San Diego Humane Society is gearing up for a busy baby season by hosting a virtual kitten shower. Each spring, thousands of kitties age eight weeks and younger end up at SDHS, which must care for them around the clock until they’re adopted. SDHS has set up online registries with Amazon, Target, and Walmart so people who want to help can purchase and donate items like kitten formula, bottles, heating pads, scales, and blankets.
“We are so grateful to the community for helping us be ready when thousands of kittens come through our doors this spring,” said Director of Nursery & Placement Jackie Noble. “Our nursery is unique in that we can offer each kitten the shelter, nourishment, medical care and love they need to thrive.”
To view San Diego Humane Society’s registries and donate, visitsdhumane.org.
Feeding San Diego has teamed up with private nonprofit Neighborhood Healthcare to fight food insecurity in North County. The organizations are hosting twice-monthly food distribution events in downtown Escondido. Low-income families will be provided fresh produce, dry goods, and pantry staples on the first and third Saturdays of the month at Neighborhood Healthcare’s Date Street location.
“Feeding San Diego is focused on providing services in hunger hot spots around San Diego County, and Escondido falls into that category,” said Bob Kamensky, chief strategy officer at Feeding San Diego. “This collaboration is part of our organization’s Healthcare Partnerships Program, which links healthcare and food assistance to better support San Diegans in need of resources.”
San Diego Humane Society President Delivers Aid to Ukrainian Pets
Plus, St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party Raises $30,000 and Wounded Warrior Homes unveils a new veterans’ cottage
By Sarah Sapeda
SDHS President Gary Weitzman will spend 10 days providing care to pets affected by the Russia-Ukraine war
San Diego Humane Society President Gary Weitzman, DVM, is headed to the Ukrainian border to help pets impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war. Weitzman plans to spend 10 days in Przemyśl, on the Polish side, setting up a cross-border clinic, delivering supplies, providing veterinary care, and making arrangements for additional SDHS veterinarians and animal care staff to assist. He is traveling as part of Greater Good Charities’ humanitarian response to the crisis.
“As soon as the war broke out in Ukraine, we started looking for ways to support people with pets and animals left behind by this tragedy,” Weitzman said. “When we learned that our partner, Greater Good Charities, was seeking additional veterinary support, we immediately offered to help. Our goal is to make an impact for animals and people in this tragic crisis.”
More than 5,000 St. Patrick’s Day revelers flocked to OB’s party with a purpose
The first edition of the St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party raised over $30,000 for the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association and the Peninsula Alliance, two nonprofits that support the OB community. More than 5,000 people attended the event at Ocean Beach Pier Parking Lot on March 19. The festivities included live music, green beer, Irish-themed games, and a guacamole contest, in which La Doña restaurant took top honors.
“We had such a great time celebrating with the community at our St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party,” said Heather Hudson, the event’s director of marketing and partnerships. “Everyone in San Diego truly came out to support this first-ever event and we really felt the love. We can’t wait to continue to celebrate the holiday in the most San Diego way while supporting nonprofits that work to keep OB thriving!”
Wounded Warrior Homes unveiled its newest veterans’ cottage in Vista on March 24
Wounded Warrior Homes cut the ribbon on its newest transitional cottage for North County veterans with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. The 400-square-foot accessory dwelling unit is the nonprofit’s fourth residence and was donated by Warrior Village Project in conjunction with San Marcos High School. Residents will have access to support and supplemental services to aid in the transition to civilian life, plus case management and up to two years of transitional housing.
“On behalf of Wounded Warrior Homes, we want to thank the community for making this possible,” said Mia Roseberry, executive director of Wounded Warrior Homes. “We are so honored to receive this house from Warrior Village Project; it will be a transitional home for veterans as they get ready to live independently. And when they leave, we’re still here to support them; all that changes when they move is their address.”
