The 11th Annual Sharp Hospicecare benefit dinner and regatta was held on Aug. 23 and 24 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Coronado Yacht Club and Cortez Racing Association. The event raised $270,000 to benefit the Sharp Homes for Hospice campaign – an initiative to build hospice homes in San Diego. Event sponsors included Virginia Napierskie, Shea Family and Elmcroft Senior Living. “I am deeply touched by the tremendous support that Sharp HospiceCare has received, thanks to our partners, sponsors and community members who have all contributed to the success of the Regatta,” says Suzi K. Johnson, Vice President, Sharp HospiceCare.
TaylorMade and Issa Family Foundation are the Presenting Sponsors for An Evening To Remember on Sept. 21. Champions of Change Sponsors include Datron and Forte for Children. Leaders of Change include Brian and Blossom Kennedy & Family, Scratch Media, Watkins Manufacturing and Wells Fargo. The event is being held at the Omni La Costa Resort and will benefit Solutions for Change. Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady is the Keynote Speaker.
Walden Family Services & Sempra Energy
Walden Family Services & Sempra Energy
Employees of Sempra Energy volunteered their time to paint a safari themed mural in the San Diego offices Gr’mere’s I’mpossible playroom at Walden Family Services. Volunteers worked for two days to transform the space with blue skies, green grass, and all the animals of the grasslands. The family who endowed the playroom did so in memory of their grandmother, and wanted a positive message for the foster youth who play there. Gr’mere is French for ‘grandmother’ and I’mpossible is “I’m possible”
Emilio Nares Foundation is presenting its 10th annual Harvest for Hope to be held at Stingaree downtown. Proceeds go to the ENF to provide programs and services for low-income, underprivileged families whose child is battling cancer in San Diego. This year’s honoree is cancer survivor and advocate, Randi Hosking, Owner of Indigo Salon and Spa.
Feeding America San Diego is hosting its annual gala, “Sunset Soiree,” on Sept. 28 at the Del Mar Paddock and Turf Club. The gala is underwritten by the Meyer Family, allowing all of the proceeds to go directly to programs at FASD. FASD distributes twenty-one million pounds of food annually, working with partner agencies, organizations, donors and volunteers to help fight hunger locally. Larry King, an international broadcast legend, is the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
A benefit for Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego and Women Against Alzheimer’s is being held on Sept. 27. A special ensemble reading of Act 1 of Surviving Grace will take place at Shiley Theatre on the campus of the University of San Diego and the cast includes Darlene Shiley, Helen Reddy, Diane Rehm, Marilu Henner, Susan Taylor, Robert Foxworth and Jim Laslavic. The San Diego production is being presented by USAgainstAlzheimer’s and B.A.B.E.S, “Beating Alzheimer’s By Embracing Science.”
Molli & Arthur Wagner
Molli & Arthur Wagner
Conrad Prebys
Conrad Prebys
The UC San Diego announced the recipients of the 2013 Chancellor’s Medal, one of the highest honors given by the campus. The Chancellor’s Medal recognizes exceptional service in support of UC San Diego’s mission. Those being recognized are Conrad Prebys and Molli and Arthur Wagner. The awards will be given on Nov. 16, as part of Uc San Diego’s annual Founders Celebration. “Our honorees are remarkable leaders who have significantly enhanced arts and culture in the region – both for students and the community. In addition, UC San Diego will also bestow the Revelle Medal upon Walter Munk, professor emeritus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Revelle Medal was recently revived by the chancellor to recognize UC San Diego faculty members for their sustained, distinguished and extraordinary service to the campus.
Las Patronas turns 80 this year. But its newly minted octogenarian status doesn’t mean the all-volunteer organization is slowing down. On August 8, Las Patronas celebrated eight decades of philanthropy at its Venetian-themed Jewel Ball at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
More than 800 attendees attended the philanthropic event, a sold-out black-tie gala, which featured classic Italian sports cars, photo ops in a gondola, a replica of the Orologio tower, and other thoughtful details that set the scene for an elegant and festive evening.
Though the Jewel Ball is one of the highlights of the gala season and the most visible element of Las Patronas’ mission, it’s also an opportunity to thank supporters, showcase the organization’s impact, and cap off fundraising efforts throughout the year.
