Community Corner

Oak Grove Students Get Chargers Room Makeover

The room was made over as a civic service project by the Valley Young Professionals, and included a visit from former San Diego Charger Anthony Miller.

Two lucky teen boys can now spend their time studying and relaxing in a Chargers-style room, courtesy of Valley Young Professionals.

VYP, a division of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, just completed its third annual room re-decorating project at, a nonprofit residential center and school for at-risk youth.

Members of VYP worked together gathering donations and raising funds throughout the year to turn the student residence into a Chargers-themed room over a two-day period, according to a news release.

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After the room completion, VYP arranged for former NFL Charger Anthony Miller to meet with the 15- and 16-year-old residents and sign the wall of their new room.

“This is VYP’s largest civic project of the year and we were thrilled to be able to bring to life the ultimate Chargers-inspired room for these young boys,” said Jason Hope, civic chair for the Valley Young Professionals.

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“The fact that Former NFL player Anthony Miller took time to meet with these boys was icing on the cake for a very successful event! We could not have done it without the hard work of our members and generous donations from the community."  

With generous donations from individuals and businesses, VYP was able to provide paint, bedding, curtains, desks, chairs, shelves, a bathroom cabinet shelf and desk and bathroom accessories for the room.

Oak Grove Center is a state-funded, nonprofit with facilities in Murrieta and Perris. Youth often enter the facilities with a variety of psychological, social, emotional, behavioral, medical and neurological problems.

Oak Grove staff works to rebuild the lives of thse at-risk children and their families through educating, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope.

VYP was created for individuals 21 to 40 years old and encourages advancement through professional, civic and social events with an approach that fosters collaboration and inspires young professionals to put ideas into action.

Monthly planning meetings take place at 8 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, 26790 Ynez Court, Suite A, Temecula. VYP members and prospective members are welcome to attend, share thoughts and add their input.

For more information on VYPER events or joining VYP, contact Tiffany Clark, Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, at 951-676-5090 ext. 313 or via email at vyp@temecula.org.

VYP extended special thanks for the Chargers-inspired room to:

--Lowes Home Improvement Murrieta Store Manager Patrick McAvoy and Paint Department Manager Andrew Freeman

--JD Promotions, who provided Charger wall decals from LEP Graphics

--Commerce Bank of Temecula

--Dave Lerma

--Financial Accounting Services

--1st Class Collision

--Gentry Kramer

--Josh Painter at Pacific Lifestyles Realty

--Dr. K at California Oaks Chiropractic

--Billie Rafferty at Helio Power

--Luis Pena at LEP Graphics

--Jeff and Charlene Mirich

--Per and Gail Christensen

--Dena Lansford

--Anne Wilson Twite

--Paul & Eileen Rosenow

--Mythos Technology Inc.

--JPM Real Estate Inc. and Mark McKinnon

--Steve and Lorna Albrecht

--Phil Percival

--Eric and Deanna Johnson

--Neil and Buffy Kaufman

--Former NFL Charger Anthony Miller

--VYP member Lindsey Cassidy for arranging

--Everyone else who helped make this project possible


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