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Our Stories

A Day of Generosity and Remembrance

September 11, 2020
National Day of Service and Remembrance

Remembering 9/11 feels particularly important this year. 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. Yet, the shared adversity of this year makes it all the more important to celebrate the generosity and neighborly care given by so many of you in our community.

The idea behind making 9/11 a day of service, in addition to remembrance, is to transform tragedy into a day of good work for all. While our community is surrounded by smoke and fire, first responders are again on the front lines. Opportunities to get out and “do good” is challenging, at best. We encourage you to do what you can… from a small act of kindness for a neighbor to making a non-charitable donation.

To honor the day and those that support our mission, we are once again sharing stories about a few of our volunteers. They have helped PUSD workers serve meals, they have tended to our school-community gardens, read to our students, served as youth leaders and mentors, contributed to our board and committees, shared our stories, and so much more.

Pasadena Educational Foundation is doing it’s good work in support of our public schools. We strive to lift up every student, every day. Help us with this good work. Learn more here.

Our heartfelt thanks to our many volunteers, donors, and partners who support our public schools. Your support service today—and moving forward—is key to the success of our children and our community.

We hope you will enjoy reading these stories.

Sylvia Vega | PUSD Certified Realtor

Our spotlight series began with a local realtor and volunteer extraordinaire, Sylvia Vega, who together with our other volunteers, has so far helped distribute more than 60,000 meals to PUSD students. Ms. Vega is also a PUSD Certified Realtor who volunteers on multiple campuses throughout our community.
[Read full story]

Val Zavala | Video PUSD Grab & Go Meals

Our friend, anchor, producer and award-winning journalist, Val Zavala volunteered with the Pasadena Educational Foundation to help hand out free grab and go meals to our Pasadena Unified School District families. Meals are available on 7 campuses throughout the district Mon-Friday and provided by the City of Pasadena on Saturday and Sunday. Val took us on a little video tour at our Wilson Middle School meal delivery site.
[Watch video]

Felita Kealing | PEF Board President

PEF’s current Board of Director’s President, Felita Kealing, embodies the passionate and community-driven spirit of the board she chairs. The entire Kealing family has gotten involved with PEF, too; while Mrs. Kealing has devoted countless hours volunteering for PEF, her husband Michael also lent a hand with last year’s chess tournament and both their sons, Miles and Preston, are Summer Youth Leader Volunteers. Thank you Felita for your volunteerism and leadership and thank you to the whole Kealing family. [Read full story]

Community Groups

We feel very fortunate so many volunteer groups have taken a seat alongside Pasadena Educational Foundation. We’ve witnessed firsthand their commitment to others and quiet leadership. Without fanfare, these giants have done things big and small for our school community – and have done them well. It matters… and we are incredibly thankful.
[Read full story]

Sylvio Montoya | Parent Volunteer

Meet our longtime volunteer Sylvio Montoya. Currently, the Pasadena Unified School District and PEF community are sure to see Mr. Montoya’s smile while driving in to pick up their grab-and-go meals, and his is a friendly, familiar, and reassuring face for many. Mr. Montoya “wants everyone involved with the grab-and-go meals – from the cafeteria folks, to other volunteers, to the organizers at PEF – to know that they are doing wonderful work and that he appreciates them.” And we so appreciate him!
[Read full story]

Looking for ways to help our schools?

The Pasadena Educational Foundation offers many ways you can support our students, teachers, and schools.
Find out how you can volunteer, donate, or partner.

Together we can make a difference during these challenging times.