GRAND TERRACE>> Last week, Smart & Final opened a new store location in Colton, California.
To celebrate the event, as well as their appreciation for the local community, Smart & Final decided to give back to the community in the form of donations to the local community.
The Ken Hubbs memorial Little League, based out of Colton, was the recipient of a much needed $2,500 check.
Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League organizes baseball and softball leagues for youth. Originally founded in the 1960's, Ken Hubbs is one of the three baseball foundations in the City of Colton. The organization is completely volunteer run, including managers and coaches.
Prior to receiving the Smart & Final donation, the organization had fallen on hard times.
"We pretty much started our organization this year with a zero balance," said Vivian Zargoza, treasures for The Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League. "Within the time it took us to get everything going, our snack bar was shut down and our pitching machine was stolen."
This meant that the team not only had to drive out to Redlands to practice pitching, but they were now losing funds. Not only did they have to pay to use outside pitching machines, but the funds from the snack bar paid for balls, bats and other essentials. "It's hard enough on the parents, without asking them to pay an extra $20 for pitching lessons," said Zargoza.
The organization began hosting fundraisers and those involved began using their own money to keep things moving.
"The donation came just in time," said Zargoza. "We needed a little more hope, and it gave us that extra push," said Zargoza.
The Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League plans to use the money to buy a new pitching machine. "First things first," said Zargoza. "We need that batting machine up and running."
The Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League also expressed their gratitude to Smart & Final. "Smart & Final coming into our city is a blessing. We weren't expecting that much and that has just lifted our spirits. Willam Pena, Smart & Final Regional Growth Rep., is an amazing person and so are all the people who work for the city."
Zargoza also expressed appreciation to Richard DeLaRosa, Colton Mayor, who recently helped the league repair a broken set of stairs. "I took a picture and I sent it to Frank Navarro. Within a day, it was being fixed. "That's who our city is. There are so many amazing people out there willing to help. It's wonderful."