• Local Charity Comes Through on Thanksgiving

Here is an encouraging story for Thanksgiving weekend, of local charitable works in action... as told to me (through email) by VFW Post 1508's very own Cari Gardner. 

My name is Cari Gardner and I am the President of the VFW Auxiliary in Wildomar. I just wanted to send out a BIG Thank You to Albertsons in Wildomar on Clinton Keith. 

Cari was honored earlier this year by the MWCoC as Wilomar Citizen of the Year.

You may know about the charitable event they do for the community each year they pick a non-profit to receive what they call Turkey Bucks which essentially equals to Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. 

This year we were lucky enough to receive those dinners in the amount of OVER $8000 in dinners. 

The dinners were donated to Caring Hearts for Veterans and Community, which is a non-profit that is one of the committees in our Post at VFW Post 1508. 

Here are a few pictures that were taken of us picking up the dinners and a picture of us taking some of them to March Air Reserve Base.  

Pictured below is VFW Commander Roger Miller, VFW Life Members Curtis Gardner and Mike Sheehan, and Life member of the Auxiliary Al Castorena. 

 

Also, pictured is Albertsons Store Manager and the Front end Manager. Pictures taken by Isabella Schieffer, President of Caring Hearts for Veterans and Community.

https://www.facebook.com/VFWpost1508

 

#wildomarVFW

• Mayor's Prayer Breakfast 2018

The third annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast had most of the seats taken up, and was hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Swanson at the City Council Chambers. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Marsha Swanson addresses the audience.

No need to worry if you're concerned about taxpayer money being used for this event, it wasn't. The costs were covered by the sponsors: Caring Hearts and CR&R.

One of the things available for attendees. There were also bookmarks, pens and stickers.

Those that attended began arriving around 6:30am, and helped themselves to coffee, donuts, fruit and chocolate milk.

Henry Silvestre of GoNutz Donuts made these special donuts for the occasion.

Eight members of Caring Hearts attended... if you're only counting seven, that's because number eight is holding the camera. ☺

The program started with Councilmember Bridgette Moore inviting the people to their seats, then an opening prayer by Pastor Tyler Moore of Cornerstone Church, followed by the National Anthem sung by sisters Samantha and Toni Aguiar.

The entire audience sang along.

Steve Regalado, Post Commander of the VFW in Wildomar then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The rest of the program was filled with short messages from five local churches mixed in with two songs. I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

Pastor Wink Davis of Gracepoint Church of the Nazarene spoke first.

President Robert Wilson of the LDS church spoke next.

Sandy Thomas and Robert Garza played guitar and sang two songs. The first was called "When We Pray" and the second was an original composition by Sandy called "Make Us One".

Father James Francis Oropel of St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church.

Pastor Steve Price of Calvary Chapel Bear Creek.

Pastor Willie Oliver of Grace and Truth Worship Ministry.

Pastor Willie Oliver was tasked with the closing prayer. He started off with a brief testimony about the power of prayer and then summarized the morning from some notes he'd been taking: 

I want to say thank you Pastor Davis as [you] talked about unity through teamwork and and about "listening to the guide"; then President Wilson talked about prayer aligns us with the will of God; Sandy and Robert sang "When We Pray"; then Father James talked about working together through the bond unity; then the beautiful song [written by Sandy] called Make Us One; then Pastor Price talked about real unity coming from supernatural change. 

That was just so fitting to close this out, because when you look around you see various denominations that probably, normally, wouldn't come together. You see nationalities and different races that come together. And even though we may be praying for the government, unity starts with us and if we can come together, then it spreads abroad. It doesn't spread abroad and [then] come down. 

—Pastor Willie Oliver

He asked all to gather, form a circle and hold hands, to demonstrate unity, as he led the group in prayer.

One side of the room was joined with the other side (see photo below).

Add caption

The part that struck me the most was where Father James talked about the bonds of peace, and how around the world many people are not united for peace, they're united for destruction. Where in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "blessed are peacemakers".

"That tells us that peace is work, it's hard work". He then made a distinction between peacemakers and those that are peaceful. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, He didn't say 'blessed are those that are peaceful'.  Peace is earned. Peace is an effort.

—Father James Francis Oropel

In our nation we have red, and blue that represent the two major political parties. Sometimes the news talks about some states being "purple" if they are evenly mixed. I'd like to remind people of the third color in our nation's flag: white. That should represent those of us that aren't part of EITHER party, and can see some pros and some cons in both groups. People don't have to be devout to be part of the unity equation. 

I heard a suggestion that next year's observance of The National Day of Prayer may end up being an evening event. If you have an opinion on it, let's hear what you have to say.

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There is a Smile of Love. And there is a Smile of Deceit. And there is a Smile of Smiles. In which these two Smiles meet.
– William Blake 

Wildomar Rap suggests cutting out the middle man and just roll your eyes instead.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Wildomar Rallies Around Young Isabella

What happens when a seven year old girl with hearing difficulties needs new hearing aids, that are way outside the family budget, and insurance doesn't cover them?

If she's from Wildomar, the community steps in to help.

Seven year old Isabella speaking with Bridgette Moore in front of the group.

Young Isabella is in the after school program called THINK Together at Wildomar Elementary School. April Watkins is the coordinator of the program and also the head of the EarlyAct Club at the school. It's the elementary version of Rotary. 

When the student leaders of EarlyAct heard about the needs of Isabella, they went into action. Planning a fundraiser, which was a dinner at the school. That event raised, about $860... but was still well short of the $2600 necessary to get the new hearing aids.

That was anticipated, and another fundraiser was already in the works. A dinner at the VFW. 

The meal was bacon wrapped pork, and the meat was donated by Barons, it was cooked to perfection by the Caring Hearts team lead by Ina Schieffer, Cari Gardner and Tim Underdown.

Jamie also uses hearing aids.

Isabella's mom, Jamie, spoke for a few moments, and began with a heartfelt thanks for all those that took an interest in her daughter's situation, and helped. 

She then shared the good news that the doctor bumped Isabella's new hearing aids to the next level, about a $1000 difference. So, instead of hearing aids that cost roughly $2600, she now has the model that usually runs around $3700. 

The best part was the story of when Isabella first heard the world through her new hearing aids. After putting them on, her face lit up, and looked at her mother —with wide eyes— and said, "Mom, I can hear you... really, really good!"

Martin Haeberle, the incoming president of the Wildomar Rotary Club, also a wearer of hearing aids, thanked the attendees for coming and sponsoring the event. Then looked at Isabella and said, 

"You inspired our club. This is not going to be the last time we do this (help a young person with hearing aids). We have decided, as a club, [that] we don't want youth to be without hearing aids in our schools. It helps us learn, it helps with everything. We are now committed to making sure that nobody goes without [hearing aids] in our Lake Elsinore School District."

There is another fundraiser associated with this cause. The location will be at David A Brown middle school, and it'll be a "movie night" on Thursday April 27th, starting at 3:00pm. Cost is $3 to get in, and then there will also be refreshments available too. All are invited to attend.

As people were finishing their desserts of ice cream, strawberries and drizzled chocolate, there was one last part of the program.

Elsinore High School grad, class of 2005, Amy Martinez was the motivational speaker for the evening. She has a story all her own. 

It came on suddenly one routine morning in early 2015, and before she knew it she was in the hospital, and about six months after that she became a quadruple amputee. Her extremities lost to sepsis. 

Her story is much more than that brief sentence, so if you have a chance to hear her speak, be sure to do it.

What a terrific community we live in. It's right there... right outside your door. Don't be shy, come on out and experience a bit of it yourself. In fact, next Saturday morning come on out to Marna O'Brien park to get a feel of it.

There will be a 5K run-walk bringing attention to water safety. 

There will be plenty of things to do, even for non runners. Take a look at the video promotion that THINK Together helped make, and you'll be sure to put this on your calendar. ☺

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There is always some good in a situation, if you focus on that, then you're sure to have a happier life. Just see the joy in things.

