July 2, 2012
Aera Energy Fund Grant Gets Results, Foundation Among Nation's Top 100 Most Active Grantmakers Among Community Foundations
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Gaurdie Banister, Aera Energy President and CEO, and Jeff Pickering at Independence Elementary's "Ready to Start" Program
$100,000 grant from the Aera Energy Fund helps to prepare local pre-schoolers for kindergarten, and Kern Community Foundation ranks among top 100 most active grantmakers among community foundations for third year in a row.
May 25, 2012
First Friday Sponsorships Benefit Foundation, Women's and Girls' Fund
Jeffrey R. Pickering
"Semblance" Check It Out!
You are not going to want to miss the next First Friday from 5pm to 9pm on June 1 at Metro Galleries!
May 2, 2012
Women's and Girls' Fund Grants Surpass $100,000, Foundation's Leadership Efforts Recognized Nationally
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Gloria Morales of Mercy Housing, Grant Committee member Aracely Garcia and Vision Committee Chair Laurie Bustamante
Our Women's and Girls' Fund is something to be proud of, for its local impact on the lives of women and girls and for the example it sets for community foundation leadership work nationwide.
April 25, 2012
Inaugural Grants from Community Fund, Meet Kern River Valley "Sparkplug" Joe Ciriello,
Jeffrey R. Pickering
LtoR: Jeff Pickering, Judi McCarthy, Joe Ciriello, Tom Anderson, Tim Lassen, Chuck White, Tim McGlew, Nancy Puckett
I can't say enough good things about the folks I meet from the Kern River Valley. What an engaged and invested community!
March 13, 2012
A Huge "Thank You" to Valley Republic Bank, The James Irvine Foundation
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Example of private label charitable giving card, available April 1, 2012
Last week, more than 150 philanthropists, professional advisors and representatives of local charities joined Kern Community Foundation for the release of "Transfer of Wealth in Kern County."
March 9, 2012
Another KernHealth Now! Grant, Frazier Park History Tour, Megan Boynton Joins Foundation Team
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Jeff Pickering presents grant check to Jimmie Soto, Executive Director and Stacy Sanders, Board of Directors
My last couple of date nights with my wife Stephanie started with visits to some good people and great local charitable organizations, Independent Living Center of Kern County and Ridge Route Museum and Historical Society.
January 27, 2012
Board Update, Tech Grant, 2012 Prayer Breakfast
Jeffrey R. Pickering
John Allen, Vice President of John Allen Farms Inc.
I'm proud to announce that John Allen has joined the Foundation's Board, that the Mountain Communities Family Resource Center has been awarded a $1,000 technology grant and that philanthropy was well represented at the 2012 Bakersfield Prayer Breakfast.
January 24, 2012
Jeanette Rogers-Erickson Retires from Foundation Board
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Jeanette Rogers-Erickson Honored with $500 Grant
On December 31, 2011, long-time Director, Jeanette Rogers-Erickson, retired from Kern Community Foundation's Board.
December 15, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Golden Empire Gleaners receive KernHealth Now! grant from Jeff Pickering, President and CEO
KernHealthNow!Grant to Golden Empire Gleaners
A $10,000 grant was awarded to Golden Empire Gleaners from KernHealthNow!, a grantmaking initiative of Kern Community Foundation. Funding will support the organization's Senior Sack program, which gives seniors in rural Kern County access to healthy food and social interaction.
December 12, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
The Salvation Army, Golden State Division receives KernHealth Now! grant from Jeff Pickering, President and CEO
In This Edition: KernHealthNow!Grant to The Salvation Army, Golden State Division
Grant to The Salvation Army, Golden State Division: A $14,000 grant was awarded to The Salvation Army, Golden State Division from KernHealthNow!, a grantmaking initiative of Kern Community Foundation. The grant will be used to support basic health-related services for poor, underserved families living in the Eastern Kern cities of Mojave, California City, Born, North Edwards and Rosamond.