“Behind the gowns, flowers, and celebration is an extraordinary amount of work and an even more extraordinary group of women who make that work possible. This includes our members, both active and advisory, along with our donors, sponsors, nonprofit partners, and generations of San Diegans who have supported Las Patronas,” says Colleen Lighter, the organization’s president.
Courtesy of Las Patronas
Looking Back on a Legacy
As Las Patronas celebrated at its 80th annual Jewel Ball, Festa di Venezia, members reflected on how special it is for an organization to remain so vibrant and relevant for eight decades.
Las Patronas was founded in 1946 by a small group of women with a shared desire to give back to their community. In the decades since, Las Patronas has transitioned into one of San Diego’s premier philanthropic organizations, providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations across an array of causes. Major beneficiaries for 2026, who will each receive grants of more than $20,000 for capital projects, include Alpha Project for the Homeless, Canine Companions, Meals on Wheels San Diego County, National Marine Mammal Foundation, Promises2Kids, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Workshops for Warriors.
“What started with friendship, philanthropy, and service has grown into an organization that has funded more than $28 million in grants for over 4,500 nonprofit organizations throughout San Diego County,” explains Lighter.
She notes that it’s especially meaningful that while San Diego has changed tremendously over the years, Las Patronas’ spirit of giving has held steady. “The needs of our community evolve, the organizations serving those needs evolve, and the things they need to do their work evolve. Our responsibility is to listen, learn, and make thoughtful investments that allow those organizations to serve San Diego more effectively,” she says.
Courtesy of Las Patronas
Charity and Commitment
Part of what makes Las Patronas stand out among philanthropic groups is its hands-on approach to service. The Jewel Ball is known for over-the-top décor, with many of its elements crafted in painstaking detail by members of Las Patronas, a tradition dating back to the first Jewel Ball.
In addition to fundraising throughout the year, leading up to the event, members log long hours in “The Warehouse,” where they put their creative skills to work, painting backdrops, assembling centerpieces, and doing everything it takes to turn the exterior of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club into a grand ballroom. They also haul all of their handiwork to the venue and set up, then break it back down immediately after the event wraps.
“The motivation behind one extraordinary evening is an entire year of fundraising, grantmaking, and thousands of hours of volunteer work,” says Lighter.
That collaborative spirit stretches far longer than just a year. Las Patronas keeps its roster of members intentionally small and highly engaged. To ensure senior members stay on long enough to hold a handful of leadership positions and show newer members the ropes, the organization requires a commitment of six to seven years. It also requires all members to work with its grants committee, visit eligible nonprofit organizations that apply for grants, and assist in the vetting and selection processes.
“Our members have careers, families, and very full lives, yet they make an extraordinary commitment of time. Members participate in fundraising, evaluate grant requests, visit nonprofit organizations, serve on committees, and quite literally build and produce the Jewel Ball together,” says Lighter. “That investment of time is part of what makes Las Patronas and the relationships we form within the group special. We don’t simply raise money and write checks. We do the work ourselves, shoulder-to-shoulder, and we take stewardship of the money entrusted to us very seriously.”
Courtesy of Las Patronas
The Past Carries the Future
Lighter says Las Patronas is defined not by moments or events, but by its traditions, which will continue for generations to come.
“When you think about the generations of women who have given their time, talent, and energy to Las Patronas since 1946 and the donors, sponsors, advisory members, and community partners who have believed in our mission, you realize that our job is both to honor what they built and make sure it remains relevant and strong for the future,” she says.
And though events like Jewel Ball are rewarding, the real magic happens once the funds are put to work. Lighter recalls one story that captures the quiet impact Las Patronas hopes to continue to make. A woman reached out to say that as a child, she’d attended a school where Las Patronas had funded a new floor and noted how much brighter the campus felt. It may not sound transformational, but it made a difference, and decades later, people still remember.
“That is what capital giving can do. A vehicle can allow an organization to reach people it couldn’t reach before. A piece of medical equipment can expand care. A commercial kitchen can allow a nonprofit to feed more people or train people in a new profession so they can flourish. Technology can help an organization serve an entirely new population and expand their impact,” she explains. “We aren’t trying to tell nonprofits what they need. We listen to them, learn about their work, and help provide the critical tools they tell us will allow them to do more of it.”
