Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications. “Sharing your stories is fun. Let me share the secrets behind successful public relations and advertising.
To the people who know and work with him, Carl M. Dameron is a dynamic, hard-driving, award-winning advertising and public relations expert with more than 30 years of success helping organizations and people throughout California meet their goals.
He is also a cancer survivor. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Carl shares the story of starting and growing his company, how he dealt with his cancer diagnosis and offers sage advice for anyone facing a challenge.
Dameron Communications services include: advertising for television, social media, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, direct mail, mobile web applications, and email. They also deliver award winning public relations press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
For more information on Dameron Communications call Carl M. Dameron @ (909) 534-9500.
Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications. “Sharing your stories is fun. Let me share the secrets of successful public relations and advertising.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Businesses, government and civic groups that want to liven up their meetings with an interesting and informative advertising and public relations speaker should choose Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications.
Dameron has run his own public relations firm for more than 30 years, and during that time he has shared his expertise on what makes a good story with everyone from local political candidates to national logistics firms.
“The same elements that make interesting news releases also make good speeches, Dameron said. “In my presentations, I mix humor with a clear, direct message while delivering information you can put to work right away!”
Dameron will explain how important it is to get in front of a story to drive national and regional advertising, public relations and news coverage.
“People who hear me speak should leave with a better understanding of how to improve their own advertising and public relations efforts,” Dameron said. “Sharing your stories should be fun. Let me share the secrets behind successful public relations and advertising.
Getting the attention of the news media is not easy.
Editors, reporters and media managers are constantly bombarded with e-mails from PR people. Most are spiked right away, but releases from Dameron Communications always get a second look.
How? Carl Dameron understands news and knows how to work with busy news professionals.
Dameron Communications has served Southern California clients since 1989
Dameron is available to speak on several advertising and public relations topics including:
Advertising – How to create advertising that works — from flyers to TV commercials and everything in between
Public Relations – How to get media coverage and increase the positive perception of your organization
Government Relations – How to get elected officials to listen and how to leverage their influence
Community Relations – How get the community to understand and support your goals and objectives
Family members can rest easy and be confident, knowing their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are enjoying comfort and good company at Arboleda Senior Apartments.
“It’s really beautiful, with the look of a boutique resort with affordable rents for seniors.” said Kim Pollack, vice president of WSH Management, the manager of Arboleda Senior Apartments
(La Puente, Calif.). Seniors and family members looking for safe, comfortable living for themselves or their loved ones will find what they’re looking for at Arboleda Senior Apartments in La Puente.
The beautiful 74-unit apartment community features energy-efficient kitchens, a large community room, fitness center, computer center, library and more. It’s a great place where seniors 62 and better can call home.
“It’s really beautiful, with the look of a boutique resort with affordable rents for seniors.”
said Kim Pollack, vice president of WSH Management, the manager of Arboleda Senior Apartments.
From the outside, the apartment community evokes California’s classic Mission heritage with Spanish-style architecture, featuring white walls with wrought-iron accents, red tile roofs and a large central courtyard with shade trees and outdoor seating – the perfect place to relax during one of the region’s many beautiful days!
The comfortable one-and two-bedroom apartments each have individual heating and air conditioning units, as well as full-size closets, bathrooms and kitchens. The units and common areas also are spacious, beautifully decorated and handicapped-accessible.
Arboleda residents will enjoy the San Gabriel Valley’s beautiful weather year-round, thanks to terraces on each ground-floor unit and balconies on each second-floor unit.
The senior apartments are also close to medical centers, parks, shopping and dining and many of the services that seniors regularly need and enjoy.
Family members can rest easy and be confident, knowing their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are enjoying comfort and good company at Arboleda Senior Apartments
Construction on the Arboleda Senior Apartments is expected to be finished early this summer, and Pollack said residents will start moving in June of 2021.
“Rents range from $845 to $1,267 per month, which was partly funded by state and federal housing funds. The maximum allowable annual income is $47,340 for one person and $54,060 for a two-person household,” Pollack said.
