November 1, 2016 (Alpine) - Local teens are determined to help their best friend as she fights bone cancer by organizing a major fundraising event.
Samantha Bodger, 16 years old, who lives in Alpine and is a top student at Granite Hills High School, was diagnosed with High Grade Osteosarcoma in August 2016. She requires 10 months of intensive chemotherapy and a major surgery to amputate her leg mid-November.
November 1, 2016 (Lakeside) - A job training program at the East Mesa Detention and Re‐entry Facility is taking root at county parks. Trees and plants that were cultivated and grown at the jail's greenhouse will be planted at five parks all over the county this month—including Lakeside’s El Monte Park here in East County.
Nov.1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –The 2016 San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital will launch on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant East County’s Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.
November 1, 2016 (Julian) -- "Chris Gardner has been the Jess Martin Park volunteer park host for 6 years, for the community of Julian, he is simply irreplaceable!" So reads a petition launched by Julian residents hoping to keep Gardner on site.
October 29, 2016 (Alpine) - Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) - an accredited big cat, bear and exotic animal rescue sanctuary, in San Diego County, Calif., held it's 6th annual Halloween Spooky Campover from Friday, October 28 to Saturday, October 29, for guests of all ages to come and spend a wild and goulish night under the stars with the 60+ rescued animals that call the sanctuary home.
Photo: Left to Right: Volunteers of America Southwest President & CEO Gerald McFadden, LPGA Professional Katherine Kirk, Volunteers of America National President & CEO Mike King
October 20, 2016 (San Diego) - Volunteers of America Southwest held its 17th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, September 12, 2016. The all-day event was held at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo located at 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego.
By Petty Officer Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
October 18, 2016 (San Diego) - A 2003 Mount Miguel High School Graduate and San Diego, California native recently returned to the United States from an overseas deployment with the largest amphibious warship in the Navy.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Vizcorrondo, is a master-at-arms serving aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4), based in San Diego, California.
October 16, 2016 (Alpine) -- Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB), a San Diego Big Cat and Exotic Animal Rescue, has sent its rescue team to a sanctuary in South Dakota, which has closed after a recent USDA inspection and tiger mauling last week.
October 14, 2016 (Jamul) - A GoFundMe site setup yesterday to help a Jamul woman whose three dogs were bitten by a rattlesnake has raised over $7,000. She is a single mother who can’t afford the costly care needed to save her dogs’ lives.
October 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, received a $500,000 gift from A-1 Self Storage. The funds are being used to support renovations for a new Aquatics Locker Room Facility at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, renovations began on September 13.
October 4, 2016 (Potrero) – “Finally! Kendrick was the last of the dogs at our shelter in Bonita which were rescued from the Border Fire in Potrero in June, “San Diego Animal Services posted on Facebook yesterday.
According to Animal Services, “The young man in the photo met Kendrick a few weeks ago and couldn't get him off his mind. His mom said if they came back on Saturday (October 1st) and Kendrick was still here, he could have him for his birthday which is this week. Kendrick hit it off with this family right away and was happy to leave with them today! His new family is going to take him on lots of hikes on the trail near their home!”
Photo (L to R): foundation intern Malena Habib, foundation program director Benita Page, site mentor Rocio Hernandez, and foundation executive director Tasreen Khamisa.
October 3, 2016 (La Mesa) - The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) has been going through its safe school model at La Mesa Arts Academy for two years. The safe school model includes class curriculum, a restorative practice educational curriculum (TKF Circle of Peace Curriculum). Founded by the sister of Tariq Khamisa, who was killed by a gang member, the program has resulted in a 72% reduction in suspension and 72% increase in school attendance in San Diego schools where it has been implemented.
Sept. 28, 2016 (East County) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce recently honored seven women with Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) awards.
September 22, 2016 (San Diego) - In 1995, 20-year-old Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed by 14-year-old Tony Hicks, a gang member. Hicks was convicted as an adult and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), a nonprofit, was established in 1995 by Tariq’s father Azim Khamisa along with Tony Hicks’ grandfather, Ples Felix.
Photo: Last year’s International Peace Day in La Mesa drew a crowd.