As she looks to the next 80 years, Lighter’s hope is that Las Patronas continues to evolve without losing what makes it special: thoughtful stewardship, hands-on service, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to San Diego.
“The needs will change. The nonprofits will change. San Diego will change. Las Patronas will change with it, but our mission will always remain the same,” she says.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
La Jolla has a rich history. From its roots as Kumeyaay territory and early days shaped by influential San Diegans like Ellen Browning Scripps to the vibrant hub for arts, culture, and education that it is today, the roughly seven-mile stretch along the coast has long been a local gem.
In 1964, a group of volunteers came together to preserve the history of the community. They formed the La Jolla Historical Society, which has since evolved into the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. For the past 62 years, the organization has worked to protect historic buildings, archival materials, and recorded memories, ensuring the character of the neighborhood would endure well into the future.
“La Jolla is a small community, but it has a fascinating history,” says Lauren Lockhart, executive director of the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. “The focus was always on how do we preserve the stories, places, and people that make La Jolla unique, and that remains central to our mission.”
However, in its early days, the organization was limited in what types of programming it could offer because it didn’t have a permanent homebase. A pivotal point came in 2008, when it was gifted Wisteria Cottage, originally the private residence of Virginia Scripps, by descendants of the Scripps family. The historic Craftsman cottage had been remodeled by famed architect Irving Gill, whose other modernist works are peppered throughout La Jolla, adding to its distinctive look. The organization then launched a capital campaign to expand into a museum-quality space to host exhibitions and to store the tens of thousands of photos, drawings, postcards, and other materials in its collection, Lockhart explains.
“At that point the organization could really begin to invest in developing a public space and public programs that would give back to the community,” she adds. “That effort accelerated with my predecessor, Heath Fox, who pushed the organization to think about an exhibition program that was interdisciplinary in nature. It’s something that drew me to this organization and that I’ve continued to advocate for because examining history through lenses of art, architecture, science, and literature is so compelling and such a great way to bring different audiences into the fold.”
Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla
The organization entered another period of transformation this year when it “outgrew” its previous identity as La Jolla Historical Society and officially rebranded as the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. The organization had transitioned from a traditional historical society into a professionally operated museum and wanted to reflect that while also amplifying its ability to connect with broader audiences.
“We’ve grown so far beyond what a traditional historical society might offer to the public that we were finding that often, especially younger generations, they would come through our doors and say, ‘Wow, it’s a lot cooler than I thought it would be,’ which is a nice compliment, but it made us ask ourselves who’s not coming through our doors because they’re not sure what we have to offer or that they will see themselves reflected here,” says Lockhart. “We wanted to remove that barrier and make sure that everyone, just from recognizing our name, will think, That sounds like there’s something there for me, and that definitely is evidenced in our current programming and exhibitions.”
Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla
The change, she says, has been a long time coming. “We’ve already made a lot of huge strides over the years,” Lockhart says. “It’s about our name catching up to our work.”
The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla’s current exhibits include Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles, presented in partnership with the Visions Museum of Textile Art at Liberty Station, on display through September 6. On deck is The Scientific Art of Historic Preservation, which explores the processes behind the museum’s mission. To honor the philanthropic spirit of the Scripps sisters, admission to the museum and many of its public programs are free of charge.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
MANA de San Diego has spent the past 38 years building a community to help girls and women thrive. Short for hermana, Spanish for sister, MANA de San Diego is part of a national organization that aims to empower Latinas to reach their full potential through programs like its Hermanitas mentoring program for middle and high school students, which has served more than 600 girls and young women since its inception and, in recent years, boasts 100 percent high school graduation and college admission rates.
Volunteers like Brenda Lemas are essential to MANA de San Diego’s mission. Here, she details her service with the organization and why, for her, mentoring is truly paying it forward.
How did you first get involved with MANA de San Diego?
I had just come back from a conference that was sponsored by LATINA Style magazine. I was receiving an award while I was still on active duty in the Navy. It was all women, all different branches of the military. The environment I was in excited me so much. I had never been in a room full of women who just wanted to help each other out.
