Escondido Rotary selects George and Cynthia Weir as honorees for Coeur de Cuisine gourmet gala

Jan. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Escondido, CA –  The year 2013 is an important landmark in Escondido Rotary for two reasons. First, it’s the 10th anniversary of the club’s annual Coeur de Cuisine fund-raising culinary gala that last year raised nearly $100,000 for local charities. More important, though, it’s the year the club has selected as its Coeur de Cuisine honorees, George and Cynthia Weir.

ABOUT GEORGE AND CYNTHIA WEIR

Few people have become as vested in the community as the Weirs. George was born and raised in Escondido, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and graduating from Escondido High School. Later, he attended San Diego State University and returned to Escondido after graduating in 1979. That was the year he founded George W. Weir Asphalt Construction, Inc. which over the years has paved and repaired so many streets and parking lots that everybody who drives in Escondido is, in effect, using a “Weir-installed product.”

But it’s not the Weir’s business successes that led Escondido Rotary to honor this couple. Over the past two decades, the Weirs have supported dozens of international and local faith-based charities, including World Vision, Feed the Children, Samaritan’s Purse, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, last fall’s WOW JAM/Escondido community outreach event, the Salvation Army, and Hume Lake Camps.

Giving to faith-based organizations does take priority with the Weirs, but their faith also guides them to support many worthwhile community and youth programs. George and Cindy are regular supporters of the Salvation Army and its winter shelter program, Alternatives Women’s Center, as well as programs that serve at-risk and under-served youth through the Palomar Family YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego and Jabes in Baja California. Their philanthropy extends to the Boy Scouts, and programs such as athletics, band, cheer, grad night and scholarships at the city’s five high schools. They are also founding members and patrons of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

But there’s one contribution the Weirs make that is somewhat unique. Three years ago, they began to donate the services of a patch truck and crew, one day a week, to patch potholes in Escondido’s streets. George estimates his “Pothole Patrol” repairs between 400 and 500 potholes a year at no cost to the city. “Often my employees ask to be on the pothole crew,” George said.

George and Cindy also give an average of 10 hours of week of their time to community organization work. George is vice president of the Escondido Charter School District board and a long-time member of Escondido Rotary, while Cindy is a member of the California Center for the Arts Women’s Arts Council, the Light & Life Christian School board, and a volunteer in ministries at Emmanuel Faith Community Church.

“We do what we do because we are able,” George said. “Cindy and I realize that we did not get where we are on our own, so it’s our responsibility to give back to the community that has given us so much.” George is always there to give a hand despite differences. “It’s about doing the right thing and helping others.”

George has been involved with Escondido Rotary for over 20 years. “I like being a part of Rotary because I get to be around like-minded people that believe in service above self. Rotarians are wired to give back to their community and make a difference,” said George. “Rotary has also been great place to get experience and get to know mentors like Bruce Dunn.”

About Coeur de Cuisine, February 24, 2013

The Rotary Club of Escondido’s annual fundraising event, the Coeur de Cuisine gourmet gala, has become a social highlight throughout the North San Diego County region each February.  It is mainly through Coeur de Cuisine that our club gets the resources to fund charitable projects both locally and around the world.  This year is the 10th anniversary of Coeur de Cuisine, and for the occasion The Rotary Club of Escondido is celebrating with a formal yet fun Mardi Gras theme set in the 1920’s.  So grab your bowler hats and masquerade masks and prepare for a Fat Tuesday feast to last the whole year long! www.coeurdecuisine.com

About Rotary Club of Escondido

Chartered October 20, 1924, The Rotary Club of Escondido is the third largest among the 60 Rotary clubs in San Diego and Imperial Counties and the largest of any service club in all of North San Diego County. Our 200-plus members range from 25 to 89 years of age and include a cross section of the community’s political, civic, and business leaders and professionals who unite under Rotary’s banner of "Service Above Self" to conduct a wide range of humanitarian projects, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work toward world understanding and peace.

This year, The Rotary Club of Escondido, through its Escondido Rotary Foundation, is donating more than $100,000 in international and community-level programs to positively impact people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The Club meets each Tuesday 12:00pm to 1:30pm at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Conference Center at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. in downtown Escondido. www.escondido-rotary.org