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SAN BERNARDINO, CA-   During this Christmas Season, the Knights of the Beautillion and their court attended and participated along with Amina Carter in the Kwanzaa Event at the San Bernardino Valley College.

Among their community service activity, the Beautillion Knights and their court: the Squires, Fair maiden, and Pages participated in assembling Christmas bikes, and Tricycles for the Christmas Bikes Give Away Event that was held at the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club.

The Social Lites, Inc. of the Inland Empire Beautillion Program is celebrating its 50^th year in the community.  For more information, go to www.sociallitesinc.com or contact Lisa Blacksher, Beautillion Chairperson at lisasocialites@gmail.com or Bettye Brewster, President at (951) 204-0022 or bettyebrewster@yahoo.com

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- More than 500 children showed up to receive toys during the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino’s (BGCSB) Annual Toy Giveaway on December 23, 2016.

Each year, BGCSB toy drive collects hundreds of toys with the help of local businesses and the community. This year’s contributors were Vanguardia Event Co., 7eleven, Kuehne+Nagel, Rotary International and Westside Action Group.  

Children from ages 5 to 17 received bikes, games, basketball courts and an assortment of other toys. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On January 16, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Second Baptist Church, 420 E. Stuart Avenue in Redlands, will be hosting its 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Camp. The theme is year is, “All Generations Matter.

If you ever needed to remember the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is now in our nation! Register your K-12 youth for this event which is FREE! In order to get the free t-shirts for that day, they must pre-register by January 5th. This event will be life changing and will build hope and character in our children and youth.

To local businesses and community organizations, they are asking you to help them sponsor children and youth with donations toward t-shirts (5.00 per youth) and with food for the cook-out. You may contact Margaret Green at (909) 557-7142 to provide donations for this important event.

?For more information call (909) 793-1074 or email jackiegreenvanguard@yahoo.com.

Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, (right) with Lynn Klinenberg Linkin. Burnes Bolton, vice president for Nursing, chief nursing officer and director of nursing research, has been named Cedars-Sinai’s first James R. Klinenberg, MD, and Lynn Klinenberg Linkin Chair in Nursing. Her work has impacted healthcare policy, clinical practice and patient care across the nation while elevating the role and enhancing the professional training of nurses.

LOMA LINDA, CA- In recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments in nursing leadership, innovation and clinical practice throughout her 45-year career, Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN, has been named Cedars-Sinai’s first James R. Klinenberg, MD and Lynn Klinenberg Linkin Chair in Nursing.

?Burnes Bolton currently serves as health system chief nursing executive, vice president for Nursing, chief nursing officer and director of Nursing Research at Cedars-Sinai. Her work has impacted healthcare policy, clinical practice and patient care across the nation while elevating the role and enhancing the professional training of nurses.

“There are very few professionals who have a sure grasp of policy and practice, who navigate Washington, D.C., Sacramento, board rooms, classrooms, laboratories, patient care units and community clinics with equal assurance,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “Her devotion to patients, and the staff that care for them, is unwavering.”

In addition to her responsibilities at Cedars-Sinai, Burnes Bolton has served as president of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and the National Black Nurses Association. She also was vice chair of the Institute of Medicine Commission on the Future of Nursing, as well as chair of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation committee on Transforming Care at the Bedside.

During a dedication ceremony, Burnes Bolton expressed gratitude to the Klinenberg and Linkin families, as well as, her fellow nurses.

?”This chair is much bigger than me. It is about nursing as an enduring and vibrant profession and about our responsibility to everyone who trusts us with their lives,” Burnes Bolton said.
?”It emphasizes our commitment to delivering effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive care to each patient who comes to us.”

The James R. Klinenberg, MD and Lynn Klinenberg Linkin Chair in Nursing is named for the late Dr. Klinenberg, who held various leadership roles at Cedars-Sinai during his 30-year career, and for his wife, Lynn Klinenberg Linkin, a public relations professional with a deep commitment to community and philanthropy.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Students, faculty, and staff from 31 different departments and organizations at Cal State San Bernardino came together to contribute to the 5th Annual Holiday PSA Food Drive benefiting The DEN Food Pantry, providing emergency nourishment to students in need.

?The food drive campaign ran from Nov. 18-30, 2016 and generated more than 3,800 individual items weighing in at 1,814 pounds.

Bryant Fairley, the associate director for the Office of Student Engagement, which oversees the DEN, was overwhelmed with the campus involvement and the outcome of the campaign.

