Pacific helps bring Christmas to Paradise

On Dec. 12, Pacific hosted the Christmas in Paradise fundraiser in the DeRosa University Center Ballroom in support of the victims of the recent wildfires in Paradise, California. More than 400 people attended the event, which raised more than $60,000 along with donations of children's toys and gift cards.  

The event was conceived by San Joaquin County Supervisors Tom Patti and Miguel Villapudua and members of the American Punjabi Chamber of Commerce. And through the generous and willing spirit of members of the Pacific community, the event was produced at almost no cost to the organizers, allowing virtually 100 percent of the proceeds to go to those who needed it most.  

Experiencing booking challenges for the event, Patti reached out to University of the Pacific and was referred to Pacific's event manager, Steve Whyte, who put the Pacific machine in motion. In almost no time at all, the event space was secured and all the resources and logistics were handled, the Pacific community responding with a true spirit of generosity.

The university authorized waiving the rental fee for the ballroom, and our partners in Bon Appetit donated the catering costs. Support Services waived the setup and clean-up costs, and Public Safety waived the costs for event security. Student Life provided audio-visual technicians, and members of the men's soccer team also helped out at the event. Even our vendor, Standard Party Rentals, donated all the equipment they provided.  

As a result of this generous support, organizers were able to donate the entire proceeds to a special fund created by the Butte County Board of Supervisors to help those affected by the fires. Toys and gift cards were taken directly to Paradise for distribution.  

The Board of Supervisors presented a Proclamation of Appreciation to the university at the event and expressed profound thanks for Pacific's tremendous response and everyone who had a part in making the event possible and demonstrating the true Pacific spirit.