Letter from CVCF Board Chair Debbie Discar-Espe

A Letter from our board chair: Debbie Discar-Espe

It is an honor and privilege to begin my term as Chair of the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation (CVCF). Our outgoing Chair, Michael Meacham, deserves an enormous thank you from all of us for guiding CVCF so ably and for making us feel that our efforts to improve the community of Chula Vista will never go unappreciated.

Thank you, Michael, for your exemplary service that brought honor and recognition of CVCF to the community.

I have seen it time and time again – that great leaders surround themselves with other great leaders. With that said, and with hopes to be even a “good” leader, I would like to thank our committee chairs and vice-chairs for taking on their respective roles – Lisa Moctezuma and Lisa Johnson (Grants); Mora de Murguia and Zaneta Encarnacion (Membership); Rick Richardson and Douglas Kerner (Finance); Michael De La Rosa and Suzy Villegas (Community Relations) and Michael Meacham and Glenn Googins (Legacy).

These leaders are not only giving financially, they are giving their time and continued dedication to improve many Chula Vistans’ lives and surroundings.

I also want to thank all of you – our members. You are the investors in our community. Because of your investment in CVCF, we awarded three grants totaling close to $45,000 this past year. Once again this year, we had a great time celebrating this achievement on field at Petco Park during a pre-game celebration on Chula Vista Day! Thank you to all our members who joined us.

Left to right: Mayor Mary Salas, Debbie Discar-Espe and Michael de la Rosa

Also because of you, our endowment fund is about $400,000 strong; and we are entering into our next grant cycle with a similar funding goal (if not more) in mind.

Lastly, thank you to those that completed our recent discovery survey. We not only asked about your preferred grant focus, we asked if you are interested in providing “hands-on” service. Our volunteers say they feel rewarded for the help they provide to the growth and success of CVCF.

Contact us today to find out how you can help!

Debbie Discar-Espe
Board Chair, Chula Vista Charitable Foundation

Member Spotlight: Marilyn S. Norton, M.D

Sandy Norton (as she prefers) joined the CVCF because she loves being involved in the South Bay where she grew up, and she and her husband prefer to patronize companies and organizations here, particularly those that are rooted in Chula Vista and give back to the community.

Sandy Norton (left) joined CVCF because she loves being involved in the South Bay where she grew up and giving back to Chula Vista.

She is a graduate of Loma Linda University, completed her Internal Medicine residency and Hematology-Oncology fellowship at Naval Medical Center San Diego. She retired from the Navy after 24 years of service and has been practicing at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center at the Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center.

She has been in private practice since 2000, serving the community of Chula Vista. Sandy and her husband, Steve, have two children – Justin who is entering his freshman year at the University of California, San Diego, and Jacob, who is in his senior year at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista.

Corporate Member Spotlight: Copy Link

“Become a hunter of blessings” is Copy Link President Kevin Marshall’s motto.

Running a successful office equipment company requires a lot of time, however Kevin always finds time to make the most out of life.

Whether on the golf course or taking road trips across the country, you will find Kevin with his family and friends. Additionally, Kevin’s passion for business and his community has motivated him to take a position on the Board of Directors for both the YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce.

Left to right: An attendee at a Chula Vista business expo, Mora de Murguia, Marcy Weaver and Kevin Marshall

Through his role in the community, Kevin has the opportunity to meet a variety of people and come to know their passions. While attending a CVCF corporate mixer at the Living Coast Discovery Center, he realized how well Copy Links’ core value of supporting the community intertwined with the CVCF mission.

Look at 10 Years of Regional Affiliate Impact