September 17, 2016 (La Mesa)--The Interfaith Council of La Mesa is celebrating it's 3rd annual International Day of Peace in La Mesa on Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. in Aztec Park (7945 Morocco Drive) as part of a global effort. All are welcome at the event, which aims to bring awareness to “the need to promote peace, unity and good will in both local and global communities.” (View flyer)
Sept. 12, 2016 (East County) – Fitness instructor, dancer and choreographer Dionne Thomas has been selected as keynote speaker at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual Women In Leadership Luncheon (WILL). Awards will be presented Friday, Sept. 16 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley.
September 10, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber announces the continuation of a holiday project inspired last year by a partnership between the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the La Mesa City Employees Association and Jerry Lester, local community supporter. The project benefits children within La Mesa that are identified by La Mesa Community Welfare and several La Mesa elementary schools to be in need. The driving force behind this project is Maxine Lynch and the La Mesa City Employees Association.
September 9, 2016 (San Diego) - Twenty years ago after the murder of his 20-year-old son Tariq, Azim Khamisa saw the need to address the epidemic of youth violence in the United States. He reached out to the grandfather of his son’s murderer, Ples Felix, in a spirit of forgiveness. Together, they founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation.
September 2, 2016 (San Carlos) -- Beginning this fall, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will open its doors in San Carlos.
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier has taught hundreds of Jewish classes since he first moved to San Diego in 2012, but now he’s taking it to a whole new level. This summer, Rabbi Rafi traveled to New York to attend a series of inaugural training seminars in advance of the upcoming launch of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) in the eastern San Diego region.
August 29, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber is beginning to gather items for the seniors that the Chamber adopts each year during the holidays. It is the goal of the Chamber to collect, purchase and assemble items and place them in large gift baskets.
August 29, 2016 (San Diego) - On August 10, 2016, Congressman Scott Peters (D-San Diego), along with city and county officials, met to discuss the issue of homelessness in San Diego. The key question is how funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) can be updated so that San Diego gets its fair share of money each year. A recent Voice of San Diego report found that despite having the nation’s third largest homeless population, San Diego gets less than many other cities with fewer homeless people.
Source: Foothills United Methodist Church press release
August 21, 2016 (La Mesa) - “When the family dies I’m going to cut my hair so I can be a boy,” said Ryland Whittington when he was just four years old. His family was stunned.
August 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - This Halloween, come to a party like no other at Sycuan Golf Resort. Stoney's Boo Bash is on Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
August 17, 2016 (San Diego) --San Diego area landlords: homeless people need your help.
The County of San Diego and its many partners are looking for landlords who are willing to rent apartments to help house 130 people who are currently homeless.
August 12, 2016 (Ramona) -- Ramona Ranch Winey and Round Up Grill/John Little Catering are partnering to host “Live at the Lake," an interactive outdoor music, food and wine fundraising event on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit organization that adopts and trains shelter dogs to serve as psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans. The event will take place at the Lake Henshaw parking lot located at 26439 Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel, CA, 92070.
August 9, 2016 (Campo-Lake Morena) — A GoFundMe site has been established by Bill Holtwick to help raise money for huge medical costs needed to save the life of his wife, Pat. Claudia Millerbragg, who runs a Campo-Lake Morena community forum, has confirmed that Pat Holtwick is a cherished community member who has devoted many hours to rescuing abandoned or abused animals.
“I am 71 years old and Pat is 66 and we just can’t keep up with physical and or the financial responsibilities. We are both on Social Security, and are on a very low/limited income,” Holtwick writes.
July 25, 2016 (Alpine) — Secret Hills Ranch in Alpine is hosting a barbecue, dance and silent auction on August 6th to help fund medical bills for colon cancer survivor Vicki Halsey, a horse trainer and advocate for children. The deadline for pre-purchasing dinners is August 1.
July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Toyota and Honda of El Cajon and Wells Fargo Dealer Services presented a $22,700 donation to the YMCA of San Diego County. The donation was made in appreciation of Toyota and Honda of El Cajon’s ongoing community support efforts. The funds will help the YMCA of San Diego’s mission of strengthening its community through offering programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
July 15, 2016 (San Diego's East County)- The East County Posse was founded a little more than 10 years ago. The mission is to help East County residents “in need of a hand up, not a hand out.” ECM met with East County Posse’s board member, Mark Allan, and chairman/CEO, Greg Brown, for an interview about this organization.
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