East County Chamber Honors Home of Guiding Hands as Nonprofit of the Year

February 4, 2012 -

The East County Chamber of Commerce held their annual gala at the U.S Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. More than 350 attended the sold out event. Outstanding individuals and businesses were recognized.

 

2012 Gala Awards

George Felix Volunteer of the Year Award:

Craig MacDonald

Hooley’s Irish Pub & Grill

“Stoney” Stone Community Service Award:

Jane Moore

San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce

Wendell Cutting Ethics in Business Award:

Erick Lundy

Lundy Insurance Services

C. Allen Paul Award:

Dr. Sunita Cooke

Grossmont College

Jim Schmidt Business Advocate Award:

Arkan Somo

Magnolia Family Market

Leadership East County Alumni Award:

Ed & Emilie Zouhar

Ambassador of the Year Award:

Suzanne Runo

AXA Advisors

Chairman’s Award:

Kevin Miller

Foothills Christian Church

El Cajon Business of the Year:

Junction Steakhouse & Sports Bar

La Mesa Business of the Year:

Pret-a-Porter Salon & Spa

Lemon Grove Business of the Year:

Por Favor Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

East County Regional Business of the Year:

San Diego Gas & Electric

Hospitality & Restaurant Industry Award:

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Retail & Consumer Goods Industry Award:

Westfield Parkway

Professional Services Industry Award:

Roger Roberts- Prudential California Realty

Manufacturing & Construction Industry Award:

Hamann Construction

Non-Profit of the Year:

Home of Guiding Hands

Retiring Board of Directors

Ramona Bommer

Diamond Creations by Ramona

Nancy Dennison

Keller Williams Realty

Erick Lundy

Lundy Insurance Services, Inc.

Roger Roberts

Prudential California Realty

Students from Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges volunteered their time to wash vans for Home of Guiding Hands in El Cajon.

El Cajon Valley High School was honored as a partner with the Confucius Institute School of Language and SDSU. This partnership supports the Chinese program at ECVH. Professional dancers and musicians from China entertained students and faculty of El Cajon Valley High School. Part of this celebration includes a plaque ceremony as a CI school and a special program in honor of the Chinese New Year.

The performance was streamed to three other schools in northern California.

Photos by Jay Renard

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School celebrated their 50th anniversary. Students and staff dressed in 50′s style to show their school spirit.

Photos by Rob Riingen

Monday, January 30th was the kick off of the NFL Play 60 Challenge. The American Heart Association, San Diego Chargers, and the Santee School District are bringing this program to all students in grades 6 through 8. More than 2,200 students from the district’s 9 middle schools are making the pledge to be more active.

On hand from the Chargers were Kimberley Layton, San Diego Chargers Community Relations Director, Defensive Back Darrell Stickey, and Wide Receiver Vincent Brown along with members of the Chargers Cheer Leaders.

Dr. Laura Spencer, Wellness Committee Chair and Coordinator of Instructional Technology was there from the Santee School District

The “ribbon cutting” ceremony was actually the cutting of a chain with a welding torch. A tour of the facilities showing the students using the facilities followed the chain cutting.