Going back to school, whether online, in-person, or a combination, is a yearly expense that can be especially challenging for military families.

In 2019, families in the United States spent approximately $700 per child on school supplies for the school year, according to the National Retail Federation. The combination of backpacks, clothes, notebooks, and lunchboxes adds up, and many schools also ask parents to contribute as much as $100 per family to help cover the costs of classroom materials. Many military families find themselves hard-pressed to purchase school supplies on top of other child-care costs and household needs.

Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization that has been supporting strong, stable military families since 2002, has taken on the challenge of getting military kids classroom-ready through its annual Back-to-School Brigade program, established in 2008.

This year, Hunt Heroes Foundation (HHF), a nonprofit organization founded by Hunt Military Communities (HMC), the nation’s largest military housing owner, has announced its support of Operation Homefront and its Back-to-School Brigade. HHF will be delivering 1,850 backpacks filled with school supplies to HMC communities in the continental United States in advance of the 2020 school year.

“Operation Homefront is proud that Hunt Military Communities is helping bring our Back-to-School Brigade program to military families in their communities,” says Robin Miller, senior director of Operation Homefront.

“With their support, we are able to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to those who have given so much on behalf of all Americans and ensure that their children have the tools for a successful start to the school year,” Ms. Miller emphasizes.

The event aims to ease some of the financial burdens of back-to-school costs for military families, and the backpacks are tailored to all ages and grade levels.

“We are honored to partner with Operation Homefront on an initiative that will support military families during this uniquely challenging back-to-school season,” says John Ehle, president of Hunt Military Communities.

“It is our goal to make the process as seamless as possible for parents, and make sure that their children are prepared to start the new school year, whether virtually or in-person.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Back-to-School Brigade will be adjusted to adhere to federal, state, and local COVID-19 guidelines with features such as a drive-through format.

For more information or to support these organizations, visit OperationHomefront.org and huntmilitarycommunities.com.

-NewsUSA

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The Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Foundation Board of Directors on Monday unanimously voiced its support for the MSJC Equity Pledge.

The Foundation Board issued a statement of support that acknowledges there are systemic barriers that have historically excluded and prevented equal outcomes for students on the basis of:

• Race/ethnicity

• Gender Identity and Expression

• Sexuality

• National Origin

• Socioeconomic status

• Disability

• Language

• Religion

• Age

• Physical Appearance

• Intersections of these identities

“We define equity as an investment and commitment to achieving parity in academic outcomes by removing institutional barriers and creating an inclusive and culturally affirming learning environment,” the statement reads. “Our purpose is to celebrate diversity, instill hope, and empower our students to transform their lives and those around them.

“We, the Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation, commit to and fully support the MSJC Equity Pledge,” the statement reads.

The Foundation Board’s support followed a May 31 statement from Dr. Roger Schultz, Superintendent/President of Mt. San Jacinto College.

“It is incumbent upon all of us to continuously reflect on our own biases and racial blind spots so we can work together to disrupt and dismantle racist systems and mindsets that permeate our community and our country,” he said. “The Mt. San Jacinto College Equity Pledge is a testament to our commitment to do exactly that.”

MSJC serves about 27,000 students over a 1,700-square-mile area.

The MSJC Foundation provides financial assistance to support student success and MSJC initiatives. The nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation provides scholarships and mini-grants to MSJC students and faculty and offers assistance through programs such as the Pledge for Success with funds raised from the private and public sectors. Since 1983, the Foundation has been comprised of community leaders who volunteer to work with college staff to support MSJC’s specific needs.

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Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) has continued providing students instruction but had to cancel all of its face-to-face events.

However, the MSJC Foundation has good news for MSJC students, faculty and staff. We may not be able to attend a concert in a large or quaint venue right now, but thanks to very generous sponsors, we can still enjoy some stellar performances in our new virtual concert series featuring five great acts from various musical genres.

The free hourlong concerts would not be possible without MSJC Foundation sponsors Pepsi; CW Driver; Keenan; Image Source; Dominion Trust; So Cal Gas; and California Coast Credit Union.

The MSJC (Stay-At-Home) Concert Series launches today, May 29, with Jimmie Allen, a breakthrough country music artist slated to play the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio in October. 

Up-and-coming country music artist Matt Stell, a former college basketball player best known for “Prayed for You,” will perform Wednesday, June 10.

Platinum-selling Parmalee, a 2016 Academy of Country Music (ACM) “New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year” nominee, jams on Wednesday, June 24. The band was slated to play the Menifee Music & Arts Festival on the MSJC Menifee Valley Campus this year until its cancelation.

