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2010 Grants Announced |
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At a celebration hosted by the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, the 2010 AFIG grants recipients were honored. AFIG has awarded nearly $300,000 since its inception in 2008.
 | | 2010 Grantees |
American Red Cross San Diego-- The Red Cross around-the-clock, around-the-world emergency communication network is available to the men and women of all branches of our armed forces, including guards and reservists, veterans, and their families during times of personal emergencies. www.sdarc.org
Cal State San Marcos--The Veterans Center for Excellence will offer a single point of contact where student veterans will have access to services such as peer mentoring and information on VA benefits to social, educational and cultural programming throughout the academic year. www.csusm.edu/outreach/VeteransServices/
Camp Pendleton ASYMCA--Secret SANTA (Support And Nurture Those Americans Who Serve) serves the youngest enlisted families by providing Exchange gift cards and Commissary gift cards so the family can purchase gifts for their children and enjoy a holiday meal. About 180 families are served by this program. www.camppendletonasymca.org
Military Outreach Ministry (MOM)--1st Baby Program provides first time junior enlisted parents with a Baby Care Package of infant necessities. www.mom4usa.org
USO San Diego--Telephone communications are a critical component of USO San Diego's patron services. The old and outdated system will be replaced with a modern phone system that will enable visiting service members and military family members to call their loved ones or unit while traveling or visiting both USO San Diego centers. www.usosandiego.org
San Diego ASYMCA- Super Parent Holiday Shopping provides junior enlisted military families the opportunity for military parents to 'shop' for gifts and choose two new toys for each of their children.
www.militaryymca.org
Care Packages From Home-Packs and sends 50 care packages each week that contain food items, clothing, and hygiene items to United States servicemen and women overseas, and 500 care packages for Christmas. www.carepackagesfromhome.org
United Through Reading- Helps deployed parents stay connected with their children by reading stories on DVD, even though they are oceans and deserts apart. www.unitedthroughreading.org
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Hold At All Costs |
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The conclusion of the Korean War was 60 years ago, and yet more than 350 people attended a showing of the film HOLD AT ALL COSTS, a Bob Baker produced film by Producer and Director Glenn Palmedo-Smith on October 7, 2010. Actual footage combined with on screen interviews by men who were at Outpost Harry, an Army nurse, and interviews with Koreans, Chinese and Greeks, created a profound and vibrant re-enactment of one of the last battles of the war.
The Armed Forces Interest Group (AFIG), an initiative of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, hosted the event, in honor of Bob Baker and all of those in uniform who have served our country. In the audience there were many veterans of WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and even from Iraq and Afghanistan. The evening began with a color guard and music by the Navy Band - Region Southwest.
One veteran wrote the next day, "I had never told my wife or family about my Korean War experience. After viewing the film, I was up all night re-living the war with my wife for the first time. Thank you for showing this film which has now lifted a burden from my mind." |
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USO - A Visit by CEO Sloan Gibson |
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The USO is commonly known as the organization that took Bob Hope and his entertainers on tours to military bases around the world during WWII and the Korean War. But today's USO has a mission that is far more extensive than just that.
Sloan Gibson, President and CEO of the USO, was in Rancho Santa Fe on November 13th for a small luncheon with members of AFIG. Those present were privileged to see a video from Iraq by Brig. Gen. Buchanan. His pre-recorded remarks focused on how U.S. forces are working on stability operations in Iraq through Operation New Dawn. This operation supports the civilian population in particular and reflects the reduction of troops in Iraq since the beginning of the year.
Gibson shared information about their campaign Operation Enduring Care, a $100,000,000 initiative to help those who have sacrificed so much ... "A move from the battlefield to a full and productive life."
AFIG has been a committed supporter of USO San Diego for three years, granting $30,000 to the Downtown Center and the Neil Ash Airport Center. |