– Amy Martinez

Wildomar Rap has always believed it's key to rejoice in your portion.

• Local Charity Receives Recognition From State Representative

Caring Hearts for Community & Veterans Receive Recognition From Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez

Below is a video of the Power to the People award presentation to Tim Underdown and  Isabella "Ina" Schieffer, for the nonprofit group's work assisting over 50 families with their Christmas Basket program. 

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A closeup look at the award.

While I was at the Assemblywoman's Community Coffee I checked something off my to-do list. 

In a previous blog covering a similar community event (link to the blog) I was asked about a quote I attributed to the Assemblywoman. (It was a hearty back and forth with John Garret, which can be viewed at the bottom of the blog mentioned).

She introduced a bill (AB 27) to have all rape classified as a violent felony. The question was asked from the audience, "Who would be against such a bill that would make all rape a violent felony?"

I reported her response as "The ACLU."

I couldn't find the quote on the recording so I told him I'd ask her next time I saw her.  

Yep, that was the original answer as you'll hear for yourself if you elect to listen to the audio.

In addition to the question and answer, I also commented that I thought she was a classy person, and though I'm an independent and probably disagree with most of her positions on the social issues, I'd always vote for her since she represents the people so well.

Anyway... the audio is below.



She is truly a dedicated public servant, and there were many people with opposing viewpoints that asked tough questions and were given complete respect by Melendez and the audience.

I suggest that you sign up for her email blasts, which also mentions when and where the various community coffees will be. 

Link to her website

Her other contact information.

Capitol Office

State Capitol, Suite #6031
Sacramento, CA 94249-0067
(916) 319-2067
(916) 319-2167 fax

Sam K. Spencer- Chief of Staff

Donda Scholl- Scheduler

Samantha Henson- Legislative Aide

MURRIETA OFFICE

41391 Kalmia Street, Suite #220
Murrieta, CA 92562
951-894-1232
951-894-5053 fax

Deni Horne- District Director

Branden Webb- Field Representative

•          •          •

"Convictions must be reevaluated under the light of new reality."
– E.G. Marshall (CBSRMT) 1914-1998

Wildomar Rap isn't into tenaciously clinging to convictions/beliefs just because they were handed to you by your parents.

• Local Family Displaced By Fire

Santa makes a Christmas Eve stop at the VFW to bring some good will and tidings (plus a load of presents) to a family that recently lost their home.

You may have read about this house fire in Wildomar, displacing a large family, back on December 16th. 

Though crews were able to contain the fire by 2:30 p.m. a subsequent call was necessary when smoke was reported to be coming from the attic later that evening.

If the house wasn't a total loss initially, it was after the second call. In addition to what the flames were able to do, the rains have since exacerbated the situation. 

Patch Write Up About Fire

I had a chance to chat with Cheryl and Bruce Durbin, the parents of the five children (four being adopted from infancy), they told me that the house was a 100% loss.

"The fire consumed the kitchen primarily, but the fire went all the way up the walls, into the attic. There are no rafters left, there's hardly any flooring left, it's going to be a near total tear down from inside." —Bruce Durbin

They spoke to the adjusters yesterday and were told that none of the walls are any good, and the framing has to be replaced. The estimated time to rebuild it is between 12 and 18 months.

I asked if they were going to be able to stay in town during the rebuild, and I was told that they are currently in a hotel. They are anticipating a challenge when finding a home to accommodate their family of seven.

In the fire they lost several pets; three dogs, a cat and a potbelly pig. Bruce was telling me that, "even with [only] two dogs, it's very difficult to [find a place to] rent." 

From left to right, Cheryl Durbin, Isiah 8, two fire fighters, Shakinah 6, in Santa's arms - Judah 5,  firefighter number 3, Joshua 7, Elijah 12 and Bruce Durbin on the right.

To add to the difficulties of losing a home, they already had family coming in from out of the country for Christmas. Bruce's brother is a missionary in China, and this was going to be his family's first Christmas in the States in nearly 10 years.

Caring Hearts, a local non profit that has its roots in the VFW, jumped into action to help the family. 

