Destino 2000 Opens Fund-Raising Drive

The Destino 2000 Vision Committee has launched its matching gift campaign to raise $30,000 by Dec. 31.

If that goal is reached, Procter & Gamble, Reiter Bros. Inc. and local resident Danny Villanueva will each donate $10,000 to match the $30,000 from community donors, bringing the total to $60,000.

“The community has already given $10,000 toward this challenge campaign,” said Dorie Garcken, development consultant for Ventura County Community Foundation, which administers the Destino 2000 grants. “Now, $20,000 in gifts is needed by year-end to make the match.”

Villanueva, a former professional football player who became a venture capitalist, and other community leaders had a dream in 1996 and helped establish Destino 2000: The Hispanic Legacy Fund, a permanent endowment to build community participation and leadership to benefit Latinos in Ventura County.

“The tide of economic prosperity is not raising all boats,” Villanueva said. “The gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening. What good does it do if a large percentage of Latinos are at poverty level? The key to greatness in our community has to be a willingness to help those who are less fortunate than us.”

Donations can be sent to Destino 2000: The Hispanic Legacy Fund, c/o Ventura County Community Foundation, 1317 Del Norte Drive, Suite 150, Camarillo, CA 93010.

For more information, call Dorie Garcken at 988-0196, Ext. 28.