About Our Members

Vista Hill Corporate Citizens

We salute the Vista Hill Corporate Citizens who help us in many ways throughout the year.

OUR FIRST THREE MEMBERS…..

Travelers Aid, San Diego www.travelersaidsandiego.org
Travelers Aid Society San Diego, runs Help Desks for travelers which is very important to visitors to this community. They are also particularly interested in assisting woman and children who are victims of domestic violence.

ezGDS, Inc. www.ezgds.com
Easy Global Distribution System offers non-profit organizations a unique opportunity to generate substantial funding from the dynamic industry of on-line travel sales. Tom Allen, member of FVH Board and COO of ezGDS, was our third member to join. Mr. Allen has dedicated a lot of his time to Vista Hill throughout the years and continues to be a great supporter!

Mission Federal Credit Union www.missionfcu.org
Community minded, MFCU is passionate about education, this member contributed $10,000 to kick off our campaign to remodel
ten classrooms at Stein Education Center. They also provided a terrific Marketing/PR workshop for our staff.

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Special appreciation to the following for their membership.

7- Eleven, Normal Heights The world's largest convenience retail chain is committed to supporting the needs of our local communities. They provide work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, and we appreciate their support very much. www.7-eleven.com

Active Investments Commercial Real Estate specializes in the purchase, development and renovation of shopping centers and other Commercial Real Estate Properties throughout San Diego County.  Mike Epstein, who began his service on the Friends of Vista Hill Board of Trustees in 2010, is co-owner and principal at the company. www.activeinvestments.net

Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. – The premier specialty insurance broker ranking among the 15 largest insurance brokerage firms in the U.S., Alliant employees have been generous to Vista Hill over the years. Rick Gulley, Alliant Senior Vice President, is a current member of the Friends of Vista Hill Board of Trustees. www.alliantinsurance.com

Anthony's Fish Grotto La Mesa is a Stein Education Center Workability Site which provides an opportunity for our students to work independently with minimal supervision.  Also, our students wear their uniforms to this site which makes them proud! www.gofishanthonys.com

Apollonia Greek Bistro is a wonderful restaurant in Costa Verde Center in University City. It has been recently redecorated and is a place we often go to for lunch or dinner meetings…the food is delicious.  Owner Tony Farah has given gift certificates to Vista Hill and is an enthusiastic supporter of our causes. For more information or to see their menu, visit the website at www.apolloniabistro.com.

Bingham McCuthen LLP is a global law firm with approximately 1,100 attorneys in nine US offices and three international offices. It represents clients in corporate litigation, cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, financing and securities, structured finance and capital markets, government affairs and a wide variety of corporate and technology transactions.  Their support of Vista Hill events is much appreciated.

Brandes Investment Partners is a leading investment advisory firm, managing equity and fixed income assets for institutional and private clients worldwide. Debra McGinty-Poteet is a director with the firm and serves as Secretary for the Friends of Vista Hill Board of Trustees. She is a donor and one of our best ticket sellers, especially for the annual Fashion Show and the Gala. www.brandes.com

Can Depot Recycling is a Stein Education Center Workability Site and also donated the large recycling containers for our Walk-A-Thon. This site is great for lower functioning students and provides them with experience in mobility, litter abatement, sorting, and organizational skills.

Craig Applefield Insurance Services, Inc.
A community-minded organization we appreciate very much!

Crown Point Catering www.crownpointcatering.com
Crown Point Catering owned and managed by Vicki Hamilton, has been involved with Vista Hill since 1987. Vicki currently serves as FVH Board Chair and has served as a member on many of our past committees. Crown Point Catering continues to offer wonderful catering services to Vista Hill for all of our charitable events. Vicki's dedication and generosity to our organization are greatly appreciated.

Cubic Corporation www.cubic.com
Since its founding in 1951, Cubic has helped make a difference in the San Diego community by supporting a wide range of nonprofit organizations whose issues and values are aligned with corporate interests and employee values. The company has an especially strong commitment to organizations that promote youth activities, scholar-athletes, and health. Cubic Corporation has been a long time supporter of Vista Hill and has been contributing since 1995.

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Dave's Wholesale www.daves-wholesale.com
Dave's Wholesale donated a brand new big screen television to Stein Education Center for the Walk-a-thon in 2007. The television
set was given away in the opportunity drawing which brought in needed funds for SEC. Also, several of our current students at SEC are involved with Dave's Wholesale through our Workability Program.
This program helps our students learn, live, and grow!

Dollar Tree Store The staff at the on Murphy Canyon Road has consistently welcomed our students in a friendly, accepting way—even when there have been changes in the management. There are a variety of tasks that are just right for children with autism, requiring visual matching, sorting and assembling skills.

Dream Florist in Hillcrest gives some of our younger Stein Education Center students a wonderful opportuntiy; they are able to help with most aspects of a floral shop which is a terrific learning experience. www.dreamflorist.com.

