Dave Nuffer may be slowing down his work schedule, but he’s not paring his involvement in community causes.
This month, the longtime chairman of local public relations firm Nuffer, Smith Tucker is heading up a fund-raising luncheon for Senior Community Centers.
The organization, which serves some 1,000 low-income seniors living Downtown, holds its fifth annual luncheon on March 23 at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel.
“This is our biggest event of the year, and we hope to raise about $300,000. The money all goes to support the center, which helps those folks who live on about $600 a month,” Nuffer said.
The selection of Nuffer as the event’s honorary chairman was a natural, said Paul Downey, president of the Senior Community Centers.
“Dave Nuffer is one of a handful of San Diego business leaders with the credibility, contacts and charisma to lead this effort,” Downey said.
Nuffer said he joined the organization’s business advisory board four years ago. Other members of the board include Malin Burnham, Midge Costanza and George Gildred.
Nuffer also is a trustee for the Scripps Health board, and lends a hand to a few other local nonprofits.
The PR business he co-founded in 1974 is still going strong, but you won’t find him at the office that much. “I’ve paid myself less for the past five years to force myself into retirement, but I still maintain my visibility in a number of community groups because I’ve been around a long time, know the issues and still get a lot out of it,” he said.
This year’s luncheon recognizes several local “heroes” who go above and beyond to help low-income seniors. They are Linda Katz, advocacy hero; SeaWest Windpower, Inc., corporate hero; Ron Roberts, community hero; and Gilbert Salas, senior hero.
This is one of the best times of the year for Nuffer, a huge Padres fan, who is spending 11 days in Peoria, Ariz., the site of the Pads’ spring training camp.
Nuffer says the annual tune-up to the long baseball season is something he truly enjoys.
“It’s great. You get up, have breakfast, then go to a game, which is over about 4 p.m., go back to the hotel and take a nap, and then it’s time for dinner.”
He calls the new training camp in Peoria, near Phoenix “uptown,” compared to the funky environs of Yuma, where the Padres used to hold the spring training. “We still put together a package for Yuma every year, and it’s a blast. I’m the biggest single buyer of tickets for that, outside of the travel agencies.”
To attend the luncheon or find out other ways to support the Senior Community Centers, call (619) 235-6572.
