February 26, 2014 (San Diego)--Sheriff's Deputies will be taking it all off … the top of their heads to help fight childhood cancer.

By Sharon Ann Hamilton

February 16, 2014 (San Diego)--What would you do if you realized that in San Diego County alone, about 225,500,000 pounds of textiles are purchased every year and only 15% are resold, repurposed, or recycled?  Fully 85% end up in landfills.

Written by Dennis Moore

February 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Kelly Cole, host of “Lites-Out” on KPRI 102.1FM and a resident of Santee since 1987, has music in her heart and soul. Born and raised in San Diego, she describes “Happiness” as family, good friends and music. It certainly comes across in her chosen profession.

February 13, 2014 (San Diego)-- Tonight, the Armed Services YMCA San Diego (ASYMCA) will be hosting the 8th Annual Father & Daughter Dance: Sweet Moments, giving 450 active duty and retired military dads and their daughters a special night of family bonding. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, hundreds of active duty service members and their little girls will spend this elegant evening celebrating a valued relationship and creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. From dancing to dinner to professional photography, the San Diego community has come together to make this event unforgettable for all in attendance.

AudioCulture and SDSU’s AB Samahan will team up on Saturday, February 1^st from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre on University Avenue near La Mesa to raise money for the thousands of Philippine victims of super typhoon Haiyan.

The event will feature Eranetik, the Calamities, Savannah Durso, A.C.E., Ivan Cheong, Lance Retuya, Rydell Simpauco & Pia Larot, and more.

Block party fundraiser planned Saturday, January 11; more events planned

“I couldn’t hold back the tears…It’s amazing to think you have an entire community supporting us and loving us so deeply.” –Bree Rowand

By Janis Mork, Sharon A. Penny, and Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2014 (Alpine) -- Anyone who has been to Alpine in the last week has noticed the many pink ribbons dotting the community, with signs supporting a special young girl named Kylie Rowand battling cancer.

The day after Christmas, Kylie’s parents, Luke and Bree, took her to the doctor for what they thought was an infection in a swollen eye.  Soon after, the young couple got the most devastating news any parent could receive: their beautiful,19-month old girl has cancerous tumors in her head and face, on her spleen,  more on her liver, pelvic bone, spine, and bones in both legs. Though the details are frightening, there is hope. This week the family learned that another local child diagnosed in April with stage 4 neuroblastoma is now cancer free.

January 5, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation reports it is halfway toward a goal of raising $8.9 million in donations that will be used to construct a new clubhouse in La Mesa, renovate an existing teen center and fund an endowment to operate both facilities.

Jerry Fazio, Foundation executive director, reports he has commitments of $4.45 million, including a $3 million pledge from La Mesa residents Mary Alice and Ron Brady, founders of The Brady Companies, a San Diego-based construction firm.

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2013 (Alpine) – Residents of Alpine are pulling together to help a young couple whose home on Arnold Way was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Eve.

Shara Halverson and her boyfriend, Sean Barrett were away visiting friends when their home caught fire.  They have no renters insurance and lost almost everything in the flames, though they are grateful for small miracles.

Story and photos by Sharon A. Penny

December 1, 2013 (El Cajon)--Thomas Weller of El Cajon has had stories printed throughout the nation about his acts of kindness (by CBS News, The LA Times, People Magazine and NPR, among others), as well as international publications. Yet this East County man remains humble and steadfast in his pursuit of paying it forward.

Weller, known as the San Diego Highwayman (www.sandiegohighwayman.com) has been helping distressed motorists for almost 50 years. He never accepts payment for his kind gestures – which include providing gas for empty tanks to replacing batteries to fixing flats. Instead, he hands each motorist a card with the following inscription:

“Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter.”

By Jordan Schaffner

Photo: USaid.gov

November 26, 2013 (San Diego)--Many Filipinos live and work in San Diego County.  Some of them have relatives back home in the Philippines who have been affected by the tragic typhoon Haiyan (which translates in English as typhoon Yolanda)  that hit a few weeks ago.

In an interview with East County Magazine, Rex Mortensen, a local recruiter with American Solar Direct, said he has several dozen family members in the hard-hit city of Tacloban, where he was born and raised until age 8. 

“All but one of my family members have been found," he said, but added that "odds are not good” due to current conditions; all of their homes have been destroyed and their belongings are gone. “They are hungry, thirsty, severely injured and with only the clothes on their backs, are trekking up to Manila to relocate and live permanently with our aid.”

Barona Pledges More Than $20,000 & Launches Fundraiser for Typhoon Relief Efforts

November 22, 2013 (Lakeside)– Barona Resort & Casino has joined in relief efforts to help those affected by the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Barona presented a $10,000 donation to the Philippine American Business Improvement and Development during the organization’s annual gala. Barona will also continue to support those affected by Typhoon Haiyan with another $10,000 cash donation and a three-week, casino-wide fundraiser that will benefit relief efforts through the American Red Cross.

The casino-wide fundraiser begins on Saturday, November 23 as Filipino politician and boxing legend Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao takes on Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in a pay-per-view fight which will be shown at the casino. From November 23 through December 15, Barona will match, dollar-for-dollar, the price of each Filipino-inspired entrée purchased at Ho Wan Noodle Shop. Players and staff will also have an opportunity to make a donation in designated collection boxes throughout the casino and everyone who makes a donation will be given a special thank-you button for their support.

To help brighten the holidays for families in need, the Salvation Army in El Cajon will be holding the 38^th Annual East County Toy & Food Drive. 

To apply for help, applications will be taken on Saturday, November 23^rd and on Saturday, December 7^th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army offices, located at 1011 E. Main Street in El Cajon.  Toys are for children ages 12 and under.

By Ariele Johannson       

November 13, 2013 (El Cajon) – In observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the crowd shouted, “No more violence! No more pain!” as they rounded the turn into Prescott Promenade off Main Street in El Cajon with signs and energetic chanting. The East County Domestic Violence Coalition “Not to be Forgotten” rally on Friday, October 18 was also a memorial for the 26 San Diego County victims, some from East County, who lost their lives in 2012 in domestic violence tragedies.

November 7, 2013 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon’s Special Events Committee, a group of city employees volunteering their time for city and community projects, is seeking item and monetary donations to mail care packages to military members serving overseas through the second annual “They Serve Us, Let’s Serve Them” campaign from “9-11 to 11-11.”  

“We’ve had an outpouring of care package item donations and will probably be able to assemble 30 care packages to help our military this year,” according to Ron Luis Valles, a coordinator and member of the special events committee.

By Janis Mork

October 23, 2013 (El Cajon)- Rocking Horse Ranch has been in business since 2006, and  now its operators are asking for help to help save the property. The ranch pairs up troubled horses with abused and neglected children, and in time, both child and horse learn to heal.

ECM recently sat down with founder and executive director, Kathy Plaisted to learn more.

She told us that the ranch is special because “it is such a unique environment.. .We bring horses that come from troubled backgrounds and pair them up with people who have suffered as well.. We’re volunteer driven and serve over 500 people each month. We rehabilitate [the horses], work with kids, adopt the horses to forever homes, and bring in another one.”