The company already has started a pre-qualification process and is gathering basic information from people interested in making Arboleda Senior Apartments their home.
For more information contact WSH Management at ArboledaSeniorApts.com or by calling (626) 423-6995.
Dameron Communications won a Bronze Award in the Public Service Poster Division in the 2011 competition.
(Ontario, CA) How to submit and win ADDY awards is the topic of a presentation by an advertising executive on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-7pm at Westwood College in Upland. The event is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by the Inland Empire chapter of the American Advertising Federation
Mark Landon, owner of the Landon Agency in Ontario will present “Go for ADDY Gold: How to Win An Addy,” based on his extensive experience as chair of the American Advertising Awards at both the local and national level.
American Advertising Awards (ADDY’s) are given annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to recognize excellence in advertising throughout the Inland Empire, both for professional and student work. ADDY awards will be presented on March 13, 2015 at the ADDY Gala in Riverside.
For the past 17 years, Landon has been a member of the National American Advertising Awards Committee of the AAF and has chaired many local ADDY competitions, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and the Inland Empire (for over 10 years).
He served two terms as president of the AAF-Inland Empire, two terms as governor, District 15 and two terms as Western Region Chair. He also spent four years on the AAF National Board of Directors and two years on the AAF National Executive Committee.
“Mark is superbly qualified to lead this discussion,” said Su Pak, President of the AAF-IE. “He is a recognized expert on advertising and the ADDY competition. If you want to learn how to organize, enter, submit and win an ADDY, this is not to be missed.” She said that anyone involved in ADDY submissions at ad agencies, local cities or corporations should attend.
Since 1991, the Landon Agency has specialized in entertainment and lifestyle accounts. Landon has created advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns for record labels, professional sporting events, artists, bands, live theater, TV programs and special events.
Westwood College is located at 20 W. 7th St. in Upland, just north of the I-10 at Euclid. To learn more about the event or the AAF, visit http://aaf-inlandempire.com/
RBY Girls’ Softball is consistently one of the best programs in California. Young ladies from 4-18 learn to play ball and have a great time making new friends in RBY’s safe and well-organized program. Registration opens online October 31, with onsite dates set for Sunday, November 23 and Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 1pm at the Redlands Community Field, corner of Church and San Bernardino Avenue. For more details and more information, visit RBY.org
Players from age 4-18 can experience all the fun and excitement of playing ball in RBY’s safe and well-organized program. Registration opens online October 31, with onsite dates set for Sunday, November 23 and Saturday, December 6 from 10am to 1pm at the Redlands Community Field, corner of Church and San Bernardino Avenue. For more details and more information, visit RBY.org
(Redlands, CA) Just as the World Series is wrapping up another thrilling Major League season, the Redlands Baseball (and Softball) for Youth (RBY) Spring 2015 Season is taking shape and the kids will be creating their own excitement on the Community Fields before you know it.
“Since 1963 RBY have been providing a safe place for the youth of Redlands and surrounding communities to learn and play ball, develop teamwork and build self-confidence while making new friends,” Dan Carranza, president of Redlands Baseball for Youth.
The Redlands Baseball for Youth is a non-profit organization, governed and run solely by more than 300 volunteers. According to Carranza, RBY expects to provide quality baseball and softball program to more than 1,400 children during the 2015 spring season.
“Beginning at age 4, and progressing all the way through 18 years old, kids will enjoy all the fun and excitement of learning and playing ball in a safe and well-organized setting,” said Carranza.
RBY has historically been limited to students within the Redlands Unified School District (Redlands, Mentone and Highland) but now things are changing.
“After many requests from neighboring communities to participate in RBY’s well-respected program, this year all young people from all the surrounding communities including Loma Linda, Colton, Grand Terrace, etc.… can enjoy of all the fun, excitement and camaraderie of playing ball,” said Carranza.
