“On June 21, 2006, we were blessed with a beautiful little baby girl named Kayli Jean Bearden,” says Tasha Johnston, Kayli’s grandma. “On August 26, 2008 she was taken from us by an act of child abuse, by a friend of the family.” Tasha began a vegetable garden and pickling as therapy. In 2015, she decided to establish the Kayli Memorial Fund, designated for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Kern County, to preserve Kayli’s memory and bring awareness to abused and neglected children.
“Before selling the company, we had always been involved in some aspect of community service, but did not really have much money to give,” says Ginny. “We were introduced to the benefits of giving through a community foundation. We appreciated the opportunity to be thoughtful about our giving, which has really been a new experience for us.”
Instead of a bridal registry, Justin suggested the idea of asking wedding guests to make contributions to a charitable fund that the couple would use to support various causes they care about. Carrie’s response was enthusiastic. As a result, the couple established the Justin and Carrie Leland Charitable Fund.
“My grandfather, David Moore, was my hero,” says John Moore III when asked about why a busy young farmer like himself would get involved in overseeing the scholarship fund. “There is a person in each family that binds everyone together, and my grandfather was that person for our family. This scholarship fund is a way for me to help carry on his legacy.”
Marvin is confident that Kern Community Foundation is a good, safe way to ensure his legacy will live on. “Your money is working while it’s invested; it’s growing while you decide where you want to designate your giving to go,” he added. Through a gift of commercial real estate, Marvin continues to support causes through his Fund.
Bryce and Florence York were passionate about the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Interested in doing something to permanently support BMOA, they established the Bryce and Florence York Fund in 1997. Through outright gifts during their life and an additional gift from their estate, their endowed fund distributes an annual grant to BMOA.
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