Source: City of El Cajon

November 14, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Each year El Cajon’s civic, service, and fraternal organizations select the El Cajon “Citizen of the Year” from the many people in El Cajon who contribute to El Cajon through years of volunteer civic and community service. Active community groups, or individuals, can nominate a candidate for the “Citizen of the Year” by sending a representative of your organization to the Selection Committee meetings.  Your Nomination must be submitted on a special form and must strictly comply with the Rules for Selection.  

Source: Envision La Mesa

October 24, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Last Saturday, volunteers from across the City of La Mesa took a hand in cleaning up University Avenue at Envision La Mesa’s “Shining Our Streets” event. Neighbors and students from nearby Helix High School gathered unsightly trash, reported issues requiring the city’s attention through the YourGov app and dropped by to thank local businesses who chipped in to ensure participants had the supplies they needed for a successful event.

By Susan Ashby

October 21, 2018 (San Diego) - While 94 percent of Americans believe there is value and knowledge seniors can pass along to children, under 30 percent actually know of places in their community that bring generations together. This issue is compounded when families are spread out across the United States and even the world. Grandparents aren’t always able to interact with grandchildren in person. Thankfully, intergenerational programs can bring seniors and youth together in ways that better the society at large.

East County News Service

October 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is continuing its support of community organizations working to address hunger and food insecurity among residents in the East County Region with recent grants totaling $85,500 to three food distribution nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels, Jewish Family Service of San Diego and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

Food drive benefiting East County Transitional Living Center starts Oct. 5

Source: Waste Management 

October 10, 2018 (El Cajon) -  For the second consecutive year, Waste Management of San Diego and the Mother Goose Parade Association have launched a non-perishable food drive benefiting the East County Transitional Living Center. The drive will run Oct. 5 through Nov. 16 and will culminate with food being collected at the Mother Goose Parade on Nov. 18.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

October 9, 2018 (El Cajon) – Aboard an exhilarating flight on a World War II B-17G warbird named the Sentimental Journey, WWII veterans told spellbinding stories about their experiences as combat pilots and prisoners of war.  This peace-time flight out of El Cajon’s Gillespie Field was offered on October 1st  to members of the press and public, thanks to the Arizona Memorial Museum’s staff and flight crew.  

East County News Service

October 8 2018 (San Diego's East County) – The 14 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County are partnering with local law enforcement agencies to host a “Local Hero Family Night” fundraiser for the annual San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego. On Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., San Diego Chick-fil-A restaurants will donate 15 percent of event sales to law enforcement officials to purchase new teddy bears and stuffed animals for children receiving care at Rady Children’s Hospital. Chick-fil-A restaurants in the East County are located at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, and 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (San Diego) - Susan G. Komen San Diego (Komen San Diego), the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the U.S. government, will hold its sixth annual Dine Out for the Cure^® on Thursday, Oct. 18. The community fundraiser will take place at local restaurants, bakeries and coffeehouses across our region, including numerous East County eateries. Each restaurant will donate 10 to 25 percent of their sales to support free mammograms, financial assistance, breast cancer research and public policy. Komen San Diego hopes to raise $35,000 this year.

By Miriam Raftery

View video:  https://www.facebook.com/SanMiguelFireRescue/videos/666970520352994/

September 23, 2018 (San Diego) – Firefighters from the San Miguel Fire District joined with other first responders locally in the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb in San Diego. They ascended 110 stories – the height of the fallen World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York--at the Hilton San Diego Bay Front Hotel on September 8th.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2018 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Community Clean Up group was recently commended by the City Council for removing over 5,000 pounds of trash off the city’s streets.  

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - Local nonprofit Hope for Iraqi Christians is hosting a gala fundraising dinner on Friday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.  All proceeds will benefit refugees in Iraq and throughout the Middle East who have been driven out of their homes by conflict and genocide in the Middle East throughout the last several years. The event will be held at the University of San Diego Forums Hall, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego.

Updated January 24, 2021 with a link on ABA therapy for autism. 

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 31, 2018 (La Mesa) - A simple suggestion from a parent at the La Mesa Branch Library has initiated a new program for kids with autism.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve heard about in a while for kids on the spectrum,” said Matthew Wion, a dad with two kids on the spectrum who has been taking advantage of the new program.

Source:  Cal Coast Credit Union

August 30, 2018 (San Diego) - California Coast Credit Union and San Diego Zoo Global have partnered on a promotion thanking area firefighters with free admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  Firefighters and up to three guests will receive free one-day admission during the month of September.

By Miriam Raftery

August 19, 2018 (Alpine) – “Your life can change at the drop of dime,” Lisa Ford told a standing-room only crowd of more than 400 people packed the Alpine Community Center last night for a fundraiser to help survivors of the West Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – Deb Carney Carlson is an administrator for the Brush Fire Partyline, donating her time to post fire alerts to keep others safe. Now her daughter, Tara, is fighting for her life – and needs help from the public.