Fallbrook Land Conservancy, Armed Services YMCA, Team AMVETS, Pauma Valley Fire Safe Council receive Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants

The allocation of District Five Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding approved at the Dec. 15 San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting included grant awards to the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA, Team AMVETS, the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, and the Pauma Valley Fire Safe Council.

The supervisors' 5-0 vote allocated $20,000 to the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA, $10,000 to Team AMVETS, $7,000 to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, and $3,000 to the Pauma Valley Fire Safe Council.

Each county supervisor has an annual $2 million discretionary Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget. The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program is intended to provide grants to non-profit organizations for the furtherance of public purposes at the regional and community levels.

In addition to non-profit organizations, county supervisors can also fund schools and fire departments, and supervisors can also use money from their budgets to supplement other county funding for specific county projects such as parks, roads, and libraries.

Each county supervisor recommends the allocation of his or her Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds, although those allocations must be approved by a majority of the board. Supervisor Bill Horn recommended the District Five Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding.

The Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA implemented a Santa's Workshop toy drive for military dependents in 2012, and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program allocation will fund the purchase of toys for children of the families who participate in the Santa's Workshop program.

"This is one of my favorite programs to support each year," Horn said. "Santa's Workshop at Camp Pendleton offers military families a little Christmas magic and this year's grant for $20,000 will help fill the shelves with toys so that every child receives something special."

Team AMVETS is a statewide non-profit organization which provides support to military veterans and their families. The Team AMVETS Welcome Home program supplies furniture, appliances, and other household items to formerly homeless veterans.

"Supporting our veterans and their families is what the Year of the Veteran is about," Horn said. "This allocation of $10,000 to purchase mattresses, bedding, housewares, and furniture for the Welcome Home program will help veterans get settled into their new homes."

The Fallbrook Land Conservancy manages more than 2,000 acres of open space preserves in the Fallbrook area. The Fallbrook Land Conservancy also owns the Palomares House on South Stage Coach Lane, which has experienced termite damage, and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program money will fund repairs for the termite damage while also allowing for the installation of two circuits, electrical wiring, and eight benches.

"This allocation of $7,000 will help pay for some much needed repairs at Palomares House including termite damage and faulty electrical wiring," Horn said.

The Pauma Valley Fire Safe Council develops and implements plans and activities for wildfire preparation and protection in the Pauma Valley area.

"We cannot do enough to educate the community on the danger of wildfires in this high-risk area," Horn said. "This grant for $3,000 will pay for the construction and installation of fire danger level signs to be posted throughout Pauma Valley."

Any design issues regarding the placement of the signs will

also be eligible for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding.