Chamber, businesses and nonprofits support each other

The State of the Chamber dinner, held Sept. 19 at Pala Mesa Resort’s Cliff Terrace, was an example of how the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce is perfecting its service to the community.

Included in the event were 17 nonprofits that were given the chance to share their information with each other and the dinner guests who were encouraged to visit the nonprofit tables and get a signature at each one. A winner was picked, from all those who completed the signature card, and given a box of avocados.

In her remarks at the beginning of the dinner, Fallbrook Chamber CEO Lila MacDonald said the event was a sell out, “the best indicator of the state of the chamber.”

MacDonald introduced several distinguished guests at the dinner including State Assemblymember Marie Waldron, Supervisor Bill Horn, San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond, Fallbrook Honorary Mayor Michelle Verdugo and North County Fire Protection District Chief Stephen Abbott.

Also recognized were candidates for local office, chamber ambassadors, and the chamber board of directors.

MacDonald recognized her staff too, “I have the best staff ever, dynamic, fun and hardworking.” Staff members are Jackie Toppin, membership; Linda Costello, communications; Julie Hardesty, accounting; and Ann Klentz, daily volunteer,

Board treasurer George Archibald said the chamber is financially stable, “more so than ever before” with help from the county and staff. He added, “membership is as high as I've ever seen it and this membership is involved. We are the hub of this town.” He also said that they believe in community and the more than 150 local nonprofits they are working with to make them strong.

While board president Erica Williams thanked the board, “It's not just me,” she said, adding “We can't live without Lila.” She thanked Supervisor Horn for the money that paid for the wayfaring signs and said upcoming projects include new crosswalk painting and traffic calming.

MacDonald said the chamber has been here for almost 100 years; it is the largest nonprofit in the community with 526 members. She also said they are looking to do more than hosting 10 events a year to boost the local economy.

She then called up Supervisor Horn, who has been in office for 24 years “representing a large area but can be seen here, his staff active in our community.” She said he was instrumental in the construction of the library and saving a tree on Main Avenue, besides giving grants to numerous nonprofits here.

“For his involvement, leadership and support, we created the Fallbrook Community Champion Award for him” she said.

Horn said that when he gave those grants, “that was your money I was spending.” He also explained that in 1997 the unincorporated communities paid $28 million in taxes which went into the county's general fund. So, he changed the rules so that part of those taxes goes back to those communities. Each district gets $2 million in Community Enhancement funds. “I intend to spend my $2 million before the end of December,” Horn said.

Besides being one of the largest communities in his district, Fallbrook is also the closest to his home in Valley Center, Horn said, adding, “Fallbrook has the best Mexican restaurants too” and “It has been my pleasure to serve you for 24 years.” As for his future plans, he said he has built two schools in Africa. The elementary school has 735 students and the high school has 150 students. He has been going there four times a year but will be going more often once his term is over.

MacDonald then thanked outgoing Honorary Mayor Verdugo for attending over 20 events a month. Verdugo said being Honorary Mayor has been ”a tremendous blessing, a gift in my lap and an incredible learning experience.” She kept close to 300 commitments this past year.

Because there was only one candidate for Honorary Mayor this year, MacDonald said Lido Favela did not have to throw events and raise money, but she did. The co-owner of Ace Party Rentals raised money for the Fallbrook Senior Center’s home-delivered meals program and was able to present a check to Phyllis Sweeney, the center's special projects manager. Regarding running for honorary mayor, Favela said, “Phyllis taught me to say no; I don't know how she got me to say 'yes'.”

At the end of the event, MacDonald called up Miss Fallbrook and her court to distribute the raffle prizes, thanking them for the amazing amount of volunteer hours they contribute to the community.

The prizes were donated by the participating nonprofits, many of whom offered gift certificates bought from local businesses. And so the chamber leads the way as local businesses and nonprofits support each other in a successful partnership.