November 12, 2003 :: No. 103

“Chicken Soup” Book Co-Creator to Keynote Luncheon

Jack Canfield, founder and co-creator of the best-selling “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series, will be the keynote speaker during Cal State Fullerton’s Thanks for Giving recognition luncheon 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at the Titan Student Union.

The fund-raising event, benefiting Cal State Fullerton’s Guardian Scholars program, will honor Anaheim Hills resident Allen Boerner of Granite Investment Group and alumnus Ronald V. Davis of Edwards, Colo., chairman of Davis Capital and retired chairman of Perrier Group of America.

Canfield’s “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series includes 70 titles with more than 85 million copies in print in almost 40 languages. He is the founder of Self-Esteem Seminars, which trains entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees how to attain their personal and professional goals.

Canfield also created the Foundation for Self-Esteem to help raise self-esteem in at-risk populations by providing resources and training to social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

More than donors, Boerner and Davis — both of whom serve on the program’s advisory board — will be recognized for their philanthropy and generosity to the Guardian Scholars over the years.

“Ron and Allen have made a personal investment in the lives of our students,” says Jenny Mohr, director of the Guardian Scholars program. “Besides contributing financially, they have opened their homes and their hearts to the scholars. They exemplify the true meaning of selflessness. We are so honored to have them as part of our Guardian Scholars family.”

Tickets are $40 each and can be reserved by calling Carlos Leija of University Advancement at 657-278-4733.

Developed in collaboration with the Orangewood Children’s Foundation in 1998, the Guardian Scholars program — the first of its kind in California — encourages and supports promising and motivated young people who are exiting the foster care system and striving to earn a college degree.