What if you could make an investment today that would provide a financial return, improve people’s lives, and deliver an intrinsic reward?

With Dec. 31 as the deadline for year-end charitable giving, now is your chance to capture several benefits by donating to a local nonprofit organization in our community.

According to a 2024 study on the emotional consequences of spending, 200 participants across seven countries found that people who gave to charity reported higher levels of happiness than those who spent money in other ways. It is not surprising that paying for utilities, transportation and medical expenses provided the least satisfaction. But even greater than giving a gift to a loved one or purchasing a personal experience was the satisfaction that was reported by those who had donated to a charitable organization.

Beyond our personal benefit, charitable giving also pays significant benefits to those in our community as nonprofits rely on donations to bring their missions to life. The just-released 2025 Health of U.S. Nonprofit Sector reports that 68% of nonprofits nationwide expect demand for their services to increase in 2026, but just 31% anticipate having the ability to expand how many people they are serving.

According to a 2020 report by UC Riverside’s Center for Social Innovation, there are over 14,000 nonprofit organizations serving the Inland Empire. However, Inland Empire nonprofits have fewer assets and smaller budgets than state averages, which means every dollar donated locally goes much further.

For organizations like Family Service Association, private donations help to meet their mission each day fighting and preventing homelessness and hunger across east and central San Bernardino County. Their 2025 year-end “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” campaign raises funds to provide shelter and basic provisions for low-income families.

“With more than 50% of our annual budget being comprised of local donors, their giving is the heartbeat of our mission,” said Kyra Steward, executive director. “Our neighbors make it possible for us to feed, house and lift up families who are in a time of crisis.”  

For those who itemize deductions on their taxes, charitable donations can also help to further reduce a 2025 tax bill when made before the year’s end. Given changes from the recently passed H.R. 1 federal budget act, giving more in 2025 may be wise for higher income earners. Starting next year, only charitable contributions exceeding .5% of adjusted gross income will be deductible, and the tax deduction benefit for top earners will be capped at 35%. So, giving more before the end of 2025 could be a wise strategy.

For non-itemizers, there is good news on the charitable donations front in 2026. Beginning next year, single filers can claim a federal deduction for donations up to $1,000, and $2,000 can be claimed by joint filers. 

Moses House Ministries, based in Victorville, is dedicated to building strong futures for young children by providing services for families in the High Desert. Programs include evidence-based parenting classes, one-on-one family support and resource navigation, marriage strengthening and programs to address a family’s basic needs.

Moses House relies on donations to help sustain parenting programs, case management services, and to ensure their diaper bank and family store remain stocked.

“When we invest in the places we live, work, and play, we are investing in the success of our own families and neighborhoods for today and into tomorrow,” said Matthew Coughlin, executive director for Moses House. “They say it takes a village to raise our children, and when we support locally, we are standing with local moms, dads, and children who are relying on that village during their most vulnerable moments.”

To amplify the impact of your charitable giving, you might consider donating appreciated stock or other non-cash assets that have been held for more than one year. Doing so provides a deduction at the current fair market value and allows you to avoid capital gains tax that otherwise would be paid when selling the appreciated asset. Be sure, however, to transfer the asset directly to your chosen charity or donor advised fund to capture the full tax benefit. 

For those 70½ years and older, you might also consider making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA to both meet your required minimum distribution and your charitable giving goals. Of course, consult your tax adviser when considering any of these strategies.

Goodwill Southern California is one of our longest-standing nonprofits in the region, committed to transforming lives through employment with services including job training, career placement, and supportive services. Although Goodwill is often known for their thrift stores, their mission in Southern California goes much deeper, helping youth, veterans, homeless, justice involved and those with disabilities.

Year-end donations to Goodwill help to fuel hands-on skills training, career coaching, digital access, and placement into living-wage jobs for tens of thousands across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles.

“When our neighbors donate and shop with us, they are directly helping change lives through meaningful work and long-term stability,” said Daniela Davis, chief marketing officer. “Every local donation to Goodwill is an investment in people, potential, and the future of our community.” 

So, I hope you will join me in investing in our region’s nonprofit organizations by making a year-end gift that will have a long-lasting impact throughout the coming year and beyond.

