(left to right) Mary Roth, Executive Director, RIMS, Paula Kelly, Vice President, Monarch School Project, Sarita Fuentes, Principal and CEO,  Monarch School, and Janice Ochenkowski, President, RIMS. (Photograph by Felicia Messimer, RIMS Communications Associate)

When the Risk Insurance Management Society (RIMS) came to San Diego in May, they left a lasting impression on San Diego. Local organizations serving local homeless and economically disadvantaged children were the recipients of generous donations from RIMS and their attendees, helping strengthen a vital safety net of services for those in need.

“If there’s any city that we can give back to, a city that’s been so generous to RIMS, its attendees and exhibitors, it’s San Diego,” said Salvatore Chiarelli, Director of Meeting and Events for RIMS.

The Monarch School, which provides accredited educational programs and a stable environment to homeless and at-risk youth, received a $10,000 cash donation. RIMS made the donation on behalf of their 400 guest speakers, in lieu of the thank-you gifts typically purchased. The donation will help Monarch students, who are homeless or marginally housed, participate in after-school enrichment programs.

RIMS coordinated the donation through the Convention Center Corporation’s Donations Program. The program assists Convention Center clients make monetary or in-kind donations of usable, leftover event materials connect to local nonprofits serving communities in need. Material donations have included food from events to medical equipment, automotive supplies and chairs.

The Convention Center also helps facilitate volunteers for community improvement efforts and assisted RIMS in partnering with Volunteer San Diego to donate time and labor to the King Chavez Academy Charter School, an elementary school in the Barrio Logan area of San Diego. Nearly 200 RIMS attendees and exhibitors spent the day renovating and beautifying this school in need. Now, thanks to RIMS, King Chavez Academy students have an inviting playground.