Eve 6, which scored several hits in the ‘90s such as “Inside Out,” takes the “stage” Wednesday, July 8.

Thompson Square, the Grammy-nominated country music duo who headlined the Menifee Music & Arts Festival in 2019, will entertain us again on Wednesday, July 22. The multi-platinum-selling husband and wife have earned “Vocal Duo of the Year” honors from both the ACM and Country Music Association (CMA) awards.

The MSJC (Stay-At-Home) Concert Series benefits the MSJC Foundation’s Pledge for Success, a basic-needs initiative that supports MSJC students with emergency funding and food, books and supplies, professional clothing, and essential hygienic kits throughout the year. The Pledge is needed now more than ever as we work to provide the resources our students need at this time. Learn more about it at www.msjc.edu/pledgeforsuccess

Each concert will be streamed live on YouTube for MSJC students, faculty and staff.

Mt. San Jacinto College serves about 27,000 students – about two-thirds of which are on financial aid – over a 1,700-square-mile area.

On May 21, Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) awarded a record-breaking 3,554 degrees and certificates to 1,958 graduates during its virtual graduation ceremony.

Have a wonderful day and please follow MSJC on social media — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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The Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Foundation has provided funding for computers and other essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic to help some of the college’s students who are most in need. MSJC, which shut down campuses on March 16 following an order issued by Riverside County public health calling for school closures throughout the county to reduce the spread of the virus, transitioned 99 percent of its classes online.

MSJC reopened as an online college on April 6. During its three-week closure, which included a regularly scheduled spring break, the college took a strategic approach to ensure its highest-need students could take online classes. It used a survey to identify the needs of its students. The MSJC Foundation purchased 200 Chromebook laptops that will benefit those students who need them the most.

The purchase is partially funded by proceeds from the Foundation’s 2019 gala. This year’s gala had been scheduled for May 16, but was canceled due to the pandemic. “When we learned of the need, the Foundation Board Members and I were eager to help out,” said Rebecca Orlauski, Director of the MSJC Foundation and Donor Initiatives.

“The Foundation Board is always supportive of MSJC students and regularly distributes scholarships to those who need them. This was a natural extension of what we already do for students. We’re glad we were able to help out.” The MSJC Foundation holds two student scholarship luncheons annually to hand out scholarships from the Foundation, local community groups, and regional companies.

“We love awarding scholarships to students, but really, we’re here to help them in any which way we can,” said MSJC Foundation Board President Dee Cozart. “So when we heard students needed computers to help them finish the spring semester, we jumped at the opportunity to help. This is why we’re here.” The Foundation also helps students through its Pledge for Success basic needs initiative that removes some of the barriers to student success inside and outside of the classroom by providing students emergency funding and food, books and supplies, professional clothing, and basic hygienic items.

The MSJC Foundation raises its funding from supportive donors and through various events it holds throughout the year, including its annual gala and golf tournament. Anyone wanting to help support MSJC students and their success can contribute to the MSJC Foundation at www.msjc.edu/Foundation.

For more information, contact the Foundation at MSJCfoundation@msjc.edu or (951) 639-5173.

Since 1983, the MSJC Foundation has provided financial assistance to support student success and MSJC initiatives.

The nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation provides scholarships and mini-grants to MSJC students and faculty and offers assistance through initiatives such as the Pledge for Success with funds raised from the private and public sectors.

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Occasionally a journalist stumbles onto something important that he never knew of previously. That happened to me when a member of the San Jacinto Lions Club (Also Alumni representative of the San Jacinto Educational Organization, phoned me and asked would if I be interested in doing a story on the Edward Hyatt Hall of Fame presentations for this past year.

Of course I said give it to me and off to the races, so to speak, we sped full speed ahead.
The San Jacinto Educational Organization was founded in 2004 and in 2007 they decided that they wanted to recognize outstanding athletes in all San Jacinto High School sports. According to Reed the event will take place at a banquet held on January 25th in the Douglas A. Brown Memorial Gymnasium at San Jacinto High School.

Seven outstanding athletes were chosen for awards this year. From the Class of 1973, Hansel Conrad Marruffo (Hansel) – football and baseball; Rodger Martin (Marty) Marsh , baseball, wrestling and track and field; Class of 1995, Christina Lee “Divine” Adams – track and basketball; Class of 2002, Gregory S. Davis-football, basketball and track and field; Class of 2008, Rene Marmolejo – football and wrestling. Ryan Dannewitz – football; Class of 2009 – Melisa “ Escamilla” Roberts – soccer.

