Cheri Fleming Shining Star Legacy Award
In a city like Santa Clarita, nothing is more important than fostering a sense of community and togetherness, and this is something that Cheri Fleming represented through and through. As loved ones can tell you, Cheri was an integral part of the Santa Clarita community, and she played a significant role in the development of several nonprofit groups here in the valley through her contributions and role as a philanthropist.
In the late 90s, Cheri and her husband, Don, took over the Valencia Acura dealership, though this was just one of the ways in which Cheri left her mark on SCV. Alongside her family, Cheri worked to make the dealership the best it could be.
In addition to her time as a leader at Valencia Acura, Cheri made countless strides in other leadership roles here in Santa Clarita. Some of her notable involvements include her time as a Director of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, the Boys and Girls club of Santa Clarita, her role as a Director at the Child and Family Center, and her time with Soroptimist International and Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley.
Cheri was as selfless as she was influential. Throughout her lifetime, she amassed a number of awards recognizing her selflessness and her love for her community, which will undoubtedly uphold her legacy for years to come.
In November of 2020, Cheri passed away at the age of 69 years old following a brain aneurysm. Though the Fleming family and SCV community will continue to feel the effects of such a poignant loss, those who knew Cheri can attest to the fact that her name carries with it a positive light that will never go out.
On June 12th, 2022, the Valencia Hyatt will host an event through the Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley, of which Cheri was a dedicated member, Governor of Camino Real Region and SI President at various points in her life. After Cheri’s passing, a Legacy Fund was set up with Soroptimist International, and the event will honor her passion for the organization through the Cheri Fleming Shining Star Legacy Award.
This award, alongside solidifying Cheri’s longstanding dedication to her community, will recognize a “shining star” amongst SCV’s numerous other nonprofits that has done something spectacular within the past year – they’re looking for those who are innovative, recruited new members into their mission, and served as motivators for positive change.
“Cheri loved getting people involved in giving back to our community,” says Pam Ingram, co-chair of the event. Now, it’s the job of that same community to keep the love and light going in Cheri’s absence.
You can learn more about the event by reaching out to co-chairs Pam Ingram: 661-312-4428 and Kim Kurowski: 661-803-6506.
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