The charitable foundations of Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea announced a $1 million donation on Dec. 20 to the Child Development Center at Ventura College, the biggest gift in the community college’s 85-year history.

Early childhood education is one of the focal points of The Orfalea Foundations, which consists of two funds started by Orfalea and his wife, Natalie Orfalea.

Since 2000 the foundations have given $50,000 a year in operating funds to the Child Development Center. The new $1 million gift will go to the center’s endowment, and caps off the Orfaleas’ 10-year commitment.

The Orfalea Child Development Center at Ventura College enrolls almost 300 children a year in its toddler and preschool programs, and also serves as a laboratory for college students studying child development. Robin Douglas, the center’s director, said in a news release that the latest donation will allow the Child Development Center to enroll even more children and provide student-teaching opportunities for Ventura College students.

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