East County News Service

June 10, 2019 (La Mesa) – “We’ve recently read and heard about the number of Hondurans coming to the United States,” says Scott Elam with the La Mesa Rotary Club. “Join us for another perspective to learn about Honduran women who are making great strides to improve the lives of their families and villages through the benefits of micro-financing.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Trevon Harris, 13, dreamed of becoming an NBA player and played basketball with the Young Bulls, a recreational team in Lemon Grove.  But on May 3, he slipped on gravel outside his home in Lemon Grove and fell into the path of a vehicle, suffering a fatal head injury.

On June 1^st, the Lemon Grove Improvement Council and Coach Mark Horton will hold the first annual Trevon Harris 3-on-3 basketball tournament for players ages 10-14 at the Lemon Grove Rec Center, 3131 School Lane.  Teams are encouraged to sign up at Trevon-Harris.eventbrite.com. There will also be music, food, games and more.

“This charity event will memorialize Trevon who was taken too soon from his family and from our community,” says Teresa Rosiak-Proffit with the Lemon Grove Improvement Council. “The funds raised will allow us to award prizes to the players and we are going to set-up a scholarship/endowment fund so that we can help the youth of our community with the sports needs they may have. If a youth cannot afford to join in on a sport or needs sports equipment they can contact us and we will assist."

San Diego charity event brings fashion and fundraising together

May 10, 2019 (Rancho Santa Fe) - On Sunday, April 28^th, 2019, the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) hosted its Bags & Baubles silent auction extravaganza for the ninth consecutive year to raise funds and awareness for local pets in need of life-saving veterinary care. This year was one of the most successful yet, raising over $138,000 – and 100% of the proceeds will go back to the animals.  Established in 2006, FACE is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 public charity that provides financial assistance for emergency veterinary care for pet owners in need countywide. FACE strives to save lives, reduce economic euthanasia, and increase the wellness of San Diego’s pets. Learn more by calling 858-450-3223 or visiting www.face4pets.org.

By Mimi Pollack

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Network.

April 28, 2019 (La Jolla) - Whenever I hear of an organization whose purpose is to build bridges of communication, I want to find out more. I was invited to attend the Sunday Seder of the San Diego chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, an organization of Muslim and Jewish women, which was held at the Lawrence Family JCC. It proved to be a positive experience.

East County News Service

April 23, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A New Path (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) celebrates its 20th anniversary of lifesaving advocacy with a gala evening on Saturday, April 27 from 6-10 p.m. at the Hyatt Mission Bay. Founded in Spring Valley, the organization provides education and advocacy for therapeutic drug policies and will celebrate two decades of community service.

East County News Service

April 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – The Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), a non-profit organization that provides services, training and advocacy to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families, recently hosted its second annual “Pizza and Pets” event at its Verbeck Center headquarters in El Cajon.

East County News Service

March 17, 2019 (El Cajon) – El Cajon resident Bishop Cornelius Bowser will be honored as a Community Hero for his leadership efforts to reduce gun violence. Bowser is among the winners to be recognized by the  National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) atthe 31^st Annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating Human Dignity” honoring individuals and organizations dedicated to peacemaking in their own neighborhoods and around the world. The inspiring event shines a bright light on the importance of civility, peacemaking and social justice in a world filled with conflict. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Sprites of East County, Class of 2019 will host its annual fundraising benefit, “Sprite Fest” on Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay (1441 Quivira Rd., San Diego) to raise money for the nonprofit organization’s philanthropies.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2019 (Alpine) –The Children’s Nature Retreat in Alpine is temporarily closed due to damage done by unknown intruders. In a letter to supporters, the retreat’s owners sent photos of damage and revealed that on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m., they discovered that three fences had been cut with a heavy-duty tool, rolled back and laid on the ground, allowing sheep, donkeys and African animals to be released from their enclosures.

East County News Service 

February 25, 2019 (El Cajon) – Foothills Christian Church at 365 West Bradley Ave. in El Cajon will host “Blessed with a Dress,” a free event for young women needing high-quality, fashionable formal wear for school dances and other special occasions. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, girls can visit the church campus and select a free dress, pair of shoes and jewelry for upcoming formal events.

East County News Service

February 19, 2019 (San Diego) -- On Wednesday, February 13^th, program clients from McAlister Institute’s Group Home East, a short-term residential treatment program for teens, funded by the County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency, distributed Valentine’s Day cards to homeless individuals at the First Presbyterian Church on Date Street in San Diego. The distribution was an anonymous act of service, human kindness, and an expression of compassion for others.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Andrea Martinez-Pastor and Miguel Pastor 

February 15, 2019 (San Diego) - Rain could not dampen the spirit of love for couples tying the knot Thursday at County offices. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Marriage Section, and the office expected more than 100 couples at its downtown location.

Source:  Cal Coast Credit Union

February 5, 2019 (San Diego) - California Coast Credit Union, the longest-serving financial institution in San Diego County, is celebrating its 90^th Anniversary with a community-wide “Day of Service” and other events to build upon its legacy of giving back to the community.