United Way and Labor Council hosted the Toys and Food for the Holidays on Dec.18. Toys and turkeys were passed out to struggling families and kids at Qualcomm Stadium. The event provided 1,000 new toys and 500 turkey dinners to working families in need. 30 volunteers from United Way and the Labor Council passed out the donations.
sycuan gift giving ceremony
At a Gift Giving Ceremony last month, 30 charities received monetary donations from Sycuan totaling $75,000. Members of Sycuan’s leadership team selected a charity of their choice to receive a donation. “We are proud to empower the leaders of the tribe, resort and the casino to make a difference in the community,” said Cody J. Martinez, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
Denny Sanford and michael cunningham
National University has re-named its school of education in honor of T. Denny Sanford. The name has been changed to the Sanford College of Education. Sanford has made major contributions to projects aimed at improving our society through children’s causes, health research and education. The new College name recognizes his role in developing and supporting programs that address a critical need for world-class teachers. A naming ceremony was held on December 11 where Sanford shared his life motto, “Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire”.
The New Children’s Museum received a $30,000 gift from San Diego Gas & Electric. One half of the gift supports the Museum’s Garden Project in the Children’s Park and the other half goes to support their Salute our Troops military efforts. “We are pleased to support the New Children’s Museum and applaud their efforts to educate our youth and empower our military community,” said Michelle Nixon, director of community relations of SDG&E.
The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum received a $150,000 donation from the Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation to kickoff the remaining $200,000 public phase of a five year $3.5 million capital campaign. The Museum announced the completion of a four year major campaign goal , raising $3.3 million which includes the $650,000 needed to complete the purchase of the land/building they now occupy.
wildcoast
WILDCOAST received a $3,200 contribution from Sea 180 Coastal Tavern of the Cohn Restaurant Group family of restaurants. The eatery partnered with Henebery Spirits for a whiskey dinner with funds benefitting WILDCOAST to defend the coast and endangered ocean wildlife.
ARCS Foundation awarded 35 fellowships to UC San Diego graduate students. The awards support students engaged in science, engineering and medical research. The fellowships awarded total $262,500 for the 2015-16 academic year. “Today’s graduate scholars are our future scientific leaders and entrepreneurs, and they will go on to shap our local and global communities,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.
Sleep Train donated $100,000 to Promises2Kids to help foster kids reach their higher education goals. The funds will support foster youth who are working to obtain a university, community college or trade school education. “The donation from Sleep Train will be used to expand our Junior Guardian Scholars program and pay for tutoring, standardized testing and college fees,” said Tonya Torosian, CEO of Promises2Kids. The program provides former foster children with partial scholarships for higher education, as well as mentoring and college preparatory support.
The Moonlight Cultural Foundation donated $177,000 to the City of Vista, signifying their financial support to the Moonlight Stage Productions. The Foundation also unveiled the “Kindness Meter” which will be moved to the Moonlight Amphitheatre in 2016. The “Kindness Meter” was donated by Carlton Lund, who is the visionary of Kindness Meter Charities and owner of the Lund Team.
On Dec. 5 Holiday Angels gathered to support ElderHelp’s delivery of plants and gift cards to senior citizens in the San Diego community. The event which is supported by partner and sponsor UPS, raised $20,000. In addition, PAWS San Diego provided pet food and toy donations. Mission Federal Credit Union “doing good in the neighborhood” members also participated as did 2-1-1 San Diego.
union bank & kpbs
Union Bank and KPBS held its 18th Annual Local Heroes celebration honoring 18 inspirational individuals. The honorees were recognized as part of the 2015 Local Heroes program. The year-long celebration of diversity culminated with a ceremony held at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Dec. 2. The local heroes are recognized for their leadership and making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their community, region and the world at large.
Joyce Glazer
Please send news items to Joyce Glazer at [email protected].
United Way and Labor Council