Plus, events that connect seniors with technology and South Bay parents with diapers
By Sarah Sapeda
San Diego Humane Society
Registration is underway for San Diego Humane Society’s virtual Walk for Animals. Traditionally, SDHS has held a walk at Liberty Station and a second in North County, but this year’s virtual edition will combine the two into one “pawsome” event the week beginning April 11. Registration is free and unlocks access to exclusive online content and resources to help fundraise. Participants will be asked to walk however they please (with safety and social distancing in mind). That means a stroll around the block or even on the treadmill can all help.
“Even though we won’t be together in person this year, we still join together as a community to make a difference for animals who rely on us for shelter, medical care, new homes, and more,” said Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “When our community faces challenges, keeping animals safe and sound becomes even more important, and we’ll be standing together to save those lives.”
Miracle Babies will host its first diaper distribution event of the year this Saturday, February 13, at the National City Public Library. Donations will be accepted at the event, a drive-thru for San Diego families in need. Diapers will be loaded directly into vehicles for a safe, contactless experience. To register or donate, visit miraclebabies.org by noon Friday the 12th.
A group of San Diego seniors will be receiving tablets and training to use them this week so they can better stay connected while they continue to ride out the pandemic. The Neighborhood House Association Senior Center purchased the devices using grant funds provided through the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation’s No Senior Alone initiative. In addition to being able to communicate with loved ones, the recipients will also have access to NHA Senior Center’s virtual health and wellness programming, such as exercise classes, art, and bingo.
When the pandemic began, Dr. Mona Minton, general manager for programs and clinics at NHA Senior Center, knew there would be very little access for them to get in touch with their clients. “We knew our seniors did not have tablets, laptops, and even smartphones. From the beginning we had expressed to SDSCF we were in dire need of electronics that could get our clients in contact with us to participate in all our virtual services.”
Seniors today face challenges that were unimaginable to previous generations, and some turn to nonprofit organizations to bridge the gap. Serving Seniors helps low-income older adults with housing assistance, social services, and more. The nonprofit provides 1.5 million meals and coordinated services to 13,265 older adults each year, the majority living on less than $1,125 per month.
Dedicated volunteers, like Fred Davis, help make this important work possible. Since roughly 2008, Davis has spent six days a week at the Serving Seniors Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center serves as a liaison to help clients access much-needed resources. Here, he shares what keeps him coming back day after day.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What made you want to get involved with Serving Seniors?
I have a community outreach ministry and my grandson and I were on the streets downtown handing out sack lunches, water, hygiene products, clothes and shoes, and things like that and I noticed that most of the people I met appeared to be seniors. So the next logical step for me was to find a senior group that I could work with. I heard about Serving Seniors, and I made a few phone calls. No one really responded to me, so I showed up. They opened the door for me and now they can’t get rid of me. I found a home. I’ve met some really good people over the years. And as it turned out, I’ve been here longer than most of them. I’ve been here at the West Center ever since the doors opened. And matter of fact, I was the one who gave Gary and Mary West an award for their generous donation that made it possible to open up this center.
What do your volunteer duties entail?
I’m in ministry, but I don’t want that to be the highlight of what I do. It’s not just a passion for serving people, it’s a calling. I like the idea of giving and serving people and trying to meet their needs. So I counsel, I oversee the serving of the lunches, and I work with the head of the volunteer group. I’m involved in different activities. Matter of fact, this coming Saturday, I’m going to take a group of seniors out sailing. I also helped start the Civic Engagement Group. It was a group of us, and there are about three members that are left from when we originally started it. Now Serving Seniors is taking it over, and my role is to work with them. I also took it a little bit further and ended up joining Aging and Independent Services and sat on that advisory board for a number of years. That led to me being elected to the California Senior Legislature. So I’ve been advocating for seniors for a very long time. They’re a vulnerable group. They worked hard and don’t always get the respect that they deserve.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What do you like best about volunteering at Serving Seniors?
