PHOTO CAPTION: Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, will deliver the keynote address at the kick-off event for The Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle campaign.
“We are delightedto have Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, serve as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Ked Kettle Kick-Off,” said Major Isaias Braga, Commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino.
REDLANDS, CALIF.—Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, will deliver the keynote address at the kick-off event for The Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle campaign.
The “miracle” of Christmas is repeated through the joy of caring, sharing and donations to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles. The ringing of the Silver Bells begins with The Red Kettle Kick-Off. This year’s event is Thursday November 17th at 5:30 PM.
For nearly 50 years, Chairwoman Valbuena has held numerous elected and appointed positions within San Manuel tribal government.
Valbuena has held several officer positions on the Business Committee, including Secretary/Treasurer, Vice Chairwoman and now her fifth terms as Chairwoman. Valbuena also has a long history of service and leadership with regional, state and national organizations, including the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), where she is currently serving her 27th year as Chairwoman.
PHOTO CAPTION: Majors Isaias (left) and Adelma Braga.
“We are delighted to have Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, serve as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Ked Kettle Kick-Off,” said Major Isaias Braga, Commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino. “The tribe has supported the mission of The Salvation Amy for decades. We are honored to serve the same community,” he added.
PHOTO CAPTION: Red Kettle Kick Off
Lynn remains focused on serving the San Manuel tribal community and continuing efforts to preserve and strengthen the Tribe’s Serrano culture, governmental sovereignty and the Tribe’s long tradition of service to all who dwell or visit Serrano ancestral lands that includes the San Bernardino valley.
In 2019–20 The Salvation Army served 22,268 households that included 105,602 meals and 10,072 households receiving groceries. The Hospitality House provided 31,534 nights of shelter to families and children experiencing homelessness; 1,612 at-risk children participated in educational and recreational programs.
For Christmas, the Salvation Army creates holiday food baskets for about 500 local families. On Christmas Eve, The Salvation Army of San Bernardino hosts a Christmas Dinner that before covid, historically provided a delicious meal to approximately 200 people. Donations from people who donate to the Red Kettles help make this possible.
The Salvation Army of San Bernardino serves the cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Rialto, Loma Linda, Colton, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Bloomington, Mentone, Grand Terrace, Muscoy and the mountain communities.
Suggested donation for the Red Kettle Kick Off is $250 per person, Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. For local information call (909) 792-6868. Donors may drop off turkeys, hams, other food, cash or gift cards at the Salvation Army’s Corps Office at 838 Alta Street, Redlands California, 92373.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. To donate go to: www.salvationarmyusa.org
Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications
“I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Adverting and Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Corp Today Magazine, named Dameron Communications as the 2022 Global Business Awards Best Full-Service Advertising & PR Agency—California 2022
Corp Today is a business magazine covering the world for companies. Corp Today is a platform that focuses on emerging and leading fastest-growing companies and their style of doing business and ways of delivering effective and collaborative solutions to strengthen market share.
“Our dedicated team of in-house researchers has handpicked each of our 2022 award winners. This proven approach ensures that we award on merit, and not popularity, and recognize the very best in the business,” said Corp Today’s Patricia Waldron.
“I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Advertising and Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to deliver effective adverting and public relations delivering significant public relations successes.”
Dameron Communications’ is Advertising and public relations agency based in a Southern California receiving award winning client accolades, and delivering effective Advertising and public relations for more than 30 years.
“We infuse research and creativity into our advertising and public relations methods to deliver winning and measurable results,” said Dameron.
He added, “We serve clients who make the world a better place: businesses small or large; candidates; governments or nonprofits; and products, services, or causes. We reach our clients’ communications goals.”
April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Vicki Creighton, of Riverside, Recently, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. .
“If it weren’t for the vaccine, I’m sure I would have ended up in the hospital,” said LaSalle Medical’s Compliance Officer, Barbara Graber.
(REDLANDS, Calif.) “We started the second week of July, now every Wednesday is “Covid Vaccine Day for Kids,” says Dr. Albert Arteaga, pediatrician, and the CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates.
