Hope for the Holidays

    

The season of giving is year-round in the Antelope Valley and goes into overdrive at the end of each year during the holiday season.

The Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation’s ninth annual Caring for the Community dinner service and toy distribution is scheduled for December 12, 2015, at the University of Antelope Valley.

The Foundation is proud to announce Jason Scot and Band will perform live at the PEC in a benefit concert to assist in the donations for this upcoming community event. Special guests will include Wildside and Distant Skies.

Jason Scot has successfully made the transition from Rocker to one of today’s best country solo artists and he is getting hotter by the minute. Some of his hits include: Where the Sun Shines, I Wanna Know, Rock This Country, and You’re the Girl.

We are asking the community to help our neighbors and bring a non-perishable food item to the concert and have a great time for a great cause.

Hope for the Holidays
A benefit concert in support of the 9th Annual Caring for the Community
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Doors open at 6: PM Show 7: PM Advance sales $10 (www.uavpec.com)
Bring a non-perishable food item

The Pioneer Event Center (The PEC) is located at 45000 Valley Central Way, Lancaster, CA.

The Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation Accepting Donations in Preparation for Ninth Annual 'Caring for the Community'

The University of Antelope Valley continues to show its commitment to our community by hosting the Ninth Annual “Caring for the Community” event on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at the UAV Sierra Highway campus. Started by UAV founders, Marco and Sandra Johnson, Caring for the Community had humble beginnings, as the Johnson family distributed flyers throughout our community themselves, serving approximately 20-30 people in its first year.

Last year, 2014, UAV served a holiday meal with all the trimmings to over 2,000 attendees and more than 2,500 toys distributed to children, and families in need received much needed warm clothing. “It was a wonderful day all around, but the most memorable part for me was seeing the joy on the faces of the parents and their children, as they sat with Santa and received gifts,” stated UAV Banquet Manager Pam Mazor. “Whether it was a doll or a bike, the way the children’s eyes lit up was so inspiring, and I think we all walked away that day feeling the true holiday spirit.”

However, catering to the needs of our community is an extensive undertaking and were it not for the support of city leaders, members of our community, and local businesses coming together to help make the event possible, it may not have succeeded.

Last year’s Caring for the Community exceeded everyone’s expectations! The community rose to the occasion, and more than 100 volunteers enlisted and approximately 400 articles of clothing; including jackets, jeans, hats, gloves and other winter wear was donated for families in need.


UAV is accepting donations of new or very gently worn winter coats/blankets/accessories, un-opened toys, or non-perishable food items. Please deliver to the UAV campus front lobby until December 11, 2015.

University of Antelope Valley
44055 N. Sierra Highway
Lancaster, CA 93534

Those interested in volunteering time, please contact Laura Bishop at (661) 726-1911 x126 or via email at laura.bishop@uav.edu

Lopes For Life

Marco and Sandra Johnson made a commitment years ago to always give back to the Antelope Valley community, and that is exactly what they have done.

Antelope Valley High School (AVHS) vs. Knight High at the Lopes’ homecoming football game Friday, October 16, 2015. The game kicks off at 7:05 PM at Mays Field in the Brent Newcomb Stadium, where during halftime new members will be inducted into the AVHS Hall of Fame including legendary rocker, Frank Zappa. Half time festivities will also include alumni Marco & Sandra Johnson presenting their annual financial support to the Athletics & Arts Departments on behalf of the Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation.

The Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization established to assist individuals and families in need throughout the Antelope Valley region of Southern California. The Foundation advances this mission primarily through its work to provide charitable services including but not limited to the promotion of education, scholarships, clothing and food provisions.

Friday, October 16, 2015, will mark the seventh annual installment of a 10-year, $100,000 commitment made by the Johnsons, who are this year asking other alumni to help out by volunteering time and skills at AVHS.

Principal Mrs. Jodie Radford said in 2014, “AVHS Alumni, Marco and Sandra Johnson, made a selfless pledge of support personally and financially. They have been instrumental in the success of AVHS donor program and their contributions have helped instill pride in our school through the support of arts and athletics. They are tangible examples of generosity, commitment, and pride in our school and community.”

“It’s hard to put into words how much the Johnson’s support has meant to our school, community and the students. They are an inspiration and excellent role models,” said AVHS Vice Principal Brett D’Errico preceding last year’s donation.

The athletic and art programs at AVHS were instrumental in training and development for the Johnsons as they focused their attention in high school on professions in both fields. Marco saw his dream of becoming a professional football player in the NFL come true, and Sandra followed her dream and became a professional dancer. “A portion of our foundation was built at AVHS, it’s where we learned hard work and dedication to self and teams. We want each student today to have these same opportunities through athletics and performing arts,” said Marco Johnson.

