For 35 years, San Diego’s famed Nice Guys have helped people in need with “a hand up, not a hand-out”

They have no overhead, offices, or paid staff, and members (now numbering over 140) cover all expenses. Their charitable donations to date exceed $16 million, and their only reward is the gratification of helping those who need it.

Annually, they honor a “Nice Guy of the Year” (NGoY) for exceptionally distinguished actions and generosity. On Nov. 8, at the downtown Marriott Marquis, the honoree was T. Denny Sanford. His foundation has given charitable donations totaling $1 billion, favoring breast cancer research (his mother died of the disease when he was just 4), the search for a diabetes cure, and other health issues. His Sanford Harmony Program teaches young children to appreciate the opposite gender; the goal is to ultimately reduce the divorce rate and the abuse rate.

Kimberly Hunt and husband Billy Ray Smith emceed the event. The program included a proclamation of Denny Sanford Day in San Diego presented by Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

“Papa” Doug Manchester (2013’s NGoY) introduced Sanford and presented the award. Sanford himself spoke at some length of his affection for Manchester and for Malin Burnham, men who led him to appreciate San Diego. He called his son’s family and several business associates to the stage to share the limelight, ending by bringing up his
“partner for life,” Elizabeth Dewberry.

Photos and report by Vincent Andrunas.

San Diego-based nonprofit PCI (Project Concern International) raised more than $500,000 at its 26th annual Hands Across Borders gala held Nov. 15 in support of its efforts to meet the needs of children in 16 countries around the world. Co-chaired by Molly Eldredge and Mell Gallahue, the event brought together over 600 people at the San Diego Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier to celebrate PCI’s work.

The evening honored three local philanthropists who have each made a difference in the lives of millions of children. Community leader and La Jolla resident Anne Otterson became one of only three people in PCI’s  53-year history to receive the organization’s Founder’s Award. Rancho Santa Fe residents Harry Leibowitz and Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz, co-founders of the World of Children Award, received PCI’s 2014 Humanitarian Award for serving vulnerable children worldwide.

The Leibowitzes were presented their award by actress Stephanie March, best known for her role on Law &  Order: Special Victims Unit.

“PCI is committed to transforming the lives of children and families living in desperate poverty around the  world, and we are proud to honor the hard work of people like Anne Otterson and Harry and Kay Leibowitz, whose humanitarian efforts have touched millions,” said PCI President & CEO George Guimaraes.

“And thanks to the kindness and generosity of San Diegans like Papa Doug Manchester, whose $50,000 donation was the largest of the evening, we are in a better to position to provide moms and dads around the world with the tools and resources they need to make a better life for their children,” added Guimaraes.

A highlight from the evening was remarks from PCI’s Senior Manager in India, Yawar Qaiyum, whose programs working with vulnerable children and youth on the streets of New Delhi has reached over 35,000 children and youth. He was introduced by Eldredge and Gallahue who visited the program last year with their daughters.

Guests at the gala were able to bid on artisanal crafts from around the world, including textiles from India,  woven baskets from Botswana, and jewelry from Guatemala, and at the end of the evening, 75 generous San Diegans made public pledges from $100 to $50,000.

PCI is a global health, development, and humanitarian organization working in 16 countries. It was founded in San Diego 53 years ago after a local doctor was inspired by saving two children’s lives while volunteering in Tijuana. The organization is dedicated to saving lives and building healthy communities around the globe,  benefiting over 10 million people annually in Asia, Africa and the Americas. For more information, visit www.pciglobal.org.

 

Community leader and La Jolla resident Anne Otterson became one of only three people in PCI’s 53-year history to receive the Founder’s Award

San Diego-based nonprofit PCI (Project Concern International) raised more than $500,000 at its 26th annual Hands Across Borders gala last Saturday in support of its efforts to meet the needs of children in 16 countries around the world. Co-chaired by Molly Eldredge and Mell Gallahue, the event brought together over 600 people at the San Diego Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier to celebrate PCI’s work.

