The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce produced their seventeenth annual Salute to Local Heroes dinner on October 7th. This special night filled with joy and celebration was held on Wednesday, October7th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the popular Sycuan Casino Resort, 5469 Casino Way (Heritage Ballroom) in El Cajon.
This unique event celebrates the strength of the community and honors local heroes that serve our community. This evening is our opportunity to come together and honor those dedicated to serving our citizens. These heroes are from law enforcement, the fire district, Heartland Communications, the dedicated volunteers and the paramedic field.
This year’s heroes honored were American Medical Response –Enrique Sinohui, Paramedic, EMT Rebecca Mercado, Heartland Fire & Rescue-Captain Chip Tidball, Heartland Communications Facility Authority–Shift Supervisor Alexis Sanchez, La Mesa Police Department – Officer Marcus Williams, Jack Gaughran, Detective, Daniela Beltran, Police Volunteer, Hannah Allen, Police Volunteer and Vanessa Hernandez, Police Civilian Employee. In closing, the chamber made a special plaque presentation in memory of fallen officer, Lauren Craven to Police Chief Ray Sweeney, to be placed in the headquarters building of the La Mesa Police Department.
The Chamber is grateful to the sponsors who make this evening possible. We thank our Title Sponsor – Sycuan Casino Resort and Presenting Sponsors – EDCO and AMR. They were joined by Astair Sponsor UC San Diego Health, Broadway Sponsors-California Bank & Trust and Mirka Investments, LLC, Production Sponsor –North Island Credit Union, and Entertainer Sponsor –All Homes San Diego. Joining them were Gold Sponsors–California Coast Credit Union – La Mesa, Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM World, Holiday Inn Express – La Mesa, Mathnasium La Mesa, South, US Bank and Westmont of La Mesa. Our Printing Sponsor was AAA Imaging with the evening being captured by Directors of Photography – Carrie Smedley Photography, Dawn Hough Sebaugh Photography and Sandra Small Photographer. Our social media partner for the evening was Lemon Grove Media & Communications, joined by our Floral Design Partner Joannie’s Florals & Events and Décor Partner Gaballoons Décor.
The chamber dedicated this evening to our Chairman of the Board, Maggie Eggers who passed away on May 28th. This was an event that she loved and as an EDCO employee for the past 42 years, sat proudly at the sponsor table with EDCO team members.