Cheers to Charity hands out $50,000 to local nonprofit organizations

The sixth year of Cheers to Charity raised $50,000 for local charities – $10,000 more than in the previous year. The event, featuring food, wine, craft beer and home brews, was attended by 800 people. Tehachapi's Aviator Park lit up with thousands of sparkling lights, warm smiles and festive laughter as supporters raised money for charity.

The Cheers to Charity committee, including Yolanda Acevedo, Linda Carhart, Becca Dillenbeck, Lydia Chaney, Theresa Dineen, Mary Beth Garrison, Barbie Herziger, Curtis Nelson, Audrey Post, Bri Salminen and Marcia Thompson, met at the Tehachapi Train Depot on Thursday, September 5 to thank everyone and hand out checks to help eleven local nonprofits continue their work.

"We are thankful, beyond words, for everyone who made Cheers to Charity an amazing evening of generosity," said Cheers to Charity President Mary Beth Garrison. "We received so much positive feedback on this year's event. It made us all proud to be a part of such an amazing community. Thank you for the part you played."

Thursday's check distribution event is the reason this dedicated group continues the work. "Today is the reason we do what we do. All of the hard work, long days and aching backs are worth it, because today we get to present eleven nonprofits with funds to help continue their work. Amazing community support is enabling us to give away (drum roll please) $50,000 to local nonprofit organizations," finished Garrison.

Funds were distributed to the following nonprofit organizations:

Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley: $12,000

Tehachapi Friends of the Library: $11,000

Tehachapi Society of Pilots: $8,000

Tehachapi Rotary Foundation: $5,500

Tehachapi Valley Wrestling Club: $3,000

Tehachapi Mountain Search and Rescue: $2,500

Tehachapi Parks Foundation: $2,500

Stallion Springs Community Emergency Response Team: $2,500

Central California Animal Disaster Team: $2,000

Tehachapi Police Foundation: $500

Friends of the Depot: $500

The committee announced that the 2019 Cheers to Charity: Homebrew Edition event, held in partnership with the Tehachapi Mountain Trails Association's BrewFondo on Saturday, October 19, is another way you can support Cheers. Both riders and non-riders are welcome to attend and sip and judge a variety of home brews. Details can be found on the Cheers to Charity Facebook page, tickets are $20 and available at http://www.Eventbrite.com.

"Plans are also in the works for Cheers to Charity 2020. The seventh year event will unveil some surprises and is slated for Saturday, Aug. 8 at Aviator Park, so mark your calendars, because we sold out this year," concluded Garrison.