FRESNO – Freight company BNSF Railway brought Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County youth aboard the BNSF Special train Wednesday for a rare treat:  a two-hour train trip from Fresno to Hanford and back. The train is used specifically for business purposes and special events, said Lena Kent, company spokesperson, who also said many [...]

TULARE – This week only, $7 from every purchase made at Sevenly.org will go directly to the Sweet Nectar Society, a local non-profit dedicated to capturing the hope, courage and strength of children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses, disabilities and injuries, and provide their families with lasting memories. “This is a huge deal. We are [...]

FRESNO – Damon Kurtz, first vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association, is $50,000 richer after sinking a hole-in-one shot during last month’s Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chamber Golf Tournament at the San Joaquin Country Club. Kurtz was presented with his check Wednesday afternoon from Fresno Chamber President and CEO Al Smith at [...]

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, a commitment by its top national, regional and community lenders to collectively increase their lending activity to veterans by five percent per year for the next 5 years. Oftentimes, veterans face challenges in raising capital or have trouble receiving a conventional [...]

VISALIA – Each year the Visalia Chamber of Commerce honors those businesses and individuals who consistently go above and beyond to support our community.  This year dozens of businesses have been nominated for these prestigious awards. Winners will be announced at the 60th Annual Awards Celebration presented by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce on June [...]

OAKHURST – Food enthusiasts in the Central Valley have a chance to enjoy some delicious creations from a popular Oakhurst restaurant while also helping a local nonprofit. Crab Cakes is hosting a dinner on Wednesday, May 22, the proceeds from which will go to the Children’s Museum of the Sierra via the Steve 4 Mayor [...]

BASS LAKE - The Third Annual Bass Lake Classic Triathlon and accompanying 5K Run for the Kids, taking place this year on June 1, continues to grow both in the number of participants and in the amount of help the events give local charities. In the past three years since it was brought back, the Bass [...]

FRESNO – Guys and dolls decked out in their swankest ‘20s era duds will take a trip back in time Friday as a “secret” venue in Fresno will be transformed into a Speakeasy, with proceeds from the event benefiting The Fresno Historical Society. Attendees will enjoy Prohibition cocktails, appetizers, music, costume prizes and event valet [...]

FRESNO – Lisa Casarez, founder of Angels of Grace Foster Family Agency, has lovingly placed hundreds of children in foster care through the years, and because of her work and overall kindness the Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce named her the 2013 Fresno County Mother of the Year. Family, friends, colleagues and media surprised [...]

FRESNO – Fresno State will observe National Autism Awareness Month with several events including the “Strike Out Autism” fundraiser and parade, 6 p.m. April 5 at Chukchansi Park during a Fresno Grizzlies game. In its sixth annual year, this event benefits the Central California Autism Center. The Grizzlies will donate half the proceeds from every [...]

FRESNO – Deby Hergenrader noticed from an early age that her younger sister Kathy, who had Downs syndrome, was discouraged from being involved in certain activities because of her ability level. From taking swimming lessons at Fresno High School to boating at Roeding Park, it was suggested that Kathy go to a “special place.”  Hergenrader [...]

FRESNO - Philanthropy Inspired by the Needs of our Community (PINC), a unique Fresno nonprofit founded in 2008 to benefit other local nonprofits in the community, has announced the beneficiary for its 5th annual fundraising event to be held on June 15, 2013. The beneficiary for the event, titled “PINC-A-Palooza,” will be Catholic Charities – Diocese [...]

FRESNO – The Downtown Fresno Partnership never seems to tire when it comes to helping sustain a thriving downtown area. A special new event grant the Partnership now offers is just the latest in programs the non-profit has created.  $10,000 has been put into its budget that is going toward event support for different downtown [...]

CLOVIS – Business Street Online will hold a live video streaming video webcast from the Clovis Advantage Trade Show on Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis. The webcast, streamed live on www.BusinessStreetOnline.com, will feature interviews with some of the several dozen exhibitors that have booth spaces [...]

FRESNO – Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural The Inspire Gala, featuring keynote speaker Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the New York Jets and first sophomore recipient of the Heisman Trophy. The gala, coming to the Fresno Convention Center on April 5, will benefit a special mentorship program that is a partnership between [...]

Danika Heatherly spent her entire childhood in Visalia, and after graduating high school she attended Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.  She earned a degree in journalism and marketing in 2010, and then moved back to Visalia to join the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau as a visitors service assistant.  Shortly after, she became the manager [...]

FRESNO – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County is currently running a year-long campaign that will help change the lives of the 6,000 youth it serves in its 17 clubs located in and around the Fresno area. The 13 for $13 in 2013 program is searching for 1,300 people who are willing to [...]

Chelsi Johnston is a Visalia native who attended Redwood High School and participated in activities such as mock trial and was a member of the Spanish Club, Drama Club, and Future Homemakers of America.  While attending California State University, Fresno, Johnston interned for Assembly Leader Mike Villines and Congressman George Radanovich.  After obtaining a bachelor’s [...]

FRESNO – The Fresno Regional Foundation (FRF) is accepting applications for its 2013 Youth Grant Cycle and will be granting $206,000 to youth-serving organizations. Of this amount, $105,000 will be earmarked specifically for Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi, Orange Cove, and Reedley for youth and education. The grant amount range is $5,000 to $25,000. In addition, $10,000 will be [...]

FRESNO – Downtown Fresno supporters came together for the State of Downtown Breakfast inside The Fresno Ballroom in the Pacific Southwest Building Tuesday morning to look back at a year’s worth of progress in the downtown Fresno area, as well as to build momentum for its future. Kate Borders, president and CEO of the Downtown [...]