December 25, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Eddie Arredondo enjoyed Christmas at his brother’s home in Spring Valley thanks to a holiday goodwill project from American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance service. Arredondo, who suffers decreased mobility and muscle contractures, resides and receives care at Windsor Gardens Golden Hills.

“Anyone who has been away from home during the holiday season knows the longing that comes with missing that special time with family,” said Travis Kusman, operations manager for AMR San Diego. “AMR’s paramedics and EMTs look forward to this project every year. Our caregivers often build personal relationships with nursing homes and their residents, and ‘Home for the Holiday’ let’s our dispatchers and crews interact with the nursing home staffs, their residents and families in a warm light.”

46 Back Packs for severely wounded military packed and ready to ship

Fundraising prank takes wing

By Kristin Kjaero

December 1, 2009 - - If you’ve wondered what’s up with those pink flamingo flocks you’ve been seeing around East County, wonder no more. In a clever response to charity fundraising in a down economy, San Diego La Hermanas  is stealth-flocking people’s yards.

November 18, 2009 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Forum will collect Christmas cards for the troops this year. To get them there in time, collection must be completed by the end of the month.

“Please contact everyone you know and ask them to buy a Christmas card, and write a greeting,” Dave Patterson, founder of the Ramona Forum, asked. “The cards will be mailed in boxes, so no stamps needed. Just a personal greeting.” Donations to defer the mailing cost are also requested.

Program benefits disabled riders

November 10, 2009 (Lakeside) -- The Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding Center hosts an art fair and live auction on Sunday, December 13th from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Lakeside VFW Hall, 12650 Lindo Lane, Lakeside 92040. View the flyer here. 

The Magic Horse provides life-enhancing differences for disabled people and their families. Owner/instructor Robin Pawl has helpd youngsters make amazing improvements in their abilities to sit, speak, and walk. See our previous article on the everyday miracles occurring at the Magic Horse.

November 9, 2009 (El Cajon) The El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services(ACES) Foundaton seeks help to replenish its "Chloe Fund", which pays for surgery on injured animals. In addition, ACES hopes to find a permanent or foster home for Hank, a husky struck by a car.  The dog has undergone $4,500 in surgery for injuries including two fractures in his front leg.

Need for food in East County cities rises sharply
 

November 7, 2009 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Chargers and Metropolitan Transit Service are partnering to run a series of food drives starting Nov. 10 and ending with a game day food drive at the Chargers vs. Philadelphia game at Qualcomm Stadium Nov. 15. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 10 MTS will host “Stuff the Bus Food Drives” at select Vons supermarket parking lots, where the public will be invited to stuff an MTS bus full of food to feed hungry San Diegans over the holiday season.

From January to June, the amount of food distributed by San Diego Food Bank to the needy doubled and tripled across the county. The number of meals distributed by the Food Bank in San Diego alone increased from 1.6 million to 2.4 million. In Lemon Grove, food distributed skyrocketed by 144%. Spring Valley food distribution shot up 80%, while La Mesa and El Cajon rose 31% and 32%.

November 5, 2009 (Alpine)-Meet 13-year-old Vincent "Vinnie" Higgins of Alpine, who just discovered he is facing a life changing illness. Vinnie has bone cancer, and he and his family can use some help.

The Joan MacQueen Middle School eighth-grader has been an Alpine American Little League player. This year he was playing for the Alpine Pop Warner Mountaineers.

November 4, 2009 (La Mesa) - Gio Bistro in La Mesa invites the public to watch the Chargers vs. Giants game on Sunday, November 8 from 12:30 to 4:30 and join a three-day breast cancer walking team.  The event includes game viewing on big screen TV, food, live auction of items including sports memorabilia, football pool, kids'games and prizes, karaoke music, and specialty drinks including the "Chargerita."

October 24, 2009 (Santee) – Santee firefighters and the Santee Sheriff’s station invite the public to the 11th annual Santee Pancake Breakfast at the Santee Fire Station #4, 8950 Cottonwood (corner of Mission Gorge and Cottonwood). All proceeds will benefit local families in need.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – Community leaders gathered at the Masjid Usman-Center for Religious Tolerance in Lemon Grove on Saturday to honor Dr. Abdussattar “Sattar” Shaikh, co-founder of the Islamic Center of San Diego. State and city leaders as well as representatives from the Sheriff’s Department and San Diego State University all praised Shaikh’s leadership in fostering multi-cultural understanding and religious tolerance.

“He has helped Muslims from all over the world form a thriving community, even in times of adversity,” said Lemon Grove Councilman George Gastil, who organized the event and issued a commendation on behalf of Lemon Grove. “We honor you, Dr. Shaikh, for the love and devotion you have shown to your adopted country. You have touched countless lives."

Estela de los Rios, Organizer of Oct. 1st Hate Crimes Summit in El Cajon
 

By John Falchi
ECM Editor Miriam Raftery also contributed to this story
 

September 25, 2009 (El Cajon)--Estela de Los Rios is leading an effort that will bring a Hate Crimes Summit sponsored by United for A Hate Free San Diego forum to El Cajon’s Ronald Reagan Community Center On Thursday October 1, 2009. In this exclusive interview with East County Magazine, she shared details about shocking hate crimes in our community, including many in local schools.  She also shared personal insights into the hardships and challenges that have steeled her resolve to achieve reforms.

September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – A women’s health fair will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Andres Restaurant, 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego (www.andresrestaurantsdc.com). Proceeds will benefit the Chase Avenue Family Health Clinic in El Cajon.

 The health fair is sponsored by San Diego Wedgies Chapter of the Blue Thong Society (www.bluethongsociety.com). Pledging to “blend the generations and fight frump,” Blue Thong Society describes its members as “fun, fabulous, smart, and sassy women of all ages who have blazed new trails and broken the molds since birth. We’ve worked, rebelled, rock ’n rolled, raised families and never failed to stand up for what we believe in. Now we’re ready for our ‘next rally’: a time for us, our girlfriends, and to give back to our communities while having fun!”

September 11, 2009 (El Cajon/Rancho San Diego)—If you're over 50, now you can put on your dancing shoes--and be a good sport!  Going for the gold, competitors in the San Diego Senior Olympics this year will waltz into Cottonwood Golf Club in Rancho San Diego on September 13th to dance the night away in the Senior Olympic Game Competition.