Chowchilla firm provides a surprise $50,000 for Bigs in Blue program

Golden Memorial Foundation of Chowchilla has made an unexpected donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California’s (BBBSCC) “Bigs in Blue” program which will allow the volunteer group to operate in Chowchilla.

Bigs in Blue is a one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth with police in communities throughout the nation, building strong, trusting, lasting relationships. These relationships can help children develop into confident adults and help build stronger bonds between law enforcement and the families they serve.

Family-owned Golden Memorial Foundation wrote a $50,000 check instead of an expected $10,000 check to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California so the “Bigs In Blue” program could get started in Chowchilla immediately.

This amount will pay for the entire program for the first year.

BBBSCC piloted a Bigs in Blue Program beginning in 2014; the nation-wide program was rolled out in November of 2016.

“At Golden Memorial we are continually finding ways to better our community and support our youth. We are proud to sponsor such an amazing organization that will educate children and help them develop positive relationships,” said Ray Barragan, president of Golden Memorial Foundation.

When BBBSCC approached Golden Memorial, they were asking for a $10,000 donation to fund part of the program. Barragan asked how much the whole program would cost and decided to donate the full amount, $50,000, exceeding his original donation by five times.

“We are ecstatic for this partnership with Golden Memorial Foundation to bring the Bigs in Blue Program to Chowchilla,” said Diane Phakonekham, Executive Director of BBBSCC. “There is a big need for mentors and this donation makes it possible to expand our reach to serve the residents of Chowchilla while teaching our youth that behind the badge is a human being, just like them.”

As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, BBBSCC develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

About Golden Memorial: Golden Memorial Foundation underwritten by Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is the No. 1 final expense insurance agency in America. It is a family-owned business headquartered in Chowchilla. They currently operate in 16 states with more than 2,000 agents.