“RBY is sanctioned by PONY Baseball and Softball, whose “Protect Our Nation’s Youth” message is put into practice by providing experiences in youth baseball and softball that will help young people grow into healthier and happier adults,” said Carranza.
Registration fees include a quality uniform jersey and cap, field preparation and maintenance, utilities, umpires and scorekeepers, insurance and other expenses – for a complete breakdown, visit RBY.org.
The Redlands Baseball for Youth online registration begins Friday, October 31 and can be easily accessed through RBY.org.
Early Bird registration fees, with the online discount, are $60 for Shetland 4-year-olds; $110 for Shetland ages 5-6; $120 for Pinto 7, Mustang, 7U/8U – 10U softball (ages 7-12); Bronco, Pony, softball 12U-14U $130 (ages 13-18).
On-site registration will take place at the Redlands Community Field (1535 Church Street, Church and San Bernardino Avenue), near the snack bar, on Sunday, November 23; Saturday, December 6 and 13, from 10am to 1pm.
Hard copy applications will be available at the registration event or can be accessed from RBY.org. Please be sure to bring a copy of each child’s birth certificate.
RBY provides opportunities for special needs children with our Xtreme Team.
Multiple child discounts are available. Families meeting certain requirements may apply for a limited number of scholarships or a payment plan. Information and requirements for all the aforementioned is available at RBY.org Scholarship and payment plans applicants must apply in person.
Families registering online, and before December 14, 2014, can save $20 per child on their registration.
RBY registration fees have been lower than other similar programs in the Inland Empire – this is made possible by revenues generated through the snack bar.
“Unfortunately, a grandfathered arrangement with the County Health Department requiring significant modifications to the cooking hood, plumbing and structure is expiring. Due to the extensive costs related to these alterations, registration fees are increasing a nominal amount, making registering early and taking advantage of the discount more important than ever,” said Carranza.
“We need additional support to help use serve our youth. Businesses and baseball-loving individuals interested in supporting this extremely worthwhile program and learning about the benefits provided to sponsors are encouraged to visit RBY.org for more information,” said Carranza.
The Spring 2015 Season will officially start with Opening Day Celebration on February 28. Along with several games and possibly a vendor fair, a brief presentation to parents and dignitaries will conclude with the Official First Pitch being thrown out with all teams taking the field at once.
Once the season starts, teams will play approximately 16 games. The tee-ballers always play on Saturday mornings starting at 9am, while everyone else plays Monday – Saturday. Weekday games start at 5pm with the last game starting no later than 7:30.
All parents interested in managing, coaching, volunteering or serving on the board must complete a background check. Information regarding the application and background processes will be available at onsite registrations and at RBY.org.
“The culture of Redlands Baseball (and Softball) for Youth is to create a fun learning environment while maintaining a healthy spirit of competition,” said Carranza.
For more information about RBY as a player, manager, coach, volunteer, board member or sponsor, please visit RBY.org.
LaSalle Medical Associates cure for Plantar Fasciitis , Inc Celebrates 30 years of medical service with the corporate management team. Left to right: Anna Canton, Human Resource Manager; Kristina Hlebo, Finance Assistant,;Carl Meier, executive vice president; Dr. Albert Arteaga CEO; Alexandra Acosta, Director of Finance and Lizette Noriega, Human Resource Assistant. Alexandra Acosta, Director of Finance and Lizette Noriega, Human Resource Assistant
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) In June of 1984, a young doctor and his wife, a nurse, opened a family medical practice called LaSalle Medical Associates in Fontana. Their goal: provide affordable health care, with dignity and respect, to all in the Inland Empire.
Three decades later, Dr. Albert and Maria Arteaga have gone far beyond making their goal a reality. They are now recognized as one of the leading health care providers in the Inland Empire, if not all of California.
“We have had some markers of success,” Dr. Arteaga says. “We went from two employees – my wife and I – to a fully staffed clinic. We opened more clinics. Then we started our own IPA (independent practice association) to keep up with new demands to make health care more and more efficient.”
