Purpose
Most nonprofit organizations are formed by individuals or groups who identify a need and believe that by fulfilling this need they can make a difference.  This is why B.E.A.R.S. was formed.  The purpose for creating this nonprofit organization was to help the City of Victorville Community Services Department to:

• Solicit funds in support of facilities, programs, and services;
• Offer a tax deduction for contributions;
• Apply for grants that are not available to government agencies;
• Create a community-based advocacy group; and
• Continue the annual bicycle giveaway established by Doris Davies.

Mission
Benefit Everyone, Assist Recreation & Sports (B.E.A.R.S.) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation organized to aid, sponsor, promote, advance, and assist in the provision of public parks, facilities, and recreation by receiving, investing, and utilizing funds acquired through fundraisers, donations, grants, gifts, bequests, and other solicitations.

History
Prominent Victorville residents, Doris Davies, her husband Cliff, and a few of their friends started a nonprofit association called BENEFIT BALL GAMES in 1984 to raise funds to benefit local children through the purchase of equipment for schools and parks.  They purchased bleachers, backstops, drinking fountains, and playground equipment for various schools and parks throughout Victorville over their 20-year existence.

During that time, it had been a desire of the City of Victorville to start a “Friends of Parks and Recreation” organization, similar to those found in other Southern California cities.

In 2004, Doris met with representatives from the City of Victorville to discuss a joint venture, and in 2005, the association was incorporated and the name changed to Benefit Everyone, Assist Recreation & Sports, or “B.E.A.R.S” for short, in keeping with Doris’ “Bad News Bears” legacy.

Programs

• Annual Bicycle Give-Away
• Fundraising campaigns

For more information on the Bicycle Give-Away, or to make a donation to the B.E.A.R.S., click the links below. If you would like more information about the B.E.A.R.S., please contact Frank Salgado, Recreation Manager for the City of Victorville at Hook Community Center, (760) 245-5551.