Nine Long Beach businesses and community groups will be among 21 entities within state Senator Ricardo Lara’s 33rd District to be honored Wednesday in downtown Long Beach.
The Excellence in the 33rd District Awards will recognize community leaders, small businesses and nonprofits on Wednesday, August 9 at the Molina Event Center starting with a reception at 6:00PM followed by the awards ceremony at 7:00PM.
“Community leaders, small businesses and nonprofits are the heart and soul of our economy and culture in Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach,” Lara said in a statement. “The 21 recipients of the Excellence in the 33rd District show the diversity and vibrancy of our growing economy—powered by immigrants, women, veterans, and by a spirit of giving back to the community.”
The Long Beach honorees include:
- The veteran-owned Fourth and Olive Restaurant serves Alsatian cuisine with a mission to hire other veterans.
- AOC7 Neighborhood Association unites neighbors and businesses in the Anaheim, Orange, Cherry and 7th Street area to enhance public safety and increase literacy.
- Deep Blue Scuba Center and Swim School provides swimming, snorkeling, and scuba lessons to children and adults, as well as free and reduced rate classes to families in need and three months of free lessons to all six month old born babies at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.
- Molino Pharmacy which serves residents in their native languages and bridges many cultural gaps to provide quality pharmaceutical consultation.
- Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation which serves more than 20,000 people every year and continue the Jewish tradition of taking care of people in need.
- Friends of Alice Robinson have fed homeless and hungry residents for 14 years and Robinson herself uses a portion of her personal Social Security income to purchase food and supplies every month.
- Westland Real Estate Group develops and manages commercial properties while providing scholarships to local students and contributes to revitalizing the Wrigley Neighborhood.
- Long Beach Creamery has served original organic ice cream since 2013, contributes to organizations and community and partners with various startup small businesses, including Black Ring Coffee and Pie Bar.
- El Pollo Imperial contributes to the Uptown Renaissance by serving a variety of delicious Peruvian food in a home-like atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
Other honorees include: Bell Shelter which helps the homeless in the city of Bell; Latino music preservationist Sebastian Dominguez of Bell Garden; Cudahy based Volcan Market which provides Central American products; Novacane Bar and Grill of Huntington Beach owned by a mother and daughter who mural art inside and outside the establishment; Cassidy’s Corner Cafe of Lakewood which serves bagels and contributes to the local community; T.A.J. Office & School Supply of Lynwood; Maywood community leader and kindergarten teacher Joel Rivas who provides extra-curricular support to children; AMECO Solar Inc. of Paramount; the Jazz Angels of Signal Hill who preserve jazz and empower young musicians; AG Jeans of South Gate known for its socially active and responsible business tactics as well as charitable contributions; environmental gourmet coffee producer and manufacturer F. Gavina & Sons, Inc. of Vernon; and the Walnut Park Civic Engagement Projectwhich provides leadership training and increases civic participation.
The Molina Event Center is located at 200 Oceangate, 15th floor.