“It has always been our goal to treat as many patients as we could while giving them the best health care possible,” he said.
Some, who have recognized LaSalle Medical Associates as a leader in health care, by giving them awards for their endeavors, include:
The federal Center for Disease Control, which recognized Dr. Arteaga as California’s first Childhood Immunization Champion. This award recognized his efforts in educating the parents of LaSalle’s pediatric patients, and the greater Inland Empire community, of the importance of childhood immunizations
The California Medical Association, which recognized Dr. Arteaga with its Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award, recognizing his contributions to improving health care in the Latino community
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Resolution Award for outstanding community efforts
The San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Merlin Hendrickson, M.D. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Dr. Arteaga was recognized for his efforts to provide health services to Inland Empire children.
Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga. The California Medical Association awarded Abert Arteaga the “Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award,” recognizing his contributions to medical care in the Latino community.
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), as Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ best health care provider, and for being one of the top enrollers in all of California in the state’s former Healthy Families program
The African American Health Initiative as a model provider in a two-year study of Black health care in San Bernardino County.
Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine, which recognized LaSalle Medical Associates as one of the top 15 Latino-owned businesses in the Inland Empire
Despite all this success, it hasn’t always been an easy path for the Arteagas.
“Life doesn’t always play out as you expect,” Dr. Arteaga said. “That is certainly true in my life as a health care provider. Good intentions require good management. Providing good management has been every bit as challenging as my years in medical school were more than three decades ago!”
One of the biggest changes in health care took place just this year. In 2014, Covered California part of the federal Affordable Health Care Act – which Dr. Arteaga has long been a champion of – came into being.
“Although Covered California does not yet mean everyone has insurance, it does mean that many patients who couldn’t afford health care before now can do so,” Dr. Arteaga said. “Health care is no longer an out-of-reach luxury for those who couldn’t afford insurance, but is a basic right for everyone
Dr. Arteaga has always thought that health care is a basic right, and has operated LaSalle Medical Associates as if that were the case.
Dr. Arteaga targeted his marketing to Latinos and low-income people who were underserved. Providing high quality medical services to underserved populations were crucial to the success of LaSalle Medical Associates. They later expanded from Fontana to San Bernardino and Hesperia. These communities have many low-income people in need of quality affordable medical services.
He also is Latino, so he easily related to his Latino patients in ways they appreciated. They told friends and family about LaSalle Medical Associates, which caused his popularity in the Inland Empire’s Latino culture to swell.
RN Maria and Dr. Albert Arteaga partners in healthcare and family Ce;berate 30 years of Making People Healthier in California.
Dr. Arteaga has always believed that his key to business success was finding a way to get paid for their services, instead of telling patients they had to figure that out on their own before seeing him. For most of LaSalle’s history, that business model meant LaSalle employees educated patients about their health care insurance options.
Most patients LaSalle saw over the years qualified for either Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. The latter, which like Medi-Cal was run by the state of California, offered low to moderate-income parents who didn’t qualify for Medi-Cal a subsidy for the health care of their children from birth to age 19.
Many uninsured families with children under 19 can get help through the Healthy Families program; help is also available to some children and adults through Medi-Cal. For those who don’t qualify for these programs, the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 provides additional options. Photo by: Albert Ateaga
Things have changed in the last two years. In 2013, California got a head start on the Affordable Care Act; they created Covered California and merged Healthy Families and Medi-Cal together.
In 2014, one of the key Covered California’s requirements is everyone must have health insurance or pay a penalty. This means, many patients applied and signed up for Covered California, Medi-Cal or other insurance first, and then choose or are assigned to LaSalle Medical Associates.
Consequently, rather than informing new patients of their insurance options, LaSalle Medical Associates employees now more likely are helping the patients understand how their health insurance system works.
Dr. Arteaga acknowledges the Covered California has brought changes some people will take a while to get accustomed to. One of these is a concept called managed care.