They provided a safe comfortable place for the extended family to have Christmas dinner, and also arranged for Santa Claus to stop by... delivery courtesy of the Wildomar Fire Department.

The traditional Christmas dinner fed nine kids and five adults. 

A shot of the extended family and Santa Claus and Santa Elf.

Bruce told me that they have a small RV and thought they'd be able to use it for accommodations for the traveling family, but the fire destroyed all the keys that were in the home, and the RV is at the dealership waiting for a key to arrive from the east coast.

I asked how they chose Wildomar as their home.

"We visit a lot of towns; we visit the parks before we look at the houses. When we go to a city park, or a restaurant that the community goes to a lot, you get a big feeling for how the rest of the community probably is." 

"We went to the McDonald's, we were sitting there and we said "Hi" to the firemen that happened to be there, and they said "Hi" to the kids. We're used to people looking at us because the range of children we have." 

"Out of nowhere the firemen showed up with stickers, hats and plastic helmets, and we thought, 'if that's not a sign of some kind, that this is a welcoming community, then I don't know what would be.'"

Cheryl added, "While we were at the McDonald's, three separate families came up to us and said what a beautiful family we had. For us, that clinched it."

While I had them there I thought I'd ask about how their family grew to five kids through adoption. 

Bruce was telling me that their eldest child, Elijah, was so into his new brother (Isiah) that he'd help hold the bottle for him, carrying him, pushing him in a stroller. 

Then added, "I said, 'well obviously we're going to have to have more.'"

Which elicited a chuckle from me.

While telling me about Joshua, that he was a preemie (2 months early), only 3 pounds and about 14 inches, and how the doctors warned them about possible severe complications later on, and that they had to resuscitate him multiple times, and that "he might not make it out of the hospital," you could hear the emotion in Bruce's voice, though Joshua is okay today.

The Durbins are a delightful family that is facing difficulties. If you're so moved to contribute to their GoFundMe page, the link is below.

GoFundMe Link

Below is a video where the Durbin family can be seen at a city parks event. Skip to about 2:25 to see a few pics that they appeared in during the montage... or watch the whole thing because it's pretty cool. ☺

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“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” 
― Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915

Wildomar Rap is a blog that knows all about you and still loves you. ☺

• 2016 Mayor's Event

Last night Wildomar Mayor Bridgette Moore hosted an event at the VFW with the proceeds going to the local charity called Caring Hearts.

It was a wine pairing event where a level 1 sommelier matched wines with the various courses.

First was fruit and cheese, next was a plate of appetizers (or maybe we should call them hor d'oeuvres), followed by a shrimp cocktail, then the main course of tri tip and topped off with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a homemade biscotto.

A look at the Tim Underdown signature tri tip. The veggies were good too. ☺

The entertainment had three parts to it. James Holland played acoustic guitar and sang most of the evening, but did make way for an eleven year old named Luana that sang two songs. She was amazing and is probably going to have a singing career in the future. 

James Holland in mid strum.

The third part of the entertainment was stand up comedian Rocky Osburn of 3rd Street Live comedy club in Temecula. 

Rocky Osborn poses with Mayor Bridgette Moore after his time up at the mic.

Also among the people that came were New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Champ Rodney Leisle; a gentle giant indeed. My hand was swallowed up like a sardine going into the mouth of an orca when we shook. 

Wildomar residents Nancy MacKell, Grace Morabito with Rodney Leisle.

What an amazing charitable event that will help Caring Hearts with their mission. Their key event is providing food and gifts to families at Christmas, but they also help others in need during the year. 

Most recently they helped pay for a few nights of lodging for the family of seven that was displaced when their home burned.

 Stewart and Bridgette Moore after the event was cleaned up.

•

So much entertainment, food and wine all for $25. Considering that it was for charity, it would have been a bargain at twice the price. 

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They say "clothes makes the man" and who can really deny it? Suppose it is true that "beauty only runs skin deep," isn't it deep enough for all practical purposes?

— EG Marshall, 1914-1998

Wildomar Rap agrees that clothes can make the man, but they never make the bed.