News and Events

Redlands business honored for supporting youth fitness

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, November 1, 2008

The Press-Enterprise

By MELANIE LADONGA

Burgeson's Heating and Air Conditioning of Redlands was named the gold medal winner in the business category of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards for its contributions to community organizations that promote physical fitness among youth.

"They were gracious enough to nominate us," said Dianne Burgeson, president and CEO of Burgeson's Heating and Air Conditioning. "We were chosen from hundreds of companies, which is such an honor."

Brian Burgeson and Andrew Tejeda, grandson and great grandson of Elgar Burgeson, the company's founder, received the gold medal from Gov. Schwarzenegger in a ceremony on Sept. 17 in Sacramento.

On Oct. 23, a check for $10,000 funded by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation was given to the YMCA of the East Valley in honor of the Burgeson company.

"We feel really honored to give to the Y in our name," Burgeson said.

Kenny Rogers, executive director of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, said the committee that chose Burgeson's was made up of Olympic gold medal winners Peter Vidmar and Lisa Fernandez and council volunteers.

He said they were struck by the Burgeson's investment in supporting the YMCA.

"They fit the bill of a company that went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the children of Redlands grow up happy and healthy," Rogers said.

Rogers said the award honored adults who have helped children be physically active and fit. .

Ken Stein, general director of the YMCA of the East Valley, said he was impressed by the variety of categories from which the governor chooses for the award.

"(For) Burgeson's -- being a small, locally owned business -- it was possible because of their intense involvement and uniqueness to be singled out in the state," Stein said.

Stein said the money will be used to support Camp Edwards and the organization's Great All-American Youth Circus at the Redlands Family Branch, providing equipment and scholarships for children to participate.

He said the funds will also support the San Bernardino and Highland branches.

Burgeson serves on the YMCA board of directors and performed in the YMCA circus as a child.

Burgeson's daughters also performed in the circus.

Stein said the circus started in 1929 and has about 300 performers. He said anyone can join.

"They don't realize that they're getting physical activity because they're having so much fun," said Burgeson, referring to the children who participate in the circus.

She said company employees and family have donated their time for generations in support of the organization's programs.

Rogers said the Burgeson's investment of time and energy in the YMCA stems from a passion that the family has shown having participated in the organization's programs themselves.

"It was a treat for me to get to see how one company can impact the community," Rogers said.

"The ripples of the investment in health and fitness go a long way."