I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make today’s Gun BuyBack event, held at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, a huge success. The Matt Garcia Foundation partnered with Fairfield Police Department, Faith PAC, and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Today’s Gun Buyback collected 92 unwanted guns. Wow! Thank you! |
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This is the third gun buyback event that we have participated in since Matt was murdered in 2008. The felon who shot Matt in the back of the head, was able to illegally purchase that firearm from another guy, at a garage sale, who also illegally obtained the gun from a storage unit. These are the guns we want off the streets. We know that most criminals will not be turning in their firearms, nor are we asking for law abiding licensed gun owners (as myself) to turn in their guns. I can tell you that we have had a former gang member turn in his gun. |
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I can also share with you that during one of our gun buyback events an elderly couple had a trunk filled with firearms. The grandson, who lived with them, had gone to prison. He left all the guns in their home. They were afraid to turn them into the police because they didn’t know how their grandson had gotten the guns or what crimes he may have committed with them. When they heard they could get those guns out of their home with no questions asked they were very grateful.
We often wonder if Maybe just maybe, there had been a gun buyback available for the initial person to turn in the gun that he obtain from the storage unit and get some money for it that way, instead of selling it to another Criminal…Matt may still be here today. We will never know. What we do know though, is that if one life is saved because an unwanted or unsecured firearm is no longer available to steal, or cause harm to oneself or someone else…THAT is a successful day!
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Virgil Sellers
1932-2022
Virgil was one of our most cherished foundation volunteers. He was proud to be the oldest volunteer, and he showed up religiously for our monthly community clean-ups. If you spent more than 5 minutes with him, you were blessed by his wisdom, compassion and knowledge. If wouldn’t take him long to say something like “I have a story for that”, in response to something the group was discussing. He would then capture everyone’s attention and laughter.
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Virgil became a longtime Fairfield resident after serving many years in the United States Air Force (retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant). He was also a master cabinet maker, and could fix pretty much anything. Virgil could be found volunteering with one of the many community programs he proudly served, including Rush Ranch/Access Adventure, the Travis Air Force Base vintage aircraft museum, Pena Adobe Historical Society, and of course, our own Matt Garcia Foundation.
We will miss Virgil. If we all had the dedication and compassion he showed for his community, this world would be a better place.
God bless you Virgil. Rest in Peace.
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It was a magical Sunday in Downtown Fairfield, July 31st. The “WIZARDING Celebration” event in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday was organized by “Legendary Letters”. There were over 20 Downtown Fairfield merchants & organizations who hosted an activity; we were honored to be one of them.
Families, friends, couples of all ages went up and down the downtown streets to complete a stamp card; upon visiting each stop and completing the hosted activity. Activities such as “Magical Wand” making, sipping Butter Beer, etc. were some of the stops.
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The Matt Garcia Foundation hosted the “Origami Jumping Frog” making activity; our stop was the “Care of Magical Creatures”. All participants were to complete making a jumping frog. We were able to instruct & guide them through the various folding steps.
It was a great day and all participants expressed their enjoyment. We would like to thank Stacy Rose of Legendary Letters. Stacy organized this event and worked with all of the merchants & organizations, instructing each of us with our specific activity assignments. Legendary Letters provided all materials needed including the stamper as well! Thank you Stacy Rose, job well done!!
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Thank you to all the merchants & organizations who participated and thank you to all the attendees who joined in this event; it was so fun!! Again…a magical day for sure was enjoyed!!! |
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The Matt Garcia Foundation
'Community Service Day Cleanup'
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Last Saturday of Every Month |
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When: Saturday, August 27, 2022
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Where: Matt Garcia Foundation Office, 717 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533
The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, garbage pickers and buckets for collecting the trash.
Students can earn community service hours. Lunch provided after the cleanup.
To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv
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12th Annual Matt Garcia Foundation
Charity Golf Tournament
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Come join us for a fun day of golf!
We are excited to host our 12th annual Matt Garcia Foundation charity golf tournament. This year’s golf tournament will be held at the beautiful Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo. Proceeds from this fundraiser support our programs to help youth, stop crime and strengthen our community. Interested in playing you can register at mattgarciafoundation.org.
We hope to see you on October 10th!
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Opioid abuse causes many avoidable deaths in the U.S. If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction to narcotics (prescribed pain medication or otherwise), contact Drug Safe Solano for help. |
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"My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be." - Wayne Dyer |
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You can support your local small business without spending a cent?
Like or love their post – Tag friends who would enjoy their product or services – Share their post – Join their Facebook group and like the page - Tell your friends!
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Everyday we learn something new. Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day… It doesn’t have to be an “A” the next day,
but let’s hope it improves.
-Matt Garcia
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MATT GARCIA FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 3301
Fairfield, CA 94533
DIRECT: 707.372.4160
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