Client Spotlight: 36th Annual Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Raises Funds for UCP San Diego

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

San Diego’s firefighters, local TV and radio personalities, Hollywood celebrities, look-a-likes, and caring patrons gathered on Coronado’s sunny shores to raise funds for the United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County (UCP) at the 36th Annual Firefighters & Friends Celebrity Waiters Luncheon. Clear skies over the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa on September 20, 2019 lend itself to a perfect afternoon for giving to a worthwhile cause.

The event’s live and silent auctions, generous tips and sponsorships raised $58,000 for the organization whose mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

“UCP would like to thank our local media partners Sunny 98.1 FM, Location Edit, KUSI News and the San Diego Community Newspaper Group for their promotional efforts,” reads the organization’s website. “UCP also thanks the staff of the Coronado Marriott Resort & Spa for their assistance and cooperation and the following organizations, companies and individuals for their support: Auctioneer Clint Bell, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Misty Thompson & Melody Morgan, DPC Productions, the San Diego Gulls, San Diego Seals National Lacrosse team and the San Diego Enforcers.”

Rancho Mesa Insurance is truly honored to support UCP’s mission.

The 36th Annual Firefighters & Friends Celebrity Waiters Luncheon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County. Video courtesy of United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego.

About United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County

UCP is an agency committed to serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families since 1958. Working throughout the years to improve services with every step, UCP has program centers in San Diego and Escondido and numerous community based programs serving hundreds of local citizens on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.ucpsd.org.

7th Inning Stretch Benefits the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Chase Hixson, Account Executive of Human Services at Rancho Mesa, presenting the check to James Floros, President & CEO of The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

As a part of Rancho Mesa’s Health and Wellness Program, employees take part in what is called the 7th Inning Stretch. The daily walks provide an opportunity for the staff to get away from their desks, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors. At the beginning of the year, Rancho Mesa employees wanted to expand the benefits of the 7th Inning Stretch, outside of the office. Now employees walk for a local non-profit. From the 40+ non-profits that Rancho Mesa supports, employees pick one per quarter to walk for. At the end of the quarter and once the walk goal has been met, Rancho Mesa donates $1,000 on behalf of their employees, to the non-profit of their choice.

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce that the employees have met their cumulative goal of 2,000 walks, and the recipient this quarter is the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank!

According to the 2019 Hunger Fact Sheet, currently, 1 in 7 adults, and 1 in 5 children face food insecurity in San Diego County. That converts to a total of 450,000 people who have little to no food at home, and do not know when/how they will get their next meal. Thanks to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the North County Food Bank chapter, nonprofit partners, and countless supporter contributions, 350,000 people are provided food every month. Based on the Food Bank’s dollar-to-meals conversion rate, $1 provides 5 meals to local San Diego families! For those interested in making a monetary contribution, please visit the Virtual Food Drive webpage.

About The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and the North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food. Through their North County Food Bank chapter and by partnering with nearly 500 nonprofit partners with feeding programs, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County. To learn more, visit www.SanDiegoFoodBank.org or take a look at the 2019 Hunger Fact Sheet.

Watch the 2019 San Diego Food Bank Mission Video; highlighting the Diaper-to-Degree Program,
On-the-Go Food Pantry Program, and the College Hunger Relief Program.

Are You Ready for Safe + Sound Week?

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

Safe + Sound Week, organized by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) along with a number of various organizers and partners, is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the importance and successes of workplace health and safety programs. The event allows companies to share their safety practices with one another to increase workers’ safety.

All organizations looking for an opportunity to recognize their commitment to safety are welcome to participate. More than 1,830 businesses are currently signed up to raise awareness about workers’ health and safety!

Your company can participate in 3 easy steps:

1. Sign Up

2. Plan and Promote Your Events

3. Recognize Your Participation

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/safeandsoundweek.

Rancho Mesa's Sam Brown Appears in 'My MAAC Story' Video

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, is featured in MAAC’s recently released video “My MAAC Story - Katie.”

Katie talks about her journey with MAAC and how the program taught her valuable life skills like writing a resume, opening a bank account, and enrolling in a technical training course that has helped her put her life back on track. Sam Brown praises MAAC for providing programs that directly help our communities. 

