The Joan T. Waitt Family Fund has made a $1 million pledge to match dollar for dollar contributions to The Salvation Army Door of Hope Transitional Living Center, a residential program for homeless mothers and their children. The TLC capital campaign is for new construction, which will double the capacity of the center to serve 24 families. “I learned a great deal about giving from my dad,” Joan Waitt said. “We were underprivileged, but he said there was always someone less fortunate. My siblings and I had to donate a toy to The Salvation Army to help those kids. I have a very special place in my heart for The Salvation Army, and I’m passionate about the project at the Door of Hope. It’s a new life for homeless moms and their children,” she said … Employees of Cavignac & Associates donated $16,100 to 18 organizations as part of the company’s Charity Fund employee gift-giving program. Beneficiaries of the gifts included the Alpha Project, Veterans Village, Voices for Children, San Diego Center for Children, Mama’s Kitchen and Senior Community Centers. The employees also “adopted” two families through the Say San Diego program, wrapping and delivering gifts for the families … Ron Fowler and Dan Shea hosted the Police Council luncheon Dec. 16 at
Donovan’s Prime Seafood. Police Chief William Lansdowne shared an overview of the San Diego Police Foundation’s work and described the Police Council program. A total of $75,000 in pledges were received to support the programs of the San Diego Police Foundation … BluFi Lending employees participated in volunteer night at The Angel’s Depot in support of San Diego seniors living in poverty. In addition to packing boxes of food for distribution, BluFi made a $5,000 contribution to the organization … Luis Venegas from Sweetwater High School received the 2011 Dr Pepper TEN Most Inspirational Player Award at the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. He was recognized on the field during the game Dec. 28 … San Diego Hospice and the Institute of Palliative Medicine’s Light up a Life Celebration was held Dec. 13 to honor the memories of loved ones in San Diego. Although admission was free, a total of $200,000 was received for sponsorships to support the mission to provide compassionate, expert medical care to adults and children living with a serious illness … The Seany Foundation received a $5,000 contribution from the Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society’s 9th Annual “Young Hollywood Holiday Party.” The Seany Foundation works to improve the lives of children, teens and young adults battling cancer … SPX Pilates & Cycle owner Dean Grafos hosted the Steve Grafos Tribute Ride and Sculpt for ALS on Dec. 17 to raise funds to help increase awareness of and try to find a cure for ALS. All funds raised go to the San Diego ALS Chapter in Steve Grafos’ name … Thom Underwood, a graduate gemologist of GIA, has been recognized with the 2012 Antonio C. Bonanno Award by the Accredited Gemologists Association, which is set to be presented at a ceremony during an AGA conference Feb. 1. Underwood is being recognized for his contributions to the international gem and jewelry industry. He will receive $2,000, which he plans to donate to the southeast San Diego-based Elementary Institute of Science for afterschool and summer programs focusing on science for children in the community … Fruit Tree 101, a program of Stretch Island Fruit, planted a fruit orchard at Smythe Elementary School in San Ysidro and O’Farrell Community School in Encanto with the help of the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. The program serves as an effort to educate students about the importance of environmental preservation and healthy eating.
Please send Kudos and Giving items to Joyce Glazer at jglazer@sdbj.com.
