HAWAIIAN GARDENS, California, Mar 8, 2012 The City of Hawaiian Gardens, ABC Unified School District, the Irving Moskowitz Foundation and the State of California will be hosting the grand opening of the ambitious and state-of-the-art Hawaiian Gardens Fedde Sports Complex on Saturday, March 10th at noon. Among the participants will be dignitaries at the state, regional and local level, plus sports champions from multiple professional sports. The public is invited to join the festivities at 21409 Elaine Avenue, Hawaiian Gardens, CA.

The Fedde Sports Complex is a new, modern and premier outdoor recreational facility built to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for the community and local schools, a first of its kind in the City. It will be used by the City of Hawaiian Gardens for youth and adult recreational programs and by ABC Unified School District for school sports and activities. It is widely considered to be the City’s crown jewel of outdoor sports and recreation.

“People will be in awe of this splendid facility,” said Mayor Mike Gomez. “This is a significant investment in the health and future of our community and youth. We couldn’t be more proud of the results from all the hard work to make this sports complex a reality, and of our partnership with the ABC Unified School District, the Irving Moskowitz Foundation and the State of California.”

“We at the ABC are so happy to see this dream turned reality,” stated ABC Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts. “To know that our current and future students at Fedde International Studies Academy have the opportunity to enjoy and improve their learning at this modern facility is fantastic. We are looking forward to seeing our students and our community benefit from Sports Complex.”

“We are proud to continue our strong support of the City of Hawaiian Gardens,” stated a release from The Irving Moskowitz Foundation. “From sponsorship of local school scholarships, to computer upgrades and library resources, our commitment to the Hawaiian Gardens community and youth education has never wavered. We are excited to continue our partnership through the Fedde Sports Complex.”

The sprawling and ambitious facility took approximately 15 months to complete. It includes two baseball/softball diamonds, backstops, 1000-seat bleachers, playground, pedestrian boulevard, drinking fountains, two football/soccer fields; restroom, and concession building. The two-phased project also featured modifications to the irrigation system; parking lot improvements; sports field lighting, palm trees, colored concrete, brick pavement and the addition of a multi-purpose athletic field.

Grand opening events on Saturday will include athletic exhibitions, contests, the start of Little League season, entertainment, and refreshments. Also on hand will be opportunities for sports fans to meet Los Angeles Dodgers 1981 World Champion Pitcher Bobby Castillo, Los Angeles Galaxy 2011 MLS Cup Champion Defender Omar Gonzalez and Hawaiian Gardens Native and World Champion Boxer Abner Mares, all true inspirations of excellence in sports to the City’s youth.

HAWAIIAN GARDENS, California, Mar 8, 2012 The City of Hawaiian Gardens, ABC Unified School District, the Irving Moskowitz Foundation and the State of California will be hosting the grand opening of the ambitious and state-of-the-art Hawaiian Gardens Fedde Sports Complex on Saturday, March 10th at noon. Among the participants will be dignitaries at the state, regional and local level, plus sports champions from multiple professional sports. The public is invited to join the festivities at 21409 Elaine Avenue, Hawaiian Gardens, CA.

The Fedde Sports Complex is a new, modern and premier outdoor recreational facility built to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for the community and local schools, a first of its kind in the City. It will be used by the City of Hawaiian Gardens for youth and adult recreational programs and by ABC Unified School District for school sports and activities. It is widely considered to be the City’s crown jewel of outdoor sports and recreation.

“People will be in awe of this splendid facility,” said Mayor Mike Gomez. “This is a significant investment in the health and future of our community and youth. We couldn’t be more proud of the results from all the hard work to make this sports complex a reality, and of our partnership with the ABC Unified School District, the Irving Moskowitz Foundation and the State of California.”

“We at the ABC are so happy to see this dream turned reality,” stated ABC Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts. “To know that our current and future students at Fedde International Studies Academy have the opportunity to enjoy and improve their learning at this modern facility is fantastic. We are looking forward to seeing our students and our community benefit from Sports Complex.”

“We are proud to continue our strong support of the City of Hawaiian Gardens,” stated a release from The Irving Moskowitz Foundation. “From sponsorship of local school scholarships, to computer upgrades and library resources, our commitment to the Hawaiian Gardens community and youth education has never wavered. We are excited to continue our partnership through the Fedde Sports Complex.”

The sprawling and ambitious facility took approximately 15 months to complete. It includes two baseball/softball diamonds, backstops, 1000-seat bleachers, playground, pedestrian boulevard, drinking fountains, two football/soccer fields; restroom, and concession building. The two-phased project also featured modifications to the irrigation system; parking lot improvements; sports field lighting, palm trees, colored concrete, brick pavement and the addition of a multi-purpose athletic field.

Grand opening events on Saturday will include athletic exhibitions, contests, the start of Little League season, entertainment, and refreshments. Also on hand will be opportunities for sports fans to meet Los Angeles Dodgers 1981 World Champion Pitcher Bobby Castillo, Los Angeles Galaxy 2011 MLS Cup Champion Defender Omar Gonzalez and Hawaiian Gardens Native and World Champion Boxer Abner Mares, all true inspirations of excellence in sports to the City’s youth.

