Volunteerism and investing in the community are among the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’ cornerstones. Each year, it provides a Community Impact Report with details about the organization’s commitment to those it serves.
“The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association is a vital community organization focused on positively impacting people through community involvement and charitable giving,” said Carlos Illingworth, senior director of community relations. “The association and the Tournament of Roses Foundation work together to strengthen engagement and drive social impact throughout the region.” Illingworth also serves as executive director of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation.
The engagement and impact efforts include developing and implementing programs around enhancing educational opportunities, investing in the community, strengthening community business partnerships and creating experiences that make a difference. Examples include:
• The 2020 Rose Bowl Game contributed approximately $75.3 million to support universities in the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.
• To date, the Tournament of Roses has contributed more than $1.3 billion to America’s colleges and universities in support of higher education and collegiate athletics.
• The Tournament of Roses annually donates more than $590,000 to select organizations and individuals within the Greater Pasadena area.
Past President Still a Force in Tournament of Roses
Laura Farber, chair of the Rose Bowl Management Committee, oversees the coin toss at the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl Game, when she was Tournament of Roses president. Although the 2021 Rose Parade has been canceled, hopes are still high that there will be a 107th Rose Bowl Game.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Past President Laura Farber still believes in “The Power of Hope.”
Months after her reign as president, the theme she chose for the 131st 2020 Rose Parade seems more poignant than ever amid the global pandemic and resulting shutdowns that have paralyzed society and led to the cancellation of the iconic 132nd parade on New Year’s Day.
Parade officials last week cited Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phase 4 reopening schedule, health restrictions enacted to slow the spread of coronavirus and interruption of the lengthy preparation needed by participants as their reason for canceling the 2021 parade. But there is still hope that the 107th Rose Bowl Game, “the Granddaddy of Them All,” will deliver an exciting collegiate contest to fans starving for entertainment — and sports.
Continue reading “Past President Still a Force in Tournament of Roses”
Tournament of Roses’ Donation to Assist Pasadena Agencies
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced on Monday that it will make a $100,000 donation in support of local COVID-19 relief efforts in the Pasadena community.
All funds will go to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the largest food provider and distributor to food banks and pantries across Los Angeles County, according to the Tournament. Specifically, the Tournament’s donation will be used to support the nine Pasadena food providers affiliated with the Food Bank. Working through their local providers, the Food Bank is able to provide four meals for every $1 donated. The Pasadena partner agencies provide food to anyone in need and include Friends In Deed, The Salvation Army, Foothill Unity Center and others. Continue reading “Tournament of Roses’ Donation to Assist Pasadena Agencies”
Tournament of Roses President Helps Parade Inclusive New Era
Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2018-19 President Gerald Freeny, a 30-year volunteer, is the first African American to lead the organization, founded in 1890.
Parades have always made Gerald Freeny smile. When he was a small boy growing up in Pasadena, it was tradition for him and his family to camp out the night before the iconic Tournament of Roses parade to score the best viewing spot possible, waving to all the floats and ringing in the New Year with the entire city.
Little did Freeny know back then that one day, he would become the first African American to lead the Rose Parade on Tuesday, Jan. 1, as the Tournament of Roses’ 2018-19 president.
“I’m incredibly honored and very humbled to be leading this great organization,” said Freeny, who has volunteered for the TOR for 30 years. “When I joined way back when, I never thought to be president — I never even dreamed of it or had goals to be president. I just joined to have a good time, give back to the community and bring in the new year.” Continue reading “Tournament of Roses President Helps Parade Inclusive New Era”
Rose Princess Embraces Hectic Royal Routine
On Oct. 1, when the Pasadena Tournament of Roses was at last announcing the finalists composing its Royal Court this year, San Marino High School senior Sherry Ma admitted to having a bit of a, well, senior moment.
Each year, when the finalists compete to be the Rose Queen, the TOR announces the contestant’s school, her number and then, finally, her name, ostensibly to add dramatic flair and kick-start the cheers from whichever school the contestant represents. Continue reading “Rose Princess Embraces Hectic Royal Routine”
Everything’s Coming Up Roses
San Marino resident and Sequoyah High School senior Louise Siskel was named the 2019 Rose Queen as princesses Sherry Ma and Ashley Hackett congratulate her.
In one of Pasadena’s favorite time-honored traditions, the Tournament of Roses on Tuesday announced its 101st Rose Queen for 2019, San Marino resident Louise Siskel, to the delight of a packed Pasadena Playhouse.
Siskel, a senior at Sequoyah High School, stood momentarily dazed when 2019 Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny called out her school and named her queen, only reacting when the six other rose princesses turned to her, applauding. Continue reading “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”
Royals of Pasadena Exhibit Extols 100 Years of Tradition
Longest living Rose Queen Margaret Huntley Main, crowned in 1940 and now age 96, meets 2018 Queen Isabella Marez at the Pasadena Museum of History’s Royals of Pasadena exhibit, showcasing 100 years of elegance and tradition.
When the Pasadena Museum of History began piecing together its “Royals of Pasadena” exhibit, curators felt they were on a bit of a fishing expedition, cautiously dipping into a century of archives that revealed bits and pieces of former royals, as well as years reflecting war, celebration and social change.
They reached out to all the former royals they could locate, asking for memorabilia and photos.
In return, they received a flood of loaned items and, more importantly, memories that tied all the pieces together. More than 70 former queens and princesses responded to the outreach, many personally bringing back the items to the museum. Continue reading “Royals of Pasadena Exhibit Extols 100 Years of Tradition”