IEHP Foundation provides resources and support to strengthen the local leaders and nonprofit organizations that make Inland Empire families healthier. Because when everyone in the Inland Empire lives a full and vibrant life, our region thrives. Learn more about IEHP Foundation at iehpfoundation.org

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Old Town Antique Faire, located at 28601 Old Town Front St., #D, and Fourth Street Antiques, at 41975 4th St., will both close on August 31.

The 4,361-square-foot Fourth Street Antiques property is currently being marketed for lease with a rental price of $252,938 annually, or approximately $21,078 per month. It’s more than the existing 40 independent antiques dealers inside the store can afford, according to Fourth Street Antiques manager Linda Conceicao.

“It’s just very sad,” she said.

At Old Town Antique Faire, there are approximately 20 dealers. It’s a close-knit community that is struggling with the closure.

“We’re a family,” said dealer Laura Wager. “We’ve been through births, marriages, divorces, illnesses, deaths. This is very hard.”

Old Town Antique Faire has been in business for 35 years. The building still has the Old Town Temecula western vibe, with its dark wood exterior and plank porch. The stairs leading up to the entrance feature a medallion in memory of Robert “Bob” Morris, also known as Mr. Old Town Temecula, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 85.

When I visited the antique malls on a recent Tuesday, I was struck by the high volume of foot traffic inside. Young, old, locals, visitors.

Gina Venturelli is a longtime Old Town Antique Faire employee who, for more than 25 years, has helped shoppers find that special something. She explained that the store never really has a lull, and the hectic pace keeps her going. She still loves coming to work in Old Town.

“It’s just a joy,” the retiree said.

Mychele Chamberlin has been a dealer at Old Town Antique Faire for about 18 years. She brought her daughter, Alycia, into the business, and now the two work side by side at the mall.

Alycia was young when she joined her mother. There has since been a marriage — Alycia’s last name is now Drury — and two grandkids who are learning the antiques trade.

Chamberlin teared up when she talked about the friendships she’s formed with dealers and customers.

“It’s such a nostalgic walk down memory lane,” Chamberlin said.

Wager has leased a space inside Old Town Antique Fair for 10 years. She’s not making millions of dollars, but she said, “We make a profit.”

Wager’s toiled over the impending closure and doesn’t understand why the city can’t step in to preserve the antiques malls, which she said are part of Old Town’s historic western heritage.

“We’re not La Jolla, we’re not Beverly Hills. We’re Temecula, and we are a special place,” she said. “We have repeat customers from all over the world. They come to Wine Country and they come to Old Town.”

During my Tuesday visit, word was spreading that the mall was going to close.

Mike and Martha Villegas of Menifee are regular Old Town Antique Fair patrons. I met them while I was visiting the mall. They recalled a time years ago when they were on the hunt for vintage Mason jars to use as flower vases at their daughter’s country-themed wedding reception. They found a perfect set of matching blue ones at the mall. They were perfect, Martha explained.

“I’m saddened by this,” Martha said of the mall closure, adding that whenever she and her husband have company, they bring them to Old Town and drop by the mall.

“There’s something for everyone,” she said.

It’s not immediately clear what will replace the longstanding antiques malls. The Old Town Antique Faire property is owned by Los Angeles-based Zip Third Investments, LLC, while Norco-based HJP LLC owns the Fourth Street Antiques property.

The Old Town Antique Faire dealers were in negotiations with the owner to extend the mall’s lease, and an increased price was agreed upon, but before the paperwork could be drawn up, the landlord decided to pursue a “different direction,” according to Drury.

The only place in town for antiques dealers like Drury and her mother is Granny’s Attic, a sprawling antiques mall located in the city’s industrial area. The family has an existing business there.

I strolled through the vast Granny’s showroom, which is jammed with all manner of aged goodies. It’s uncertain whether all 60 dealers from the two soon-to-close antiques malls in Old Town will be able to relocate there.

“He [Granny’s owner] is trying to accommodate everyone, but there’s just not enough room,” Drury said.

Maria Marquez is a longtime Temecula businesswoman who told Patch that she wants to step in to help the antiques dealers. She said she made an offer on the Fourth Street Antiques lease, but business discussions were ongoing and her price was below the asking.

“People are being displaced. It’s painful,” Marquez said. “I’m doing everything in my power to save this.”

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AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps informed volunteers Tuesday that they would exit the program early “due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control,” according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.

