The 2024 Fundraising Campaign

By Caleb Tsai

June 27, 2024

Over the past few months in 2024, Fiato Foundation has begun an extensive fundraising campaign in order to accomplish their long-term goal of providing instruments for the youth visiting the Olive Crest headquarters in Bellflower. Members of our organization participated in many types of these events in order to take advantage of any opportunities that we could, while also finding the time to serve the South Bay community in ways that were not initially part of Fiato’s vision. 

Andrew Yan performs White Christmas as a piano solo for the crowd on Candy Cane Lane in Torrance.

First, as explained in further detail by a previous blog, Fiato first kicked off this campaign by performing for community members at Candy Cane Lane in Torrance on December 16 of this past year. While also raising initial funds, a secondary benefit was gained through this type of outreach, as Fiato members got the opportunity to spread awareness to those passing by who were interested in the larger mission behind our performances that evening. 

Julian Fajardo (left) and Elijah Mei (right) pose at the Muscle Beach Invite.

Later, during the start of 2024, on February 17th, Fiato members participated in general volunteering at Broadway Gymnastics’ Muscle Beach Invite Meet, where each member offered themselves for “hire” to cover required shifts during the event. In a new type of event that took all of us out of our comfort zone, members helped out by giving directions as ushers, managing parking, timing “warm-ups” for the athletes themselves, and serving all those who were looking for a quick snack at the food booth. 

Finally, many members of Fiato participated in the Rotary Club Pageant of the Arts competition, where monetary prizes were awarded within districts and at a larger competition. Members placed at the highest district level, and a portion of these winnings were also donated to the organization.

Overall, these different events raised over $2000 for the organization, which will go directly towards new instruments like a piano, violins, and guitars. In the start of June, the culmination of this campaign came through our concluding Fiato Foundation Benefit concert, an exciting event that will be explained in the following blog!