Village News - Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

The Hilltop Center for Spiritual Living hosted its annual “Appreciation Lunch” for local health, safety and volunteer workers on February 13.

The Center invited employees and volunteers from North County Fire Department, De Luz Fire Department, California Department of Forestry, Fallbrook Hospital, Hospice and Healthcare District, Fallbrook Sheriff’s Department and Fallbrook Food Pantry.

More than 100 guests enjoyed a delicious tostada bar and myriad desserts. The lunch was prepared and served by members of the church while live music was provided by the church’s musician, Dennis David.

According to Reverend Guy Williams, the Appreciation Lunch was started by the Hilltop Center after a fire in De Luz in 2002. Originally, it honored fire and sheriff personnel. In the following years, the guest list was expanded to include other local emergency workers.

Shari Meinert, RN, takes a break from Fallbrook Hospital

The attendees appreciated the efforts of the volunteers who created this lunch just for them.

Fire Marshal Sid Morel said, “It’s a great event. There’s always great food and we get to see some of the other folks we don’t get to see except briefly in emergencies.”

“It’s great for the community to recognize what we do,” he added. “It’s awesome.”

Local businesses that contributed to the event were El Toro Market, Albertson’s, Major Market and Ace Party Productions.