After getting into some trouble two years ago, 18-year-old Luis Macias of Soledad landed at the Monterey County Probation Department Youth Center in Salinas. The residential facility houses juvenile males who have been arrested for various crimes, and administers rehabilitation and educational programs that prepare them to re-enter the community. Near the end of his stay, … [Read more...] about Second Chances
Eva La Rue
The story of how "CSI: Miami" star Eva La Rue met and married Monterey businessman Joe Cappuccio starts with a photograph hanging on a refrigerator. "His real estate lawyer is married to my best friend from junior high," the actress explains. "Joe saw a picture of me on their fridge and said, 'Who's this girl?' They said, 'That's our friend, Eva.' He said, 'You've got to set … [Read more...] about Eva La Rue
Animal Rescue
Last summer, SPCA for Monterey County's Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center supervisor Rosanna Leighton crawled down a ladder into a dark, narrow well. A coyote had been trapped 20 feet below for days, and claw marks at the surface suggested the coyote's mate had unsuccessfully attempted to dig her out. As a colleague lowered a long pole into the well, Leighton worked an … [Read more...] about Animal Rescue
Help from the Sky
Days after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated parts of Haiti, Carmel real estate developer Erik Pilegaard visited a facility filled with injured victims. "Imagine a big open room, and the beds are all lined up next to each other. There are just tons of people in there. There's a person with a crushed leg on one bed, and a person with a crushed pelvis and broken … [Read more...] about Help from the Sky
Philanthropy from the Heart
Throughout the past year, headlines often carried heaviness. Corporate scandal. Ponzi schemes. Job cuts and home foreclosures. It might have left Americans disheartened, except that every tale of greed was matched with stories of good deeds, generosity and hope. People really do want to help others. The United States boasts more than 1.5 million public charities, private … [Read more...] about Philanthropy from the Heart