“Now that Moderna has released its three variations on a Covid vaccine for younger people we are full speed ahead,” says Dr. Arteaga, “… we have been tracking the Covid 19 pandemic very closely and believe that the Moderna vaccine is the most effective option currently available.”
LaSalle Medical’s Compliance Officer, Barbara Graber, notes that five of LaSalle’s six clinics are providing Wednesday shots for youngsters. “We started slowly,” says Graber, “… now we are increasing the number of Covid-19 vaccines given weekly. We’ve given 170 shots in the first two weeks of August and parents are responding to our targeted internal outreach program that urges them to bring in their children for their vaccine.”
Graber says being proactive with outreach to clinic patients leads to more people getting the vaccine. “Our team is calling to ask parents to bring in their youngsters to get vaccinated. This makes prevention likely to be a lot more effective.”
The three vaccines are for children aged 6 months to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 years and older. There is a four-week wait between first and second shots.
Graber contracted Covid-19 herself and says, “If it weren’t for the vaccine, I’m sure I would have ended up in thehospital.” She had the two-shot regimen as well as two booster shots. “This vaccine has proven itself and is now an important addition to our tool kit to help people stay healthy, safe and out of the hospital.”
Barbara Graber, manager of compliance and special projects at LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., clinics accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan coverage, as well as Medicare Medi-Cal and cash.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. call the office closest to you: Fontana (909) 823-4454; San Bernardino 17th Street (909) 887-6494; San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091; Rialto (855) 349-6019; Hesperia (760) 947-2161; and Victorville (855) 349-6019.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. is one of the largest, independent, and Latino-owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The corporate office is in Redlands.
LaSalle operates six clinics employing more than 100 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults and seniors in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. LaSalle also accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) coverage.
LaSalle is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patient care to approximately 365,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare counties.
Kathy Chao Rothberg, CEO surrounded by members of its board and staff at the East Bay EDA before the award ceremony.
Oakland, Ca. — Lao Family Community Development earns runner-up position in the Community Impact Category at the 10th Annual East Bay Innovation Awards ceremony, held Thursday evening. August 4th, at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The program is designed to recognize extraordinary companies who embrace the use and implementation of innovation in their manufacturing, products, services, design, and information; it is sponsored by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
“We are proud to earn the runner-up placement in this category. The pool of finalist was very impressive! It acknowledges the positive impact that Lao Family programs are having on the diverse disadvantaged populations we serve,” said Kathy Chao Rothberg, LFCD’s Chief Executive Officer. “It further acknowledges our continuous commitment to a culture of high-quality and innovative programming and partnerships for the last four decades.”
Lao Family Community Development, headquartered in Oakland with satellite locations in San Pablo and Sacramento, delivers a carefully-designed holistic Integrated Service Delivery Model that combines a roadmap with individualized case plans, interventions, and best practices resulting in rapid financial self-sufficiency and permanent housing attainment among the diverse and unique populations it serves in the East Bay and the Sacramento region. Its innovative housing and workforce programs continue to dramatically transform the way families are able to earn livable income and exit out of homelessness into permanent housing that is affordable in less than six months.
The Lao Family assisted nearly 4,000 individuals, including 880 households, to stabilize, earn and secure income, save, bank, improve their credit and move into existing permanent housing in the marketplace between January 2017 to July 2022. From 2006 to 2022, Lao Family’s team grew from 22 to more than 132 and its revenue growth from $2M to $31M.
The Lao Family was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 1980. Today the organization serves individuals from 40 nationalities, delivers case management service in 35 languages, offers7 days a week service in some locations and impacts the lives of nearly 31,000 annually in three northern California counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, and Sacramento). Its mission to advance the wellbeing of diverse communities through culturally-informed employment, housing, and education has served over 400,000 Californians. LFCD concentrates on five core service areas: 1) adult education and vocational training, 2) youth education, leadership, and career exploration, 3) financial coaching/asset development, 4) work supports and health access, and 5) affordable housing, home ownership and economic development activities.
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For more information, visit lfcd.org, follow us on Facebook, and contact: Kathy Chao Rothberg, CEO | KRothberg@lfcd.org | (510) 334-4826.
