GSFF volunteers at the Special Olympics Fall Games Championship (from left to right): Christian Ramirez, Carine Verbeeck, Donna Becker, Steve Becker, Helen Wondimu, Kim Medina, Lourdes Smith, Pam Kravitz, Cristina Ramirez, Lee Gragnano, Jill Hamer, Alison Pu, Rich Bennett, Courtney Doeding, Chloe Savard and Mickey Hamer.
In December, members of the Southern California committees of the GSF Foundation lent their support to the Special Olympics Fall Games Championship in Irvine. Volunteers served food and refreshments to the more than 500 athletes participating in this year’s Games. GSFF has been involved with the Special Olympics Southern California for more than 10 years.
Special Olympics Southern California is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. It is one of 52 Chapters within the United States and part of Special Olympics, Inc., which serves three million athletes in 180 countries worldwide.
The Fall Games, one of its largest competitions, is the second of two Southern California competitions held every year. The athletes competed in a variety of sporting competitions in this year’s Fall Games Championship, including floor hockey, at the Rinks in Irvine.
“As associates of Golden State Foods, we feel very good when we help out those less fortunate in our communities,” said Rich Bennett [Corporate Controller, and recent GSFF-Irvine Committee Chair]. “Hopefully, we helped make this a wonderful day for the lives of these special athletes.”
We want to give a special thanks to our volunteers for the Fall Games Championship:
Steve Becker [Senior Vice President, Human Resources]
Donna Becker [family member]
Rich Bennett [Corporate Controller, recent GSFF-Irvine Committee Chair]
Courtney Doeding [family member]
Lee Gragnano [Manager, DOT Compliance]
Jill Hamer [family member]
Mickey Hamer [Vice President, Operational Development]
Pam Kravitz [Corporate Benefits Administrator]
Kim Medina [Accounting Clerk]
Alison Pu [Former Staff Accountant]
Christian Ramirez [family member]
Cristina Ramirez [family member]
Chloe Savard [family member]
Lourdes Smith [Senior Payroll Clerk]
Carine Verbeeck [family member]
Helen Wondimu [Staff Accountant]
For more information about the Special Olympics Southern California, visit here.