Infant abandoned at gas station leads to donations to support moms

By Barbara Kimler

An infant abandoned at a Fullerton Chevron station in early March was the catalyst for positive connections in the Orange County nonprofit world as Chevron and G&M Oil sought to bring support to moms in need.

The experience was unprecedented for the Chevron family and they sought out a local nonprofit to support following the incident. They connected with District Director Erica Lucia with 29th District Senator Josh Newman's office who introduced them to Santa Ana-based MOMS Orange County.

As a result, both Chevron and G&M Oil (which operates the Fullerton Chevron station) donated $10K each to Santa Ana-based MOMS Orange County, and also made smaller donations to CHOC, as a way to bring awareness and support to moms in need. MOMS OC is the county's largest maternal health nonprofit supporting low-income expectant moms and families through the child's first year.

In recognition of Mother's Day on Sunday, a presentation was held at the Fullerton Fire Department's Station 1 to share the positive outcome of the incident with presentations on the Safe Surrender program and MOMS Orange County services.

Speakers included Fullerton Fire Department Battalion Chief Jordan Morris, MOMS Orange County CEO Dave Lugo, Chevron Oil Corporate Affairs, Jill Dunn, G&M Oil HR Director Nereida LeFlore, and District Director Erica Lucia of Senator Josh Newman's office.