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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | DECEMBER 2025 9 By Georgeann Wellfare, V&F Secretary Veterans Day Luncheon and the celebration of the 11th anniversary of our Club as an SDV chartered club was a huge success! Congrats to Ray Carrasco, Don Posey and Jim Valade, who were recipients of Quilts of Valor from our SDV Quilters Club. Additionally, SDV Veterans and Friends Challenge Coins were given to five individuals for their exceptional service and/ or superior donor contributions, Todd Hamilton (realtor), Mark Seiler, Char Schneider, Keith Weaver (non-resident), and Ave Gordon (posthumously). As a result of our fundraising efforts, with fantastic community support, we were able to contribute over $16,000 to various organizations. The recipients receiving donations included: Valley Community Pantry, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 47, Homes for Our Troops, MilVets, Mt. San Jacinto College (Menifee & Temecula), West Valley High School ROTC, SDV Quilters Club, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall, Riverside Cemetery Honoring Our Fallen and Riverside Cemetery Wreaths Across America. A fun game at each table "Guess the Number of Candies in the Jar" greeted guests as they arrived. The person at each table guessing the closest to the number of candies in the jar kept the jar plus $11 celebrating the club's 11th anniversary of our charter. The annual food drive in November to assist the needy in Hemet was a HUGE success! SDV is always very generous. Thank you, thank you! The Joy of Giving Toy Drive ran from Dec. 1 to Dec. 15. The less fortunate children of Hemet greatly appreciate our significant donations sponsored by the City of Hemet Police and the Hemet Fire Department. New Year's suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to all, charity; to every child, a good example; to yourself, respect. And finally, hope you didn't get your tinsel in a tangle over the holidays! Veterans and Friends