I am a resident of Gardena for more than 30 years, a mother, grandmother and business owner. I have faithfully and diligently served the Gardena community for the past 20+ years. As the President and CEO of the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce for the past 16 years, I have organized countless community events that benefited the residents and business alike. Events such as job fairs, school supply giveaways and toy and food giveaways. I have organized and hosted several business expos and community recognition luncheons to acknowledge the great volunteers we have in the community and so much more. In 2017 I coordinated a huge donation campaign for the victims of hurricane Harvey in Houston Texas. Along with two other women from the community, we personally drove to Houston Texas to deliver the donated items.
During the height of the pandemic, I didn’t shelter in place, I took it upon myself to assist as many businesses and residents that I could, to obtain quality PPE (Proper Protection Equipment) supplies. My staff and I have distributed more than 500,000 face masks and sanitizer in the community from Gardena to West Covina. I’ve helped countless businesses receive thousands of dollars in COVID relief funding and low interest rate loans to remain open as well as keeping our residential renters informed about the Housing is Key program that issued thousands of dollars to help pay back rent.
I’ve owned four successful small businesses for more than 25 years, so being at the forefront of small business advocacy, fighting for sensible legislation from Sacramento, as well as our local government is what I love to do. I don’t just talk about Gardena; I am truly about the business of Gardena. I’ve walked the streets with elected officials to hear directly from the businesses about their concerns, When I was the vice president of the largest senior group in Gardena, The Second Time Around Club, I made sure the seniors are well informed about what’s going on in the community.
Serving in the community is nothing new for me. My time at the Gardena Chamber for many years, of which most of that time was without pay, has allowed me to create and develop great relationships with our utility companies, federal, state, and county elected officials, SBA, (Small Business Association) South Bay Cities Council of Government and lots of local large and small businesses. These relationships are vitally important and beneficial in helping me move Gardena forward.
Many people volunteered their time and invested into my life, so volunteering became very important to me. I’m a commissioner for the City of Gardena Business Economic Advisor Council, an Executive Board Member of the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce and a member of the Los Angeles Business Federation. I’ve owned four successful small businesses for more than 25 years and I'm skilled at bringing people together to get things done.
I have been acknowledged for the community service work I have done by U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, California State Senators Rodrick Wright, California State Senator Isadora Hall and California State Senator Steven Bradford, as well as California State Assembly member Al Muratsuchi, National Action Network, L.A. Sentinel newspaper, Wave newspaper and so many others. I have the character, integrity, honesty, tenacity, skills and relationships to move Gardena forward. On June 7th, VOTE for the Independent Voice for Change! Wanda Love for Gardena City Council 2022.