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Links for Life receives KernHealth Now! grant from Jeff Pickering, President and CEO
KernHealthNow! Grant to Links for Life
I had a nice visit today with staff and volunteers of Links for Life. We awarded a $15,000 grant from KernHealthNow!, a grantmaking initiative to provide health care and health education to undersered residents of rural Kern County.
December 9, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Jan Hefner, Stephanie Weber, Friends of Mercy Foundation, receive KernHealth Now! grant from Jeff Pickering, President and CEO
KernHealthNow!Grant to Friends of Mercy Foundation
Jan Hefner and Stephanie Weber joined me for a presentation of a $15,000 grant to the Friends of Mercy Foundation. The grant was awarded from KernHealthNow!, a grantmaking initiative to provide health care and health education to underserved residents of rural Kern County.
November 21, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Pickering kids getting "Plane Crazy."
Pickering Kids Get "Plane Crazy" with Mojave Transportation Museum, The Bakersfield Californian Says We Are a "Hit"
On Friday, the Foundation received kudos in The Bakersfield Californian; I am humbled by this recognition, and as we start Thanksgiving week, even more grateful for our community's generosity.
November 10, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Ribbon Cutting, November 9, 2011
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
October 31, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
World of Women Really WOW 'Em, Our Terrific Interns
Yesterday afternoon I joined World of Women, otherwise known as WOW, for their annual birthday party at the Brighton Parks Clubhouse. WOW began in 2007 as a giving circle supporting the Women's and Girls' Fund, a leadership initiative of Kern Community Foundation.
October 20, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
"Hey Kermit! Being green is easier than you think."
Going Green, Read to Succeed, A Nice Surprise
Kermit the Frog got it wrong when he sang "It's not easy being green." At least, that's what I thought after my lunch yesterday at Lassen's with Sasha Windes, Founder and Executive Director of KernGreen, an effort founded through a local nonprofit committed to educating the residents and businesses on the benefits of integrating green practices in daily work and personal life.
October 19, 2011
Kern Community Foundation Blog: "Bright Spots" and "Sparkplug Leaders" Making a Difference
Jeffrey R. Pickering
CALM volunteer docent, Lloyd Klingenberg, CALM Director and donor, Jack Thomson and a feathered friend.
Gone Fishin', a Trusted Financial Advisor in the Kern River Valley, and a CALM Start to a Busy Day
Gone fishin... well, not really, but close enough. I had the privilege of joining representatives of the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southern California Edison Company for the semi-annual meeting of the Upper Kern Basin Fishery Resource Trust Committee. This committee, advises Kern Community Foundation on grants from a fund we manage that enhances aquatic environments in the upper Kern River and the Kern River Fly Fishers, as well as outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, benefit from their thoughtful work.
September 12, 2011
Guest Blog: Sparkplugs? Really?
Judi McCarthy and Pam Fiorini in the Golden Empire Gleaners' Warehouse
Guest blog by Judi McCarthy, Immediate Past Chair of Kern Community Foundation's Board of Directors and Founding Chair of The Women's and Girls' Fund.
That I would ever write anything with an automotive reference is beyond belief. I know zip about cars, my oil always needs changing, and I keep AAA on speed dial. I understand as much about changing a flat tire as I do about jumpstarting a dead battery. Nothing. So, forget about sparkplugs as a blog topic. Let’s talk about sparkplug leadership instead.
July 7, 2011
President's Blog: Long-Time Eater, First-Time Gleaner
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Ron Eaves gives a "thumb's up" on my first time as a gleaner.
Long-Time Eater, First-Time Gleaner
When was the last time you went without a meal? Other than a Lenten fast, I can’t say that I have ever missed a meal . . . and certainly never for lack of resources.
June 9, 2011
The First Fifty
Jeffrey R. Pickering
If your online life is anything like mine, you probably receive more than your fair share of requests to "like" this or "friend" that or "check-in" here or "click" now. You also may have kids or grandkids who immediately suggest that you "post" that picture you just snapped with your iPhone. (This drives my dad nuts, by the way.) For me, some of these are meaningful exchanges, others just noise I choose to tune out.