“The students seem to face more challenges now than they have in the past and the food comes at a perfect time. The campus community has become more involved this year in helping these students with the challenges they face and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Fairley.

The campaign was coordinated by students in the 243 Strategic Communication class in the communication studies department, with help from Coyote Advertising, Coyote Radio, and The DEN. As an incentive to participate, CSUSB departments were offered a sponsored public service announcement on Coyote Radio in exchange for donating at least 50 nonperishable food and hygienic items.

“I’m very proud of students in the Comm 243D course who went above and beyond to make this campaign a success. Also, I’m humbled by the generosity shown by our campus this year, more than tripling the amount of donations in 2015,” said Jacob Poore, instructor of the class, and manager at Coyote Advertising.

Students were thrilled to see the overall support and engagement the campus community showed throughout the campaign.

“With all donations benefiting The DEN, we hope to extend a hand of friendship to all CSUSB students needing extra help this holiday season. The class hopes to have touched the lives of the students and families that the donations will reach this holiday season and are excited to see what the campaign will bring in its sixth annual year,” said Kimberly Orozco, Two43 class student.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, call (909) 537-5007 and visit http://news.csusb.edu.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Young Women Empowerment Foundation will host their second annual Scholarship Fundraiser at the Shandlin Hills Golf Club, 3380 Little Mountain Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92405, on Friday, January 6 from 8 a.m, to 12 a.m. YWE invites family, friends, and community supporters to this augural event that focuses on raising funds to help deserving students financially as they prepare to go to college. YWE suggest a pre-sale donation of $30.

This year’s fashion show theme is “Classic” and the designer wear will reflect that idea. The soiree will feature Inland Empire’s very own “The Fellas and Ladies 1st” as well as special guest appearances. The event will be hosted by Pastor Sam and Tamika Casey. What better way to start your new year by giving back and having fun at the same time. There will also be light refreshments, appetizers, entertainment, and opportunity drawings.

Before the main event there will be a pre-VIP Happy Hour hosted by the Black Chamber of Commerce- Inland Empire. Join us and meet the designers and local business leaders. Additionally, there will be a special guest book signing by Dr. Margaret Hill. Come for the networking opportunity and stay and enjoy an evening of high fashion, dancing and social interaction.

Topson Down is the special guest designer of the evening. They provide a wide variety of top of the line clothing for the models to strut their stuff down the cat walk. Topson Down has a fantastic online boutique, Sheek, which carries anything a customer desires. The Sheek Boutique is an online boutique that provides women with trendy styles and comfortable clothing at an amazing price. The Sheek Boutique customers are real women of all shapes and sizes. They love to build relationships with women to help them with their wardrobe and encourage them to be confident in who she is and what she wears.

Step N’ Style Fashion Show Soiree event sponsors include: Black Voice Foundation, The Bigger Picture Photography, The FELLAS, Ladies 1st, Young Visionaries, LUE Productions, OFU Productions, Kimmie’s Cakes. Topson Down and The Sheek Boutique.

Please join us and encourage and invite family and friends to register and attend this noteworthy opportunity focused on helping deserving students excel and enjoy a unique, and memorable fashion show like no other. Tickets are limited, be the first and sign up today.

Tickets available at www.youngwomenempowerment.org or for more information contact ywefoundation@gmail.com or call 909-965-0810.

RIALTO, CA – The National Council of Negro Women’s Inland Empire Section’s 1st Annual Diaper Drive sparked Sam’s Club’s generosity as local stores donated 2,000 diapers and giveaways to help victims of domestic violence.

A few months ago the NCNW I.E. Section reached out to its long-time community service partner, Option House that provides shelter and assistance to victims of domestic violence. Wanting to do more than provide ongoing financial support, NCNW leadership asked Option House what more can they do to help.

“They told us how badly they needed diapers for the babies and toddlers staying with their mothers,” explained NCNW I.E. Section Member Gerri Foxall-Kater. “Diapers and other toiletries may seem like a basic need, but for the women dealing with such traumatic situations and still trying to care for their children with little or no resources, well we understood how important filling this need would be.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Sam’s Clubs of Ontario and Riverside the NCNW I.E. Section’s 1st Annual Diaper Drive was a huge success. The Sam’s Club of Riverside donated 2,000 diapers and the Ontario store provided emergency snack bag giveaways each with a back-up diaper for families on the go. On Saturday, December 10, the day of the drive, Sam’s Club also participated. Alex Garcia, marketing coordinator from the Ontario Sam’s Club was at the Bethune Center in downtown Rialto greeting residents, handing out giveaway bags, and thanking each new Sam’s Club member who signed-up that day with $20 a gift card.