When I came back to San Diego, I started looking for that type of community. I found MANA and I volunteered at its Latina Success Conference. It was just incredible. I stayed connected with MANA, but because I was still on active duty, I couldn’t fully engage as a volunteer. When I retired, I wanted to go back to it. They wanted me to do the Latina Success Leadership Program, and during that, one of the women asked me if I wanted to be a mentor. I really enjoy mentoring. When I was in the military on active duty, that was something that was at the top of my priorities. I always wanted to mentor people.
What do your duties entail?
I was asked to be in the leadership program, so I became part of the leadership team and did that for a year. And I have done a consulting gig with them. Right now I’m a mentor, and help any time I can with any of the events. I really love the community that they have.
For me, what it means is giving back. I didn’t have a strong female role model when I was growing up. I kind of always searched for that. But I think slowly, life shapes you and molds you and I sort of became that for other people.
I’ve always looked at mentors as somebody to provide guidance. And that’s what we do. The program is for young women, and the purpose is to encourage them to continue in their academic journeys. As a woman in a professional space, you’re offering that guidance to that young woman, and the goal is to get them through high school and eventually for them to pursue higher education. Then some of them come back and they become mentors. It’s a holistic way to empower young women.
What do you like best about volunteering at MANA de San Diego?
My favorite part has been seeing my mentee grow. You always learn something different from each person that you get to mentor. The experience is not one-way; they get a lot from it, but then as a mentor, you gain a lot of knowledge. With my mentee now, she was going through some stuff when she first started the program that I didn’t fully understand. But it allowed me to gain some insight into what it looks like for a young adult and how to help her and support her. And I really didn’t have to do much other than be a strong presence for her. She’s a very smart, intelligent young woman.
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
It is the whole process. I look back, like, if I had only had somebody in my life that could have been there, I probably would’ve done most of the things that [my mentee] has done. None of what she’s accomplished I was able to do in my young lifetime. She’s just so motivated; it’s a confidence that I can’t explain, and a complete 180 from where she started.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
The question for them is, ‘What are you trying to get out of it?’ Most of us volunteer for a reason, like a higher purpose or something like that. But I would recommend finding a community where you feel like you belong and just do it. It doesn’t have to necessarily be difficult. Just go out there and start asking people, ‘Where can I help?’
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
September 4: Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Day of Service
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will honor the legacy of the late Jimmy Buffet with a fundraiser for the San Diego Music Foundation. Its Day of Service at its rooftop bar will feature a performance by The Buffett Band, a travel and experience themed silent auction, and interactive entertainment.
September 5: McAlister Institute Walk for Sobriety
Hundreds of San Diegans will gather at NTC Park at Liberty Station for the McAlister Institute’s 14th Annual Walk for Sobriety. In addition to the walk, the event will include a resource fair with more than 35 nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community organizations that are part of a network of support for those in recovery.
September 14: Promises2Kids Dream On Concert Gala
Foreigner will take the stage to benefit Promises2Kids at its Dream On Concert Gala at a private home in La Jolla. Proceeds from the exclusive event will help Promises2Kids create a brighter future for local foster kids.
September 17: Lucky Duck Foundation 2026 Showcase Soirée
The Lucky Duck Foundation will host its annual Showcase Soirée at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. Proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit’s mission to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County.
September 17: Emilio Nares Foundation Harvest for Hope
Show your support for families of local children with life-threatening diseases at the Emilio Nares Foundation’s Harvest for Hope at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Funds raised will benefit programs like Ride With Emilio, which provides no-cost transportation for families seeking medical treatment, and Healing Through Nature activities for kids in recent cancer remission.
September 18: Girl Scouts San Diego Urban Campout 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts San Diego’s Camp Winacka, the organization will host a nostalgic evening under the stars. This year’s Urban Campout: Ignite the Possibilities at Girl Scouts San Diego’s Balboa Campus will feature camp-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and activities.
September 19: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego’s An Evening of Changing Lives
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego will celebrate its impact on local youth at its 13th annual An Evening of Changing Lives. Proceeds from the gala at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina support programs that promote academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles.
Youth Tennis San Diego will honor the sport’s American icons at its annual gala at the Barnes Tennis Center. An Evening Celebrating Tennis Heritage & Legends will help the nonprofit make tennis accessible to all youth in San Diego, regardless of background or skill level.
