Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net
ward Winning News al A pa
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 48
Community responds to charity theft by Samie Hartley
rs
Na t
pe
ion
December 2, 2011
Cream of the court
Staff Writer
Oakley residents rushed to the aid of community organization Friends of Oakley this week as news spread of the theft of $4,000 worth of toys and food amassed for a charity Christmas Basket program. A thief or thieves struck the organization’s temporary storage facility at the Almond Grove Elementary School gym sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday. When Friends of Oakley President and Oakley Mayor Jim Frazier arrived at Almond Grove to prepare the facility for a sorting and gift-wrapping event to be held that afternoon, he discovered mountains of food and toys had been reduced to scraps. When news reached Mike’s Beef ’N’ Brew across town on Tuesday evening, restaurant patrons began a collection drive that amassed $375 within a few hours. News spread on Facebook as people shared the heartbreaking story with friends and pledged support. Frazier said the response has been overwhelming. As news of the theft appeared online, on TV, on radio and in print, the calls began to pour in. “I need to charge my phone; it’s been ringing all day,” Frazier said Wednesday. “I’ve heard see Theft page 15A
The opening tipoff isn’t far off, and our BVAL Basketball Preview spotlights the stars and sizes up the teams. Page 1B
Brilliant boughs East County residents with an appetite for tree-lighting festivities can choose from a tasty menu. Page 4A
Photo by Samie Hartley
Manual for merriment
Friends of Oakley volunteer Gabriel Helena, 9, begins a new pile of wrapped toys for children 2 and younger. The Friends of Oakley Christmas Basket storage facility at Almond Grove Elementary was robbed of most of its donated toys and food on Tuesday.
A special Thanksgiving homecoming by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
For wounded Iraq war veteran Ricky France and his family, Nov. 5 was a roller coaster ride. The home he and wife Shannon rented in Loomis had been lost to foreclosure and, unable to find an affordable replacement, they and their five children faced homelessness in four days. Arrangements to move to a shelter had been made, and movers had arrived to take their belongings to storage. That’s when the phone call came: The Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) was on the line to tell the Frances they were being given, mortgage-free, a fivebedroom house in Brentwood. “He was speechless and I
was crying,” Shannon recalled. “I kept thinking, ‘I’m not going to be homeless!’” The family, including Jon, 15; Destiny, 9; Erreanna, 8; Arhvia, 6; and Micah, 5, moved into the six-year-old house the day before Thanksgiving. “It’s beautiful; amazing,” Ricky said this week. “I’m still amazed and shocked.” Founded in 2007 by retired Gen. Leroy Sisco, the MWSF provides a variety of services aimed at helping veterans transition from the military to civilian life. In March of 2010 the organization embarked on its most ambitious effort, to give 1,000 wounded veterans free houses to within five years. see Homecoming page 12A
Online now! WebExtras! press releases videos
Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your smart phone.
www. thepress.net Your Hometown Website
Hook up with seasonal charities and entertainment by checking out our lineup of December events. Page 8A
Photo courtesy of JP Morgan Chase Bank
Wounded Iraq veteran Ricky France and wife Shannon stand inside their new Brentwood home with their children. From left are Arreanna, Arhyia, Micah, Destiny and Jon. The family was given the house, free and clear, by the Military Warrior Support Network and JP Morgan Chase Bank.
Laptop largesse go to news/WebExtras!
A computer distribution program is giving digital literacy a boost.
Wise workforce go to news/press releases
Shell Oil has donated $10K to a Los Medanos College industrial training program.
Arts .....................................10A Business ............................. 25B Calendar ............................ 27B Classifieds ......................... 20B Cop Logs ............................ 26B Entertainment ................. 15B Food .................................... 14B Milestones ........................ 12B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Black bargains go to multimedia/videos
Local shoppers braved the cold – and fellow shoppers’ elbows – on Black Friday.