“The structure of the Covered California means many people, both those who had some other type of insurance and those who were uninsured, are now in managed care for the first time,” he said. Managed care is called this because it requires a doctor, such as one of the physicians in LaSalle Medical Associates, to coordinate patients’ health care services. These primary care doctors have a general, family or pediatric practice, and will treat patients for many of their symptoms, but will refer the patients to specialists when more expertise is needed.
Managed care has been around since the 1990s, Dr. Arteaga said, but it has become more popular. It’s usually more cost-efficient to have managed care, he explained, people choose to buy managed care for its lower premiums.
Medi-Cal has used managed care for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, LaSalle Medical Associates, since the beginning, has accepted Medi-Cal when many doctors would not, and now has a reputation among those familiar with Medi-Cal for providing quality services, no matter how payment is provided.
Even though there wasn’t “managed care,” as it now known when Dr. Arteaga started his practice, even back then he was in favor of patients developing close relationships with one family doctor.
“Thirty years ago I wanted to see all the patients, and manage their health care. That has not changed, but I have learned that in order to do so, a physician must take a leadership role. Otherwise, many patients will seek or demand services that are redundant or not needed.”
Dr. Arteaga sees the physician as an advocate for the patient, one who will make sure patients get the services they truly need. Sometimes, just as some patients will push for more health care than is necessary, some insurance companies will resist paying for what a doctor recommends, but that is not the intent of managed care.
“I want the patient, the doctor and the insurance company to develop a positive team, Dr. Arteaga said. “There may be opposition, but that should not stop any of us in trying to make quality health care succeed.”
Besides managed care and its great expansion through the Affordable Care Act, another large change in the health care industry over the last three decades has been more careful monitoring of expenses by insurance companies.
Now, it is better for a medical group like LaSalle Medical Associates to band with even more doctors, so they can take advantage of economies of scale, and provide health care more cost-efficiently.
This is why LaSalle Medical Associates formed an Independent Practice Association (IPA) in 1995, and has grown it to the point it now serves more than 600 medical clinics serving more than 170,000 patients each year in nine California counties.
LaSalle oversees administrative functions of all these medical clinics, although they are owned and manage their patients’ health care separately.
Another move to make health care more efficient, in many ways, is one that LaSalle Medical Associates only recently transitioned to. It now is keeping track of patients’ charts with electronic medical records, ridding itself of the wall full of patients’ medical records that once were a hallmark of many medical clinics.
“Electronic medical records make it easier to share patients’ records among a team of doctors who treat one patient, which results in better health care” Dr. Arteaga said. “It is also easier to keep patients’ records confidential this way.”
One other significant change over the last 30 years has been that most patients are more involved in their health care now than they were in 1984.
“They ask more questions now. Because of the Internet, and because people talk more about health care with their friends, patients now have more information. Not all of the information out there is correct, so this means a doctor helps the patient sort the good from the bad, and develop a treatment plan that works. This is another reason why the managed care approach is necessary.”
“As pediatricians, we strive for 100 percent immunizations of pediatric patients and, while that’s probably a utopian objective, our goal is to get as close as to that 100 percent as we can,’’ says Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. . “This CDC recognition is the fruit of two to three years of intense labor on part of me and staff.”
One thing Dr. Arteaga has learned during his three decades of medical practice is that change can be good. In fact, one thing he loves about being the CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates is that he gets to lead other health care professionals through the changes their industry faces.
“I love being collegial, and helping other doctors learn,” he said. “When they resist change, it is going to be more difficult for them. They should not expect to practice medicine as it was done 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago.”
On the first day, owner Dr. Albert Arteaga and his wife Maria then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant saw two patients at their clinic in Fontana. Today, LaSalle Medical Associates has grown to four clinics and 120 employees, and an Independent Practice Association (IPA) serving more than 1,900 doctors.
In the end is true LaSalle Medical Associates has spent Three Decades Making People Healthier.
For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to LaSalleMedical.com.
