Media Corner

For Immediate Release
September 28, 2007

Local Groups Rewarded For
Volunteer Work & Water-Saving Efforts

Carson, CA – The Central Basin Board of Directors presented the South East High School Booster Club of South Gate and the Victory Outreach of Huntington Park with checks totaling more than $10,000, recognizing their work on successful High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) distributions within their cities. The presentations at Tuesday's board meeting demonstrated the District's continued commitment to serving its communities.

From the South East High School Booster Club, football head coach Roger Satti and three players accepted Central Basin's check for more than $7,000.00, presented by Central Basin Director Rudy Montalvo, of Division III, which includes South Gate. Coach Satti expressed his gratitude for the District's HET Distribution program, sharing with the Board that the funding enabled the entire football team to travel to Hawaii to play their first game of the season.

Albert Morales from Victory Outreach, a non-profit organization in the City of Huntington Park providing job training for at-risk youth, was also presented with a check from Central Basin Director Arturo Chacon, totaling more than $3,000.

"It's great to see students and non-profit groups taking advantage of this opportunity to help spread water awareness," said Director Montalvo. "Anything we can do to help these community groups raise money and conserve water is a good thing!"

Director Chacon also commended the organizations for their efforts. "In the middle of a water crisis, it is uplifting to see organizations such as these recognize the value of conservation," he said.

The HET distribution is one of the District's most popular programs. Since the program's inception in 1995, the District has distributed more than 40,000 water saving toilets, which use 1 gallon or less per flush compared to older models that use 5-7 gallons. For each old, water-guzzling toilet that is returned, the participating organization earns funding.

To get more information about other Conservation programs or partnership opportunities, please visit Central Basin's web site at www.centralbasin.org or contact the District's Conservation Coordinator at 310-436-2609.