Local Corporation Honored for Bringing Hope to Children in Need

June 1, 2009 - PRLog -- (PASADENA, CA)— With the purpose to promote the spirit of giving within Panda by directly serving the health and education needs of underserved children, Panda Cares brings hope to children in need. For this reason, Panda Cares was the recipient of Hillsides Community Angel Award during the foster care charity’s annual Angel Awards Ceremony.

“We are truly honored to receive this award,” said Nina Madrid of Panda Cares. “It encompasses everything that Panda is about--giving back to the community. We will be here for years to come as well.”

A community involvement program for Panda Restaurant Group’s employees, Panda Cares associates serve food on site directly to Hillsides foster care children and other underprivileged children in the community. Some associates have taught children at the children’s charity how to use chopsticks during some of the festivities, expanding their cultural horizons and engaging them in social skills.

Besides several catered events and on site food service, Panda Cares coordinated a holiday celebration for the children, bringing delightful smiles that was the greatest reward for all the volunteers.

“We rely on corporations like Panda Restaurant Group to sponsor activities for our foster care children,” said Laura Kelso, the charity’s director of community resources.  “Its philanthropic arm, Panda Cares, really demonstrates the important of reaching out into the local community you serve and helping those in need.”

Panda Cares establishes a caring presence in communities where Panda Restaurant Group’s guests and associates live and work. Located in Pasadena and serving Los Angeles County children and families in crisis, Hillsides is fortunate to be the beneficiary of Panda Cares time and resources.
To learn more about the foster care children’s charity or how you can volunteer, visit www.Hillsides.org.

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Pasadena charity founded in 1913, Hillsides creates safe places for children in foster care living in its residential and community treatment centers preventing the cycle of abuse for children at risk and their families. Visit www.hillsides.org