In the News
In Memoriam: Audrey Geisel, Vista Hill's Biggest Donor Passes Away at the age of 97.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Audrey Geisel. She is Vista Hill’s largest donor and made so many dreams possible for our organization and the families we serve. We were thrilled to honor Mrs. Geisel with the IMBY (In My Back Yard) Award in 2007. Her generosity inspired others in the San Diego community to give to Vista Hill. As the first line of the 2011 New Vistas article says, “A wonderful angel has been watching over Vista Hill for two decades and her name is Audrey Geisel.” (Pictured with Vista Hill President and CEO, Robert Dean.)
Geisel, who was a registered nurse earlier in her life before marrying the late Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, was frustrated in the 1970s and 80s when she had trouble convincing anyone to pay attention to mental health causes, let alone contribute to them. "To be honest, I felt like I was fighting the battle alone and actually gave up for a number of years. I never understood how people could ignore their fellow human beings as they struggled with mental illness, substance abuse issues and other problems that are part of the human condition. But, I found out about Vista Hill and all the tremendous things they were doing. I was thrilled to discover an organization that was really helping to serve the toughest of the tough, and I was excited to help expand their resources and ability to assist even more people. While I enjoy donating to the arts, education and science, I will never forget that there are countless numbers of human beings living at the edge of our society who are equally deserving of assistance. Unfortunately, to this day we still battle indifference and ignorance. But thankfully, with the caring support of an organization like Vista Hill, we've made real progress in providing the kind of help that truly transforms lives and strengthens our community. I'm honored and blessed to have played a role in the remarkable process," said Mrs. Geisel in the 2011 New Vistas Article.
She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
Vista Hill Live Well San Diego Day
Alfredo Aguirre Presents Vista Hill with Live Well San Diego Proclamation
This fall Vista Hill joined over 400 other San Diego County organizations in becoming a Live Well San Diego official partner. Live Well is the County’s vision of building a healthier, safer region through the pillars of Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving. Vista Hill is proud to become a recognized partner in making San Diego a healthier community, one client, family, and employee at a time!
On November 27, 2018, Alfredo Aguirre, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services of San Diego County presented Vista Hill Executives and Management Team with the Live Well San Diego Proclamation claiming it Vista Hill Live Well San Diego Day throughout San Diego County.