The evening honored three local philanthropists who have each made a difference in the lives of millions of children. Community leader and La Jolla resident Anne Otterson became one of only three people in PCI’s 53-year history to receive the organization’s Founder’s Award. Rancho Santa Fe residents Harry Leibowitz and Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz, co-founders of the World of Children Award, received PCI’s 2014 Humanitarian Award for serving vulnerable children worldwide.

The Leibowitzes were presented their award by actress Stephanie March, best known for her role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

“PCI is committed to transforming the lives of children and families living in desperate poverty around the world, and we are proud to honor the hard work of people like Anne Otterson and Harry and Kay Leibowitz, whose humanitarian efforts have touched millions,” said PCI President & CEO George Guimaraes.

“And thanks to the kindness and generosity of San Diegans like Papa Doug Manchester, whose $50,000 donation was the largest of the evening, we are in a better to position to provide moms and dads around the world with the tools and resources they need to make a better life for their children,” added Guimaraes.

A highlight from the evening was remarks from PCI’s Senior Manager in India, Yawar Qaiyum, whose programs working with vulnerable children and youth on the streets of New Delhi has reached over 35,000 children and youth. He was introduced by Eldredge and Gallahue who visited the program last year with their daughters.

Guests at the gala were able to bid on artisanal crafts from around the world, including textiles from India, woven baskets from Botswana, and jewelry from Guatemala, and at the end of the evening, 75 generous San Diegans made public pledges from $100 to $50,000.

PCI is a global health, development, and humanitarian organization working in 16 countries. It was founded in San Diego 53 years ago after a local doctor was inspired by saving two children’s lives while volunteering in Tijuana. The organization is dedicated to saving lives and building healthy communities around the globe, benefiting over 10 million people annually in Asia, Africa and the Americas. For more information, visit www.pciglobal.org.

San Diego Magazine Original  Story

On Nov. 1 Over the Edge for Brain Cancer was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt to raise funds to end brain cancer. Participants rappelled 365 ft. over the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the city’s tallest waterfront hotel. Among the 82 participants for the two-day event were Papa Doug Manchester and Stephanie Brown. The Rick Oehme Foundation was the presenting sponsor. Others included the Manchester Grand Hyatt, U-T San Diego, Heritage Senior Care, Brian Bash, The Case Foundation, Genentech, The Tug McGraw Foundation and Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center were sponsors. The $207,000 raised will go for Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure to be directed to San Diego-based brain cancer research.

Competing against a talented field of nominees, U-T San Diego President and COO Mike Hodges won the AAF Silver Medal award and Kevin Acee, sports columnist, received the Media Talent of the Year award.

U-T San Diego proudly announces that two members of its talented team — Mike Hodges and Kevin Acee – were selected from a field of accomplished nominees to receive coveted awards in their respective fields at the

2014 SDX Brand Diego Awards, which took place on Oct. 23 at San Diego’s Port Pavilion.

Mike Hodges, U-T San Diego’s president and COO, won the AAF Silver Medal award. This award is bestowed

annually by SDX on behalf of the American Advertising Federation, the nation’s oldest and most respected

advertising trade association.

Kevin Acee, a U-T San Diego sports columnist who recently teamed up with Chargers’ quarterback Philip

Rivers to lead the “Passing it On” fundraising campaign in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of

San Diego, received the Media Talent of the Year award.

“When I purchased the U-T, I was so incredibly impressed with the talent that is part of our U-T family,”

commented Papa Doug Manchester, U-T San Diego’s chairman and publisher. And in particular, I would like

to congratulate Mike Hodges and Kevin Acee for winning SDX Brand Diego Awards in their respective fields.

Their accomplishments make the light of U-T San Diego shine even brighter.”

Founded in 1911, SDX (formerly the San Diego Ad Club) is one of the largest and oldest San Diego

networking and professional groups for advertising and marketing executives, with more than 300 companies

representing about 700 members. Each year, the SDX Brand Diego Awards showcase excellence in each facet

of the advertising and marketing business, including agencies, brands, media and affiliated companies. More

information on SDX is available at sandiegox.org.

For all other information, including media inquiries, contact Stephanie Brown, U-T San Diego’s senior director

of marketing and public relations, at stephanie.brown@utsandiego.com or 619-293-2175.

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