The Association of Fundraising Professionals California Valley Chapter is set to honor 14 individuals, businesses, and organizations at its National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 13. The event will take place at Ft. Washington Golf and Country Club in Fresno.
Carl and Lulu Mitchell, who won $123.4 million in the Powerball lottery after taxes in 2013, will receive the Outstanding Philanthropist award. The Clovis couple previously worked at Community Medical Centers—Lulu as a registered nurse and Carl as a radiology and nuclear medicine technologist. Through their family foundation, they donated $2 million to Community Medical Centers. Their most recent donation of $1 million in 2019 supported the Community Cancer Institute by funding breast cancer technology, early detection initiatives, and nurse navigators. Their involvement with cancer care is personal for the couple, as Lulu is a breast cancer survivor.
OK Produce will be recognized as Outstanding Corporation. CEO Brady Matoian will accept the award on behalf of the company. OK Produce began operations in 1950 under founder Charlie Matoian, who initially delivered produce from a flatbed truck during the 1930s. In 1986, his son Matty expanded operations into Downtown Fresno. Brady and Chad Matoian took over management around 2008 after joining the business several years earlier.
Today, OK Produce serves about 1,000 independent retail operations across California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona (https://www.organicproducenetwork.com/article/1842/ok-produce-a-fresno-institution-with-deep-roots). The company has installed approximately 12,000 solar panels at its Fresno facility and operates electric delivery trucks.
The GL Bruno Family Foundation will receive the Outstanding Foundation award. Established in 1996 by Gary Lee Bruno—a Vietnam veteran who founded G.L. Bruno Associates—the foundation has raised over $2 million for nonprofits that support disadvantaged people with an emphasis on women and children. Beneficiaries include United Cerebral Palsy Central Valley, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Art of Life Cancer Foundation through fundraising events such as annual golf tournaments. Gary Bruno died in November 2023 following complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Craig Fourchy of Ultra Gro will be honored as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for his work supporting organizations like Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) along with other local charities.
All Star Plumbing owner Lance Marks will receive the Spirit of Philanthropy award for efforts related to cancer awareness following personal losses due to cancer among his family members and staff. In October 2023 he donated $2,000 to Fresno’s Art of Life Cancer Foundation while also using a pink service van to promote breast cancer awareness (https://kmph.com/news/local/all-star-plumbing-owner-presents-2000-check-to-art-of-life-cancer-foundation).
Additional honorees include King Richter Estate (Legacy Award), Amelia’s Angel Fund (Outstanding Program), BreAnna Trejo (Distinguished Achievement Special Award), Jeannie Neathery CFRE (Outstanding Fundraising Professional), Grace Persons (Outstanding Youth), Joan Eaton and Paul Gibson (Special Award for Philanthropic Leadership), John Tony Flores (Spirit of Philanthropy), Dale Melville (Spirit of Philanthropy), and Doris Wright (Spirit of Philanthropy).