Rancho Mesa is honored to partner with MAAC, as they continue to help individuals, like Katie, transform their lives and communities.

Video Provided by MAAC.
“We thank Rancho Mesa for partnering with us, as together we strive to make San Diego a better place.” - MAAC

About MAAC
In 1965, MAAC was founded upon a vision to provide a place where local families in need could find the means to self-sufficiency. Together, members from the San Diego Chapter of the GI Forum, Hermandad Mexicana, Laborer’s Local #89, Association of Mexican-American Educators, and the Council of Latin American Clubs, along with other leaders of San Diego’s Mexican American community turned their vision into reality and founded the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty.To learn more, visit www.maacproject.org.

There’s Still Time to Register for the 2019 Nalp Field Trip

Want to move your landscaping business forward? Rancho Mesa is thrilled to sponsor the 2019 NALP Field Trip, August 6–7 in San Diego, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of LandCare and learn firsthand how they operate every area of their tremendously successful operation. In this short video, event presenter Marty Grunder, president and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. and a leading green-industry coach, shares what he’s looking to learn from the LandCare team to drive improvement at his own company and what you can, too. 

For a complete list of information about this event please visit NALP Field Trip: Frank and Marty’s Excellent Adventure or contact Lisa Wood at NALP for more details. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Raises $70K at 46th Annual Golf Day

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

On Friday, July 12, 2019 the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County held their 46th annual Golf Day at Singing Hills Golf Resort, Oak Glen Course, in El Cajon, CA.

Pictured from left to right: Chase Hixson, Account Executive of Human Services; Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group; Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive of Construction.

144 participants showed up to raise nearly $70K which directly supports the after school and summer programs provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County for almost 60 years.

Several companies sponsored the event including Stan Boney & Family, Hunter's Run Apartments, Walmart, Christian Brothers Emergency Building Services, Republic Services, Waste Management, and Rancho Mesa.

Rancho Mesa was honored to take part in the event as both a sponsor and participant.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County have been developing, implementing, and providing activities and programs to disadvantaged youth since 1961. Operating in the communities of El Cajon, Lakeside, La Mesa and Santee, the Clubs offer three full –service clubhouses with gymnasiums for children 5-10, and two Teen Centers in La Mesa and El Cajon designated for teens ages 11-18. Providing children with age appropriate activities, trained professional staff, state of the art computer labs; cool, clean, well maintained buildings and a safe, healthy atmosphere to learn and grow has been the ultimate goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County. To learn more, please visit www.bgcec.org.

Rancho Mesa Attends 2nd Annual Ickler Electric Volley Pong Olympics

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, Rancho Mesa attended Ickler Electric’s 2nd Annual Volley Pong Olympics. Forty-two teams and more than 230 people, from all over San Diego County, played in the tournament to support The Seany Foundation and Camp Reach for the Sky. Together, they helped raise over $52,000; 100% of the proceeds going directly to support children impacted by cancer. Attendees enjoyed food, drinks, music, good company and of course, Volley Pong.

About the Seany Foundation
The Seany Foundation is a local non-profit that oversees Camp Reach for the Sky, a patient service camp program for kids battling cancer and their siblings. Camp has served the San Diego community since 1983 and continues to be a major resource for kids, sibling and parents battling cancer. They handle the emotional toll cancer takes on a family and work to make sure a kid can just be a kid again. To find out more, watch this video or visit www.TheSeanyFoundation.com.

About the Ickler Electric Corporation
Ickler Electric services the needs of specialty clients in the BioTech, Electronics Tech, and Mission Critical industry. Ickler Electric’s reputation has extended over the last 30 years in San Diego. To learn more, visit IcklerElectric.com.

Client Spotlight: Boys & Girls Club of East County Hosts Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday, April 5, 2019 the Boys & Girls Club of East County hosted their annual Youth of the Year Awards ceremony at their Clubhouse location in Santee, CA.

Plaques were awarded to children for excellence in categories ranging from leadership & character, health & life skills, arts, education & career, and sports & recreation. The ceremony is a great way to recognize distinguished youth in the community.

