Giving to Our Community

Shoppe volunteer, Darlene Cargile, was happy to present Marsh Junior High Principal, Jessica Kamph, with a check for $14,803.98. They are now using the funds to purchase essential musical instruments and provide ongoing maintenance for their growing music programs. They also were able to purchase class sets of novels for their English/Language Arts classrooms. The grant was sponsored by Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Leatha King. All funds donated must be used in 2026.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Alisa Costa (center) was pleased to present Lynn Flowers and Sunel Walters from FUR (Friends United in Rescue, Inc.) a check for $9,934.24. The funds will be used for traps and transfer cages, ongoing spaying and neutering, as well as medical supplies, food, litter and other necessities. FUR is a non-profit established in 2019 to trap, rescue and reunite cats who were left behind in the Camp Fire in November 2018. Alisa was also the groups sponsor to receive the funds.

October 29th, 2025, Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Shelley Tedford, (left) was happy to present a check for $15,000 to Shasta Elementary school teacher, Parker Bush (right) and students Emma Barnum and Nick Bonacich. The funds will be used to help send Shasta Elementary 5th grade students to Shady Creek environmental camp, a 4 day and 3 night adventure. Shelley sponsored Shasta Elementary to receive these funds.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Sue Baber, sponsored True North Housing Alliance and was pleased to present Ashia Bird, Marketing and Communications Director, and Paul Wolfe, Donations and Community Engagement Director, with a check for $4,593.18. The funds will enable the Housing Alliance to purchase 3 Automated external Defibrillator units and 3 large First Aid Kits for the Torres Shelter.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Dee Vance, sponsored “Bridging the Gap for Breast Cancer” to receive funds from the Shoppe this Fall. On November 5th she was pleased to present Fran Wedow, with a check for $15,000. That groups main mission is to provide financial support to programs and projects dedicated to helping community members and their families affected by breast cancer who reside in Butte County. These funds will be used to provide Enloe Lymphedema Clinic patients with compression garments and other post surgical needs as a result of breast cancer.

Shoppe volunteer, Janet Fournier was pleased to present the Butte Environmental Council with a check for $5,198.00 to Miranda Kokoszka, BEC Assistant Director and Patricia Hironimus, Executive Director. The organization provides numerous opportunities for citizens to engage in environmental education, advocacy, and stewardship. The funds will be used to improve their “Drop in the Bucket Community Composting Program”, which supports California’s SB1383 bill aimed at reducing edible food waste in landfills. Janet was BEC’s sponsor.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Janice Keating, was pleased to present a check for $25,000 to Catalyst Prevention-Outreach Program Manager Sarah Sullivan-Avery and Executive Director Anastacia Snyder. The funds will be used to install playground equipment at a local domestic violence shelter, creating a safe and healing space for children who have experienced trauma. The initiative aims to provide a sense of normalcy, encourage physical activity and promote emotional appropriate, durable and safe equipment. Janice was also their sponsor.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Jennifer Carey, was pleased to present a check for $15,000 to Lizzy Young for CHAT. The Chico Housing Action Team, is a non-profit that provides permanent housing with supportive services for folks who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The funds will be used to provide new mattresses to residents and allow them to expand their refrigeration. Jennifer sponsored CHAT to receive the funds.

It was a great day at The Discovery Shoppe when they presented two Chico charities with much need funding. Shoppe volunteer Carol Burr gave Claire Johnson, Executive Director of Girls on the Run, a check for $5,000. The funds will be used to provide scholarships for girls from under-resourced families and to support outreach efforts in Chico through traditional media outlets.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer Elizabeth Lavezzi was pleased to present a check to Eric Moxon VP board member of Chico Meals on Wheels a check for $10,000. The funds will be used to subsidize the delivery of hot, nutritious meals to Chico clients.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Jan Burnham, was happy to present a check for $4,237 to Karen Atwood from Marigold Elementary Schools special education team. The funds are being used to provide chairs that are meant to safely rock or move, providing the students with a safe way to move their bodies to meet their sensory needs and help with attentions issues. These chairs will benefit students in their Mild/Mod Support Needs classroom, both Extensive Support Needs classrooms and even the cafeteria during assemblies as many of their ESN students need movement while listening. Jan also sponsored the Marigold to receive the funds.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer Beverly Flint, (center) sponsored The 530 Food Rescue Coalition to receive funds to produce branded merchandise and reusable bags for their mission. Accepting a check for $6,768 were Addie Walsh and Sheila McQuaia. 530FRC works to reduce food waste and fight hunger by rescuing surplus edible food and redirecting it to nonprofits and housing organizations that serve community members in need. These items will be given to project volunteers to identify them while they are doing food rescues and be used at community outreach events to raise awareness about 530FRC’s mission.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Elizabeth Bergthold, pictured left, was pleased to present a check for $10,920 to Paradise Scout Cruz, leader Sarah Hansen. This Paradise Scout Troop 316, serve both boys and girls. The funds will be used to make it possible for more of the Scouts to attend Summer camp. The camp plays a crucial role in the development of Scouts by providing an immersive environment where they can learn new skills, build self-confidence and develop leadership qualities. Elizabeth sponsored the Troop to receive the grant.

Discovery Shoppe volunteer, Carla Norlie, was pleased to present Norman Rosene from the Chico Air Museum, with a check for $10,485. The funds will be used to upgrade their antiquated audio-visual equipment. It will be replaced by new professional-grade equipment to upgrade the quality of their presentations. Some of the funds will be used to purchase more magazine holders and, lastly, to purchase 300 “Challenge Coins” which are exchanged and collected for those who assists them in achieving their goals. Carla also sponsored Chico Air Museum.