American Girl Doll Tea Party this Saturday August 6th at noon
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, youngsters will again indulge in Afternoon Tea and snacks with the American Girl Doll collection thanks to the San Bernardino City Library Foundation.
The tea starts at 12:00 noon on the sixth of August at Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary School, 1250 W. 14th Street, San Bernardino. Refreshments and an educational program will be delivered by the University of California’s local Master Gardner/Master Preserver program.
This Saturday, youngsters will indulge in tea and snacks being served by dutiful adults who stand ready to ensure that the children have a delightful time. The annual event attracts children and their parents from the Greater San Bernardino Area.
Cheryl R. Brown, Board Member, American Girl Doll Tea Chairperson
“American Girl dolls represent the cultures of San Bernardino. Each one is unique, and the variety always finds favor with attendees—both kids and adults,” said Cheryl Brown, San Bernardino City Library Foundation Board member.
Brown adds, “The library’s American Girl Doll collection reflects the ethnic diversity of our community and youngsters can check out dolls that look like them. They can even customize them using the accessories that come with each doll.”
All year round, children can check out an American Girl Doll kit, at San Bernardino City Library’s that includes one of several ethnically diverse dolls, a carrying case, accessories, a book about the doll, and a journal.
The program provides an engaging learning experience that provides a glimpse into different time periods in American history through each doll’s story and a chance for children to write about their own adventures.
The doll collection and the annual tea are both made possible thanks to the generous support of the people and organizations of San Bernardino that take delight in giving children entertaining educational experiences.
San Bernardino City Library Foundation partners include Edison International, the Irvine Foundation, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
San Bernardino City Foundation Board President Arlington Rodgers
“We had to suspend our in-person tea event during the Covid pandemic, but now that things have calmed down, we are eager to again welcome the public to our version of ‘afternoon tea’,” says Foundation President Arlington Rodgers.
A reservation is required to attend. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, August 3rd, BUT people who want to register up to the 5th are encouraged to try and sign up anyway, as if there are spaces still available, they will be accommodated.
To make your reservation call (909) 381-8211, by August 1, 2022, leave contact information and how many reservations. Participants are requested to call early.
The mission of the San Bernardino City Library Foundation is to make sure that our public libraries continue to be places where everyone in the community can gather, learn, grow, and interact.
Since 1995, the San Bernardino City Library Foundation has provided the San Bernardino Public Library system with the financial support it needs to provide new books for patrons, offer free tutoring for all academic levels, provide patrons with access to e-books and audio books, and provide innovative programs like a Makerspace and the American Girl Doll program.
Board members include Arlington C. Rodgers, Jr. President, Cheryl R. Brown, Vice President— Community Relations, Mary Kay De Crescenzo, Vice President-Operations, Debra A. Fields, Secretary, Timothy Prince, Director.
Yamileth Monarrez, joins The Making Hope Happen Foundation’s Inland Empire Men’s Mental program
“The addition of Ms. Monarrez to our training staff allows us to accommodate more students for our suicide prevention and mental health first aid classes,” says Ceseña.
(San Bernardino, Calif.)“I’m very happy to have been promoted to being an instructor by the Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health program,“ says YamilethMonarrez, “because the courses address issues that I’ve personally experienced and now I feel I can do something to make things better.“
The Making Hope Happen Foundation‘s Inland Empire Men’s Mental programoffers free classesthat educate people on how to recognize signs of mental distress in people they know and love and teaches them how to get friends and family members to be willing to talk about what’s going on.
Program managerGerzonCeseña says, “Men—especially minority men—tend to be very reluctant to talk about problems they’re having. Instead, they often shut themselves off, which can make things worse. Our program is all about getting rid of the idea that real men don’t need help and instead, that real friends can help friends when things are tough.”
“Promoting Ms. Monarrez to our training staff allows us to accommodate more students for our suicide prevention and mental health first aid classes,” says Ceseña.
Yamileth Monarrez is a senior at UC Riverside and will be graduating in December. She spent a semester abroad at London South Bank University, taking a variety of courses, andpsychology is an area she has been interested in for some time.
