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Garden Grove honors Red Ribbon Week, Magnolia Park Family Resource Center, Thomas House and local eateries
Summary
The council presented proclamations and awards recognizing National Red Ribbon Week, the 25th anniversary of Magnolia Park Family Resource Center, Thomas House Family Shelter's 40 years of service, and participating eateries in Foods of Garden Grove Live.
The Garden Grove City Council used part of its meeting to present several community spotlights and proclamations honoring local organizations and events.
The council adopted a proclamation recognizing National Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23–31, 2025). Therese Calazo, the Elks' Drug Awareness Program chairperson, read the proclamation and recounted the program's origin in memory of DEA special agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Calazo said in part that Red Ribbon Week "offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug free lifestyles" and noted the Elks' role in the city's drug awareness program.
The council also recognized the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center on its 25th anniversary. Assistant to the City Manager Sean Park said the center was established in 2000 through a partnership among the city of Garden Grove, the County of Orange Social Services Agency and Families and Communities Together (FACT). Staff and volunteers were invited forward to receive the proclamation.
Thomas House Family Shelter was honored for 40 years of service to families experiencing homelessness. The council presented Shaquoyah Green Long, chief executive officer of Thomas House Family Shelter, with an award and thanked the organization for programs including transitional shelter, homeless prevention and youth mentoring.
Finally, the council recognized participating eateries from the Foods of Garden Grove Live tasting event, thanking dozens of local restaurants for their role in the festival and presenting certificates to attendees.
Red Ribbon Week was adopted as a proclamation on the evening's consent/agenda action; the other spotlights were presented as ceremonial recognitions. The transcript records historical background, program descriptions and staff remarks but does not include votes for each individual spotlight beyond the earlier consent action that covered item(s) pulled from the consent calendar.