About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults, and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and they also accept IEHP, Molina, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Care 1st, and Health Net and Medicare by Easy Choice Health Plan, Molina and Care1st Health Plans. LaSalle’s clinics are located at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia and1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.
LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality patience care with more than 170,000 patient visits per year in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare Counties.
LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Banning Medical Group and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, Parkview Community Hospital, Kaiser Moreno Valley, Kaiser Fontana and Kaiser Riverside.
Dameron Communications creates newsletters for cities, counties, colleges, universities, shopping centers, developers, retailers, computer stores, doctors, medical clinics, Non-Profits, attorneys, schools ad more…
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA.) “Dameron Communicators, that’s what we call the newsletter designs,” says Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of the public relations/advertising firm Dameron Communications. “These newsletters boost awareness and business for all clients who come on board.”
“We won’t just design, write and produce printed editions,” adds Dameron, “we’ll also create a social network strategy, and post them on all the major industry websites, create an electronic version for distribution via email and to post on client Web sites.”
“Our clients will get the broadest possible exposure for their services, offerings and successes. Plus, what goes in the newsletters will also be sent to all media outlets in their service area. For Inland Empire clients that’s potential exposure to 4.2 million potential customers,” said Dameron.
“We now how to pull the good stories out of good businesses,” Dameron says, “we know how to tell it, and tell it to more people than ever before.”
Newsletters are designed, written or produced in full color, and are available in two-page, to 64-page formats up to 500,000 units.
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base in California. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.
Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
Dameron has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, The Press Enterprise, The Sun, The Daily Bulletin, The Orange County Register, The Daily News, The Daily Press and many more.
For more information call Carl Dameron at (909) 534-9500.
Carl M. Dameron Founder and Creative Director of Dameron Communications interviewed on KVCR.
Dameron Communications
Published On : 2/19/2014
By : Ken Vincent
From : KVCR
Categories : Local, Business
KVCR commemorates African-American history month by hearing about the history of trying to get nonprofit government and other small groups with small budgets to realize the importance of public relations. KVCR’s Ken Vincent talks with San Bernardino PR pro, Carl M. Dameron.
Listen to Podcast http://kvcr.org/News/Stories/2014/February/0219_Dameron_Communications
The LaGrant Foundation selected Carl M. Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications to host its first Inland Empire career development workshop for students interested in pursuing a career in advertising or public relations. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority cosponsors the workshop. Photo by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB
(San Bernardino, CA) Looking for a great speaker on advertising and public relations? Choose Carl Dameron, Creative Director of Dameron Communications. He is funny, direct and delivers actionable information you can put to work right away! Carl has more than 30 years of successful experience driving national and regional advertising and public relations.
Carl is available to speak on several advertising and public relations topics including:
Advertising – How to create Advertising that works from flyers to TV commercials and everything in between
Public Relations – How to get media coverage and increase the positive perception of your organization
Government Relations – How to get elected officials to listen and how to leverage their network
Community Relations – How get the community to support your goals and objectives
Last year the faculty and staff at the Loma Linda School of Allied Health Professions were happy to be able to help with the Giving Tree program. Together they donated more than 100 toys filling the wishes of children in Rialto, Highland, Grand Terrace, Colton, and San Bernardino. To the left of the presents is Debbie Becker and me Kathy Poss. To the right is Shirley Sing (kneeling) and Dana McCree. (photo by Loma Linda School of Allied Health)
The Salvation Army has helped the needy in San Bernardino since 1887
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calf.) It might seem like a very small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but when the local Salvation Army Corps (www.salvationarmyusa.org), local residents and several businesses join forces to make the holiday season memorable for needy children, it makes a huge difference in so many lives.
The Giving Tree, as a portion of this holiday program is known, revolves around actual Christmas trees, which are set up in local malls the day after Thanksgiving. Giving Tree volunteers match shoppers with the hundreds of children who are relying on The Salvation Army this year to bring them a Merry Christmas.