The exposure to a different culture broadenedMonarrez‘s horizonswhile at the same time, showed how people everywhere often need to deal with the same problems.
Monarrez says, “At UCR I‘ve served as a mentor to freshmen. I really enjoy helping people and I wanted to work for IE Men’s Mental Health because the program emphasizes the need to de-stigmatize mental health issues so that people can get the help they need.”
Making Hope Happen is a nonprofit foundation linked with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. The nonprofit is based on the philosophy of Gallop Senior Scientist Dr. Shane J. Lopez. Hope allows people to envision a better future, design a path toward that future, and take purposeful steps toward it. As a result of a deep commitment to this quest, the San Bernardino Community and School Alliance (CASAwas reorganized and renamed the Making Hope Happen Foundation).
The Foundation’s Inland Empire Men’s Mental Health programoffers free mental health training for people who would like to be able to help friends or family members that would like to learn effective ways to approach friends or family members who seem to he hasemotional or mental health problems but aren’t sure about what to say or do.
For more information on The IE Men’s Mental Health Program,go to the group’s web page at IEMensMentalHealth.org or call (909) 347-7234.
Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.
“You can’t just have the vaccine in stock and wait for people to show up. That’s why we reach out to let people know their children can be vaccinated at any time when our clinics are open.”
(Redlands, Calif.) Dr. Albert Arteaga, MD, CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, says that all LaSalle clinics have started delivering the Covid-19 vaccine to children.
“We have the Covid19 vaccines in stock, and we have completed training our people on dosages, proper delivery, and administration,” says Dr. Arteaga. “We also have started an active outreach campaign to all of our patients to let them know they can bring their children in to get vaccinated.”
LaSalle Medical Associates has been ahead of the curve for vaccine administration for decades, particularly for pediatric illnesses. “I remember 25 years ago we thought childhood vaccinations must have been around 100 percent. We were very far off. The national statistics came out saying compliance was only 30–40 percent. At LaSalle we were doing a lot better, around 60 percent, but that still did not meet our standards, and that’s why we have been so focused on outreach ever since,” says Dr. Arteaga.
Dr. Arteaga adds, “Since the government started compiling records and keeping track of the percentage of people getting vaccinated, we now have a much more accurate picture of how effective vaccination programs are.”
Being proactive leads to higher vaccine compliance. Calling parents to let them know they should bring in their youngsters to get vaccinated means that prevention is likely to be a lot more effective.
April Reya a medical assistant, gives the COVID-19 vaccination shot to Vicki Creighton, of Riverside, Recently, at the LaSalle Medical Associates medical office located in Rialto, Calif. Creighton received the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Dr. Arteaga also reveals his personal shot-administration secret: “Children typically don’t like getting a shot. So, I tell them this shot is painless. But if they do feel pain, I can always give them a second shot for the pain. I’ve never had a child ask for that second shot.”
A nurse or physician’s bedside manner means a lot, particularly with children. Keeping things light and avoiding a stern attitude helps the entire experience go down more easily for both the patient and the caregiver.
LaSalle’s clinics have been recognized in the past for their well-above-average vaccination delivery, recording rates above 80 or even 90 percent compliance for flu shots, for example. Dr. Arteaga says, “It’s all because we really push for people to care for themselves.”
Dr. Arteaga also tackles the myth that if people are feeling ill, they should not get a vaccine shot. “Not true,” says the doctor, “unless you’re quite ill. If you have a cold, the sniffles, whatever, it’s perfectly safe and advisable to get your Covid 19 Vaccine.”
Dr. Arteaga restates his mantra that it’s not enough to have vaccines on the shelf. They need to be available during all regularly open clinic hours, and that’s the longstanding LaSalle policy.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., clinics accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan coverage, as well as Medicare and Medi-Cal.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc call the office closest to you: Fontana (909) 823-4454; San Bernardino 17th Street (909) 887-6494; San Bernardino Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091; Rialto (855) 349-6019; Hesperia (760) 947-2161; and Victorville (855) 349-6019.
Carl M. Dameron, founder and president of Dameron Communications
Expertise.com Names Dameron Communications Best PR Firm of 2022
“I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Dameron Communications has been reviewed, promoted, and selected by the website, Expertise.com, as one of its Best PR Firms in San Bernardino in 2022.