Photos provided by Boys & Girls Club of East County

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County have been developing, implementing, and providing activities and programs to disadvantaged youth since 1961. Operating in the communities of El Cajon, Lakeside, La Mesa and Santee, the Clubs offer three full –service clubhouses with gymnasiums for children 5-10, and two Teen Centers in La Mesa and El Cajon designated for teens ages 11-18. Providing children with age appropriate activities, trained professional staff, state of the art computer labs; cool, clean, well maintained buildings and a safe, healthy atmosphere to learn and grow has been the ultimate goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County. For more information, visit bgcec.org.

NAWIC Celebrates WIC Week at RDO's Demo Day

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter concluded its celebration of Women in the Construction (WIC) Week at RDO Demo Day on March 7, 2019 at RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, CA.

RDO Equipment Co.’s staff and WIC Week committee members welcomed attendees with savory tacos, good music, goodie bags that included personal protective equipment like a pink hard hat, safety vest and safety glasses, and a John Deere pink/camouflage cap, sticker and key chain.

The evening’s main event was the mini excavator competition. Using the excavator’s bucket, participants tried to scoop up three basketballs that were balanced on safety cones, then drop the basketballs into a box. Participants were given a quick instructional lesson on safety and how to operate the Deere 35G excavator. Then, they began their timed run. Ashley Landers from Bay City Electric Works won the competition with the most number of balls dropped in the box in the fastest time.

“At first it was very scary,” said Shelby Ballow from Dowling Construction, Inc. when asked about her experience operating the excavator. “But, my adrenaline was pumping the whole time and it was really fun. I got one ball - first try. And then, it went downhill from there. But, it was really cool and every girl should try an excavator.”

The RDO Demo Day event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to support the National Association of Women in Construction San Diego and its mission.

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The NAWIC San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About RDO Equipment Co.
RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, California, serves the greater San Diego and surrounding areas. We sell and service John Deere construction equipment, Hitachi equipment, and Vermeer equipment as well as provide construction technology solutions from Topcon and more. Whether your job calls for paving, excavation, utilities, concrete, demolition, or landscaping work, our experienced sales department will help you find the right equipment for your needs. Our large inventory of parts ensures you get the right parts fast to reduce any costly downtime. We also have highly trained and certified technicians to get your equipment back up and running as quickly as possible. Contact us day or night for your service needs. For more information, visit www.rdoequipment.com.

NAWIC's Toast to the Trades Fundraiser Brings Awareness to Future Construction Leaders Foundation

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter kicked off the Women in the Construction (WIC) Week with a ‘Toast to the Trades’ fundraiser benefiting the Future Construction Leaders Foundation (FCLF) on March 5, 2019 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on San Diego Bay.

The nearly 200 people in attendance raised $10,000 through ticket sales, silent auction and sponsorships. The funds will be donated to the FCLF, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of programs focused on educating youth about career opportunities in the construction industry and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field.

Kayleen McCabe, the evening’s keynote speaker, is a general contractor, TV host of DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, and trades advocate. She spoke about the rising demand for trade professionals and how it is currently outpacing vocational training.­ McCabe advocates for the restoration of America’s respect for the trades. She also enlightened the audience with anecdotes from her TV show and how the popularity of the DIY movement has gotten some homeowners in over their heads with renovation projects.

Ana Gutierrez, tradeswomen at Clark Construction and former Camp NAWIC participant, spoke about her journey from attending camp as a high school student and learning about the various construction trades to her successful career in the industry.

The ‘Toast to the Trades’ event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Sponsors for the event included:
Project Manager Sponsors - DPR Construction, Tru-Duct Sheet Metal Fabrication, and MC Painting
Superintendent Sponsors - Paradigm Mechanical Corp., SMART, Titan Fire Protection, RDO Equipment Co., and Wateridge Insurance Services
Foreman Sponsors - Herc Rentals, Harper Construction Company, Inc., Ryan Companies, ROE Strategic, Sunrise Bobcat & Hauling Service, Inc., and Women’s Construction Coalition
Journeyman Sponsors - Clairemont Equipment, C-SOS Consulting, Denning Moores, SASC Surety Associates
Apprentice Sponsors - D3 Construction Services, Inc. and Ferguson Commercial

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is dedicated to providing opportunities for young men and women to investigate the many private and public construction career opportunities available. From kindergarten to college, we have hands-on, free programs that expose students to various trades and the corresponding seasoned professionals who can guide and coach them. For more information, visit www.futureconstructionleaders.org.