Page 45 - Greet HWY 68 Loop 12.24

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE AROUND TOWN

IN 2008, while sitting in a cold had wrapped their arms around
duck blind in Montague, CA, this effort, which would then
franchise owner George Sammut turn into an annual campaign for
presented an idea to Bob Manley, the restaurant company. IMPOWER
founder of Black Bear Diners. The Since that day, Black Bear
idea was for all of the company’s Diner has raised over 2 million
diners to come together in a dollars in their “Save Room
united effort to raise money for an for a Wish” campaign, and the Inspiring, motivating,
amazing foundation and to help effort continues. Once again, preparing, organizing
grant wishes to kids facing critical Black Bear Diners will be selling women to engaging and
illnesses. With full support, the special wish inspired holiday reinvest in the community
idea was then passed on to all desserts and paper stars during
other entities of the company and the month of December. With 162 Let’s celebrate the great things happening in the
took off quickly with 100% buy-in Black Bear Diners now open in 13 community! Contact Laurie.Martin@n2co.com or
from the corporate team and all states, we will again look to grant phone 272-4620.
Diner franchisees. more wishes this holiday season.
The goal that first year (with All donations stay with the local
Make-A-Wish chapters to grant
39 Diners open) was $15,000.00,
Make and when the total amount was life-changing wishes for local
added up at the end of the event,
Wish Kids and their families.
Black Bear Diner is very proud
A Wish George, Bob, and everyone to continue growing this event in
involved were thrilled to hand
their communities and helping the
a check for $50,000.00 over to
Foundation’s the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Make-A-Wish foundation in their
incredible ongoing work. Save
the campaign’s inaugural year.
room for dessert and help support
It was obvious that the Diner
management teams, employees, Make-A-Wish!
and especially the amazing guests
Save room for a wish dessert campaign

BY GEORGE SAMMUT

Let’s celebrate the great things happening in the community!
Contact Laurie.Martin@n2co.com or phone 272-4620.

Keynote speaker, Ida Lopez Chan and her husband Board President, Sandi Eason with Dina Ruiz, emcee
NEW THIS MONTH
da Lopez Chan: daughter, wife, mother, kidney donor, Ida faced many challenges along the way, including
Elli’s Great Idoctoral candidate, woman of gratitude and grit, and CEO of becoming a kidney transplant donor for her beloved husband.
“God has us all exactly where we need to be. There is a reason
the Soledad Community Health Care District spoke to a sold out
American Restaurant IMPOWER luncheon. for why we’re here at this time,” she shared with the sold-out
audience. Today, under Ida’s direction, SCHCD has expanded
Growing up as one of nine children to an ag labor family
in Soledad presented many obstacles to success. Ida would
to take in most of lower Monterey County, providing health
rise above the machismo culture of her family to shine in high care services, women’s health care, labs, and a top-rated
school. A counselor saw her potential and helped make the skilled nursing facility. Proving that when you’re passionate
dream of college a reality. With the support of her mother, who about making great things happen, you can’t keep a good
quietly wielded strength within the family, Ida moved to Fresno woman down!
to attend CSUF. Food Bank of Monterey County was the featured
Breaking countless glass ceilings at work in the male- nonprofit for the afternoon. To make a tax-deductible
Breakfast Served Daily dominated banking industry, Ida excelled and was known donation, please go to

Open daily at 7am for her work excellence. But it wasn’t until she accepted the foodbankformontereycounty.
position with Soledad Community Health Care District that her org. Look for details about
1250 South Main Street Salinas,CA full potential for growing a service to her community would be the next IMPOWER
ignited and fueled. luncheon coming in May.

44 December 2024 Greet HWY 68 Loop 45