The unsigned memo to corps members said NCCC’s “ability to sustain program operations” was impacted by the Trump administration’s priorities and President Donald Trump’s executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency. Members would be officially dismissed April 30.

AmeriCorps did not respond Wednesday to an AP email seeking comment.

What program was affected and why?

AmeriCorps NCCC, which completed its 30th year last year, employs more than 2,000 people ages 18 to 26 participating for a roughly 10-month service term, according to the program’s website. The teams of corps members are tasked with working on several projects related to education, housing, urban and rural development, land conservation, and disaster relief, driving from one assignment to another across the country.

The agency pays for volunteers’ basic expenses, including housing, meals and a “limited health benefit,” as well as a “modest” living allowance, according to the program. The program also provided members who complete their 1,700-hour service term with funding for future education expenses or to apply to certain student loans. That benefit was worth about $7,300 this service year.

Funding for AmeriCorps and NCCC has long been scrutinized when Congress talks of budget trims. The federal agency’s budget showed NCCC funding amounted to nearly $38 million last fiscal year.

A White House official said the Trump administration questioned using taxpayer money for the program. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

What work were they doing?

The traditional NCCC volunteers worked with sponsors including community and faith-based based organizations, nonprofits, schools, cities and tribes. Some of the recent service projects included working at a food bank in Washington state, building homes with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina, and facilitating after school programs in Arizona.

AmeriCorps NCCC also has a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and, more recently, the U.S. Forest Service. Those volunteers over the last year responded to tornadoes and flooding in Iowa, hurricane damage in North Carolina and wildfires in California, among other natural disasters, when volunteers are especially visible.

What happens next for corps members?

Young corps members were told Tuesday night to pack up. Many started long road trips from their latest assignment to campuses in Vicksburg, Mississippi; Vinton, Iowa; Sacramento, California; and Aurora, Colorado. Members would receive their allowance and health coverage through the end of April, according to the memo.

Members were told in the memo that those who have completed 15% or more of their term would be eligible for a prorated amount of their education award.

But Kate Raftery, who was NCCC director from 2011 to 2014, said she’s worried about the corps members, many of whom were the “unusual suspects” who “saw this as a really impactful education or career launching pad.”

“They were not young people who had been striving to be service members somewhere,” Raftery said. “They were looking for an opportunity to improve their life. They were looking for an opportunity to build some skills, and to be part of a community.”

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Reflecting on his time at MSJC, Dr. Lawson shared his gratitude for the opportunities and experiences he has gained during his more than five years with the college. “I have been blessed to be part of the MSJC family and look forward to taking what I’ve learned into my future endeavor,” said Dr. Lawson. “I want to thank Dr. Roger Schultz, Vice President Joyce Johnson, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Cabinet, our Distinguished Professors, and the classified professionals who have supported me in serving the students and communities of MSJC.”

Dr. Roger Schultz, Superintendent/President of MSJC, extended his congratulations to Dr. Lawson on this significant achievement. “Dr. Lawson has been a remarkable leader and a champion for student success,” said Dr. Schultz. “His dedication to our students and communities has left a lasting impact, and we are proud to see him take on this well-deserved leadership opportunity. Northland Pioneer College is fortunate to have him.”

Vice President of Career Education, Nursing & Allied Health Joyce Johnson praised Dr. Lawson’s lasting contributions to MSJC. “Dr. Lawson’s vision and commitment to equity and access have shaped many of the positive changes we’ve seen in career education,” said VP Johnson. “While we will miss his leadership and passion, we celebrate this next chapter in his career and wish him every success.”

During his tenure at MSJC, Dr. Lawson led initiatives that significantly enhanced student success and strengthened the college’s connection to its surrounding communities. His departure represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for him, where his extensive experience and student-focused leadership will continue to benefit the students and communities of NPC.

Dr. Lawson also looks forward to relocating to Arizona and beginning this new venture alongside his beloved 135-pound Saint Bernard, affectionately known as “Fat Daddy.” He humorously noted, “As the saying goes, once an Eagle, always an Eagle. Well, I will continue to be an Eagle, as that’s also the mascot for NPC.”

Known for his servant-leadership approach, Dr. Lawson describes himself as a leader who prefers to shine the spotlight on the students he serves rather than his own accomplishments. His unwavering focus on student success will undoubtedly continue to guide his efforts in this new role.

