A Hawaiian Luau as a celebration of life in charitable works was the theme chosen for a fundraiser held at the Catamaran on Mission Bay Sept 28, by the East County Posse (ECP), a charitable organization. The organization was founded in 2006 by Greg Brown, president of New West Investment Group in San Diego and a resident of El Cajon.
A Hawaiian Luau as a celebration of life in charitable works was the theme chosen for a fundraiser held at the Catamaran on Mission Bay Sept 28, by the East County Posse (ECP), a charitable organization. The organization was founded in 2006 by Greg Brown, president of New West Investment Group in San Diego and a resident of El Cajon.
The festive event brought more than 540 guests paying $125 per ticket in contribution to the East County Posse. More funds were raised from a silent auction of donated valuables such as resort vacations, electronics, custom made jewelry and others.
The “Elk Hunt” in Utah was the most popular bid bring in approximately $6,500.
The ECP estimates that the luau will have raised between $60,000 and $70,000 for their charitable fund which is on going and active in providing help where needed.
Garbed in their Hawaiian best, the guests enjoyed a bountiful buffet of Polynesian chicken, rice, vegetables, salads and a variety of desserts while being entertained by colorful South Pacific traditional dancers. Several guests provided additional cheer by joining in with the exotic dancers on stage. Later in the evening, the crowd danced to the Steal Dawn Band in the Catamaran ballroom.
“We want to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Brown. “We have fun while we build our charitable funds for the benefit of East County residents who are in most need of help.”
“We don’t give to make ourselves feel good, we give only for the good results that our help provides,” said Brown. He said that people are inspired to donate money and labor when they see the faces of those who are going to benefit directly. The ECP helps yearly approximately 30 families representing at least 75 children
John Gibson, a businessman in El Cajon and member of the ECP, said that Brown and members of the ECP have made substantial contributions to families and individuals who have needed help in East County
One of the hallmarks of the ECP contributions cited by Gibson was the combined efforts of the ECP and other volunteers in constructing a childcare center at the East County Transitional Living site located on East Main Street in El Cajon, a private organization that provides help and opportunities for job training and jobs to the homeless.
In this situation, there was an urgent need for a childcare center where the children of homeless women could be cared for while their mothers went through job training and then took real employment to help themselves and their families.
More than 300 hundred ECP members and volunteers met on site and with donated materials they constructed a turn key childcare facility within 12 hours ready for use.
None of the volunteers put in vouchers for pay or, compensation.
The structure is valued at approximately $250,000.
