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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—CORPSU CHRISTI, Texas (Feb. 14, 2019) — NHC Corpus Christi Sailors of the Quarter for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019. From left, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) David B. Butler, of Munford, Tennessee, Sailor of the Quarter; Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Raul M. Cervantes, of Yoakum, Texas, Senior Sailor of the Quarter; and Hospitalman Dominic Briones, of Apple Valley, California, Blue Jacket of the Quarter. Not pictured: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Alec Bushong, of San Antonio Detachment, Junior Sailor of the Quarter. (U.S. Navy photo/Bill W. Love)

by Alan Nunn, Recruit Training Command Public Affairs

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)– GREAT LAKES, Ill— Seaman Recruit Jasmine Recio, an Upland High School graduate and Upland, California, native, graduated as top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, Division 914, earning the Military Excellence Award on February 8.

Recio said she was honored to receive the MEA.

“I’ve been bestowed one of the greatest honors an RTC graduate can achieve, and having been compared against countless of other talented and motivated recruits in my training group, I consider it a blessing,” Recio said.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—ALEXANDRIA, VA— In celebration of its 25^th anniversary, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, has awarded a $25,000 “Silver Anniversary” grant to two Redlands-based agencies – Building Resilient Communities (BRC) and Redlands Area Interfaith Council (RAIC) – to help develop a new platform for emergency management.  

The two organizations will work together on the Emergency Preparedness and Response Collaborative project. For the project, the organizations will partner with the Redlands Emergency Management and Human Relations Commission to give different faith groups (Muslims, Catholics, Mormons, Christians, among others) the opportunity to work together. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide toolkits and train 45 volunteers from the various RAIC member agencies to become cultural liaisons who will work with first responders and establish an emotional and spiritual care team.

“Building Resilient Communities (BRC) was established to help community and faith-based organizations prepare for that inevitable moment when they are called upon to build, repair and restore their community,” said Debra J. Williams, president of Building Resilient Communities. “This project is a wonderful opportunity for the entire faith community to come together to learn and collaborate for a common cause.  The relationships built through this project will go far beyond preparing for a disaster.  Building Resilient Communities is proud to be a part of such an important endeavor and we truly thank Islamic Relief USA for recognizing the value of our project.”

“This Islamic Relief USA grant will allow Building Resilient Communities, Redlands Area Interfaith Council, the City of Redlands Emergency Management and other groups to collaborate on providing disaster preparedness and response services that incorporate and respect cultural and religious norms,” said Dr. Shaheen Zakaria, M.D., vice president of the Redlands Area Interfaith Council (RAIC) and a commissioner of the Redlands Human Relations Commission. “An intricate tapestry of individual values, norms and culture tie every community together. To understand their culture is to understand them. This will be a great way forward towards understanding and building bridges among various community groups in Redlands”.

The “Silver Anniversary Community Bridge-Building” program is an initiative designed to bridge the differences that frequently divide communities – such as religion, race, or political opinion. The grant announcement generated 175 formal inquiries from organizations working in 36 states and the territory of Puerto Rico. That response demonstrates that people all across America are interested in finding common bonds and are committed to a common mission for the sake of their communities. 

“The tremendous response from grassroots, community-based and national organizations shows that people who on the surface have little in common can come together to make the world a better place – a place where there’s more unity, more sensitivity, and an endless amount of potential and promise,” said Anne Wilson, director of programs for IRUSA.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SACRAMENTO, CA— Last month, Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the recipients of Prop 56 grants to reduce illegal sales of tobacco which included $798,795 for the Cities of Colton and Fontana in the 47^th Assembly District.  The Department of Justice’s Tobacco Grant funds will support programs to reduce illegal tobacco sales, particularly to minors. This announcement comes after Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) sent a letter of support for the cities’ grant application to the California Department of Justice.

 “I am so pleased that our cities are taking advantage of the resources available through the State of California,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “I continue to stay committed to doing my part in helping our community gain access to these funds.”

The Department of Justice’s Tobacco Grant Program is funded by Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. Proposition 56 raised the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with an equivalent increase on other tobacco products. Funded activities include retailer training programs, decoy operations, youth outreach and prevention programs, tobacco retail license inspections, training for sworn peace officers, the installation of vapor and smoke detectors, and more.

The Colton Police Department will hire a school resource officer to educate, promote and deter students from using tobacco products. In addition, the police department will also install signage and vape detectors in schools and conduct decoy stings at retail establishments. The Fontana Police Department will identify and target problematic retailers, conduct enforcement and post-enforcement operations, conduct officer and retailer education classes and conduct intensive youth outreach.

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Two kidney transplant recipients and their donors who were part of a paired kidney exchange in December met for the first time on Sunday, Jan. 20 — just weeks after their surgeries took place at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

These two families are forever united through the altruism of one Coachella valley man: Danny Morin. Morin was a match for his wife, Ana, and was slated to donate his kidney to her in early 2018. While this couple was a match, two brothers, Jesus Verduzco from Colton and Billy Verduzco, who was in the Marines stationed in Japan, were hoping for a match. Although Billy was willing to leave the Marines to donate to Jesus, their blood types were not compatible. The saving grace however was that Danny agreed to donate to Jesus instead of his wife who would in turn receive a kidney from Billy.

Michael E. De Vera, MD director of  Loma Linda University Transplant Institute, said it is because of connections like this that Loma Linda University Health really pushes for living donors.

