by Garces Memorial High School to benefit their educational programs. www.garces.org

17

Walk for the Arts Bakersfield hosted by the Arts Council of Kern and benefitting the nonprofit's yearly programs. The Arts Council provides and promotes arts access, advocacy, and education. www.kernarts.org

Dodgeball Tournament hosted by The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County. www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Bunco Event. The nonprofit's mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with special needs through a family resource center that symbolizes professionalism, dignity, compassion, and respect. www.heartsfrc.org

31

17th Annual Scottish Games and Gathering at the Kern County Fair Grounds benefitting the Kern County Scottish Society. www.kernscot.com

TBA

10th Annual Golf Classic benefitting the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County. www.adskc.org

APRIL

12

Red & White Winemaker Dinner in the Bakersfield College Renegade Room benefitting the Bakersfield College Foundation. www.bakersfieldcollege.edu

13

Dinner at the Derby hosted by Bakersfield West Rotary and Youth Connection to benefit Youth Connection's programs. Youth Connection encourages students to get involved with sports, tutoring, and lessons where they would learn life skills. (661) 852-5765

Red & White Wine & Food Festival at Renegade Park hosted by the Bakersfield College Foundation. www.bakersfieldcollege.edu

14

Walk for Babies at Liberty Park benefitting the March of Dimes. This national nonprofit helps moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. www.marchofdimes.com/california

Greater Bakersfield Green Expo and High School Art Competition. www.gbgreenexpo.org/

The Woody Y Century and Family Fun Ride hosted by the Asthma and COPD Education Center to promote programs in our area. This organization provides services to the community to ensure that children and adults can breathe easier, enjoy life, and participate in activities, leading to a better quality of life and reduced healthcare cost to families and businesses. www.asthmaandcopdeducationcenter.com

3rd Annual Rio Bravo Run at Rio Bravo Ranch benefitting Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kern County. CASA recruits volunteers from communities throughout Kern County to serve as advocates in child protection proceedings. www.kerncasa.org

Battle of the Badges hosted by Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL). www.bakersfieldpal.org

19

12th Annual Read for Life Gala hosted by the Kern Adult Literacy Council. They seek to improve the quality of life for Kern County residents, by teaching individuals to read, write, and speak the English language and by enabling them to become more productive members of our community. www.kernalc.org

21

The Great Cloth Diaper Change. Informational event hosted by the Real Diaper Association. www.realdiaperassociation.org

Pirates Treasure Hunt benefitting the Society for Disabled Children. www.societydc.com

The Annual Cioppino Feed hosted by Bakersfield West Rotary at Garces Memorial High School.

26

23rd Annual Bakersfield Women's Business Conference. The event aims to educate and encourage women to be the best they can be in life and business. www.bakersfieldwomen.org

30

Monsignor Leddy Golf Tournament benefitting the educational programs at Garces Memorial High School. www.garces.org

TBA

BARC's 4th Annual Celebrity Waiter's Luncheon at the Double Tree to benefit BARC programs. www.barc-inc.org

TBA

ALPHA Canine Fundraiser at Red Brick Pizza to benefit this no-kill dog shelter. ALPHA Canine's mission is to rescue abandoned or homeless dogs and adopt them out to loving families. www.alphacanine.org

TBA

Bowl-A-Thon benefitting New Advances for People with Disabilities (NAPD). NAPD provides quality services to people with developmental disabilities through programs, advocacy, and empowerment. www.napd-bak.org

TBA

Volunteer Appreciation and Anniversary Dinner benefitting the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History. www.sharktoothhill.org

TBA

Walk & Run for Autism hosted by and benefitting Valley Achievement Center. Its mission is to empower children and adults on the autism spectrum, or with other developmental disabilities, to achieve the highest quality of life through education, community outreach, and the use of innovative and research-based programs. www.autism-vac.org

TBA

Festival of Beers hosted by the Bakersfield Active 20-30 Club. The funds raised will help the club to serve the community while building lasting relationships and rendering service to youth. www.active2030.org

MAY

5

2012 Relay for Life of Bakersfield benefitting the American Cancer Society. The mission is to give communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. www.relayforlife.org/bakersfieldca

10

Arte del Vino: Wine Tasting and Art Exhibit hosted by the Bakersfield Museum of Art. www.bmoa.org

11

23rd Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the Society for Disabled Children. www.societydc.com

19

M.A.R.E.'s Evening at the Races. www.mareridingcenter.com

25-27

16th Annual Standing Bear Powwow hosted by the Native American Heritage Preservation Council of Kern County. standingbearpowwow@yahoo.com

TBA

16th Annual Valley Fever Golf Tournament benefitting the Valley Fever Vaccine Project. www.valleyfever.com

TBA

Hoffmann Hospice Voices of Inspiration Dinner. Funds raised will help this nonprofit hospice agency with its mission to help people and families cope with end of life hardships. www.hoffmannhospice.org

While this is just a sampling of what's out there, we hope you'll consider attending or supporting a number of these events. And if you know of an event that is not listed above, or one that is scheduled for later in 2012, please let us know by sending an email to editorial@bakersfieldmagazine.net, and we'll include it in our June 2012 issue.

Article appeared in our 28-5 Issue - December 2011