“We are honored to be part of this event,” said Garcia. “Sam’s Club understands how important is it to give back, especially through this opportunity to help women and children who are displaced from their homes due to domestic violence and other hardships. We are glad that our donation will help Option House and others.”

“We at Sam’s Club looks forward to continuing our partnership with the NCNW,” he added.

Thanks to all the donations received NCNW’s first annual drive collected nearly 3,000 diapers, along with baby wipes and feminine hygiene products for Option House residents and other homeless women and children.

To learn more about the local NCNW’s activities, meetings, and events visit us on Facebook at NCNW Inland Empire Section@NCNWIESection or Instagram and Twitter @NCNW_IESection.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On last Tuesday, December 13, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) unanimously approved the material revision for the PAL Center and PAL Charter Academy to expand their grade levels to middle school.  Since taking the helm in 2014, CEO Dwaine Radden, Sr., continues to execute, and exceed expectations by making Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry’s vision a reality; shaping a school environment conducive to learning, and meeting students’ needs. 

Under the leadership of founder, Dr. Henry, the PAL Charter Academy became the first Charter in San Bernardino County in 2000 and is still “growing” strong. PAL Charter Academy will now serve 6^th through 8^th grade students in the upcoming 2017 – 2018 school year.  And it is with great excitement that the PAL legacy will forge on for generations to come. “Go Bulls!”

The Way World Outreach held its 12th annual Christmas present giveaway at its Hallmark campus on Sunday evening, where over 2,000 youth received a gift of their choosing. Pictured is The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala with Jovonn Taylor, 9. (Photo credit MJ Duncan)

By MJ Duncan

“Sometimes on Christmas morning we get nothing, and then I go into my room and cry,” 11-year-old Polo Dominguez told The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala.

This year Polo and his 10 siblings, along with over 2,000 other children up to age 13, are guaranteed at least one present. The Way held its 12^th annual Christmas present giveaway at its campus in the north end of San Bernardino on Sunday evening that included service and snacks for inner-city children and their families.

For those without transportation four shuttles were transported residents from the downtown campus on Arrowhead and 10^th Street to Hallmark Pkwy. Gifts were organized by age that included skateboards, scooters, action figures, watches, basketballs, boxing sets, dolls, Doc McStuffins, Play-Doh, and much more. Children were escorted ten at a time by two volunteers to pick their present.

“We changed the format this year from handing out wrapped gifts to letting kids pick what they want so they wouldn’t be disappointed to open a present they really didn’t like,” Zavala explained.

Pastor Marco Garcia, Associate Pastor Robert Cuencas, church staff and volunteers shopped for over 3,500 toys at various warehouses in Los Angeles last Thursday; funding came strictly from donations.

“There are so many toys to choose from,” an excited and thrilled Joe Sedono, 8, gushed. “I’ve always wanted a scooter!”

According to Zavala on Christmas Day there will be plenty of toys to give out at the downtown campus for those who were not able to make it to the event.

“We made sure to purchase enough for the community so that no one would be left out this Christmas,” Zavala said. “The way the children’s eyes light up and to witness the joy on their faces is absolutely amazing and so heartwarming.”

Parents and guardians had the opportunity to sit in service with Pastor Cuencas while their little ones enjoyed Christmas messages, activities and snacks.

“This event is so overwhelming, it brings so much joy to be able to give back to the community,” said Pastor Cuencas. “There is nothing more rewarding that to be there for people when they need it the most, and to have a positive impact on them by offering presents during the Christmas season, hope and God’s love.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Christmas is a season of giving; however, no Christmas holiday would be complete without…you guessed it, the jolly old Christmas tree.  On Thursday, December 15, the PAL Charter Academy High School held their 6th Annual Christmas Tree contest.  Students were invited to write essays on “If I Only Had One Wish for Christmas.”

PAL Center CEO, Dwaine Radden Sr. said, “The students’ essays were incredible and heartfelt, you could hear a pin drop.”

He continues, “Their words penetrated to the depths of my core and stirred my spirit.”  

Judged by PAL Staff and Board members, the top three essays received a Christmas tree and gift card.  Thanks to the generous donation of Christmas trees by Northwestern Christmas Trees, who have partnered with the PAL Center for this contest for the past 6 years, the winner Jasmine Moreno, and the runner ups, Kenyatta Deshazior, and Louie Gonzalez went home with a special gift to share with the whole family. Congratulations to all the winners!

Northwestern Christmas Trees is located at 1955 S. Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino.