The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce was happy to produce the twelfth annual Salute To Local Heroes. This event was luckily able to be held before the latest County of San Diego suggested rules on social gatherings. The guests were in a festive mood and eager to come together to celebrate the strength of our community by honoring our 7 local heroes. As guests entered the social reception, they were immediately greeted by the sounds of a classical guitar that was played by new Chamber Member, Miles Moynier, whose business is Miles Moynier Classical/Flamenco Guitar. He dressed the part and was a fabulous addition to our evening. We were also pleased to have local artist, Linda Baltodano attend and spotlight several of her paintings during our auction. We owe a debt of gratitude to Chamber Member, Joanie Ham, owner of La Mesa Floral Design Shoppe who decorated our silent auction and raffle area. The design was magnificently done in gold and black, complete with white feathers, jewels and red rose floral designs. The large floral decoration, with plumes of white feathers displayed by the podium was stunning. The entire ”Glitz and Glam” look enhanced our evening theme of “Hooray for Hollywood.” Take a look at our photo gallery to see detailed photos of our decorations and evening. A special thank you to our volunteers that worked tirelessly to make our evening a flawless production!
We were proud to honor this year’s local heroes: American Medical Response – paramedics Chris Torres and Keenan Wayne, Heartland Fire & Rescue – Captain Chip Tidball, La Mesa Police Department – Claudia Ortega, Crime Prevention Specialist and Colin Atwood, Master Officer, La Mesa Police Department Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol – Tita Boatright and Pat Olow.
The Chamber is grateful to the sponsors who helped make this evening possible. Our Presenting Sponsor – Sycuan Casino Resort, Executive Producer Sponsors – AMR and EDCO, Clark Gable Sponsor – SDG&E, Cary Grant Sponsors, Barona Resort & Casino, Kirk Paving, Inc., The Kitzman Family, Audrey Hepburn Sponsors – AT&T, Amanda Hammett Insurance & Financial Services – State Farm, Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM World and Westmont of La Mesa, Humphrey Bogart Sponsors – A.I.C., Inc., California Coast Credit Union – La Mesa, Edward Jones Investments – Kasem Abdullah, Kappa Surveying & Engineering, Marque Urgent Care, Nightwalker Caverns Escape Room Adventures, North Island Credit Union, Oakwood Escrow La Mesa, San Diego Eye Professionals, Storage West, and The Hills Local Pub, Media Production Sponsor – Discovering My City Magazine, Director – Print Media Sponsor – AAA Imaging, Graphic Design Sponsor – Kostedt Design & Marketing and Swag Bag Sponsors – Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon and Fully Promoted – Promotional Products. The evening was captured by Sandra Small/ Photographer and Photographer, Tim McGraff.