Kristoffer “Kris” Popovich is being honored by the Boy Scouts’ Greater Los Angeles Area Council at the organization’s Good Character Gala on Wednesday, Nov. 18. BSA’s first virtual gala event begins with a preshow at 6:30 p.m., followed by the hourlong gala, which begins at 7. More than 400 guests are expected to “attend.”
The Good Character Award “recognizes outstanding individuals who have demonstrated the qualities of the Scout Oath and Law through their exemplary character, leadership, compassion and generosity in their personal as well as their professional lives,” according to a spokesperson.
“Kris Popovich has been a longtime supporter of scouting in this community,” said Tim Greenleaf, the Greater L.A. council’s president and board chairman. “He has not only been a financial supporter, but as a former Scout, he has been a true character sponsor — reflected in his many Eagle Scout grandchildren. The care that he has shown his community through his philanthropic efforts clearly shows that he lives the Scout motto to ‘Do a Good Turn Daily’ … a duty to care for others … even if you do not know them.”
San Marino Tribune file photo
Kris Popovich and his late wife, Jane, have supported countless nonprofit organizations.
San Marino Tribune file photo
Kris Popovich, who is being honored by the Boy Scouts on Nov. 18, is pictured with his three daughters, Kim Shepherd, Tricia Fink and Jennifer Allen.
Proceeds raised will continue to fund the Greater Los Angeles Area Council so it can provide a quality program and opportunity for one of the most unique and diverse populations in America, serving nearly 46,000 youth and 8,200 adult volunteers.
This year’s event will establish the Popovich Family Inner-City Leadership Fund, a three-year initiative to engage at-risk, inner-city youth in scouting’s leadership and character-building program. With matching funds available through the BSA National Foundation, restricted gifts of $25,000 or more to the Popovich Family Inner-City Leadership Fund will be doubled to grow and strengthen scouting’s presence in underserved communities, regardless of their economic circumstances.
The 2020 Good Character Gala is chaired by San Marino resident Jim Ellis, the former longtime dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business. The event’s emcee will be Brad Ball.
“Kris is the consummate gentleman and a strong values-based family man, with three grandsons and a son-in-law being Eagle Scouts,” said Ellis. “He is the most appropriate awardee they could have chosen.”
Popovich was a Boy Scout and has been a supporter of scouting for decades. His family remains active in scouting, with his daughters volunteering with local troops, his son-in-law serving on the Council Board, and three of his grandsons earning the Eagle Scout award.
For more information on how to donate or sponsor the 2020 Good Character Gala, visit GoodCharacterGala.com or contact Diana Bates by calling (310) 422-9202 or via email at diana.bates@scouting.org.