Reed continues, “In the beginning we selected twelve athletes but after a couple of years we cut it down to 7 which continues.”
Who was Edward Hyatt?
The San Jacinto Education Foundation/Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Frame bears his name. He first brought education and athletics to San Jacinto in 1884.

He was the first te4acher and principal in San Jacinto and was insistent upon a well-rounded curriculum. Hyatt included physical education as part of the course of studies and fielded a championship football team. He also brought tennis to San Jacinto after seeing it played in San Diego.

The rivalry with Hemet traces its roots to the year Hemet became a town in 1920. Ata that time San Jacinto students were required to attend Hemet High School but refused. Hyatt taught them in his home and his students excelled academically and surpassed Hemet apathetically. Several of his students attended Stanford University as did his children, both boys and girls.

Hyatt was a member of the San Diego County Board of Education; and,, after Riverside became a county, became Superintendent of Schools for Riverside County. Edward Hyatt went on to become California Superintendent of outposts of California. His impact on education in the State is still felt today.
It is a well known fact that one doesn’t excel at universities simply because their parents have money – although it was seen as to help until the recent Hollywood Educational Scandals.

As for the San Jacinto Education Foundation, it was founded in the early 2000s to enhance the educational experience of students in our community.
More information regarding the upcoming banquet and awards ceremony can be obtained by calling 951-929-7700 ext. 4530 or 951-927–7142
Bet you didn’t know all of this, did you? I now am well-informed and hope you are, too.
Just sayin.’

rustystrait@gmail.com

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Garner Holt, President and CEO of Garner Holt Productions, Inc. (GHP) of Redlands, a creator and manufacturer of Audio Animatronics and Robots, Sets and Scenery and Special Effects, for Theme Parks, Museums, and many other venues around the World, recently announced the creation of The Garner Holt Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization,

Holt said, “I am pleased to announce the creation of our Non-Profit, The Garner Holt Foundation, to help us further our goals in supporting the Youth of our Communities in the Area of Career Education, with a focus on innovative STEM and STEAM Learning”. Two years ago, GHP created “Education Through Imagination”, a new Division of the Company, to work with the Education Community. Focusing on student Career Education, utilizing their manufacturing process and facilities to expose students to over twenty-five different jobs and career opportunities in Manufacturing.

Holt continued, “Over the years we have had thousands of young people tour our facility and now with the creation of our Education Through Imagination Division, we want to make sure all the youth of our communities have access to the exciting hands on training we have created.”

Serving on the Board of Directors of the new organization are Debbie Brown, Bob Botts, Chairman, Charlotte “Char” Burgess, Mark Edwards, Gary Miller, Beverly Rainbolt, Joe Richardson, Dr. Mike Stull, and Stan Weisser. Also serving on the Board are Garner Holt, Ryan Rainbolt, Michelle Berg and Carole Mumford.

“We look forward to continue working with the K-16 Educational Institutions in the area, providing exciting Career Education Programs through the schools. And now to be able to support and promote a non-profit, community-based facility, called “Garner’s Garage”, is kind of a dream come true for me” Holt concluded.

Plans and construction are moving forward for the completion of the eight thousand square foot Garner’s Garage in Redlands, where the community and youth will be able to attend classes, seminars, and hands on Workshops and work with Robots, Computers, Laser Cutters and 3D Printers with a focus on STEM and STEAM Career Education.

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Tyrese McEwen worked hard at school and was able to graduate early. He is taking automotive mechanics courses at Mt. San Jacinto Community College and wants to own his own shop one day.

Emma Medrano maintained high grades and was nominated for numerous awards while in school. She will attend the University of California, Riverside with a double major of Microbiology and Public Policy in order to become a research scientist tackling modern animal studies.

Julie Moreno participated in many clubs and made Honor Roll all four years. She will attend the University of California, Irvine as a Biological Sciences major in her the quest to become a gynecologist.

Alexis Randall has a desire to help children and finds inspiration in her mother who accomplished her goals through initiative and passion. She will attend California State University, Monterey Bay majoring in business and education with plans to become a special education teacher.

Ashley Rae Saucedo was active in her school community through various clubs and Student Council. She will attend Riverside City College as a Psychology major so she can be a child trauma specialist in the future.

Samantha Torres was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Carson Scholar and received many honors. She was accepted into six universities and has chosen to attend USC (University of Southern California) with a major in Human Biology and then continue onto medical school.

The Soboba Foundation fully supports education and the pursuit of higher education of all students within the San Jacinto Valley.

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