By Angela Coggs
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — The Making Hope Happen Foundation celebrated a night of community, inspiration, and impact at its annual gala, A Tropical Escape, held Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Hilltop Banquet Hall in San Bernardino. The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the prestigious Opportunity Award to Amazon, recognizing the company’s exceptional dedication to advancing educational and career opportunities for youth in the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).
The gala, a signature fundraising event for the Foundation, brought together community leaders, educators, and supporters to raise essential funds for programs that serve students from infancy through career readiness. Proceeds support the Foundation’s four cornerstone initiatives: KITS (Karnig Infant-Toddler Success), Innovation in Education, Mentor-Supported Scholarships, and Uplift San Bernardino.
Amazon: Investing in Opportunity and Innovation
Amazon’s impact on the Inland Empire goes far beyond economic development. Since launching operations in the region, the company has demonstrated a deep commitment to education, innovation, and community well-being. Through initiatives like the Amazon Business and Logistics Pathway at Cajon High School, Amazon is equipping local students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the global logistics industry—a $10 trillion sector vital to Inland Southern California’s economy.
“Amazon is proud to support the Making Hope Happen Foundation in its mission to help young people in San Bernardino thrive,” said David Ambroz, Head of Community Engagement (Southern California) at Amazon. “We believe in investing in students’ dreams and creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.”
From school supply donations to support for nonprofit partners, Amazon’s contributions have already reached thousands of students across the district, helping ensure every learner has a fair shot at success.
A Community-Centered Vision for the Future
“When Amazon enters a community, they don’t just bring jobs—they bring vision,” said Niki Dettman, CEO of the Making Hope Happen Foundation. “They invest in schools and programs that equip students with real-world skills and access to high-road jobs. That’s what the Opportunity Award is all about.”
The work of the Making Hope Happen Foundation is powered by the dedication and generosity of visionary leaders in our community. In 2022, the Foundation launched the HOPE Awards to recognize individuals and organizations whose exceptional efforts have helped bring our mission to life. This year’s honorees include Jamie Rios and Ken Martinez, recipients of the Hero for Hope Award, for their unwavering support of San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students and families and their role in representing San Bernardino in a positive light. Amazon received the Opportunity Maker Award for their commitment to expanding access to innovative learning, including the funding of classroom projects through Donors Choose. The Patron Award was presented to Julia Willis Leon in recognition of her outstanding contributions that have significantly advanced the Foundation’s mission. The Empowering Hope Award was awarded to the BBOP Center for their forward-thinking leadership in inspiring and fueling entrepreneurship in the Inland Empire. Lastly, Krista McPhail was honored with the Dr. Albert Karnig Award for her deep commitment to the KITS (Karnig Infant-Toddler Success) program, supporting healthy and successful families across the region.
The Foundation’s mission—rooted in creating lifelong learners and fostering community-wide success—is carried out through programs that support brain development in early childhood, innovation in K-12 education, mentorship and scholarships for college-bound students, and citywide collaboration through Uplift San Bernardino.