One of these trees is at Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino. It will help the San Bernardino Citadel Corps provide toys to perhaps hundreds of children in San Bernardino, Highland, Grand Terrace, Colton and Bloomington.
“You can support our Giving Tree by visiting our table in the Inland Center Mall from November 29th to December 24th,” said Major Daniel Henderson, Corps officer for the San Bernardino Salvation Army. “Just pick up a Giving Tree tag and buy a gift corresponding to the tag!
Last year, José Gonzalez was a first time volunteer with The Salvation Army, and chose to help the Giving Tree Program at the Inland Center Mall. “It feels good to be volunteering and collecting toys for kids this Christmas,” said Gonzalez. Gonzalez is also a graduate from The Salvation Army’s six month rehabilitation program, and will soon graduate from its Path To Prosperity transitional living program.
This 18 month program is one of a kind, and assists its participants in obtaining the skills they need to become self-supporting and financially independent after overcoming substance abuse. “The Salvation Army has helped me get my life together,” said Gonzalez.
Shoppers wishing to participate in the Giving Tree will find cards attached to the Giving Tree. These cards include the names and wish lists of needy children whose families cannot afford to buy gifts. Shoppers simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree and head for the appropriate store to purchase their gift donations. Shoppers keep the card as an ornament to hang on their own Christmas tree, reminding them of their good deed.
Larry Rangal, of Highland, donated two toys to the Giving Tree Program last year. Charity has been an ongoing tradition for Rangal since marrying his wife more than 20 years ago.
“This is one of our little quirks. Now that our kids are grown-up and out of the house, we thought we’d provide toys for other children,” said Rangal. “It makes you feel good too.”
Jill Grace, of Highland, was shopping with 3-year-old Allie Chavez when she noticed the Giving Tree and decided to donate two large bags with about 10 toys. “These children are not asking for much,” said Grace. “What child asks for Monopoly, especially nowadays.”
Grace became involved with The Salvation Army more than a decade ago, during the September 11th tragedy. “I have always been a giving person, and I thought to myself ‘how can I help’,” said Grace. By volunteering with The Salvation Army, Grace was able to provide that help. “Me and my husband helped The Salvation Army serve meals to the workers at Ground Zero,” said Grace.
“This is a great way to start a tradition with your own family, by selecting a gift for a needy child together. The gifts are based on their individual wishes and for some children, it may be the only gift they receive all year,” said Capt. Daniel Henderson of the San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army.
“Soccer balls, dolls and clothes are just a few items on each child’s wish list,” said Capt. Henderson. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list. I can’t think of a better way for business owners and managers to help the community and spread the spirit of Christmas.”
The Salvation Army is looking for other business owners and managers who would like to have a tree at their place of business for employees and/or customers.
To host a Giving Tree in San Bernardino, Colton, Grand Terrace, Rialto, Bloomington or Highland, call (909) 888-1336.
The Riverside Salvation Army has an Angel Program to collect toys for needy kids this Christmas. Toys are collected at The Riverside Salvation Army office located at 3695 1st St., Riverside, CA 92501. To make a donation please call (951) 784-4490, Ext. 100.
The Redlands Salvation Army has Angel Tree tags with the names and wish lists of needy children. Pick-up a tag at The Redlands Salvation Army located at 838 Alta St., Redlands, CA 92374. For more information call, (909) 792-6868.
The Moreno Valley Salvation Army collects toy donations through its Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree is located at the Moreno Valley Mall, 22500 Town Circle Suite 1206, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. Toys are collected until December 22nd, Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and all day on Saturday. For more information call (951) 653-9131.
The Victor Valley Salvation Army collects toy donations at its office located at 14585 La Paz Drive, Victorville, CA 92395. To make a donation please call (760) 245-2545.
The Ontario Salvation Army collects toys at its office located at 1412 South Euclid Ave., Ontario, CA 91762. To make a donation please call (909) 986-6748.
About The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, and also offering holistic programs for people of all ages. 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. The San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army serves Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
