Paso Robles Press • 10-23-19

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Good News Real News

Hometown News Since 1889 CALIFORNIA

VOL. CXXX, NO. XIX

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY

Celebrate Educate SURVIVE MUJERES DE ÉXITO: FAMILY OF SURVIVOR WORKS TO SPREAD AWARENESS

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR LEADS WITH PASSION AT CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com

By MEAGAN FRIBERG For the Paso Robles Press

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or the past five years, the Echavarria family has worked to increase breast cancer awareness in the Paso Robles and Atascadero’s Latino community. Under the name of Mujeres de Éxito (Women of Success), the family and volunteers host an annual celebration honoring women who survived breast cancer and those currently fighting it. The event also serves as a venue to promote cancer awareness for the Hispanic populace. Held this year on Oct. 19, the celebration showcased authentic Mexican food and performances from mariachis and traditional dancers. “We had a wonderful celebration honoring survivors and women who are going through breast cancer and it was also an event for resources,” said Yessenia Echavarria. Yessenia said that Mujeres de Éxito was inspired by her mother Maria’s battle and survival of cancer seven years ago. The Echavarria family decided to create the event not only to recognize survivors but to also to make that Latino community aware of all the medical resources available to them. Yessenia also said that teaching women to take care of themCONTINUED ON PAGE A11

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hannon D’Acquisto, of the Cancer Support Community, has been involved with CSC for about nine years, first as a volunteer and then as a board member before being appointed as the Executive Director nearly four years ago. “Being part of this cause is important to me because 14 years ago I was diagnosed with my own cancer,” D’Acquisto said. D’ACQUISTO “It became something that I was passionate about.” The Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast, is an affiliate of the larger nonprofit, Cancer Support Community, which is based in Washington, D.C. and exists as its own independent 501(3)c. This independence allows all funds raised locally to stay in the local community to help those throughout SLO County and along the Central Coast. D’Acquisto knows about the challenges and, oftentimes, blessings a canCONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Attendees enjoy a free meal at a past Thanksgiving for Paso Robles event. Contributed photo

Volunteers Sought for Paso Robles Thanksgiving By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@pasoroblespress.com

Each Thanksgiving, the banquet room at Centennial Park becomes a one-day restaurant, complete with table cloths, fine China and a home-made dinner. Nonprofit organization Thanksgiving for Paso Robles is busily preparing for its 35th dinner for November 28. Mildred Wilkins started the annual event and shepherded it for the first 20 years. Two ladies, transplants from Orange County, Linda Stermer and Rhonda Evans oversaw it for three years together after which Stermer continued for a total of 10 years. It was held at the Paso Robles Senior Center until it moved to Centennial Park in 1989. The last five years, Thanksgiving for Paso Robles Chairman David Kudija has been in charge of the community staple that remains unchanged. It continues to be open to everyone, free of charge and is a fullcourse, sit-down Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings — turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, candied yams, cranberry sauce, green salad, rolls, five different house-baked pies and lemonade, tea and coffee. “It’s a sit-down meal with all of the class we can put forward,” said Kudija, who has been helpCONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Honor Flights: Serving the Veterans Who Served the Nation By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Honor Flights freely transport veterans to view monuments erected in recognition of their services. Founded in 2007 from the merger of two separate organizations, Honor Flight and HonorAir, the Honor Flight Network has helped usher 200,000 veterans to view their memorials. Co-founders Earl Morse and Jeff Miller both sons of war veterans received the Presidential Citizens Medal from George W. Bush in the Oval Office in 2008.

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Since its inception, the organization has helped facilitate chapter openings all over the United States. President of the Honor Flight California Central Coast (HFCCC) Bear McGill said his son Greg first got him excited about the program. Greg, a Kern County firefighter, went to the Kern County Honor Flight hub and requested to piggyback on their operation by inviting vets from San Luis Obispo County. Bear first participated as a Guardian who is an individual that assists in the transportation and the needs of their assigned aging vet-

Bob Brigham, left, and his son Matt see the sights in Washington, D.C. during an Honor Flight trip in October of 2014.

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SPORTS

EDUCATION

Photo by Loretta Borges

ENTERTAINMENT

WEATHER

pasoroblespress.com twitter.com/pasopress #noconews facebook.com/ @pasopress

PASO MARKET WALK Hosts Hard Hat Tour and Sneak Peek | A4

BEARCATS OUTLAST EAGLES: New Rivalry Lives up to the Hype | B1

TRACTOR PULL FFA hosts annual Tractor Pull at THS | A3

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS to open at Wine Country Theatre | B4

A True Community Bank

FORECAST | A9

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67808 24135

At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers. We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.

1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com

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