“These unique and special circumstances really highlight the mission of Loma Linda University Health,” De Vera says. “This is an example of going above and beyond to save more lives and make people whole.”

After waiting six years for a new kidney, Marin is now dreaming about having her first child and traveling with her husband. 

Marin’s husband, Danny, said he is grateful he was able to save more than just his wife. He was able to save Jesus — a father, a husband and an entire family. “We are all now connected for life, and I am grateful to be a part of this amazing story,” he said.

Jesus had been on dialysis for two years until receiving his new kidney from Danny. He’s now ready to get back to work to support his family and watch his children grow up.

“The living kidney donor program gave me life — a second chance at life,” Jesus said. “I have no words because it is everything to me.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—LOMA LINDA, CA— — Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital received $47,774 from Spirit of Children on Thursday, January 24, supporting the Child Life program at the hospital. Scott Perryman, MBA, senior vice president and administrator of Children’s Hospital, thanked Spirit stores on behalf of the hospital.

“There’s such power in community partners,” Perryman said. “Spirit stores spread our story to countless people, and we are thankful the organization has chosen to support us with a cumulative total of nearly $400,000 in donations from the last eight years.”

Through the Child Life program, specially trained staff provide every level of support to patients and their families during hospitalization, including access to activity rooms, emotional and mental support, school reintegration programs, coping strategies, education on medical procedures and diagnoses, and more. These services are available seven days a week, 365 days a year at Children’s Hospital.

Spirit stores help empower this program by annually hosting a “Spirit of Children” fundraiser throughout the fall season. During this time, employees encourage Spirit store customers at all of their Southern California locations to donate funds both large and small in support of Children’s Hospital.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Eight San Bernardino County animal service agencies will come together to host free rabies vaccine and microchip clinics on Saturday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to noon.  One agency will offer a similar clinic on Wednesday, February 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.

As part of the ongoing effort to promote pet owner responsibility in all Southern California communities, participating agencies in SanBernardino County will offer free microchipping and rabies vaccinations for all dogs being licensed for the first time through the respective agencies or having their licenses renewed, in specific cases. Free vaccination and microchip services can also be obtained if the dog owner agrees to license their dog at the clinics. In specific locations, additional vaccines may be available for dogs at a minimal cost and dog owners are encouraged to call the respective agency if the owner should have any questions prior to arriving at the clinic.

The following agencies will hold their clinic on Saturday, February 9: Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA, Yucca Valley Animal Shelter,Rancho Cucamonga Animal Services, Redlands Animal Control, Barstow Humane Society, Hesperia Animal Services, Upland AnimalServices, and San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control.  The Town of Apple Valley Animal Services will hold their clinic onWednesday, February 6.

“This is a great opportunity and we are so excited to partner with other agencies to help dog owners all across San Bernardino County. Keeping pets healthy and with their owners is critical to our goals,” explained Bill Harford, President/CEO of the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA. 

This is collaborative effort of all agencies listed, to expand animal welfare services to pets and people in the largest county in the continental United States.    

For a listing of locations and additional information, please visit ivhsspca.org/sbclinic or contact the agencies listed above.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University School of Dentistry dental hygiene students will be providing free tooth cleanings and faculty dentists will provide free visual exams during the month of February. Both services are for children between the ages of five and 12  on the following Friday mornings: February 1, February 15, February 22 and March 8. Faculty dentists will provide this free service between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m..

A parent or guardian must accompany the child and bring a list of any medications the child may be taking.

The free cleanings will be provided in the dental hygiene clinic at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, 11092 Anderson Street, Loma Linda. 

 For appointments, parents can call the Dental Hygiene Clinic at 909-558-9417.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) — SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Pastors United are scheduled to meet with Fontana Pastors on Saturday, February 1, at 11 A.M. at Loveland Church. The purpose of the meeting is to invite all Fontana Pastors to establish Fontana Pastors United in the city of Fontana. 

The Fontana Pastors met on January 4th and 18th, they are community leaders, representing for organizations, overwhelming elected to move forward with SBPU protocols that were presented. However, it was determined to have a second meeting to have other churches, denominations, and community leaders to weigh in.

For the meeting on Saturday, they need all churches, pastors in the Fontana area to be a part of this process. Loveland Church is located at 17977 W Merrill Ave in the City of Fontana.

They hope to move forward to finalize the birthing process, determine lead organizations and committees, and determine another date to meet to implement engagement activities.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Let us continue to pray and cover one another. For more information, feel free to contact them at 909-353-7977.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- SEIU 2015, California’s long term care union representing 385,000 nursing home and home care workers, and the Agua Caliente Clippers partnered to host Caregiver Night on Saturday, January 19 when the Agua Caliente Clippers played the Stockton Kings at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

The event was the first time SEIU 2015 partnered with the Clippers Organization to bring attention to the important work that caregivers do.

Over 3,200 people attended Caregiver Night, including over 500 seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

There was also a jersey raffle the night of the game and all proceeds went to Sova Program Center in Ontario. Sova offers services such as utility and rental assistance to families and individuals in need.

“Californians are growing older and living longer and the support of home care workers, nursing home workers, and long term care programs is critical to ensure the well-being of our loved ones,” said Kim Evon, Executive Vice President of SEIU 2015. “This game was in honor of the vital role the over 26,000 caregivers in San Bernardino County play in our communities. It was honor to partner with the Agua Caliente Clippers to make this game happen.”