"Inspiration" (November Newsletter)

SDSI is a business development organization. Our newsletter, however, reaches far beyond the membership. Last night we had our Q4 Advisory Board Meeting at the Challenged Athlete Foundation Headquarters. Our topics included an excellent presentation by Fidelitas about current market conditions, and we had some forward looks at Q1 and Q2 of 2023. 

That's not the story. The kick-off was an awesome welcome by Rudy Tolson, a double above the knee amputee, athlete, 5 x Paralympian, to name just a few of his attributes. Rudy is an inspiring human with an inspirational story. As the evening developed, we heard from Todd Tibbits, CEO of the San Diego YMCA about their extensive outreach program and amazing efforts in Child Care, and then an equally inspirational invitation from Dan Engel from the Miracle League of San Diego, to attend their annual baseball game featuring 350 children and adults with special needs and their support "buddies” for an awesome ballgame.

Inspiration… and a personal reminder to me that I can do much more. You might be with me in the category of good intentions, but low follow through. The Holiday season is a time of giving. Thanksgiving provides us the opportunity to do both, give thanks and give. Here are a few options. Perhaps you could use your Holiday party to raise funds and support one of the very many charities that help make San Diego special for everyone. - bob
 

- Challenged Athletes Foundation: CAF has a simple mission: Empower lives with Sport. Since its founding in 1994, CAF has helped over 26,000 individuals with challenges get access to sport. You can join the famous charity “ride” from San Francisco to San Diego or donate with the click of a button (here) and do your part to help match athletes with adaptive sports gear, defer travel expense or provide the “extra” it takes to help great athletes get over the finish line. (contact info)

- Lucky Duck Foundation: Join LFD in their mission to house the less fortunate among us, not someday, tonight! SDSI’ers have purchased over 250 “sleeping bag /jackets” in the last two years. Your contribution can help us buy more before winter sets in. (contact info)

- Rob Machado Foundation: Rob is an excellent role model for us all. His giving nature is wrapped in his Foundation’s dedication to empowering young people to make sustainable choices, with a particular focus on water. (contact info)

-Freedom Dogs: Lori Walton’s dream is to match at-risk Service Veterans with companion dogs to fight the severe mental challenges of PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Go to the website and see these amazing success stories! (contact info)

- Father Joe’s Villages: The historic, monumental Father Joe, has faced the homelessness of so many with kindness and love and a very scrappy knack for fundraising into an organization that houses 2500 “neighbors” nightly…and far, far more. (contact info)

- Miracle League of San Diego: provides children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball in an organized league. Every player is matched with a buddy based on his or her unique needs. (contact info)

-Access Youth Academy: was created in 2006 to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic mentorship and urban squash. In a 12-year commitment that begins in 7th grade, Access students embark on a curriculum of intellectual, physical, and social development where academic enrichment, sports training, and financial support combine to help them realize their full potential. There students have 13 national title wins, a 100% high school graduation rate and 100% college acceptance rate. (contact info)

TO READ THE REST OF THE NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE.