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.

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.

East County News Service

July 18, 2018 (Alpine) - A dinner and auction to benefit survivors of the West Fire in Alpine will be held on Saturday, August 18^th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center.

The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce and Alpine Community Center are organizing the fundraiser. All funds raised will be donated to the Alpine Community Foundation to help and support those affected by the West Fire, which destroyed 34 homes and also destroyed many outbuildings, damaging other properties.

For tickets, visit http://www.AlpineChamber.com.

See details below:

By Miriam Raftery

July 14, 2018 (Alpine) – Many of our readers have been asking how to help people who lost homes in the West Fire in Alpine earlier this month.  Several organizations are helping out and GoFundMe pages have also been set up for some of the families.

Alpine Christian Fellowship has established a West Fire relief fund that is accepting financial donations.  You can also sign up to volunteer to help with debris clean up, supply distribution, food and water, pet care, child care, spiritual care, or transportation.

A Fire Victim Supply Post has been set up at Boulder Oaks Elementary (2320 Tavern Rd., Alpine) where you can donate and drop off supplies to help fire survivors such as clothing, clean-up supplies, non-perishable food items and household goods.  For more info please call or text Margo at 619-876-8713 or Stephanie at 619-573-5638.

Keller Williams Realty has started a fund to help West Fire survivors and is also accepting donations of immediate relief supplies at three locations in Alpine and El Cajon. Details are at their GoFundMe link.

Below are other  GoFundMe sites set up to help specific individuals and families who lost homes in the West Fire. While some have already raised tens of thousands of dollars, other have nearly no donations. Please help our neighbors in need.

Human rights leader is an organizer of hate crimes forum July 17 in El Cajon

By Mimi Pollack

July 14, 2018 (El Cajon) -- As the executive director of CSA-Center for Social Advocates, Estela de los Rios cares about the well-being of the community. She also has a strong sense of justice, which she developed at an early age. As a human rights activist, she strives to make the world a better place and doesn’t want others to feel the pain of discrimination, something she herself has faced in her life.

CSA is a place where people can come and voice their concerns. It is made up of six agencies that provide community services to East County, including fair housing, immigrant and refugee rights, civic engagement, hate crimes, and human trafficking. It is a place that in her words, “embraces newcomers and community.”

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Food donations are urgently needed at the Salvation Army in El Cajon, where supplies are at a “critical low point” after an annual holiday food drive fell far short.

Donations of canned, boxed or other nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army facility at 1011 East Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, the organization states on Facebook. For details, call (619) 440-4683. Financial donations are also welcome.

If the supplies are not promptly replenished within 30 days, the nonprofit will be forced to use funds to buy food items to feed the hungry, reducing money available for other important needs, an agency spokesperson has stated, NBC 7 reported.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 20, 2018 (Lakeside) - She survived them all. Violence. Cancer. Homelessness.

April found freedom after finally leaving her abusive and drug-addicted partner.

The 46-year-old is cancer free after going through rigorous chemotherapy sessions and multiple surgeries.

And thanks to the County’s rental assistance program, April and her three children now have a permanent place to live.