San Diego LGBT Pride donated $10,000 last week to Stepping Stone of San Diego, Inc., which for 10 years has provided the GLBT community with alcohol and drug rehabilitation support through a variety of residential and non-residential treatment programs. The check was presented to Stepping Stone representatives at San Diego Pride’s board of directors meeting on Sept. 15.

“This type of community support mandates that we continue solving the financial issues that have been with us for some years now,” said Stepping Stone’s Board Chair Tom Reise. “On behalf of our entire board and staff, and especially our clients, we express deep gratitude and appreciation for this gift.”

To date, San Diego LGBT Pride has given more than $1.3 million to a variety of organizations and charities. Its donation to Stepping Stone, says Pride Co-chair Larry Ramey, will help the organization continue funding in-house and outpatient recovery programs that are provided year-round by professional counselors and volunteers. The agency also provides health interventions and education programs that extend to HIV/AIDS.

Recent federal and county budget cuts have resulted in fiscal challenges for Stepping Stone, which operates a 31-bed, state-of-the-art residential facility in City Heights .

“We commend Pride’s prompt response to the dire need of the organization,” commented Stepping Stone President and CEO John deMiranda. “The gift will help us achieve immediate goals in maintaining county-wide services that the agency provides to those in need of treatment.”

The check was presented by San Diego Pride’s board of directors to Reise and several other Stepping Stone representatives that included Vice Chairman Dario Jones and Development Consultant Bixi B. Craig.