Marco and Sandra Johnson were recognized for their contributions in education and inducted into the First Annual AVHS Hall of Fame in 2012; Marco was also recognized as a member of the 1983 CIF Championship team.

Electric Run and Mud Run Postponed

Electric Run

The 2015 Electric Run has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances by the run’s corporate offices.

“The entire Electric Run brand was put on ice for 2015 domestically as numbers were down across the country about 10%.” ~ Electric Run, event director

The Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation and co-sponsors are excited to reschedule this event and will post future dates on this website as soon as the promoting company resumes business in Southern California.


Mud Run

Governor Jerry Brown has instituted a 25% water use reduction in California due to the existing drought. These circumstances have forced the foundation to postpone the 2015 Mud Run in an effort to conserve the state’s drinking water supply and recycled water is not an option because of human contact and possible consumption.

The Johnson Smooth Jazz Festival 2015 - Thank you

Thank you for your support and for attending The Johnson Smooth Jazz Festival 2015.

Your valuable support and attendance of the foundation’s fundraising events are precisely what allows this organization to continue the much-needed philanthropic work of providing long-term support to individuals and families of the Antelope Valley community.

The foundation is grateful that you took time out of your Mother’s Day weekend to support this event, and that the community exceeded ticket sales projections. Gratitude is extended to the Smooth Jazz Festival sponsors, U.S. Congressman Steve Knight, Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford, Lancaster city leaders, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce officials for their attendance and support.

Thank you again for supporting the work of this foundation, and the community works we are thriving to maintain.

The Johnson Smooth Jazz Festival is an annual event, occurring Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day.

Your feedback and suggestions would be appreciated at admin@marcoandsandra.org

Mission Statement

The Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization established to assist individuals and families in need throughout the Antelope Valley region of Southern California. The Foundation advances this mission primarily through its work to provide charitable services including but not limited to the promotion of education, scholarships, clothing and food provisions.

Upcoming Music Festivals

• Latin - September 2015
• Country Western - November 2015

Sincerely,
Marco and Sandra Johnson

The Johnson Smooth Jazz Festival (PHOTOS)

Photo Credit: Julian Guevara



















































width="550">

Color Me Rad 5k Marks the Beginning of 2015 Community Events in the AV

LANCASTER, CA – The Second Annual “Color Me Rad” 5k was an exciting day of family fun with more than 4000 participants. The starting sirens blared in front of the Pioneer Event Center at each starting time as thousands took to the streets of Lancaster donning “RAD tutus, colorful wigs, and the essential white tee shirts.

The participants ran and laughed as they passed several junctures where volunteers bombarded them with cloudbursts of color as the white tees began to take on the appearance of tie-dyed. The party continued after the race concluded as the hosts passed out small packets filled with color and the attendees began another barrage of color clouds.

Jeff M. stated, “This is the most fun I have ever had running three miles. I’m really happy I came and I’ll see you next year.”

Color Me Rad and the Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation (MASJF) were supported by committed community and volunteers; without whom this event would not have been a success.

The Color Me Rad Corporation donates a portion of the run’s proceeds to the MASJF. The company has not provided MASJF with this year’s tally, but hopes are the number will meet last year’s donation of $30k.

Annually, everyone that volunteers for this event receives a thank you packet of goodies or free entry to run the Color Me Rad 5k.

The next community event sponsored by the Foundation is The Johnson’s Smooth Jazz Festival 2015. This event will be part of a music festival series and is a celebration for Mother’s Day. Live at Lancaster City Park, the day before Mother’s Day, Saturday, May 9, 2015. Events to follow include The Dirty Dash (mud run) in October (TBD) 2015.

The altruistic efforts of the Johnsons began humbly in 2007, when Marco, Sandra and their children distributed flyers throughout the community offering dinner to anyone in need of a hot meal; approximately 20 people took them up on the offer. The effort expanded with volunteer UAV staff and culinary arts instructors and their students preparing the meals, the event grew annually. In 2014, the dinner service, now called Caring for the Community and under the banner of the MASJF, served more than 2000 meals.

The Caring for the Community dinner service and toy give-away would not be possible without the support of the AV Sheriff’s Booster Club, AV Sheriff’s Department, Local Walmart Foundation, California Highway Patrol’s Toys for Tots, and many, many community volunteers. As well as local city leaders, the JetHawks organization and the continued support and volunteerism of UAV student council, alumni, student body, faculty and staff.

The MASJF is a young organization, incorporated in 2013, has a long-term goal of repurposing an existing property in the AV for use as a community center that offers safe family educational, recreational, and annual medical events.

For more information related to upcoming community events or volunteering, please contact us at admin@marcoandsandra.org or contact Ashley Clutter (661) 726-1911 X126. 

View Color Me Rad 2015 Photo Album