[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

..., I agree with everything Ed Law said.

I do, too.

I have not lived in California for the last thirty years, but I do still have family there. It is important to me that FIRST continues growing in all states, and especially in California, with its nation-size economy and enormous stake in future STEM-based careers.

To reinforce a point others have made: large corporate donors are generally smart enough to understand that they are buying into a culture changing program, not backing a show, when their money goes to FIRST. Here is an example from my neck of the woods.

The video was made by Whirlpool Corporation, with help from several of the teams they sponsor. Most of the footage is from the St. Joseph District, which they also sponsor. Whirlpool leaders have attended MSC and CMP, but it is their local teams and event that inspire their continued engagement. This is what an FRC partnership of business, schools, and community looks like to me. If we can do this in Southwest Michigan, it can be done in California.