Poway Gives Back: Red Shoes, Grad Nite & Free Shredding

By Bill Stoudenmire

RED SHOE DAY IS BACK

It's the annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, and they need your help on the morning of June 27 to man intersections in Poway. You get to dress festively and carry the red shoes to collect cash donations during the morning commute for families with a critically ill or injured child being treated at local hospitals.

Businesses, families, groups and individuals can form teams or join existing teams to participate in one of the most energetic fundraisers in the county. More than 12,500 family members visit Ronald McDonald House each year to receive meals, lodging and other supportive services. The respite enables these families to focus their energy on helping their sick or injured child heal. If you can't volunteer at an intersection, give support by donating on June 27 or by creating a personal fundraising page to collect on-line donations from friends and family. Visit RMHCSD.org/RedShoeDay to register as a volunteer or set up the fundraising page.

PHS GRAD NIGHT OPEN HOUSE

The 2013 Poway High School Grad Nite committee has been working diligently on the upcoming “Let the Good Times Roll” themed all-night, alcohol and drug-free Grad Nite event, which is this Thursday, June 13. It's designed to keep students safe and off the roads on graduation night when many tragic accidents too often occur. Now, the Grad Nite committee is proud to show off its work to the senior and underclassman families, the many supporters and sponsors and the general public.

Grad Nite Open House is this Wednesday evening, June 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Get a preview of what this year's graduates will experience. To get more information, contact either of the Grad Nite co-chairs. They are Kristine Smithers and Laura Blair Johnson. You can reach them at phsgradnite2013@gmail.com.

FREE SHREDDING

It's amazing how much paper you can collect over time and sitting at your home shredder on trash day takes time you don't have. Pomerado Hospital is giving back with a free shredding event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Friday, June 14, near the main entrance. Bring up to three boxes of papers to be shredded. No plastic bags or metal clips. Staple are OK. See you there.

RELAY FOR LIFE

The annual 24-hour American Cancer Society fundraiser is Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18 in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Teams will camp out around the track and team members will take turns walking in the event. Food, games and family-friendly activities will entertain. Since it is a team activity, individual members are not required to stay the entire time.

The relay starts with an inspirational opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on Aug. 17 and a survivor’s lap. Teams will have at least one member walking the path throughout the day. At 9 p.m. there will be a luminaria ceremony to honor and remember those lost to cancer, to support those fighting the disease and honor the survivors. The event concludes on Sunday morning with a fight back ceremony at 8 a.m.

If you want to learn more about Relay for Life, attend a rally Tuesday night, June 11, 6 p.m. at the Rancho Bernardo library, 17110 Bernardo Center Dr. It’s open to teams already signed up and to those interested in participating. The Relay registration fee is $10, but all are encouraged to raise at least $100 through donations and that will get you a t-shirt. The website is relayforlife.org/ranchobernardoca.