What school couldn’t use more funding in these difficult economic times, and while Fedde Middle School in Hawaiian Gardens is no exception, it does help to have a city council and the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation on its side. For years the school needed an athletic field to be proud of, and now it’s becoming a reality thanks to their generous donations.  The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation has already donated $1.5 million toward the completion of a Sports Complex on the school site, and the City Council has also approved additional money.  Phase 1, at a cost of $3.8 million, will be completed in the next six months. It includes additional parking, stadium area, synthetic turf, rubberized running track, bleachers that seat 500 persons, a scoreboard and relocating the basketball courts.  Phase 2 is scheduled to begin as soon as Phase 1 is completed and will include a concession stand, playground for children and baseball fields.  Recreation Director Steve Gomez presented an update on the Sports Complex Sept. 13 to ABC Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts, Board President Celia Spitzer, city and school officials including Principal Carol Castro, and Cherna Moskowitz and family.  The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation also donated $30,000 for new Apple I-Pads that students will be able to take home to do their homework.  The best, kept secret in Hawaiian Gardens is Fedde Middle School’s Academy with the International Baccalaureate Candidate School’s winning magnet program entitled Fedde’s International Studies Academy.  The program’s emphasizes strong study skills, research, communication, and intercultural awareness that prepare students for advanced programs in high school.  Spitzer thanked the Moskowitz family for their generosity and said, “You could have just written a check, which would have been nice, but you took the time to visit the school to see for yourself, and we thank you.”

By Larry Caballero

On March 11, 2011, one of the worst natural disasters occurred when a 9.0 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan. The earthquake produced a powerful tsunami which struck many northern coastal communities, particularly the city of Sendai. Although Japan has extensively prepared for a large earthquake, the tsunami was devastating, sweeping away buildings, wiping out coastal villages and affecting thousands of lives. A nuclear power plant was severely damaged by the tsunami and is near the brink of a nuclear meltdown. The radiation contamination has the potential to affect the surrounding areas and the entire region for many years to come. The Japanese government has forced the evacuations of residents living in the communities immediately surrounding the nuclear power plant. Aftershocks continue to hit the area distressing many residents who are displaced and are now homeless. Half a million people have been evacuated to the more than 2,000 shelters which are supported by the Japanese Red Cross.

The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation was quick to respond with a donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross.  The money will go to the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response, specifically the Japanese Red Cross, which is providing direct emergency relief, medical services and emotional counseling to affected communities.

Immediately after the earthquake and tsunami, the Red Cross dispatched relief items from stocks to assist those affected, and has provided 125,500 blankets and 25,000 emergency kits.  Donations will also help with medical and housing costs, shelter relief and other emergency items such as clothing, flashlights, blankets and first aid supplies The Red Cross is increasing its relief operations for survivors in evacuation centers and is planning to provide supplies for 100,000 people. It is also working with local authorities on ways to help people still living in evacuation centers.

Red Cross volunteers and staff in Japan continue to provide health care, emotional support activities and relief items to people affected. The Japanese Red Cross has dozens of medical teams operating in Red Cross hospitals and mobile clinics treating those affected by the disasters.

The American Red Cross is the nation’s premier emergency response organization. It is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. Financial support received in the United States is being directly transferred to Japanese Red Cross to provide an immediate positive impact.

The donation of the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation will have a lasting positive outcome on many lives that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami. This is not the first time the Moskowitz Foundation has provided financial assistance for humanitarian aid and emergency response.

The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation is proud to support the Los Angeles County Fire Department and their Community Outreach Program. The Moskowitz Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Charitable Giving Campaign BBQ.

The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation is a charitable, non-profit foundation which is dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of people. This is based on the principle “he who has saved one life, it is as if he has saved the world.”

The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Community Outreach Program establishes programs such as school visits, safety expos and special events. The programs often consists presentations by uniformed firefighters with question and answer sessions. Materials available for presentation include slide shows, videos, handouts, stickers and hats. All programs tend to focus on general injury prevention, safety, fire prevention and escape in case of fire. The Fire Department’s representative presents information in a manner that is appropriate for different age groups. Generating interest in the profession of firefighters generates important safety and fire prevention awareness in the community. Studies show that young children are at an elevated risk of getting seriously injured or dying in residential fires. Public awareness campaigns and education programs can help keep children and families safe from the threat of home fires.

The mission of the Los Angeles Fire Department is “to protect lives, the environment and property by providing prompt, skillful and cost-effective fire protection and life safety services.” The Los Angeles County Fire Department aims to be an exemplary organization acclaimed for their national reputation, their regional strength, and their hometown attentiveness to provide fire protection and life safety services. The Los Angeles County Fire Department serves all of the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and more than fifty cities. Serving a population well over several million, Los Angeles County firefighters are dedicated in protecting the communities they live and serve in.

Dr. Irving and Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz support the community and those that protect safety and welfare of the public. With the support of organizations, such as the Moskowitz Foundation, the Los Angeles County Fire Department can make a difference in the lives of those who live in the communities they protect and live in.

Shortly after the successful conclusion of this event, the Los Angeles County Fire Department began the process of planning for next year’s event. With financial support from organizations like the Moskowitz’s they hope to make next year’s event even more successful.

As Los Angeles County has struggled with a weak economy, many cities are affected by budget challenges, which can impact fire department funding. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles County Fire Department remains committed in serving the community and organizing community outreach programs. These programs are made possible by the generous donations from the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation.