Poway Gives Back: A New 'Secret Service,' Therapeutic Riding & Teddy Bears

Poway is an amazing community when it comes to volunteering, and Councilman Steve Vaus has found a new way to tap into it.

For a while now, various local media outlets have been sending breaking news alerts by texting them directly to your phone. Steve reasoned that the same thing could be done to connect volunteers in Poway with things that need to be done, and the Poway Secret Service was born.

Why is it secret? There are no meetings, no dues, no rules, no fundraising and no glory. It's just local citizens getting it done.

Here's how it works. Poway residents who are willing to be volunteers can text the word “Poway” to 858-943-4495. That will generate a request for an application to be filled out to complete the registration.

Then, when Steve hears of a problem that needs solving, like trash cleanup along the side of a residential street or an abandoned tire in the road, he'll send a text alert to everyone registered. Those available to take care of the problem will text “mine” to the same number. When the project is completed they text “done”.

So far nearly 200 have registered. For more about the Poway Secret Service go to www.powaysecretservice.com.

You can also hear a presentation given by Steve on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at noon during the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps' regular lunch meeting at the Poway Brigantine restaurant, located in the Creekside Shopping Center on Poway Road. Lunch is $20.

Therapeutic Riding Center Needs Plants

The POVA Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501 (c)(3) providing equine-assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities. Therapeutic riding is not just for fun. It strengthens the bodies, minds and spirits of the disabled riders.

You can help support the Center's work this holiday season by purchasing poinsettias for $15 each at Countryside Barn, 14051 Midland, in Old Poway Village. The entire purchase price will go to POVA. In addition, there will be a gift tree for POVA located inside Countryside Barn.

Find out more about the POVA Therapeutic Riding Center at www.PoVaTRC.org.

Deputies Collecting Teddy Bears

Again this year, the Poway Sheriff's Station is joining the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for their annual Teddy Bear drive to make the life of a child being treated at Rady Children's Hospital a little brighter.

Between now and 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, you are encouraged to drop off a new teddy bear or stuffed animal, with tag still on, at the Poway Sheriff's station, 13100 Bowron Road. They will be picked up the next day and distributed to the children at Rady.