San Diego County Big Brothers Big Sisters raised $450,000 at its annual dinner held Oct. 30. Rick Valencia, founder of Profit-Line, was honored as man of the year for his commitment to mentoring kids ages 7 to 18 The YWCA of San Diego County sponsored the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes charitable event Oct. 16. Business and community leaders participated by walking through the Gaslamp Quarter in high-heel shoes. The event raised $40,000 for women and families affected by domestic violence SAIC and the International Association of Chiefs of Police presented awards Nov. 11 to law enforcement agencies with outstanding volunteer programs. Winners included the department of Benicia for its innovative practice in improving service to the community residents Bank of America’s fifth annual local Neighborhood Excellence Initiative awards was held on Nov. 6 at the Mingei Museum. Aquatic Adventures Science Education Foundation and San Diego Second Chance Program were cited for their commitment to improving communities, and each received $200,000. Five local heroes were recognized and each received a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit of their choice. “Bank of America has long held the belief that a healthy community is a healthy place to do business, and we are committed to creating real impact in the San Diego community,” said Richard Bregman, local market president Producers of the Anti-drug Natural High DVD Series for Kids raised $200,000 for the Sundt Memorial Foundation at a recent event. The event supports distribution of the Natural High DVD Series, based on a simple principle-kids’ peers and heroes influence them Rainbow Travel and Cruise of La Mesa donated a trip to the Galapagos Islands at a fundraising event held Nov. 12. The $2,300 raised benefits the San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society for medical and foster care of these animals The La Jolla Festival of the Arts will celebrate its 23rd anniversary show in 2009. Produced annually by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation, last year’s festival raised $80,000 to support recreational and educational programs for those with disabilities Dr. Margaret McCahill was named 2008 Physician-Humanitarian by the California Medical Board. McCahill, medical director of the St. Vincent de Paul Village Family Health Center, is being honored for her many years of service to the poor in the county. She is the first woman recipient of this award The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego received a $225,000 grant from the Getty Foundation to support research and planning for a new exhibition The New Children’s Museum has received donations totaling $52,000 from Qualcomm, Ford Motor Co. Fund and the CarMax Foundation. The museum will launch its Check Out the New Children’s Museum program in December. “Accessibility is a core value of museum,’ said Rachel Teagle, executive director Grossmont Hospital Foundation held its annual Gala on Nov. 1. Virginia Napierskie was honored for her many years of support to the hospital. The event raised $600,000 for a new robotic surgery program, an amount that included a $300,000 contribution from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, which was presented by tribe chairman, Daniel J. Tucker. Additional sponsors included Grossmont Healthcare District, the hospital medical Staff and Virginia Napierskie The San Diego State University Hospitality and Tourism Management program received a $20,000 donation from the local chapter of the California Restaurant Association. The funding was derived from ticket sales at SummerBash held Sept. 10, and will be used to endow a professorship at the school.
Please send Kudos and Giving items to contributing writer Joyce Glazer at jglazer@sdbj.com.
