Helping Others

When he had two working legs, Steve Martin didn't care much for skiing.

Elk Grove Unified School District will host a Night at the River Cats on May 3 as a fundraiser to benefit the school district's athletic programs.

Christina Preston, founder of the grassroots Shoes4Sacramento, finds rewards in providing the needy with something so simple yet so important.

In the past two months, California Highway Patrol Officer Rick Murray has done more than keep the speeds down on Sacramento freeways – he has used lifesaving skills to restore breathing to both a toddler and a woman.

Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin teaches speech pathology at California State University, Sacramento, by day and collects books for children by night.

Sacramento's new beer hall LowBrau will host a fundraiser Saturday night to contribute to a reward fund for information in the case of Josiah Humphreys, the 28-year-old man fatally beaten in midtown earlier this month.

Bailey Snow isn't like other kids. His Twitter feed says otherwise: He started his spring break at Disneyland, just got his driver's permit and thinks his family is annoying.

Cheerful music plays softly in the background of the sunny playroom at Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento.

The Capital Unity Center – the anti-bigotry nonprofit that shut down last year after running out of money – is poised to come back to life in a new, 4,000-square-foot gallery at the California Museum.

Leaning on crutches and balancing on his right leg, Chris Cvitanov fought back tears Thursday morning as he faced the men who pulled his mangled body from the searing wreckage of a car nearly eight years ago.

The town of Dixon is thanking a 7-year-old girl who did the right thing by turning in a wallet found on the street.

The new location of the Women's Empowerment homeless program is three times larger, and the featured attraction is the enclosed yard that gives homeless kids a chance to play on the lawn.

The Sacramento Area Black Caucus will host its annual Cheryl Ann Fisher and Rosenwald "Robbie" Robertson Scholarship Recognition Dinner at 6 p.m. May 4 at Touch A' Class Restaurant, 4217 Stockton Blvd.

The tinkling of instruments softens. A clarinet sets the intonation. The audience hushes as the silver-haired conductor, Les Lehr, enters.

A private-public partnership that helps homeless people announced the renewal of $14 million in federal money for homeless programs in the Sacramento area.

About 200 people voluntarily shaved their heads to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation at de Vere's Irish Pub in downtown Sacramento on Monday evening.

The sparkling silver tank of the Metro Fire water tender holds 28,000 gallons, and when it's sent to a fire Terry Barnes will almost always be sitting in the driver's seat.

Local nonprofits planning a special event in Elk Grove can apply for a special event sponsorship from the city for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Looking to feed off its ultra-popular Thanksgiving morning foot race, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is encouraging diners to wear their Run to Feed the Hungry shirts this week at one of 13 restaurants.

Hands On Sacramento is seeking volunteers to staff an event later this month to connect needy residents with a wide variety of services.

Hundreds of pet owners dropped off their dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered at dramatically reduced prices in the Sacramento region, part of the 14th annual Spay Day.

Multiple neighbors' hands spread soil around a newly planted valley oak in William Curtis Park.

Even as the Sacramento economy inches toward recovery, the number of older adults using local food banks continues to soar, rising by 25 percent during 2012 at River City Food Bank alone, said the food bank's executive director, Eileen Thomas.

The Rev. Dan Madigan is bringing Irish entertainers to Sacramento on St. Patrick's Day to raise money for a new food locker.

The Iu-Mien Student Conference is hosting a screening Sunday of the documentary "Death of a Shaman" and a traditional food fair at the Iu-Mien Community Services office at 6000 Lemon Hill Ave., Sacramento.

The Rev. Dan Madigan is bringing Irish entertainers to Sacramento on St. Patrick's Day to raise money for a new food locker.

Suzanna Hoye is a professional clown with part of her business being "clown care" for seniors. As the economy faltered, some facilities could no longer afford to hire her, but Hoye still comes.

Former NBA great Charles Barkley has won $67,000 on "The Price Is Right" game show on behalf of homeless children at Sacramento's Mustard Seed School.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is accepting applications from men and women interested in joining its Volunteers in Partnership with the Sheriff program.

• California State University, Sacramento. The "Green and Gold Gala" will be March 22 at the University Union Ballroom on campus. Themed "Decade of Distinction," the gala not only will honor President Alexander Gonzalez and his wife, Gloria, and their 10 years at the university, it also will salute the 2013 distinguished alumni award winners. Alumni award recipients to be feted are Cheryl Dell '82, publisher and president of The Sacramento Bee; David Bugatto '86, president and CEO of Alleghany Properties; Michael Kuhlmann '69, president and CEO of Residential Control Systems; Garry Maisel '80, president and CEO of Western Health Advantage; Rhonda Staley-Brooks '95, president and CEO of Big Brothers/Big Sisters; and Christina Preston '11, founder of Shoes4Sacramento. The welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and celebration program at 6; dancing will follow. Black tie is the requested attire. Proceeds will benefit the Gonzalez community leadership scholarship. Individual tickets are $200 ($122 tax deductible). The special scholarship package for two is $1,000; an event table for eight (plus two students or CSUS leaders) is $2,000. Sponsorships are encouraged. Call (916) 278-3922 or go to www.csus.edu/ gala.