"We're here for two of our American heroes." -- Supervisor Dianne Jacob

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Army Sergeant Odin Ayala and Marine Corporal Travis Greene each lost both legs serving in combat. But they were all smiles on February 23 at the groundbreakings of their new , specially adapted homes in El Cajon-- thanks to the efforts of the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops. 

“Our motto is rebuilding homes, rebuilding lives,” said Tim McHale with Homes for our Troops.  The group seeks donations as well as volunteers to help build these homes and more.  Local community groups and businesses can also adopt a room, partnering in efforts to help these wounded veterans and others.

March 3, 2013 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon and CECO (San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization) awarded separate grants to Home of Guiding Hands.  The former approved a $35,270 grant for the residential program’s capital improvements on Tuesday, February 26 at the El Cajon City Council meeting.  Funds will be used on four of their 31 community based homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Projects include a new kitchen, energy efficient replacement windows, flooring replacement and new bathroom vanities.

February 20, 2013 (El Cajon)--Get the Drawing board out and get ready--the El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services (“ACES Foundation”) invites you to be a part of the first “Barkitecture 2013” by designing, building, and donating a “doggy dream house” or “cat condo” for the ACES Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to assist the El Cajon Animal Shelter. Donated dog houses and cat condos will be displayed during late April at Westfield Parkway Plaza. Each will then be auctioned to the highest bidder at an exciting and unique reception April 28. This event is not to be missed.

Image from http://www.barkitecture.net/

County News Center

February 15, 2013 (Santee)--A Marine from Santee was chosen from more than 70 applicants to adopt the young Chihuahua that fell 80 feet from a cliff in Ocean Beach Jan. 11. The four-month-old pup has been under the care of County Animal Services while it recovered from head trauma, fractured ribs and numerous bruises. Once the little dog was healed, with the help of the department’s Spirit Fund, Animal Services began accepting adoption applications.

“Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Szczepanowski was chosen because he sent a story along with his application and it struck a chord,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. 

Szczepanowski works in the wounded warrior regiment at Marine Corps Headquarters.    

February 12, 2013 (San Diego)--On Feb. 5, 2013, Union Bank, in partnership with KPBS, honored 16 local heroes who are making a positive difference in the lives of others. The heroes were selected each month in 2012 and were formally recognized last week at the cultural diversity celebration held at the San Diego Natural History Museum. 

Louis Frick and Leroy Elliot of East County were recognized for Disability Awareness Month (Frick), and Native American Heritage Month (Elliot).

 Photo by Melissa Jacobs

Union Bank and KPBS honored the 2012 Local Heroes at the San Diego Natural History Museum: Back row (L to R) honorees Michael A.V. Cruz, Larry T. Baza, Jill Borg Spitzer, Danny Gutierrez and JiAel Brownell; middle row (L to R) honorees Michelle Houle and Mike Kawamura; Tom Karlo, KPBS general manager; George Ramirez, Union Bank executive vice president and chief diversity executive; Lawrence Henry, Union Bank senior vice president and regional executive; and honoree Jeri Dilno; front row (L to R) honorees Dennis-Michael Broussard, Louis Frick, Laurel Moorhead, Bishop Roy Dixon, Dr. Doris A. Howell and Leroy Elliott. (Honorees Patricia A. Dixon and Gussie Zaks not pictured.)

By Janis Mork

February 2, 2013 (El Cajon)- The Heartland Lions Club of El Cajon  will host its annual fashion show to benefit the blind on March 23 from 12-3 p.m.. The event will be held at Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Ave, El Cajon 92020.

Host a Food Drive for Mama's Pantry

January 31, 2013 (San Diego) -- Mama’s Pantry, a service of Mama’s Kitchen, provides a nutritional shopping opportunity at no cost for men, women and children of San Diego County affected by HIV/AIDS. The public’s help is needed in February to host food drives throughout the county to ensure the shelves are full with nutritious non-perishable food items. Mama’s Kitchen aims to collect 100 barrels of food for Mama’s Pantry.

January 16, 2013 (Spring Valley) – On January 19 the community is invited to a special fundraiser at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit the family of Don Mott.  Mott is recovering from a seven hour open-heart surgery after suffering three heart attacks in the month of December.

December 30, 2012 (La Mesa) – Poet Jim Hornsby Morena, owner of the Spacebar Internet Café in La Mesa, is asking for donations of blankets to help the Mixtec Indians in Tijuana during this winter season.  Below is his message, along with a link to a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnjEEP5Vck

December 30, 2012 (San Diego)-Michael Anderson, President o f Independent Pool and Spa Service Association ( IPSSA San Diego), recently presented Karla Winter-Schulz, President of Support the Enlisted Project ( S.T.E.P.) with a $7,000.00 charitable contribution. S.T.E.P. is the local branch of Operation Homefront, dedicated to assist servicemen and women and their families in many areas of need.

December 22, 2012 (San Diego) – In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School much of the country is looking for ways to help.  San Francisco-based www.Razoo.com has made it easy for Californians to donate money by creating a page dedicated solely to all the charities and nonprofits that are helping the victims and families in the community of Newtown, CT. http://www.razoo.com/p/connecticut-school-tragedy-page/ The page includes the Sandy Hook PTA and the Lutheran Church Charity Fund that is bringing its healing dogs to Newtown to help aid grieving families.

Provided courtesy of Daniel P. Harris, Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo

December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – You might be surprised to learn that 73% of charitable giving comes from individual contributions – five times more than corporate donations. Now more than ever organizations are relying on nonprofit giving for support, particularly during the holiday season. Fortunately, the holidays are traditionally a time when people feel more inclined to be generous.

Some give as opportunities arise, while others donate to specific organizations based on the cause. Regardless of your motives, it’s important to be well informed about the organizations you will contribute to. By doing so, you can make sure your money is used for its intended purpose and avoid scams.

By Staci Torgensen

December 7, 2012 (San Diego)--At the ripe age of two, Journey’s birthday party is making a difference in the lives of victims of Hurricane Sandy. This beautiful young girl is turning her second birthday party into an event to remember.

Journey’s family has chosen to ECHOage her upcoming birthday party.  Instead of receiving many smaller gifts, Journey has used a birthday service that allows guests to contribute online.  Half of the funds will go to Kids in Distressed Situations – helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy - and the other half will go to a pink vintage play kitchen - a fitting gift for a Cookies and Milk birthday party theme.

December 2, 2012 (Alpine) -- On Wednesday, November 28, members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 6279 of Alpine worked like elves in the Alpine Food Bank workshop packaging bulk rice and pasta. The girls decorated and packaged over 200 one-pound bags of rice and pasta that will be distributed by the Alpine Food Bank to needy East County families.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 6279 with their Holiday staples packages at the Alpine Food Bank, pictured from left to right, Back Row: Julia Tompkins, Kate Duffy, Claire Doucet . Front Row: Gracie Wyse, Danika Dabbs, Carlita Coleman, Brinleigh Aland and Kenzie Wray. Not pictured: Rori McCarthy, Karlee Dillon, Carly Hodgson and Carli Sheker. 

November 27, 2012 (Alpine)—Piano students of Suzie Steenbergen held their autumn piano party recital celebration on November 18 in the sanctuary at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine.

“It was a fine afternoon and 50+ family members and friends gathered to hear piano music on the church’s lovely piano,” Steenbergen said. 

Photo caption: Left to right:Alex Speck, Rhianna Speck, Sophia Parsons, Ashley Hoffman, Mia Moran, Avery Howard, and Bella Nedjar.