THE GARDEN GROVE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Association gave grants and donations of over $104,000 to community and civic organizations (File photo/Mark Samala).

Proceeds of $104,980 raised from last year’s Garden Grove Strawberry Festival have been recently awarded by the Festival Board of Directors to 14 non-profit organizations for capital improvements and equipment.  Awards range from $25,000 to $1,300 each. Charities applied in 2018 and were selected by the board’s donations committee.

According to Donations Committee Chair Scott Weimer, projects funded include electronic and other equipment, repairs, furnishings and a bus. Recipients are Acacia Adult Day Care Services, Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Ronald McDonald House, Kiwanisland, St. Olaf Church, Korean American Seniors Association, H.O.P.E., The Rotary Club, The Gem Theater and Thomas House, plus Garden Grove’s Assistance League, Historical Society, the City of Garden Grove and its police department,.

The Festival also annually benefits many non-profit groups who set up festival food booths and collectively raise over $100,000 more for their charities.  Proceeds also fund $10,000 in scholarships to high school students and Miss Garden Grove, high school band parade participation for $5500, plus money to cover gasoline costs for buses that transport special needs children and adults for Special Kids Day.

The 61^st annual Strawberry Festival, whose theme this year is “Celebrating Family,” will be held Memorial Day Weekend, May 24, 25, 26, and 27, 2019.  Since its inception in 1958 the non-profit (501-c-3) Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association has contributed over $7 million to deserving charities. For information on how to apply, visit www.strawberryfestival.org.