Apr 25, 2024
Last year, Big Give Kern had a record-breaking year and raised almost $1 million ($965,893) for 137 non-profits. This year, on Tuesday, May 7, the Kern Community Foundation is gearing up for another stellar year. Give Big Kern allows the people of Kern County to show support for organizations that improve our community through matching gifts, pledges, and time commitments. This event gives nonprofits a platform to raise unrestricted dollars, collect volunteer pledges, and meet new donors.
Since its launch in 2016, Give Big Kern has raised more than $4.2 million from thousands of community members to benefit hundreds of local charities. This one-day of online giving offers the opportunity for everyone to support a cause they care about. To find a list of participating nonprofit organizations, please visit www.givebigkern.org.
Kern County Animal Services Receives $95,000 Grant
Kern County Animal Services recently received a $95,000 grant from the Petco Love Foundation to help support life-saving programs for animals at the shelter. Petco Love, a national nonprofit, improves the lives of pets and their people and give grants to nonprofits that are doing lifesaving work in their communities.
This money will help enhance programs in areas like Oildale and East Bakersfield where most strays are found, as well as help support medical procedures, fostering and adopting programs, and spay and neutering surgeries. For more information, please visit www.kerncountyanimalservices.org or www.petcolove.org.
City Hall Summer Internship Opportunity for Students
Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program announces its City Hall Summer Internship where youth can begin their civic journey. This 8-week, paid internship offers high school students a chance to work part-time with City Departments. Applicants must be 16 years old and will make $18/hour. Deadline to apply is May 3rd.
Other internship opportunities include a Parks Mobile Recreation Internship and a Nonprofit Internship for 18 to 30 year olds. For more information, please call 661-616-2610 or visit www.kernfoundation.org/byjp.
North High Becomes First Blue Zones Project Approved High School
North High School recently became Bakersfield’s first Blue Zones Project Approved™ high school. To receive a Blue Zone designation, the school must implement positive, healthy choices for students.
North High students created a Blue Zones Project club and have worked to maintain its school garden and greenhouse where fruits and vegetables are grown. Organizers have also incorporated a mindfulness space called the Music Garden where students and community members have access to outdoor musical instruments to play and yoga mats to enjoy an outdoor yoga session or meditation.
In addition to North High, McKinley Elementary School became Bakersfield’s first Blue Zones Project Approved™ last fall for its school garden, Walking School Bus events, nutritional education, and more.
Blue Zones Project Bakersfield is a community well-being initiative sponsored by Adventist Health, in partnership with the California Resources Corporation, City of Bakersfield and Blue Zones LLC, that is designed to enable community members to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic diseases and higher quality of life. For more information on North High’s designation, please visit www.news.kern.org. To learn more about Blue Zones Project Bakersfield, visit www.bakersfield.bluezonesproject.com.
