Our History
The Marina Foundation supports programs that benefit youth, teens, and seniors in the Marina community.
Since its inception in 2009, the Foundation has helped to raise over $19,000 for the local Marina Skate Team to attend the State and National Championships in San Diego, raised over $45,000 to purchase an ADA Van for the City’s senior program, over $32,000 to upgrade the Marina Community Center Playground, and 2017 helped to raise over $40,000 to open the new California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery.
Below is the historical timeline for The Marina Foundation since its inception in 2009 to date:
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Lenore Masterson Creative Arts Scholarship Established
Lenore Masterson Creative Arts Scholarship
Dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Sculpture Garden
2023
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Woman/Man of Year
Woman of the Year – Nancy Fortman
Man of the Year – J. Michael Masterson
2022
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Scholarship Established
2021
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Marina Food Distribution
Marina Food Distribution Programs
The Marina Foundation initiated a weekly food supplement program…
The Breakfast Program at the Marina Teen Center discontinued.
Due to COVID-19 the Breakfast Program has been discontinued…
Woman of the Year –Cheryl Swix
Man of the Year – Jim Osborn
2020
- The Community Foundation for Monterey County provided a COVID-19 grant of $10,000 for the distribution of food to local seniors.
- TMF received a second matching grant for $2,500 from Monterey Peninsula Engineering to fund the food distribution program for seniors.
- TMF designed and distributed a flyer that listed all seven food distribution programs available to Marina residents as well as senior grocery hours.
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Scholarship Established
2019
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Woman/Man of Year
Woman of the Year – JoAnne Bowman
Man of the Year – Allen Bowman
2018
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Woman/Man of Year
Woman of the Year – Grace Silva-Santella
Man of the Year – Michael Owen
2017
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Grand Opening
Grand Opening of the CA Central Coast Veterans Cemetery with Committal Shelter – Benches, Podium, etc.
Marina Community Center Playground Opened
Thanks to partnerships and our Marina community The Marina Foundation…
Wight Family Scholarship Established
Woman of the Year – Lei Fernandez
Man of the Year – Butch Fernandez
2016
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VTC Programs
First Responder Trauma Kits
Rod Arnaldo Memorial Outstanding Service Award
Woman of the Year – Lis Billingsley
Man of the Year – Sid Williams
2015
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Fund Established
Best Buy Technology Grant for Marina Teen Center
Stewart Scholarship Established
Veterans Fund Established
Positive Behavior Intervention Support Program (PBIS) at Los Arboles Middle School
Grants to Marina School Wide Assembly Programs.
Woman of the Year – Astrid Lang
Man of the Year – Michael Graham
2014
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Scholarship Established
Nakagawa Scholarship Established
MIFW Canceled
ADA Van
Woman of the Year – Joy Junsay
Man of the Year – Jack Stewart
2013
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Communities
100 Best Communities
Woman of the Year – Sally French
Man of the Year – Mike Mast
2012
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Event Established
Marina Skate Team/Park – 2011 State Champs/National Champs
100 Best Communities
Gordon Nakagawa Memorial Pilot Lounge
CA Parks and Recreation Society
District 6 – Outstanding Club/Organization
Woman of the Year – Darlena Ridler
Man of the Year – Ken Gray
2011
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Scholarship Established
CA Amateur Skate League America Skate Federation State Champion
2010
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The Marina Foundation founded
The Marina Foundation received its 501(c)3 Public Charity status.
Marina International Festival of the Winds
2009
2020
Marina Food Distribution Programs
The Marina Foundation initiated a weekly food supplement program to keep local seniors from risking COVID-19 transmission. Working with the Food Bank for Monterey County and the City of Marina, a no-contact, drive-through out of Los Arboles Middle School/Teen Center (294 Hillcrest Avenue) was set up. The program began in March 2020 and continued through July 2021.
The Foundation and the City took over the Friday family drive-through food program from the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) during spring break 2020. Created for Marina students and their families, the program also operated at Los Arboles Middle School.
Highlights & Impact
The Breakfast Program at the Marina Teen Center discontinued.
Due to COVID-19 the Breakfast Program has been discontinued. The Breakfast Program at the Marina Teen Center served breakfast to approximately 165 to 225 Marina middle school and high school students each morning between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. during the school year, excluding breaks and holidays.
Marina High School Scholar Resource Center
2016
Grand Opening of the CA Central Coast Veterans Cemetery with Committal Shelter – Benches, Podium, etc.
Marina Community Center Playground Opened
Thanks to partnerships and our Marina community The Marina Foundation raised the additional funds needed by the City of Marina to upgrade the current playground adjacent to the Marina Community Center. The new playground accommodates and is accessible to more children after school and during breaks as well as giving children much better options than the current available conditions.
The project entails the complete redesign of the space immediately adjacent to the Rocky Han Community Center (211 Hillcrest Avenue) for the use of children ages 5 to 12 (grades k-6). The park and playground redesign includes completely new landscaping with turf, plants, proper irrigation and all new, age appropriate playground equipment.
Wight Family Scholarship Established
Woman of the Year – Lis Billingsley
Man of the Year – Sid Williams
2013
MIFW Canceled
Nakagawa Scholarship Established
ADA Van
Woman of the Year – Sally French
Man of the Year – Mike Mast