“I am honored to receive this recognition for our work in Public Relations,” said Carl M. Dameron, president of Dameron Communications. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to develop and maintain outstanding relationships with California media delivering significant public relations successes.”
“We’ve screened, mystery shopped, and selected Dameron Communications from among your competitors. At Expertise.com more than 1 million monthly site visitors are already aware of Dameron Communications stellar reputation, said Ben Torres, of The Expertise Team
Dameron Communications’ is a Southern California based Advertising; public relations, community relations and government relations whose work has been winning awards and client accolades for more than 30 years.
“We blend relationships with proven advertising and public relations methods to deliver winning and measurable results,” said Dameron.
We serve clients who make the world a better place –business small or large, government or non-profit, product, service or cause primarily in California.
For more information or a free one-hour consultation call Carl M. Dameron at (909) 534-9500.
From left to right, Regina Ivery, Keith Morris, Dexter Smiles and Nick Alexander will provide laughs for the Little Sunshine Foundation fundraiser on Saturday.
The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to help to their community because every child deserves a little sunshine.
(Glendora, Calif.) The Little Sunshine Foundation is presenting a star-studded fundraiser to benefit underprivileged youngster on Saturday, June 4, from 4 to 8 PM at The Bidwell Forum in Glendora.
“Our foundation offers literacy programs, sports programs and a youth ambassador program that have all been improving young lives for five years now,” says Foundation Director Bianca Vobecky. What is especially noteworthy is that the organization was founded by Bianca’s now-18-year-old daughter, Monique, in 2018 when she was just 14 years old.
Monique is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.
This daughter of a Haitian mother and an American father of Czech-German heritage has always wanted to help others who are under-resourced and whose lives can take a dramatic turn for the better thanks to assistance from organizations like the one she founded.
Monique Vobecky started the Little Sunshine Foundation while a 14 year old freshman at Glendora High School. Now-18-years-old Monique, is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.
The Little Sunshine Foundation was singled out for praise by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce as its “Nonprofit of the Year” in 2019 and continues to set an example for how local charities can improve their communities. The Little Sunshine Foundation programs typically provide services to some 2,000 students every year.
The “Dinner and Comedy Show” fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Bidwell Forum, 116 E. Foothill Blvd., Glendora.
Entertainment is provided by comedians Regina “After Five” Ivery, Keith “Look Around” Morris and Dexter Smiles, with special appearances by Nick Alexander, an actor from New York City, who has a debut comedy album set to be released this year entitled “What Happened to Nick Alexander?” and DJ Afrocah.
Rich Wallace, President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, and Rhonda Jackson, owner of Decor Interior Design, Inc., a minority-owned business that widely consults minority start-ups and has a popular podcast channel, will share Master of Ceremonies duties. The dinner is being catered by Canyon City BBQ, which is certain to be a major crowd-pleaser.
Tickets are $60 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available, starting at $350 for a Star Sponsor, which includes two tickets, a Friends of Little Sunshine sponsorship for $500 that includes four tickets, and three more categories, including a Title Sponsorship that comes with tickets for a table of 12.
“Proceeds from ticket sales will go to school supplies and scholarships,” says Monique Vobecky.
For those who would like to help but cannot attend the event, the Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations on its website through the end of July. Little Sunshine will then budget the receipts for purchases to help students for the fall school term.
The Little Sunshine Foundation has developed three programs in furtherance of its mission.
The Foundation’s Literacy Program provides disadvantaged kindergarten to eighth grade students with new or gently used books as well as reading tools to improve reading proficiency.
The Sports Program provides support services to disadvantaged youth, ages 4 to 18 years of age, that allow them access to play sports. The sports program provides youth with athletic shoes, athletic equipment, and financial support for uniforms and sporting fees.
The Youth Ambassador Program provides opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities in a meaningful way. Involving youth as partners in this mission empowers them with leadership opportunities and helps them become empathetic, reflective individuals, setting them on a course to becoming community leaders.
The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to give back to their community because we believe every child deserves a little sunshine.
