Over the years, the Verbecks, who were owners of Grossmont Escrow before retiring, have made significant financial donations to the East County Boys & Girls Club, the Home of Guiding Hands, the Grossmont Hospital Foundation, the Jarrett Meeker Foundation, and the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.
In association with the La Mesa Kiwanis Foundation, the Verbecks have donated to the club’s annual scholarship program for graduating seniors from Helix and Grossmont High Schools, as well as the Chubby Sykes Memorial Scholarship Fund for vocational scholarships for graduates of Chaparral High School. A total of 15 college scholarships are awarded annually through these programs.
Through Grossmont Escrow, the Verbecks are also a major sponsor of the Drew Ford/Kiwanis Club of La Mesa Soap Box Derby Races which have taken place three times each year for the past ten years. Immediate Past President and Derby Director Dennis Wilkes will be Master of Ceremonies at the luncheon.
Contributions to the Grossmont Hospital Foundation include funding toward the William and Norma Verbeck Tomography Cancer Treatment Center. One of the homes for developmentally delayed residents of Home of Guiding Hands as some facilities at the Boys & Girls Club bears the Verbeck name, as well.
Speaking at the luncheon, in addition to representatives of each of these beneficiaries of the Verbecks’ generosity, were be 2nd District County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and City of La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid. Madrid will present the Verbecks with a “Walk of Fame” plaque.Recounting the Verbecks’ generous service to the community were Jerry Fazio, East County Boys and Girls Club Foundation Executive Director; Mark Klaus, executive director, Home of Guiding Hands; Beth Morgante, vice president, Grossmont Hospital Foundation; Keith and Judy Meeker of the Jarrett Meeker Foundation; and Marty Eberhardt, rxecutive director, The Water Conservation Garden.