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Long
Beach, Calif.—(February 25,2019)— Steel Magnolias, a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization celebrating its 20th year as
one of Long Beach’s most significant philanthropies, announced
today that it raised nearly $250,000 in 2018 for children
diagnosed with developmental delays, behavioral and learning
challenges as well as other special needs.
Dr.
Gary Feldman, director of The Stramski Center at Miller’s
Children’s and Women’s Hospital, was presented with a check for
$140,000 to continue his work with his young patients. The
remaining $106,092 was donated to an endowment fund earmarked
for future donations to Steel Magnolias’ main mission.
“This is why we do what we do,” said Sofia Riley, president of
Steel Magnolias. “Our goal each and every year is to raise more
than we did the year before, and in 2018 we succeeded. I’m
looking forward to leading our dedicated group of volunteers to
raising not only more fund, but friends of Steel Magnolias, as
we begin the new year.”
Since its founding in 1999 by Shirley Wild, society columnist
for the Press Telegram, the all-volunteer group of 50 men and
women has raised $5.38 million. There are no paid
administrators or brick and mortar offices, monthly meetings and
committee meetings are held either at members’ homes or places
of business.
Steel Magnolias raises money by hosting three annual events:
Home
Tour
(May 5), Signature Event (August/September) and the
Rally Round Golf Tournament, to be held October 28 and
sponsored by local businessman Mohammad Raghib. Mr. Raghib
donates all net proceeds to Steel Magnolias. In addition, they
also partner with various Long Beach-based companies and
corporations who generously donate money and in-kind services
that help feed the bottom line.
Steel Magnolias, celebrating its 20th year, is a
501(c) (3) organization. All net proceeds raised go to help
children with severe behavioral and developmental challenges.
Companies interested in sponsoring an event should
call562.331.8007.
ABOUT STEEL MAGNOLIAS:
The Steel Magnolias is an all-volunteer
organization whose main recipient is the Stramski Children’s
Developmental Center that has been dedicated to children and
families since 1975. The center helps children and families deal
with conditions such as autism, cleft lip and palate, birth
defects, learning problems, and other developmental delays. The
center also has clinics specializing in sleep disorders and
international adoption. It is at the forefront of the study of
Fragile X Syndrome. Although many of these children’s conditions
are “invisible,” they are often serious and accompanied by a
lifetime of challenges. Very few of these problems are
“quick-fixes” — they require numerous consultations and
extensive pre- and post-consult work. Often, parents have
difficulty advocating for their children due to cultural,
educational and language differences. The Stramski Center fills
this gap by facilitating access to services and monitoring
progress. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the center is able
to provide individualized care to help children reach their
optimum potential. Each year, the Stramski Center completes more
than 6,000 child visits, treating kids with serious, often
life-long, medical conditions so they can achieve their highest
potential. |