September 19: Serving Seniors Sunshine Gala
Serving Seniors will produce a Jukebox Broadway-style show for its highly anticipated Sunshine Gala. The evening at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar will support Serving Seniors’ compassionate and life-changing services for seniors in need throughout San Diego.
September 25: Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament
Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) will host an 18-hole golf tournament on the South Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to raise money for its financial wellness program. Proceeds from STEP’s Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament will help connect military families and veterans in need with financial social workers, emergency relief, and other tools.
September 26: Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope
Tom Petty Tribute Band, PettyBreakers, will take the stage at the Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. This year, the nonprofit will celebrate its 25th year of transforming the lives of unhoused youth.
September 26: Boys to Men Mentoring 100 Wave Challenge
Boys to Men Mentoring will celebrate30 years of service this year at its annual 100 Wave Challenge. The annual surf-a-thon event welcomes hundreds of surfers who attempt to catch 100 waves in one day and raise $1,000 or more to support Boys to Men Mentoring.
September 26: The Party in the Park
The San Diego Automotive Museum will host The Party in the Park to raise money for the museum and programs that equip youth for careers in the automotive industry. The Roaring 20s-themed event at the Balboa Park institution will feature live jazz and an exhibit of 1920s automobiles.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Seniors today face challenges that were unimaginable to previous generations, and some turn to nonprofit organizations to bridge the gap. Serving Seniors helps low-income older adults with housing assistance, social services, and more. The nonprofit provides 1.5 million meals and coordinated services to 13,265 older adults each year, the majority living on less than $1,125 per month.
Dedicated volunteers, like Fred Davis, help make this important work possible. Since roughly 2008, Davis has spent six days a week at the Serving Seniors Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center serves as a liaison to help clients access much-needed resources. Here, he shares what keeps him coming back day after day.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What made you want to get involved with Serving Seniors?
I have a community outreach ministry and my grandson and I were on the streets downtown handing out sack lunches, water, hygiene products, clothes and shoes, and things like that and I noticed that most of the people I met appeared to be seniors. So the next logical step for me was to find a senior group that I could work with. I heard about Serving Seniors, and I made a few phone calls. No one really responded to me, so I showed up. They opened the door for me and now they can’t get rid of me. I found a home. I’ve met some really good people over the years. And as it turned out, I’ve been here longer than most of them. I’ve been here at the West Center ever since the doors opened. And matter of fact, I was the one who gave Gary and Mary West an award for their generous donation that made it possible to open up this center.
What do your volunteer duties entail?
I’m in ministry, but I don’t want that to be the highlight of what I do. It’s not just a passion for serving people, it’s a calling. I like the idea of giving and serving people and trying to meet their needs. So I counsel, I oversee the serving of the lunches, and I work with the head of the volunteer group. I’m involved in different activities. Matter of fact, this coming Saturday, I’m going to take a group of seniors out sailing. I also helped start the Civic Engagement Group. It was a group of us, and there are about three members that are left from when we originally started it. Now Serving Seniors is taking it over, and my role is to work with them. I also took it a little bit further and ended up joining Aging and Independent Services and sat on that advisory board for a number of years. That led to me being elected to the California Senior Legislature. So I’ve been advocating for seniors for a very long time. They’re a vulnerable group. They worked hard and don’t always get the respect that they deserve.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What do you like best about volunteering at Serving Seniors?
The people—this is my target group right here. I don’t have to walk the streets like my grandson and I did anymore; they’re right here. I’m here every day at the West Center but Sunday.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge is not being able to help someone who really needs the help. But we try to find a way. I reach out to different organizations, faith-based organizations or other nonprofits, sometimes with success and a lot of times without success. There are quite a few people that are in need who are hardworking people, dedicated people who still want to provide for themselves and their family, and they’re just caught in that void.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
I was handing out clothes; I usually have a sock drive and I gave a homeless person a pair of socks. As they peeled their filthy socks off their feet, this person cried. You don’t know how important these little things are that we take for granted. It was really touching.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
A lot of people use the term giving back, but I just say giving. When you say ‘giving back,’ that means you’re trying to repay something and you’re taking credit. But giving is a passion. It’s something that you do from your heart, not out of obligation.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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