Einstein Bros. Bagels, Friars Road has been an outstanding provider of work opportunity for the Stein Education Center Adult Services constituents. Our SEC adult clients are thrilled to be a part of such a great endeavor. They love to wear uniforms, and they love to get paid! http://www.einsteinbros.com

El Pollo Loco, Mission Gorge has delicious food and gives our Stein Education Center (SEC) students the chance to learn what to do at work. They provide what we call “workability experience,” and our students love the chance to be a part of the community. www.elpolloloco.com

Foster Thornton, LLC – Nancy Thornton, CPA and licensed fiduciary, has successfully managed the financial affairs of individuals, families and small businesses. She has served, and is serving, as successor trustee and financial power of attorney for all sizes of trusts and estates ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars. Ms. Thornton has been very helpful to Vista Hill, and we are most grateful for her support. www.fosterthornton.com

Gelato Vero Caffe Provides our students with social interaction opportunities in addition to helping our students build and practice functional life skills, such as wiping tables, sweeping stairs and washing dishes.  Gelato Vero Caffe also donated a generous number of gift certificates to the Stein Education Centers for the 2010 Walkathon.

Hotchkiss & Anewalt, Inc. An insurance agency and real estate brokerage, Hotchkiss & Anewalt, Inc. is a private company with John Anewalt and Marten Barry as the principals. Vista Hill goes back may years with this firm which is very supportive of our programs.

Irving Hughes Long-time friend of Vista Hill, is the largest San Diego commercial real estate company that exclusively represents tenants. They never represent landlords. So there's no conflict of interest. Their number-one priority is helping you find the right space with the best economic terms and conditions. Life is a lease so negotiate well.

JOANN Fabrics & Crafts is a Stein Education Center Workability Site which has provided a diversity of tasks for high and low-functioning students.  Our students love wearing their uniforms; they get practice with laundry upkeep; and some students are beginning to practice customer service skills.  www.joann.com

Knight & Carver Located in San Diego, offers an array of yacht services. They have generously given our Stein Education Center (SEC) adults the opportunity to work for them and earn a wage. Our adult clients are very proud of their employment, and we all truly do appreciate Knight & Carver! www.knightandcarver.com

Luche Libre Taco Shop In addition to having delicious food, has helped our students learn and practice vocational skills, such as counting and stocking items, refilling bottles and setting the tables for the day.  Luche Libre has been generous to the Stein Education Centers, donating gift cards and wrestling masks to be auctioned off at the Walkathon.

MEA Digital www.meadigital.com
MEA Digital is a top 50 interactive marketing strategy and services firm based in San Diego, CA . MEA Digital joined Vista Hill's Corporate Citizens in January of 2008 and also made a wonderful contribution of $1,000.

McDonald's - Friars Road Our Stein Education Center (SEC) folks are proud to be a part of McDonald's. It's a great place to work, and we thank McDonald's for the opportunity. We'll take a large order of fries.
www.mcdonalds.com/ -

Midas Auto Service Experts provided items for this year's Walk-A-Thon Opportunity Drawing, and they are an introductory Stein Education Center Workability Site. Our students like the chance to be around cars, so this is a favorite. www.MidasSanDiegoCA.com

Northern Trust has a long history of supporting and giving back to the communities it serves. Vista Hill feels fortunate and grateful for the outstanding support provided by Northern Trust through its sponsorship of events, employee matching gifts and employee volunteer efforts. www.northerntrust.com.

Old Navy - Chula Vista Old Navy established their company in 1969 with a brand called Gap and a promise to make it easy to buy a great pair of jeans. We appreciate their support of Stein Education Center (SEC) and the work opportunities they provide for individuals with developmental disabilities. Thank you, Old Navy! www.OldNavy.com

Petco, Friars Road is one of two Petco stores which offers experience to our Stein Education Center (SEC) students. They are a terrific workability employer, and our students truly love to go there and be around the animals. Thank you, Petco, Friars Road! www.petco.com

Petco, Sports Arena is one of two Petco stores which offers work experience to our Stein Education Center (SEC) students. Giving our students the opportunity to learn what to do on the job is excellent training and an important part of the Workability Program. Petco, Sports Arena, you are much appreciated! www.petco.com

Prudential California Realty offers a variety of programs and services from personalized home searches to online mortgage applications. Realtor Heidi Dorman has been with the company for over seven years. She is a generous donor and a member of the Friends of Vista Hill Board of Trustees.
www.prudentialcal.com

Sears, Westfield UTC A great place to work with a long history in the USA . Special thanks to Sears, UTC for giving the Stein Education Center a workplace for individuals who are trying hard everyday to be a part of the community. westfield.utc-sears

Singer Sewing Center supports our students by being a Stein Education Center Workability Site.  Our students are learning to help repair and clean vacuums which requires them to improve their hand-eye coordination.  This year Singer donated items for the Opportunity Drawing at our Walk-A-Thon. www.singersewingsandiego.com

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Sombrero Mexican Food www.sombreromex.com
Sombrero Mexican Food, which has approximately 15 restaurants around San Diego, has worked with Vista Hill's Stein Education Center (SEC) for the last couple of years. They so generously donated food for the volunteers, participants, students, and staff at the Stein Education Center Walk-a-thon. They have a personal connection with SEC and we are happy to have them by our side.

