The Soboba Tribal Council, Soboba Foundation, Soboba Casino Resort, Soboba Fire Department and Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos were recognized by Superintendent David Pyle and the Board of Trustees for their generous donations and grants for the Soboba Gives Back! Thanksgiving Dinners, Soboba Gives Back! Christmas Toy Drive, Soboba Lip Sync Contest, Soboba Charity Golf Tournament, San Jacinto High School Athletics and the Hemet-San Jacinto Student of the Month program, just to name a few.

“We truly value our partnership and the opportunities it has provided for our students, staff and community by giving from the heart to those in need,” Pyle said. “We do this every January to recognize the efforts that Soboba has given to our district. If you’ve been in the Valley for any amount of time, you know the impact that Soboba has on all of our organizations, whether privately, personally, or as a school district. On behalf of our board of education, thank you so much.”

The perpetual plaques were presented “in recognition of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and Soboba Foundation for their generosity and commitment to SJUSD students and families through the support of” the turkey dinner distribution and toy donations.

Additionally, the Soboba Gives Back! events bring the community together to help distribute the fixings for a turkey dinner and to “Unstuff the Bus” with toys for district Christmas programs. Many of those who consistently volunteer their time, alongside those from Soboba, were also recognized for their contributions and received certificates of appreciation.

“From everything that we receive, we need to make sure we have enough hands to deliver out to our community,” Pyle said. “Your presence shows the commitment and impact you have on our students and on our staff so thank you for being here and thank you for being contributing members to our school system.”

Those attending were Sonia Ramos, Boxing for Christ; Mayor Valerie Vandever, representing the City of San Jacinto; members of the Four Directions club; Global CTI; Veronica Hawkes, Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce; the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce; Hemet Lions Club; Cyndi Lemke, Legacy Bank; Lakshman Koka, San Jacinto Medical Clinic & Urgent Care; Riverside County Sheriff’s Captain James Burton, San Jacinto Police Lt. James Roy and other officers; San Jacinto Lions Club; San Jacinto Rotary; San Jacinto Education Foundation; San Jacinto Walmart Supercenter; Sonia Lamas with Lamas Housing Project; and Karena Zermeno, with the Hemet-San Jacinto Student of the Month program.

Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco, who was in Sacramento on Tribal business and unable to attend the meeting, said, “Although we appreciate the recognition, that’s not why we do it. We are fortunate enough to be in a position to help others, especially during the holidays. We look forward to continuing our Soboba Gives Back! motto.”

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Retired teachers have not only spent decades helping future generations, but they continue to make a difference in the lives of others long after leaving their teaching careers. In 2023, CalRTA members statewide donated more than $40 million worth of time to their local communities. Members of local CalRTA Division 33, which serves Hemet, San Jacinto, Menifee, Nuview and Romoland, volunteered nearly 12,000 hours in the same year, with a value of over $437,000.  Retired teachers can often be seen volunteering their time and skills in community centers, libraries, schools, and local organizations. Their time enriches the lives of both children and adults, and their pensions uplift their local communities. Because retirees spend their benefit checks in their local community, their spending ripples through the economy as one person’s spending becomes another person’s income.

CalRTA members are part of that pool of retirees whose pension checks help stimulate and boost California’s economy. Members statewide also donated more than $750,000 in grants, scholarships and donations last year.  Division 33 also offers 11 $1000 scholarships annually to seniors planning to enter the teaching profession and awards 16 $100 “no strings attached” teacher grants to local teachers to use in their classrooms.

CalRTA highlights retired teachers’ contributions by celebrating Retired Teachers Week during the first week of each November. This year’s event, November 3-9, marks the 26th year the celebration has been held during the organization’s 95-year history. In 1929, as the country entered the Great Depression, a small group of teachers banded together to fight for retirement security. In addition to helping California’s educators, early CalRTA leaders went on to form other retiree organizations. One such leader was Ethel Percy Andrus who formed AARP.

“Our early leaders showed us what dedication, compassion and determination can accomplish,” noted Susan Dixon, CalRTA State President. “Today we’re trying to live up to their example as we continue our fight for retirement security while also giving back to our local communities and protecting public education.”

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