Cypress company gives back to others

The Bandai Corporation in Cypress held its annual Time for Giving event on Thursday, giving away more than $400,000 to more than 40 local and regional organizations.

The Bandai Corporation in Cypress held its annual Time for Giving event on Thursday, giving away more than $400,000 to more than 40 local and regional organizations.

The Bandai Corporation, best know for developing the Power Rangers toys, established its Foundation 17 years ago and has given more than $6 million over the 17 years. This year, the corporation handed out checks totaling $422,150 to local and regional organizations, which included the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress and the Cypress Soroptimists group.

Local officials were on hand to recognize the efforts of the company and it’s employees. Employees of Bandai contributed $10,183 to the total and that contribution was matched by the company.

“It’s truly heartfelt and warming to see the effort that you guys put forth,” Cypress City Councilman Rob Johnson said.

This year, the Bandai Foundation board focused much of it’s attention on organizations that are helping with hungry children. One of those was the Giving Children Hope Foundation in Buena Park that helps provide food to children in need, who receive free or reduced price meals at school, but who may struggle to get adequate meals over the weekends.

Bandai Director of Global Marketing, Georgia Manolas-Lopez spoke of the work that community groups do and how the corporation tries to support the efforts and remain an integral part of the commuity.

“You are on the front lines doing all the hard work,” Manolas-Lopez told the group.