Sports Authority, Mission Valley gives Stein Education Center Adult Services constituents the opportunity to work and get paid. Our clients enjoy this chance to be part of the working world, and we appreciate the Sports Authority, Mission Valley for their generous support. www.SportsAuthority.com

Souplantation Mission Gorge has been a Workability Site at the Stein Center for approximately 3 years.  It is within walking
distance for our students which helps with gas these
days. This year Souplantation set up a booth at our
Walk-A-Thon handing out good things to eat.  wwwsweettomatoes.com

Particular favorites were the chocolate chip cookies!

Synergy Electric – Since 1990 Synergy Electric has been recognized as a leader in electrical construction; specializing in the industrial, commercial, underground distribution, design build and the military markets. Diane and Bill Keltner are the company founders and have actively supported Vista Hill for many years. Currently Diane is an active member of the Friends of Vista Hill Board of Trustees. www.synergyelectric.com

The Brady Companies www.brady.com
The Brady Companies, incorporated in 1977, is one of three subcontracting companies operating throughout California.  Ronald Brady, CEO of The Brady Companies, and wife Mary Alice Brady have contributed generously to Vista Hill for many years. They attend our events, support us in many ways, and they are great bidders at our auctions!

The Home Depot – Store #1032 – Market Place www.homedepot.com
The Home Depot is involved with many non-profit organizations throughout the community of San Diego . They provide great activities for the students of Stein Education Center at our annual Walk-a-thon.

Also, they lend a helping hand when we have capital projects, especially during the construction of our new teaching kitchen at the main campus. All of the wonderful ideas and suggestions were such a big help!

The Securities Center – Jim Biddle has been involved with Vista Hill for more than 20 years. He served on the Friends of Vista Hill Board and currently is a member of the Friends of Vista Hill Advisory Board. He is president of the Securities Center, a full-service brokerage and financial planning firm serving clients who are mostly in the area south of San Diego and into Mexico. Jim is a proud Buckeye from Ohio State. www.securitiescenter.com

U.S. Bank (formerly San Diego National Bank) SDNB has always been a big supporter of Vista Hill. With 28 branch offices located throughout San Diego County, the bank's energetic employees renew their commitment daily to making San Diego great through involvement in more than 200 community organizations across the region. www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/about/nine/index.cfm

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Projects your company might wish to work on:

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, our emergency food pantry at ParentCare, was established by the San Diego Women's Foundation. Non-perishable foods (not out of date) and emergency supplies are needed: toilet paper, diapers, soap, toothpaste. Many clients could use help in this arena. If your company could run a food drive for Vista Hill, it would be a great boon!

Bikes (new or gently-used) for children aged 10 on up; simple ones without hand brakes or fancy attachments are best for our developmentally disabled children.

Windmill Thrift Shops in North Park and City Heights at 3081 and 4611 University Avenue …If your corporation holds a rummage sale, we'll pick everything up. To arrange, call Ben at (619) 291-2415. Proceeds benefit Vista Hill and Senior Communities – two great organizations!
www.windmillthriftshops.org

Books! We need gently-used books -- for babies, children, adolescents, teens, young adults, and adults because our clients/patients/consumers range in age from zero to senior citizen, and because some of our families have no books at all.

Emergency grooming items (tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, comb/brush, etc.) are always needed, and member companies could make small packages of these items so we could hand them out as needed.

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If your company were able to provide small duffle bags (with company logo) filled with standby supplies including emergency grooming items, wash cloth, towel, notebook and pen, t-shirt, bandana, socks, tissues, etc. This could be critical for some of our Vista Hill families who are in dire need of everything.

For companies wishing to provide financial support, we have a great Matching Gifts Opportunity for remodeling ten classrooms at Stein Education Center; and we have many other program needs which we'd be happy to present to any corporate member.

Also, financial support would help our hard-working severely emotionally disturbed (sed) students at Stein Education Center who play in an intramural league. They could use uniforms – matching pants and shirts to start….approximately 15 growing boys.

Assembling fruit baskets as small rewards for our adult developmentally disabled constituents would provide the adults with a healthy snack to take home. When our adult consumers have something like this waiting for them, it is very well received; they love it!

Having a supply of Ready-To-Go Back Packs would be very helpful. We receive some of these from time to time – usually in August or September; but when a child comes to us at other times in the year and has nothing, it's really wonderful to be able to pull this out and hand it to him or her.

New or gently-used sturdy exercise equipment is needed in several programs – cable weight machines, stationery bicycles, and walking machines.

For more information please contact Ann L. Mound, Vice President, Executive Director, Friends of Vista Hill at 858.514.5151 or email amound@vistahill.org.

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