A nonprofit that helps children who live in motels along Fresno’s Parkway Drive got a big boost recently from another Fresno nonprofit.

Philanthropy Inspired by the Needs of our Community handed over a ceremonial big check for $80,000 to Live Again Fresno in support of its mission to help kids and their families in need.

Live Again Fresno founder and executive director Richard Burrell called the fundraising efforts by PINC “incredible.”

“These funds will go to support providing healthy food, outings, art, and music for the children we serve. In an area surrounded by fast food, we do our best to provide them with healthy meals to feed their growing bodies,” Burrell said in a news release.

“Outings are critical — getting them outside their geographic boundaries opens their imagination to possible carer paths and futures for themselves. Lastly, art and music are a way to amplify their voice — encouraging storytelling through art as a way to decompress and relieve the stress of their home environment and surroundings. It also builds confidence through expressing their individuality.”

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Annual Benefit Dinner Raised $80K

PINC members raised the funds in a single benefit event in June at the Painted Table attended by 300 guests. It was the organization’s 14th annual fundraiser.

“I am so proud of where we started with PINC and where we have come,” said PINC founder Analisa Domingos. “This organization was created over 15 years ago to serve other nonprofits and create new generations of philanthropists by getting them involved in the nonprofit world in a unique way.

“To see the passion ignited in new PINC members as they learn about and raise funds for nonprofits like Live Again Fresno is so incredible. That passion will continue to drive these young women to give back, whether that is with the efforts of PINC or in other ways — we know PINC is helping build new generations of philanthropists that will continue to serve and uplift our community.”

Live Again Fresno started out of the trunk of Burrell’s family car in 2012 when he and his wife Roxanne began bringing food and their attention to the children at The Freno Inn in an area of Fresno known for drugs and prostitution. The kids were surrounded by filth and played in a parking lot that an open sewer drained into.

Nonprofit’s Work with Children Lauded

The Burrells’ efforts led to the creation of an after-school program where the children have a safe place to be themselves and build relationships.

“Our PINC membership chose Live Again Fresno because we were so moved by its mission, and the passion Richard demonstrated for these children,” Taylor Long, PINC’s president-elect and event chair. “It really hit us, this was the nonprofit we needed to serve this year.”

PINC’s goal was not only to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $51,000 but to also shed some light on the work that Live Again Fresno is doing to improve education and health outcomes for children.