By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Wheelhouse Credit Union awarded its second annual D. Cruz Gonzalez Memorial Grant to Sports4Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to create a brighter future for local youth facing homelessness.
The grant, presented to Sports4Kids during its Bags of Hope giveback event at Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan in the South Bay, will be used to provide Bags of Hope essential care packages to the school’s unhoused student population. Wheelhouse employees also volunteered to help assemble and distribute the care packages during the event.
The $5,000 grant, established in 2023 to honor the legacy of former Wheelhouse Board Chair Daniel “Cruz” Gonzalez and his lifelong commitment to volunteerism in underserved communities, is awarded annually to an initiative or organization that positively impacts the lives of San Diegans.
“We are proud to continue Cruz’s legacy by making a true difference in the lives of individuals in our underserved San Diego communities through volunteerism and outreach,” said Wheelhouse President/CEO Lisa Paul-Hill. “Sports4Kids and its founder Arden Pala are an inspiration to all of us, and reflect the shared values of Cruz and Wheelhouse as we work to support those in our beautiful city who need it most. We congratulate Arden and look forward to continuing to support all his good work.”
Founded by 14-year-old student Arden Pala, Sports4Kids organizes volunteer opportunities for children of all ages to actively engage in initiatives dedicated to making a positive impact, including feeding the homeless, supplying back-to-school backpacks to financially needy families, and offering support through care packages for individuals without homes. Its primary focus is to provide opportunities for all low-income youth to play sports while building physical and social skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
