The driving force behind C3 is Deb Ferraro, founder of Carlsbad Village Yoga Co-op and vice president of C3’s Board of Directors. Ferraro has been organizing nonprofit fundraisers and community events involving multiple organizations since 2006.
According to Roni Mayben, the board president, “C3 is a group of like-minded business owners and individuals who know the importance of giving back to the community. Our designation as a recognized nonprofit gives us the opportunity to attract new business partners large and small as well as individuals who are also interested in helping our community. All companies who do business in the village, even if they are not located here, can participate in helping with the betterment of our whole community.”
C3 began when Ferraro asked other businesses to support a fundraiser for a woman with breast cancer and the response was overwhelming. Ferraro realized that the community effort did not have to end with the one-time fundraiser.
Since that first fundraiser, C3’s founding business partners have organized several events to raise funds for various community programs and organizations like the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club, Village Branch. A village-wide food drive to benefit Interfaith Community Services is planned for November. In early November, C3 will also take part in the Friends Helping Friends event presented by Kids for Peace and funded by a grant from the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation.
C3 will be utilizing students to create a bookmark for a program called “Reach out for Thanks.” The bookmark will be gifted to the 500+ senior volunteers for Meals on Wheels and will offer free chair yoga two times a week throughout the month of January 2015.
“ We are excited to help young people learn to give back through a collaboration with Meals on Wheels, Kids for Peace and C3,” Ferraro said.
For information on how to become a C3 business or individual supporter, participate as an event partner or to make a donation, visit Carlsbadcauses.org.
