By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo, left:  Laura Elliott and Russell Haight.

November 3, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Laura Elliott and Russell Haight work in an emergency room. A flying one. Both are employed by Mercy Air, owned by Air Methods, an air ambulance provider that works out of El Cajon’s Gillespie Field as well as other locations.

By Olivia Li

October 23, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego State University’s annual Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign is underway and runs through Nov. 10. This year, the goal is to raise 619,000 pounds of food for the 6-1-9, a play on San Diego County’s primary area code.

East County News Service

(October 17, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The Salvation Army of San Diego announces the opening of the newly completed Red Shield Center at 1025 E. Main Street in El Cajon.

Located on the property adjacent to the current El Cajon Corps, the 29,540-square foot facility will offer more opportunity to positively impact the lives of those in need in the East County. The facility will open Saturday November 2^nd. There will be a ribbon cutting with dignitaries at 10am. The public is invited to enjoy the space starting at 11:00am with free tours, games and food.

By Brian E. Clark

Cover photo:  Cortney guiding a raft through the Warm Springs Rapid on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado/Utah border.  By Mike McCoy

October 12, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Cortney Bayuk says she’s “living the dream.”

The 24-year-old Rancho San Diego native works as a whitewater river guide - mostly on the Colorado/Utah border - during summers and as ski instructor during the winters in Idaho. 

Nonprofit Sanctuary Asks Animal Lovers to Help Provide Habitat Improvements and Lifelong Care for Junior and Miss Kitty

Source: Lions, Tigers and Bears

October 10, 2019 (Alpine)  - Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only accredited, nonprofit big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, rescued two servals, wildcats originally from Africa, in Arizona this week after the sanctuary's founder, Bobbi Brink received a call pleading for help.  

Junior and Miss Kitty are settling into their quarantine habitat and getting to know their new keepers at LTB, says Brinks.  Now the sanctuary is asking for help to fund habitat improvements and lifelong care for the former privately-owned animals.

Help the rescued servals get the care and forever home they need with a donation to www.lionstigersandbears.org.

Source: Grossmont Center

October 12, 2019 (La Mesa)-- Give an animal the treat of a forever home this Halloween! Grossmont Center and the San Diego Animal Support Foundationinvite you to the annual Howl-O-Ween Hounds MEGA Adoption Event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at Grossmont Center (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa).

During the free Howl-O-Ween Hounds event, dozens of rescue groups and shelters bring hundreds of dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, birds, turtles, and tortoises to the Center—and all of them are ready to be adopted into a loving home! You can find many different kinds of dog breeds at this mega adoption event, everything from the tiniest Chihuahuas to the grandest Great Pyrenees, as well as unique and adorable All-American “mutts.” This family-friendly event is the perfect way for every member of your household to choose a new pet together.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – A sell-out crowd turned out for our inaugural Movers, Shakers and Newsmakers event held at the Heritage of the Americas Museum on August 29th, enjoying a summer’s eve reception on the patio followed by a newsworthy array of speakers.

Source: San Diego Foundation 

August 24, 2019 (San Diego) — The San Diego Foundation recently announced $458,454 in grants for 13 programs that will connect, protect and improve access to nature, especially for the San Diego region’s most park-poor and underserved communities.

East County News Service

August 20, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Improvement Council invites you to a community cleanup on Saturday, August 31 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center. 

Volunteers wishing to take pride in their community are needed to remove graffiti, clean up trash, and make the area look and feel better. Participants are encouraged to bring a team of friends, family, coworkers, or colleagues from school, church, clubs or athletic teams.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Here are some available pets at the County Department of Animal Services that are waiting for you or someone to give them a loving home.

August 15, 2019 (San Diego) - If you’re looking to add a furry friend to your life, consider one of our fabulous felines like Jessie, Damsel, or Joplin. Or one of our devoted dogs like Millie. They’re all at San Diego County Department of Animal Services shelters in Bonita or Carlsbad. And it won’t cost you a thing to take them home this Saturday, Aug. 17, for Clear the Shelters Day.

Source: St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

July 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential, will celebrate its 42nd Haute with Heart Fashion Show and Luncheon: Dreaming of Style on Saturday, August 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, located at 1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101.

Aviation Association recognizes deputies for saving skier's life

East County News Service

Summer lunch sites are free to children struggling with hunger

Source:  Feeding San Diego

June 19, 2019 (San Diego) - This summer, Feeding San Diego will host 26 distribution sites for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a critical part of its summer hunger-relief programs. This program provides critical support throughout the summer months to ensure children are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.

By Lisa Marcolongo

Photo:  Camp Spero campers and their counselors, Kiana, Ashley, Lily, Victoria, Citlalli and Lorraine. Carrie Vines Photography

June 14, 2019 (Julian) - From May 31 through June 2, 100 children and teens from San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties attended Camp Spero, a free bereavement camp hosted by The Elizabeth Hospice that is open to the community. Campers spent a fun-filled weekend in Julian, CA, where they honored and memorialized their loved one, learned coping skills and made friends with others who are facing similar challenges. Camp Spero is open to all youth in the community, ages 7 to 17, who are grieving the death of a significant person in their life.