Wounded soldiers, veterans and the families of deployed military will be the beneficiaries of $62,000 raised via the recent Holes for Heroes golf and dinner fundraising event hosted by the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary Foundation.
"We're honored to once again present this special fundraiser to help our 'hurting heroes' -- children, families and vets," said Dave Ferguson, event chair. "It's a great opportunity for Rotarians and other people in the community to shake the hands of military heroes who have sacrificed so much."
In three years Holes for Heroes has netted nearly $200,000 and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Ferguson said 100 percent of the funds go directly to organizations serving military and their families, including Veterans Villages of San Diego, Rescue Task Force, Wounded Warriors Battalion, Guide On and United Through Reading.
Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego Inc. has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation to provide home-delivered meals to homebound, low-income San Diego seniors.
The grant comes at a crucial time when more and more seniors are turning to Meals-on-Wheels for help. The San Diego agency has been serving meals to seniors in the community for 49 years but, according to president/CEO, Debbie Case, "the current economy and cost of living has created a bleak situation for many of our seniors. Forty percent of San Diego seniors do not have enough income to meet their basic needs. We are facing a senior hunger crisis that is becoming a silent epidemic."
Volunteer information can be found at meals-on-wheels.org or by calling 800-5-SENIOR.
Support the fight against breast cancer with OktoberBreast-Fest, a fun-filled evening on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6-9 p.m. at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, 1725 Hacienda Drive in Vista.
One hundred percent of the night's proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer 3-Day and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Festivities will include appetizers, a light dinner and desserts; wine and beer; dancing to live classic rock by the Jack Stones; cooking demonstrations by guest chefs; raffle prizes; a 50/50 drawing; a silent auction and much more.
The suggested minimum donation is $20 per person in advance or $25 per person at the door. For tickets or more information, e-mail beachbabesforboobs@yahoo.com or call 760-643-4256.
The 16th annual Bruce Gorder UCSD 5K Walk for Melanoma is this Saturday, Oct. 17. The event benefits research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center to find effective methods of treatment, prevention and ultimately, a cure. To date, participants and sponsors of the 5K have raised more than $1 million for melanoma research.
Walkers of all ages and fitness levels are invited to join in the scenic, family-oriented 5K through the UC San Diego campus to benefit such melanoma research. Channel 10News anchor Bill Griffith will emcee the event for the fourth year in a row.
The event begins at 8 a.m. and features a free event t-shirt and prize drawing entry to all registered attendees, giveaways and professional skin cancer screenings by community dermatologists. The registration fee is $30. To register or give online, please visit cancer.ucsd.edu, call 858-822-1328 or email jennilyn@ucsd.edu.
In 1988, Congress designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month to increase public awareness in our country about the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Easter Seals Southern California Disability Services would like to remind local employers and businesses that expanding employment opportunities for all citizens will drive our economy and nation into the future.
"People with disabilities want to work. Yet, there are so many myths and false perceptions that interfere with them being able to secure a job. Given today's economy, it is even more challenging," says Easter Seals Regional Vice President Debbie Ball. "Studies show that people with disabilities do not have higher absentee rates, they do not have trouble getting to work and they are not more likely to have accidents. More importantly, it is not expensive for businesses to accommodate people with disabilities."
A fully-inclusive workforce is not only good for the individuals, but for businesses too. Adults with disabilities can add to the level of diversity in the workplace and help companies thrive. "Diversity in the workforce is good for everyone," adds Ball. "People with disabilities are able to earn a living and become independent while employers and businesses have skilled, motivated and loyal workers."
Feeding America San Diego (FASD) has launched its new Farm2Kids program that provides low-income elementary school children with three to five pounds of fresh produce to take home weekly.
In addition, FASD provides nutritional education materials via the program to help the students and their families eat healthier while receiving the proper nutrition needed for illness prevention and good child development.
Ninety percent of the produce used for Farm2Kids is acquired from the California Association of Food Banks' "Farm to Family" program that connects California growers and packers with surplus produce to food banks.
Right now, Farm2Kids distributes to 1,288 students each week at two elementary schools; Euclid Elementary in City Heights and Lincoln Elementary in Escondido. However, the plan is to expand Farm2Kids to more schools countywide.
The Grossmont College Foundation will host its 2009 Dinner Gala and Auction fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. The public is invited to attend.
The Foundation's eighth annual gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 p.m., a live auction and live entertainment by student performers. More than 130 auction items will be available to the highest bidders.
Tickets are priced at $200 per person. For more information, contact Alexis Popko at the Foundation office at 619-644-7109 or grossmont.foundation@gcccd.edu, or visit grossmont.edu/foundation.
Cali Bamboo, a San Diego-based manufacturer of green residential and commercial building materials made entirely from bamboo, announced Tuesday its donation to Reverb to provide earth-friendly concert and event productions.
The company's $8,000 contribution will support nonprofit Reverb's work helping bands like Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer green their tours while educating and encouraging fans to take sustainable actions in their everyday lives.
As part of its membership with "1 percent for the planet," Cali Bamboo provides 1 percent of its annual revenues toward environmental groups around the United States.
"On top of Cali Bamboo's laudable commitment to nonprofit organizations like ours, their products also demonstrate a commitment to the environment, which is something we really value in a partner," said Adam Gardner, co-founder of Reverb as well as guitarist and vocalist for Guster.
