March 25, 2011 (San Diego) – Many San Diegans are unaware that the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit is an all-volunteer unit.

To learn skills needed for rescuing people who may become trapped in rugged terrain, 25 volunteers are undergoing training this weekend by rappelling down the side of a 70-foot-high tower at Stu Segall Productions in Kearny Mesa.

"You may remember that when the City of San Diego experienced the devastating wildfires in 2007, the citizens of Yokohama donated over one million yen to the Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund." -- Harry Bishop, San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society

March 21, 2011 (San Diego) – Victims of the 2007 wildfires our region received help from San Diego's sister city, Yokahama Japan. Now, some local residents are seeking to give back to Japanese people in need. The San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society is establishing a disaster relief fund for victims of the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

“We are asking everyone to join us to help those who lost loved ones, homes, and communities to this disaster,” Harry Bishop told East County Magazine.

By Jeremy Los

March 12, 2011 (San Diego) -- The massive 9.1 earthquake-fourth worst in recorded history--and subsequent tsunami in Japan Friday has left the world reeling. More than 1,300  are dead, Modern Tokyo Times reports, and 88,000 missing according to Business News. Today, 150,000 have been evacuated due to emergencies at nuclear reactors.  

Safe Start Conference to Take Place March 18

March 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Given that a high number of domestic violence victims are children, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and its many partners are sponsoring the Safe Start San Diego 2011 Conference. The event, titled “Working with Children and Families Impacted by Violence”, will take place Friday, March 18  from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego.

The conference is free and designed for professionals from any organization that serves children, youth and families; however, the general public is also welcome.

By Miriam Raftery

“We want you to have a good start in America, and for the rest of your lives.” – Dory Beatrice, president of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, speaking to Somali women at Project Refuge
 

February 17, 2011 (San Diego) – Dory Beatrice felt shocked to learn that people who fled persecution and have been granted asylum in America are being released on the streets of San Diego with no funds, no information on resources, and no place to go.

So she worked with local Rotary chapters to raise funds and open Project Refuge, a transitional housing program in partnership with Somali Family Services that now assists asylees who have no family or friends here to help them.

Honorees include Clara Harris of Lemon Grove and the late Midge Costanza with SDSU

By Betty McMillen

January 26, 2011 (Lakeside)--Recently the Cub Scout pack #3 from Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic School donated 20 bird nesting boxes to the Lakeside River Park Conservancy. The boys had built the boxes at their meetings with the help of their dads. While they were building , the scouts also learned about conservancy and animal habitat.

Donations of cash, food also sought by rescue volunteers

January 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Nine-year-old Makena Sacks of Blossom Valley volunteers with her mother, Cate Sacks, to train dogs rescued from shelters. Now Makena asks help from ECM readers to save cats slated to be destroyed.

“I am hoping that I can save them but there are so many,” she writes. “The people at the shelter are putting cats down starting today, I need help taking these cats.”

January 17, 2011 (Sacramento)--California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, urging all Californians to participate in local communities through public service.  To find a service project in your community, visit: www.californiavolunteers.org.

“Our nation has made great progress, guided by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of advancing social justice and opportunity for all," said Newsom, "but I recognize that there is still work to be done."

January 9, 2011 (La Mesa)--For the fourth consecutive year, youths at United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) are active participants in the “Souper Bowl of Caring,” a month-long, nation-wide program in which donations of food, goods, and money are solicited to benefit local service agencies.

January 2, 2011—“New Year’s Day is a perfect day to celebrate Peace on Earth,” said El Cajon resident Norrie Robbins. 

Perhaps you were among the people passing by who honked car horns or displayed the two-finger peace symbol throughout the day, as Robbins shivered on a sunny but cold mid-winter afternoon to bring her message of peace to East County residents.

January 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Hit by a double whammy of storm damage followed by thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, the Alpine-based big cat rescue facility Lions Tigers & Bears is seeking help from the public in both cash donations and a wish list of items needed.