On Easter, DPI Labs in La Verne Was Hoppin’ with Joy — By Larry Stewart

April 10, 2012
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University of La Verne freshmen, from left, Diana Arriaga, Celia Moreno, Marcia Arias and Stephany (cq) Lopez handed out Easter baskets. They are all members of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

University of La Verne freshmen, from left, Diana Arriaga, Celia Moreno, Marcia Arias and Stephany (cq) Lopez handed out Easter baskets. They are all members of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

 Looking for a nice, feel-good post-Easter story.  We have one here.

 Last week several hundred people jammed the DPI Labs parking lot at 1350 Arrow Highway, with young children getting Easter baskets, a photo with the Easter Bunny and, if they so desired, getting their face painted. Meanwhile, their parents were handed food and produce.

   It was quite a scene.

   The festive occasion was another Sowing Seeds for Life production, with many SSFL volunteers there to help and the Golden Spur restaurant in Glendora sponsoring the Easter basket giveaway.

   Nhancye (pronounced Nancy) D’Angelo and her sister Roberta, St. Lucy’s High students and the teenage daughters of new Golden Spur owners Joe and Daniela D’Angelo, spent two days filling 100 Easter baskets with stuffed animals, various toys, plastic eggs and the like. Another 100 were provided by SSFL volunteer Merilee Goodwin of Glendora.

   The giveaway, which took place April 4, was one of SSFL’s regularly scheduled giveaways held the first and third Wednesday of every month from 3 to 5 p.m.

   Sowing Seeds for Life, an East San Gabriel Valley food bank founded by CEO Vicki Brown of Glendora, provides food and other products to some 6,000 needy people per month, mainly through its giveaways at DPI Labs. They are held at DPI Labs because Vicki Brown is also the CEO of that aerospace company. DPI Labs also serves as the headquarters for Sowing Seeds for Life, or SSFL.

   Joining the SSFL volunteers in helping out at the giveaway were University of La Verne and St. Lucy’s High students.

   Some of the University of La Verne students there were from the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority. One group included Diana Arrigaga, Celia Moreno, Maria Arias and Stephany Lopez, all freshmen.

   Senior Marianna Pignotti volunteered because of a community service class.

   The students taking part is just another example of young people doing good things.

   And speaking of doing good things, that’s what Vicki Brown is all about. When Helen Reyes, 32, of Covina showed up seeking help, Vicki personally took her under her wings.

    Reyes, with tears in her eyes, told Vicki she had just escaped that day from an abusive relationship and was seeking a shelter. She spotted the SSFL activity as she and a friend drove by and decided to see what was going on and if anyone there could help her.

    It was as if Reyes had been guided to the right place.

Senior Marianna Pignotti, orginally from Apple Valley, helped with face painting.

Senior Marianna Pignotti, orginally from Apple Valley, helped with face painting.

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