Happy New Year to All.Ā Work has started on the Giving Arch!Ā Watch for an announcement of a special CelebrationĀ EventĀ in March.
OnceĀ again, the EscondidoĀ CommunityĀ FoundationĀ āSecret SantaāĀ project helped theĀ Escondido Police DepartmentĀ (EPD)Ā give $100 Bills toĀ thoseĀ inĀ needĀ withĀ oneĀ request: that EPD officers hand out the cash to those down on their luck in an effort to help make the season brighter. ECF hasĀ recruited officers as āelvesā because they regularlyĀ come into contact withĀ the public, many times with residents who have fallen on hard times or who have experienced tragedy. The Secret Santa program also helps our police department forge positive interactions with our community.Ā Officers approached those residents, explained the Secret Santa program, and handed them the money, much to the surprise and delight of the recipients.Ā The stories the officers share are heartwarming andĀ heartbreaking.Ā We look forward to sharingĀ moreĀ with you at our next gathering.Ā
Most importantly, our dedicated Grants Committee, led byāÆCathy OāMalley, is currently reviewing 32 nonprofit Letters of Intent for consideration for this years grant cycle.
This year we areĀ seeking to support organizations that will improve the quality of life in Escondido through environmental educationĀ andĀ action. People of all ages and abilities can play an important role as stewards of the environment.Ā The committee isĀ hoping toĀ cultivate and train future generations of environmental leaders and stewards,Ā and to engage the community in habitat conservation, restoration and ecology.Ā
The Membership Committee has been reaching out to connect with members on how they prefer to have their names displayed, all the while, connecting community leaders to your foundation.
We would love to have you participate on a committee if you would like to do so.Ā Please contact me or Trudy atĀ trudy@sdfoundation.orgĀ to become more involved.Ā
Your commitment to preseving and protecting the future of our community through you donations to our community foundation is making Escondido a better place to live, work and play. Please know how much your generosity is appreciated.
GranteeĀ SpotlightĀ
The Escondido History Center (EHC), a nonprofit organization, was originally formed in 1956 as the Historical Society. The grassroots community organizationās goal was to collect photographs, artifacts and documents. In 1971, the cityās first public library was relocated to Grape Day Park where it became the first component of its museum complex.
Over the years, additional buildings and structures were added to the museum: a Victorian Country Home, the Penner Barn, Bandy Blacksmith Shop, Santa Fe Depot and Pullman Railroad Car. The Escondido History Center has a small staff and many volunteers that work together to provide Escondido with a variety of services.
Education is at the heart of everything it does. EHC tells Escondidoās stories through large collections of photographs, artifact and documents. It helps people understand the community and form a deeper connection to it. The museum in Grape Day Park is visited by thousands of students, residents and tourists each year.
EHC used its grant from ECF to refurbish the inside of the Victorian Country Home which occupies a prominent position in Grape Day Park. The Victorian House is an interpretive center that illustrates how people lived at the turn of the 20th century in Escondido. Visitors learn how families went about daily tasks without the advantage of running water, electricity and gas. Docents discuss how food was prepared, laundry cleaned, and how families entertained themselves without the modern conveniences we enjoy today. Since the Victorian was placed in the park in 1980, thousands of our guests, including school children, have had the opportunity to travel through time by visiting this historic house.
ECF alsoĀ paintedĀ all ofĀ the wooden surfaces (floors, wood trim etc.), ceilings and the entire kitchen. Damaged and faded wallpaper was replaced in the parlor and the dining room. Worn carpet was replaced, curtains were cleanedĀ and blinds repaired.