As part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank joined KPBS to honor 18 inspirational individuals at the 18th Annual Local Heroes celebration recently. The honorees were recognized as part of the 2015 Local Heroes program, which pays tribute to exemplary leaders who are making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their community, region and the world at large. Visit kpbs.org/heroes or unionbank.com/heroes for details on each honoree.
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San Diego-based Wawanesa Insurance announced a gift of $54,000 to The Arc of San Diego to support its Building for Self-Sufficiency Capital Campaign. With $2.7 million of the $4.5 million goal raised, the campaign will provide renovations to The Sol and Ruth Gerber Family Center (formerly Starlight Center) in Chula Vista. More than 185 adults participate in the adult day program. Approximately 65 people with disabilities earn a paycheck through their work in the vocational training program at the site. The new customized 30,000-square-foot center will offer a wide range of services and innovative, activity-based classrooms. Visit arc-sd.com.
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San Diego philanthropist Colette Gerard donated approximately $2.5 million to Noah Homes, a nonprofit in Spring Valley that provides care and advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism. The gift comes as Noah Homes is raising money for staffing and construction of two of the first memory care homes in the nation specifically for people with developmental disabilities. Gerard’s son, Andre, has autism and is one of 70 residents who currently live in a home operated by Noah Homes. When Noah Homes opened Casa De Felicidad more than 30 years ago, the average age of a resident was 27. Today, the average age is 47 and climbing. As more people with developmental disabilities are living longer, there is an unprecedented need for memory care. Molly Nocon, CEO of Noah Homes, said the legacy helps to ensure that no person with a developmental disability is left without a home.
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Kudos to Vista-based Heaviland Landscape Management, which recently celebrated a milestone 30 years of business at Karl Strauss Brewery in Sorrento Mesa. In attendance were clients, staff members, colleagues, vendors and elected officials, including Judy Ritter, mayor of Vista; Michael Hadland, chief of staff for Assemblyman Rocky Chavez; Kristen Rahmeyer, San Diego County district representative for state Sen. Patricia Bates; and Haley Peterson, director of community affairs for San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn.
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Feeding America San Diego announced recently that it raised $577,108, equating to 2,308,435 meals, in partnership with ABC10, sister station Azteca San Diego 15 and Live Well San Diego during the third annual Month of a Million Meals campaign that is conducted in the late fall each year. Exceeding the original goal by over 1,000,000 meals, the 2015 seasonal endeavor included two live donation telecasts and support from several local celebrities. In addition to campaign partners, the 2015 Month of a Million Meals campaign was supported by ESET North America and Naked Cafe.
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San Diego-based Barons Market announced that its five locations raised $31,561 for 156 local charities in 2015. The family-owned, all-natural grocery store has a company culture of giving back to local organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank, Cancer Angels and the Temecula-Murrieta Community Pantry and also by “bagging groceries for veterans, pouring at our beer pairings and more,” said Rachel Shemirani vice president of marketing. In 2016, Barons plans to continue pushing small business boundaries with healthy-eating field trips, collaborations with more local organizations and a new store in the Inland Empire.
Send Kudos/Giving items to sglidden@sdbj.com.
