Today we’d like to introduce you to Nino Venturella
Hi Nino, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Cruise 4 Kids (C4K) started as a vision combining a love for luxury cars and a drive to make a difference in the lives of young people. As a former Wells Fargo Private Banker with a passion for both exotic vehicles and community work, the organization had its beginnings in 2011. At the time, I served on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, helping raise funds and organize events. Being a car enthusiast, I saw an opportunity to bring together high-net-worth clients and fundraise for a cause I deeply cared about. Thus, the Cruise 4 Kids Car Rally was born.
Our inaugural C4K Rally brought together 73 exotic cars, traveling from the iconic Hotel Del Coronado to the Jet Source Jet Hangar in Carlsbad. With a filming permit in hand, we even closed down the Coronado Bridge and the I-5 North freeway, giving our participants a chance to “own the road,” captured by helicopter. The rally proved a resounding success increasing its participation up to 150 vehicles and raising over $34,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito in 2014.
With the momentum from the C4K Rally, we expanded our vision, launching two seasonal charity events. In 2013, we introduced The Teddy Ball, an elegant, Christmas-themed, black-tie gala held over Thanksgiving weekend. The event attracts over 2,000 of San Diego’s finest, who come together to collect teddy bears for children in need. In spring 2015, we added The Bunny Ball, another premier event benefiting youth organizations. In September 2014, Cruise 4 Kids officially became a 501(c)(3), allowing us to expand our impact by organizing multiple events each year to support various children’s organizations and foundations.
Today, as we prepare for the 11th annual Teddy Ball at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at the Aventine on November 30th, Cruise 4 Kids has grown into a collaborative force, uniting 12 business hosts from diverse industries and a network of local sponsors. Each partner invites peers, clients, and colleagues, amplifying our reach and impact.
At Cruise 4 Kids, collaboration remains central to our mission. Our success is driven not just by passion and resilience but by meaningful partnerships that uplift underserved and vulnerable youth. From the start, Cruise 4 Kids has been about more than events—it’s about a community coming together to make a real difference, year after year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a nonprofit is a journey filled with both passion and resilience. The concept of Cruise 4 Kids was born from a desire to make a difference for underserved youth, but turning that idea into sustainable action has required a “whatever it takes” mindset. As we celebrate 13 years of hosting charity events, including our 11th annual Teddy Ball this year, it’s clear that persistence and adaptability have been key. Getting to a place where our events are recognized has taken dedication and a lot of learning.
One of the toughest challenges has been achieving financial stability. There have been times when, from the attendees’ perspective, an event seemed like a huge success—the energy, the turnout, the collection of teddy bears or bunnies. But behind the scenes, the financial reality was challenging. We’ve had years when ticket sales and sponsorships fell short, leaving us struggling to cover event costs. There were times we had to pay vendors out of our own pockets to honor commitments and maintain our reputation with partners. It’s heartbreaking to see an event you’ve put months of work into barely break even.
Our long-term vision for Cruise 4 Kids is what drives us. Each event helps us build connections with the youth-focused organizations we partner with, and knowing that our efforts make a tangible difference is deeply rewarding. Beyond that, we’ve learned to adapt, finding new ways to engage sponsors and creatively build support. It’s the commitment to our community, our willingness to evolve, and the idea that these young people deserve our best efforts that keeps us pushing forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
With over three decades of being a dedicated resident of San Diego, my professional journey has been shaped by the importance of building lasting relationships and adapting to new challenges. Starting as an art major, my career took a sharp turn towards finance, where I discovered a unique blend of creativity and stability. It wasn’t always a smooth path—moving away from my early ambitions as an artist was a tough decision—but it led me to the world of wealth management and mortgages, where I found my passion for orchestrating client events and educational seminars. This creative approach to finance set me apart from others in the field and laid the groundwork for my next venture.
In 2011, I took a leap and founded Cruise 4 Kids (C4K), a nonprofit organization that became the heart of my professional and philanthropic work. What started as a local initiative to support children and youth organizations has grown into a broader movement, reaching across the state, country, and even globally. Our signature events—The Teddy Ball, The Bunny Ball, and the Cruise 4 Kids Car Show—highlight our dedication to making a real impact in the community. What makes C4K truly special is our commitment to being a pure nonprofit. All our board members volunteer their time and energy to make these events a success, driven by a shared passion for giving back.
Today, I also serve as the Director of Sales and Sponsorships at Pump House Media, where we help brands grow through media marketing, apparel printing, and event activations. Our goal is to lift the logistical weight off our clients so they can focus on what matters most: their brand identity and growth. We’ve been fortunate to work with high-profile names like Speed Society, VP Racing Fuels, Mustang Dyne, Whipple Superchargers, and NHRA Drag Racer Alex Laughlin. Our partnerships with these brands are a testament to the quality and effectiveness of our services.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but the challenges have taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to your vision. I want the world to know that whether it’s through C4K or my work with Pump House Media, I’m committed to making a positive impact—one that’s creative, collaborative, and community-focused. If you’re looking to elevate your brand or make a difference, I’d love to connect and explore how we can achieve success together.
What’s next?
As Cruise 4 Kids (C4K) continues to grow, plans are underway to expand its role from event organizer to a direct service provider. The nonprofit, known for its high-profile charity events supporting vulnerable youth, is looking to establish a physical office space. The vision is to create a dedicated hub for event production, nonprofit consulting, and community outreach seminars. Securing a permanent location would allow C4K to better serve the community, collaborate directly with other nonprofits, and deepen its impact through hands-on support. Although this expansion requires increased financial backing, the team is optimistic about achieving this milestone by 2025.
In addition to these organizational changes, an exciting development is the relaunch of Karma International, a private membership network paused since 2020 due to the pandemic. Karma International connects influential professionals across industries through exclusive experiential events, high-end networking, and philanthropic collaborations. With its return, C4K’s founder will step into an active role as Director of Karma International in 2025. This new role aligns with the founder’s goals for Cruise 4 Kids and opens up exciting opportunities to further support charitable causes, forge impactful partnerships, and enrich the lives of like-minded professionals and philanthropists.
With these plans, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for Cruise 4 Kids, ushering in new avenues for both community impact and organizational growth.
Pricing:
- Teddy Ball Ticket $80
- Teddy Ball VIP Ticket $250
- VIP Table for 10 people $3000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheTeddyBall.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninov760
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninoventurella
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cruise4KidsSD/
Image Credits
Climartx, Ni0 Media
