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News & Events

20th Annual Panda Cares Charity Golf Invitational

DATE:


ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING DONATIONS:
Panda Cares Foundation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Methodist Hospital, City of Hope and Huntington Hospital

In 2018, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Panda Cares’ largest fundraising event of the year: the 20th Annual Panda Cares Charity Golf invitational. Panda’s business partners and associates joined our giving leaders, Andrew and Peggy Cherng to raise a record-breaking $2.8 million, benefitting underserved youth!

On this sunny September day, over 600 golfers, guests and volunteers came together to share Panda’s success and good fortune with many non-profit organizations serving our communities. They enjoyed fun games including marshmallow golf, a putting contest, various raffles and live and silent auctions while raising money for Panda Cares’ beneficiaries. The best part of the event for most guests is knowing they are helping to make an impact in the lives of those with less opportunity. As stated by Terry O’Brien, President of Overhill Farms, “When I see the love and passion that comes from Panda to put this charity golf tournament together, it just motivates me further. We love having an avenue like this to give back. We have a camaraderie about the same mission of helping kids. Its great!”

This years’ theme “Honor the past, celebrate the present, inspire the future” pays homage to Panda’s ongoing support to underserved youth in the local communities.

The evening program featured a special performance from previous CMN patient Christian Guardino, who was at risk of losing his eyesight until receiving special treatment at his CMN Hospital. He inspired our guests through his beautiful renditions of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Who’s Loving You” by The Jackson 5. Christian was grateful for the opportunity he received to thrive for better life, thanking the crowd by stating: “gene therapy was that hope for me, and it’s made possible because of incredible people like you. Thank you so, so, so much from the bottom of my heart.”

This day would not be possible without the help of volunteers from Panda’s support center and local operators. Brock Furlong, CEO of Stampede Meat, remarked, “I really feel the passion for what is going to be accomplished throughout the day here at the Panda Cares event. It is so infectious and contagious, driven by all the team members from Panda. They have such energy and passion for it, and they’re all here volunteering!”

The mission of Panda Cares is to bring hope to children in need
by providing them with the building blocks of health and education
to inspire brighter futures.

Dr. Peggy Cherng, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.