Dr. Bronner's Recognized For Donation

Our own Trudy Bronner was honored with a standing ovation when it was announced that Dr. Bronner’s, the Vista company famed for its peppermint liquid soap and “all one God faith” mantras printed on every bottle, has pledged $250,000 in each of the next four years to the Oceanside nonprofit TERI. The money will be used to expand TERI’s Campus of Life, which serves children and adults with autism and special needs.

The 20-acre Campus of Life will serve as a hub for TERI programs, specifically designed to advance the standard of care for children and adults. Specifically, the campus will offer career certification programs in fields such as culinary arts, food service, agriculture, sustainability and the arts.

TERI — an acronym for Training, Education, Research, Innovation — was founded in 1980. It serves more than 650 individuals and their families. The clients it serves have autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, brain trauma, severe behavioral disorders, dual diagnoses, and learning disabilities. TERI also trains professionals and agencies in seven countries.

“One in five children are born with developmental or learning disabilities, and there are families desperate for services to fill the gap in what’s provided,” says Cheryl Kilmer, chief executive officer for TERI. “The Campus of Life will take our mission to the next level as we work to change the way the world views and helps children and adults touched by special needs.”

Third-generation soapmaker Emil Bronner immigrated to the U.S. from his native Germany in 1929 to escape persecution for his strongly Zionist views. In 1948, he began hand-bottling his organic peppermint soap, which became famous for its label, which is covered in fine print with his personal and political philosophies. Bronner died in 1997. His grandsons Michael and David now lead the firm, which now makes a range of products including lip balm, lotions, toothpaste and hair products.