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Two weeks ago a San Bernardino Superior Court overturned the county’s approval of a massive warehouse complex on more than 2 million acres in the community of Bloomington.

Then on Sunday Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that reins in warehouse development statewide by tightening building standards and restricting diesel truck routes in neighborhoods. 

The new law is likely to have a big impact in the Inland Empire, which already includes 4,000 warehouses that sprawl over nearly 40 square miles. Those facilities bring jobs, but also air pollution, noise and traffic.

Environmental activists applauded the court case reversing the Bloomington warehouse approval.

Developers of the Bloomington warehouse complex proposed building three new distribution centers, including a cavernous facility of more than a million square feet. Their plan involved buying and demolishing more than 100 homes.

A coalition of nonprofits sued San Bernardino County and the developer in 2022, saying officials missed the mark on environmental standards. On Sept. 17 Superior Court Judge Donald Alvarez agreed. He overturned the project approval and its environmental impact report, ruling that it failed to offer reasonable alternatives or properly analyze impacts on air quality, noise, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are very happy that the judge has looked at all the evidence and agreed” the environmental review was inadequate, said Alondra Mateo, a community organizer with the San Bernardino-based People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, which sued to stop the project.

The demolition of homes that carved away a swath of the community goes beyond typical development concerns, Mateo said: “It’s not just an environmental impact; it’s a cultural impact, it’s a mental health impact.” 

Then on Sunday Newsom approved the warehouse law authored by Inland Empire Democratic Assemblymembers Eloise Gómez Reyes and Juan Carillo. The law passed in the final hours of the legislative session in August, provoking criticism from all sides. While advocates for the logistics industry panned the law as a job-killer, community groups say its public health protections aren’t strict enough.

Paul Granillo, president and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, described the law as bad policy “created in a smoke-filled room without experts.” He predicted it will hurt jobs in 

the Inland Empire and other parts of Southern California.

Environmental groups weren’t any happier. The law requires warehouse loading docks be set back 300 to 500 feet from to sensitive sites, including homes, schools and playgrounds. That’s not enough of a buffer to protect nearby residents, Mateo said, arguing that the ideal distance should be about one kilometer, which is more than 3,280 feet.

Reyes has said the law offers a starting point that local governments can expand on to protect public health. Mateo maintained it gives developers an out, enabling them to comply with the letter of the law by meeting minimum limits.

Lawmakers acknowledged the law will require amendments. The critics are ready to go. Industry groups say they’ll press for more flexible rules, while environmental groups want stricter ones.

“If anything we’re going to push even harder,” Mateo said.

The post Newsom and state court judge throw wet blanket on Inland Empire warehouse boom appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

BANNING, CA — A 98-year-old Banning man who was attacked and killed inside his home last month was formally identified Tuesday as Earnest Collins.

“Mr. Collins was a long-time Banning resident, who was known and loved by several people in his community,” Banning police said.

Collins was found unresponsive around 2:38 p.m. April 19 at his home in the 500 block of N. Allen Street. No arrests have been announced in the case and police say they are looking for tips.

“We thank the public for their assistance in bringing justice to Mr. Collins, his family, and friends,” the Banning Police Department said.

According to an obituary for Collins, he was born on Jan. 5, 1926, in Foreman, Arkansas, to Clay Collins Sr. and Caroline Johnson Collins.

He went on to be drafted by the U.S. Army in 1946 and received an honorable discharge. He married his first wife, Vera Odessa Collins, and together they had three children: Allen James Collins, Johnnie Earl Collins, and Jimmy Ray Collins, the obituary states.

From 1959 to 1979, Collins worked at a cotton mill in Calipatria.

“He was such a great people person that he quickly advanced to night shift foreman,” according to the obituary.

Following his retirement from the mill, Collins married his second wife, Lucille Sullivan.

Collins was preceded in death by both of his wives and two of his sons, Allen James and Jimmy Ray.

He is survived by sons Johnnie Earl of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Bobbie Lee Collins of Phoenix, Arizona, and eight grandchildren — Jason Anthony Collins, Michelle Lavette Collins, Dione Lamar Collins, Datrice Lanette Collins, Deandra Renae Collins, Dorian Ray Collins, Allen James Collins, Jr. and Lorraine Denise Collins — several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Banning Police Detective Bureau at 951-922-3170.

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