Group’s Fierce Fundraising Efforts Bring Help to Cancer Fight

AMN Healthcare is sponsoring the 2011 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Awards Ceremony which was to be held Apr. 7. The San Diego affiliate will distribute grants amounting to nearly $1 million, almost double the amount of last year. The grants, raised through local events and fundraisers, allow the organization to support the uninsured and underinsured women of San Diego through every step of their breast cancer journey. “San Diegans have spoken with their dollars even during these tough economic times,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, a breast cancer survivor and executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego … St. Madeleine’s Sophie Center was named Nonprofit of the Year at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce gala held on Feb. 25 at the Crystal Ballroom in El Cajon. This was the first year that the chamber chose to recognize a local nonprofit at the gala. St. Madeleine’s was chosen for its program helping adults with developmental disabilities and its strong community involvement. The chamber is celebrating its 100th year, and it hosts the annual gala to feature and recognize outstanding community leaders … Major Eric Burton, a U.S. Marine Corps officer, has been awarded the 2011 Meg Whitman Scholarship for the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. The $2,000 scholarship is funded by MSEL alumni, and is awarded annually to benefit students who have demonstrated a history of bold leadership. Burton, who will begin the MSEL program in August, is currently serving in Afghanistan … Walden Family Services received a $20,000 grant from the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund for its Independent Futures program, which supports pre-emancipated and emancipated foster youth in developing independent living skills. The mission of the DSYF is to support organizations that provide direct services to underserved children so they may gain skills, values and confidence to achieve their goals … Access Destination Services was recognized as 2011 Event Company of the Year during the Event Solutions annual Spotlight Awards gala. The spotlight awards honors event professionals and companies for their exceptional body of work throughout the year … American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day was to be held Apr. 6 at the San Diego Concourse where Mayor Jerry Sanders was to join event sponsors Suffolk-Roel and Union Bank to kick off a one-mile wellness walk downtown. Mayor Sanders hopes his participation will serve as encouragement for others getting started with their own heart health efforts … Junior Seau Foundation is accepting applications for the Scholars of Excellence to San Diego County high school seniors. The program is funded through donations from Edco, Qualcomm, DC Shoes, Richard Doan Construction and Fresh Pac International. More than $100,000 will be distributed to students … Mama’s Kitchen will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mama’s Day on May 6 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Tony Kopas, the founder of TK&A Custom Catering, created the concept and founded the Mama’s Day event in 1991. The event is a tribute to Kopas who died of complications of AIDS in 1995. Proceeds help hundreds of critically ill San Diego County residents … Goodwill Industries presented the “Sutherland Award” to Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP at the firm’s annual board meeting on March 21. The award is presented annually to a local business that has been a strong supporter of GISD. Luce, Forward has provided its pro bono services to GISD since the mid-1990s including employment counsel on administrative claims with various state agencies, personnel matters and staffing … Vista Hill Foundation is presenting its 2011 Fashion — Oz Show on Apr. 14 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego hotel. Sponsors include San Diego County Credit Union, Chandler Asset Management Inc. and Audrey S. Geisel/Dr. Seuss Fund. Proceeds benefit the Don Allen ParentCare Family Recovery Center, SAFIR and Sam and Rose Stein Education Center, all programs of

Vista Hill.

Please send Kudos and Giving items to Joyce Glazer at jglazer@sdbj.com.