April 15, 2011
Guest Blog: My One-of-a-Kind San Francisco Souvenir
Judi McCarthy, Immediate Past Chair, and Keith Brice, Chair, Kern Community Foundation Board of Directors
Guest Blog by Judi McCarthy, Immediate Past Chair of Kern Community Foundation's Board of Directors and Founding Chair of The Women's and Girls' Fund.
You have a day and a half in San Francisco, one of the world’s great cities. How do you spend it? Drinking in the local wine and culture, perhaps? Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge? Strolling by Victorian homes in Alamo Square? Finding the ultimate foodie experience? Shopping in Union Square for the ultimate souvenir of your visit?
March 21, 2011
My Next Gift Will Be Nothing Like My Last Gift
Jeffrey R. Pickering
The Black Keys, 2011 Grammy Award Winners
It is likely you have never heard of the indie rock band, The Black Keys. I can also bet that your last charitable gift to the arts did not involve a visit to Kern Community Foundation's online Nonprofit Search. Until this morning, I was in the same boat.
January 26, 2011
The Kids are Alright
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Bryan Lynn, Kern Community Foundation and Sue Benham, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Tour Children's Medical Center
Yes, the kids are alright. This was my first thought after recently meeting Sue Benham, Chief Development Officer of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, and touring their Children's Medical Center Initiative along with Community Foundation Board member Bryan Lynn.
December 16, 2010
Teach Your Children to Do Well by Doing Good, They Might Surprise You
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Olivia showing what it takes to be a good fundraiser
Parenting a 5 and 6 year old is a lot of work. On most days, Stephanie and I joke that we've "won" as parents if we've managed to succeed in keeping the kids alive and out of the principal's office. On better days, we pat ourselves on the back when we get out the door on time, finish homework, share a meal together and get to bed at a reasonable hour. The best days, however, come when we catch one of our children carrying out an act of kindness -- not because we've told them to or someone's asked them to -- but because they've chosen to do something meaningful for someone else on their own.
December 1, 2010
Be Great! Kids Across Kern County Are Counting On It
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Jeff Pickering, President and CEO visiting Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County, hosted by Andre, Maggie Cushine and Zane Smith
Be great. A message that jumps right off the screen when you log on to www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org.
November 2, 2010
Some Kern Valley Leaders Are Not Waiting For Superman
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Tom Cormack, ECHO Lead Teacher
It’s not that he’s dropped them, or forgotten them or anything like that. Some things are just too heavy for even Superman to lift. In places like the Kern River Valley, where some cities report unemployment rates of nearly double California’s, good jobs are hard to come by as are skilled workers in the fields of health and human services. To meet this challenge, leaders involved with Kern Valley High School's Exploring Careers and Health Occupations (ECHO) program are doing the heavy lifting on their own.
October 18, 2010
Benjamin Victor's Mom Should Be Proud
Jeffrey R. Pickering
Susan Hersberger (Aera Energy LLC), Benjamin Victor (artist), Jeff Pickering (Kern Community Foundation)
On October 15th I had the privilege of joining several hundred people gathered to witness the dedication of the tallest bronze monument in the state of California—the Oilworkers Monument in Taft. Guests on the dais included a mayor, a county supervisor and a United States congressman. In my opinion, however, sculptor Benjamin Victor stole the show.
The dedication kicked off a 10-day celebration of Taft's 100th Anniversary, and Taft native Benjamin Victor's sculpture featuring a 30 foot tall oil derrick and three 8 foot tall bronze oilworkers were the center of attention. The project was conceived more than four years ago, and was made possible by more than $1.2 million in charitable contributions including a grant from the Aera Energy Fund administered by Kern Community Foundation.
April 16, 2010
2010 Conditions of Children Report Card Released for Kern County
Jeffrey R. Pickering
On April 15, I attended the Kern County Network for Children's release of their 2010 Report Card, and met some inspiring people who are working to make a difference for children in our county. Philanthropists are a key component of this work, and your investment can help keep children safe, prevent child abuse, and improve the overall welfare of Kern County kids.