The people—this is my target group right here. I don’t have to walk the streets like my grandson and I did anymore; they’re right here. I’m here every day at the West Center but Sunday.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge is not being able to help someone who really needs the help. But we try to find a way. I reach out to different organizations, faith-based organizations or other nonprofits, sometimes with success and a lot of times without success. There are quite a few people that are in need who are hardworking people, dedicated people who still want to provide for themselves and their family, and they’re just caught in that void.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
I was handing out clothes; I usually have a sock drive and I gave a homeless person a pair of socks. As they peeled their filthy socks off their feet, this person cried. You don’t know how important these little things are that we take for granted. It was really touching.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
A lot of people use the term giving back, but I just say giving. When you say ‘giving back,’ that means you’re trying to repay something and you’re taking credit. But giving is a passion. It’s something that you do from your heart, not out of obligation.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
For more than five decades, SAY San Diego (Social Advocates for Youth) has been helping local kids, families, and seniors navigate challenges they can’t face alone. The nonprofit serves as a beacon for local residents by offering more than 30 programs that range from youth mentorship and crisis support to increasing access to stable housing and mental health services to substance-use prevention and workforce development.
“For 55 years, SAY’s story has been shaped by listening to the community and being willing to grow with it,” says Louie Nguyen, SAY San Diego’s president and CEO. “Our mission is to partner with youth, adults, families, and communities so they can reach their full potential. That keeps us focused on the whole person, not just one immediate need. As San Diego evolves, we listen, work alongside trusted community partners, and adjust our services so they remain accessible, relevant, and rooted in opportunity, equity, and well-being.”
SAY San Diego started as a grassroots nonprofit with one paid employee and a budget of $1,500. The organization has since evolved from humble beginnings as a youth-focused agency into a comprehensive and far-reaching social services organization.
Several milestones mark SAY San Diego’s success, including partnering with local schools and neighborhoods to expand its child and youth development programs, family resource centers, and school-based mental health services; the creation of the San Diego Military Family Collaborative, one of the largest of its kind in the nation; and the opening of its licensed early childhood center that introduced an employer-supported childcare model.
What underscores SAY San Diego’s programs and opens the doors for lasting change is a willingness to listen and grow in response to emerging needs, says Nguyen.
“Lasting change comes from consistent support, strong relationships, and services that work together,” says Nguyen. “Our school-based programs have an especially broad reach, serving more than 6,500 young people across 57 school sites each day in places families already know and trust. Our mental health programs also stand out, with 72 percent of participants reporting improved emotional well-being. But the real strength of SAY is that a family can connect with early childhood care, parenting support, youth development, mental health services, or community resources as their needs change over time.”
Much of SAY San Diego’s impact is possible thanks to partnerships with individuals and organizations across the county. Nguyen hopes to further expand that community investment through initiatives like its Play 4 SAY fundraiser, which brings together corporate partners, foundations, and other supporters. However, challenges remain in “meeting rising demand while public funding, workforce capacity, and the broader nonprofit environment remain uncertain,” he says.
As economic instability, rising housing and childcare costs, and access to mental health services continue to affect San Diegans, SAY San Diego’s role is more important than ever. The organization hopes to build on the foundation it has built over the past 55 years and continue to help kids, families, and communities thrive.
“Today, we reach more than 45,000 San Diegans each year, but our goal is not simply to grow larger, it is to create a deeper, more lasting impact,” says Nguyen. “Our next chapter is about strengthening what works, expanding access to mental health and family support, investing in our people, and bringing partners together to build a stronger San Diego.”
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
More than 6,000 ice cream lovers devoured tasty treats at this year’s Scoop Ice Cream Festival for a great cause. The event on June 28 launched an ongoing partnership with Feeding San Diego and raised $60,000, or enough to provide 120,000 meals to San Diegans facing hunger.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Nearly everyone experiences a sleepless night once in a while. But for those with a circadian sleep disorder, being well-rested can feel out of reach. A circadian sleep disorder occurs when a person’s internal clock doesn’t align with their desired or socially required sleep schedule. This can significantly impact quality of life, mental health and physical well-being. Scripps Circadian Sleep Disorders Clinic, launched in 2019, was the first of its kind in the state. Its specialists diagnose and treat conditions like delayed sleep phase disorder, shift work sleep disorder and non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder. Many patients have spent years—or even decade —thinking there was no hope for their sleep behavior. A solution can be life-changing. Read more about the Scripps Circadian Sleep Disorders Clinic here.
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