Cheers to Charity hands out $55,568 to area nonprofit organizations

Cheers to Charity 2021 has a lot to celebrate! What started as a small fundraising event in the Veritas parking lot back in 2014 has become the most anticipated fundraiser of the year in Tehachapi. This month, the Cheers team funded eleven local nonprofits with grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 for a total of $55,568.

The August 2021 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, which includes Linda Carhart, Becca Dillenbeck, Theresa Dineen, Mary Beth Garrison, Barbie Herziger, Curtis Nelson, Audrey Post, Bri Salminen, Marcia Thompson, Lydia Chaney and Yolanda Acevedo, met in the garden at the Family Life Pregnancy Center on Wednesday, Oct. 13 to thank everyone and hand out checks.

"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. "The positive feedback was over-the-top. The event ran safely and without a hitch. Being one of the first large gatherings of the year, it was important to do things right. I think we did that – and each of your organizations helped us pull it off. It makes us proud to be part of such an amazing community. Thank you for the part you played."

Wednesday's check distribution is the reason the Cheers team puts the event on. "Today is the reason we do what we do. The long days and aching backs are worth it, because today we get to present you with a check to support your efforts. Cheers to Charity is about community. It is about giving back. It is a way to contribute to causes bigger than ourselves. Hundreds of others join us through sponsorships, volunteering, buying tickets and attending. It's pretty awesome," finished Garrison.

Funds were distributed to the following nonprofit organizations:

$15,000 to Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley for 3D Mammogram Upgrade.

$10,000 to Tehachapi Humanitarian Group for Food Storage Shed.

$6,000 to Family Life Pregnancy Center for Child Car Seats.

$6,000 to Cerro Coso Community College for Scholarships for THS Seniors.

$4,068 to Tehachapi Rotary Club for Community Outreach.

$3,000 to Tehachapi VALLEY WRESTLING CLUB for Wrestling Program Improvements.

$2,500 to Tehachapi Mountain Search & Rescue for Safety Equipment and Training.

$2,500 to Tehachapi Friends of the Library for Community Reading Programs.

$2,500 to Stallion Springs CERT for Safety Equipment and Training.

$2,000 to Central California Animal Disaster Team for Animal Rescue Equipment.

$2,000 to American Legion for Veteran Program Support.

The team will take the rest of the year off but will begin making preparations for the 2022 event in January. "Our eighth Cheers to Charity event is slated for Saturday, Aug. 13, at Aviator Park, so mark your calendar. Now go make us proud," concluded Garrison.

For more information about Cheers to Charity visit cheerstocharity.net.