Mayor Kevin Faulconer and San Diego’s first lady Katherine Faulconer, along with their two young children attended the 28th annual Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving Dinner at The Center which saw over 300 homeless people, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, struggling families with children, both GLBT and straight have a wonderful big dinner including second helpings. The annual event is organized and hosted by the Imperial Court de San Diego.
Mayor Faulconer also presented special “City Commendations” to community members who for years have been involved with food and toy drives: Dak Thompson, Maria Gallenta, Ben Dillingham, Connor Maddox, Michael Zarbo, Kaiden Montana and Michael Lochner.
The poverty level for our state is the largest in the nation with many people and families struggling including many in the GLBT community. Since the 1970s, during the holidays the hardworking volunteers of the Imperial Court and The Center staff and Family Matters come together every year. Just this past weekend, you, the GLBT community, families and friends are responsible – because of your support we were able to provide food and groceries to 19 families at the Florence Elementary School, clients of Being Alive, over 50 GLBT families of Family Matters, 36 hospital patients, a downtown homeless shelter, a Tijuana hospice and much more!
A special shout out for their support to: Rich’s, Numbers, Robert Gleason, Brian Dickenson, Toni Sanders, Ben Dillingham, Councilman Todd Gloria, Speaker Toni Atkins, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Pharmacy, Log Cabin Republicans, Walgreens Pharmacy, Human Dignity Foundation, Firefighters Association, Chris Ward, Tom Urbanski, Tim Maxwell, Lenny Thomas, Sen. Marty Block and so many more. God bless you all.
And now, please support our Christmas toy drives, blanket and clothing drives and food drives.
For more information: 619-692-1967. Thank you!
Martinis Above Fourth raises over $29,000
The holidays certainly bring out the very best of our GLBT business community and Martinis Above Fourth is on the top of that list.
This past Monday night, at their annual Christmas Wreath Auction almost $30,000 was raised for the Eddie Conlon Youth Fund which is administrated by our LGBT Center and the Imperial Court.
Many years ago, the late Nathan Garcia and I founded the fund named after a San Diego legend, the late beloved “Queen Eddie.” As more GLBT youth come out, with many rejected by their families, this youth fund has made a big difference and Martinis Above Fourth, their loyal customers and friends have let us help hundreds of GLBT youth a year.
Please thank the men of Martinis Above Fourth for always being there for our youth.
Nicole’s last Bourbon Street Bingo this Thursday!
Yes, today, Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 p.m. I will host my last Charity Bingo at Bourbon Street from 8:30– 10:30 p.m. to benefit the annual Toys For Kids drive.
So please, come on down tonight and I will be your outrageous host!
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 45 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last seven mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. In 2013 Murray Ramirez was named “Mayor of Hillcrest” by a City proclamation. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
You know she slathered both those kids from head to toe with hand sanitizer the second they left The Center…