- Taylor Gonsalves
- Communications Director
- (916) 319-2053
- Taylor.Gonsalves@asm.ca.gov
(Chino, CA) – Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona) was joined by nearly 500 community members at his 10th Annual Summer BBQ & Community Awards over this past weekend. The event has become a tradition within the 53rd Assembly District and this year’s event was extra special as the Assemblymember partnered with the American Red Cross to host an on-site blood drive for the second year. Team Rodriguez always feels privileged to give back to this great community while honoring those who go above and beyond to serve.
“My Annual Summer BBQ & Community Awards has always been my favorite event to host. Being able to recognize community leaders who have made such great contributions to our community is an honor. This year, I was proud to partner with the American Red Cross to host an on-site mobile blood drive for the second year. Our nation has been facing a critical blood shortage, and as a life-long first responder, I understand the importance of maintaining our blood supply. I want to thank everyone who donated blood today and the Red Cross for helping make this possible,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.
Each year, Assemblymember Rodriguez hosts a scholarship opportunity providing a Garey High School senior with the “Everybody Loves Raymond Scholarship” of $1,000. This fund is in honor of Raymond Garcia, a 16-year-old Garey High School student who was going into his senior year when his life was tragically taken in a drive-by shooting.
Assemblymember Rodriguez also honors local residents and businesses from across the 53rd Assembly District for their commitment to the community. This year’s honorees included:
VETERAN OF THE YEAR
Benny Okiyama (District)
Kenny Willet (Chino)
Howard Brown (Montclair)
E "Gus" Gustafon (Ontario)
Jesse Cardenas (Pomona)
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Diane Smyers (District)
Renay Mehta (Chino)
Nikki Paternoster (Montclair)
Sue Yoakum (Ontario)
Jan Chase (Pomona)
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Pomona Pizza Co. (District)
Shell Roofing Solutions Inc. (Chino)
Grafxolution (Montclair)
Side Action Apparel (Ontario)
Molly's Souper (Upland)
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation-Promise Scholars
EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Melanie Rubi Gomez
CLLC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARD
Samantha Alexa Boizo-Jimenez, Garey High School
Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.