Celebrating the Season of Giving in Poway

POWAY TITANS TOGETHER SETS A DATE

Mark your calendar. The Poway High School Foundation has announced their “Poway Titans Together” dinner and auction for the new year will be held Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo from 4:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m.

With a goal of raising $15,000 and overcoming state budget cuts that will put Poway High Student Services in jeopardy, corporate sponsors, parents, alumni, friends, community members and volunteers are expected to come together and support the program. The Foundation says that 100% of the money raised will benefit student peer counseling, conflict mediation, parent education for underage drinking and counseling referrals and more. Make a gift or become a sponsor here.

GIVE BACK TO SUPPORT PUSD

With it unclear how tax deductions for charitable donations will be treated in 2013 and beyond, your tax deductible donation to the PUSD Foundation now to the end of December can brighten the future of Poway Unified students. Increase your giving power! Many organizations will match individual contributions. You can find out if your employer has a matching gift program by clicking the link on the Foundation's “make a donation” page or check with your HR department.

HOLIDAYS WITH HEROES

Fifty-seven local, underprivileged students went holiday shopping at Walmart escorted by one or two Marines, sailors, police officers or fire fighters per child on Dec. 7. It was the third annual Holidays With Heroes event, put on by Summit For Children Worldwide and the Kiwanis Club of Poway.

Each student got a $100 gift card to spend. Heroes took them through Walmart in Poway, helping them select presents for their family members. Then, the kids wrapped their gifts, visited with Santa, worked on arts and crafts projects and enjoyed a hamburger dinner. Summit For Children Executive Director Patti Ryder, who is also a Poway Kiwanian, created the 501(c)(3) in 2009 to benefit children in poverty and neglect.

HERE WE COME A-CAROLING

For its final meeting of the year, the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps enjoyed the annual visit from Poway High's Woman's Ensemble, which the club supports, under the direction of Choral Director Nancy Gray. The Men's Senior Quartet was also on hand singing holiday favorites.

Poway-Scripps Rotary also recently delivered donations from the club's members to Dingeman Elementary in Scripps Ranch for their toy drive in support of Becky's Gift. The gifts were distributed to Medical and Surgical Oncology Associates of San Diego and UCSD Moores Cancer Center. Becky's Gift was created by Scripps Ranch parents Becky Walton and Christie Jackson in 2010 to provide Christmas gifts to children of cancer patients so the parents could focus on their treatment and on getting well. 

25 YEARS OF GIVING BACK

Warm wishes to Abraxas High School's “mom on campus” Cathy Kosich, as she announces her retirement from the PUSD after 25 years. Since joining the district in 1988, Cathy has pioneered numerous programs, beginning with the Primary Interaction Program at Midland Elementary, which helps middle-of-the-road students build confidence to succeed. She's served at Black Mountain Middle as well as education specialist at Abraxas. Cathy was honored with a certificate of recognition from the City of Poway, delivered by council members Jim Cunningham and Dave Grosch. Her energy will be missed.