The Country Friends recently announced its 2015/16 Board of Directors, led by President Deborah Cross, a member of the board for the past six years.
“I am honored to lead this wonderful team of staff and volunteers, continuing The Country Friends’ commitment to those most in need throughout San Diego County.”
A native San Diegan, Cross graduated from San Diego State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in audiology. She founded Hearing Dynamics in 1983 and remained in private practice for 15 years, until the business was sold to Sonus Hearing Care. After several years with Sonus, Cross retired to spend more time with her family.
She and husband Les Cross, Del Mar residents, have long been active in charitable pursuits, including serving on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito. Les has been actively involved with the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund and is on the board of the USS Midway Foundation.
The Crosses will be very active in The Country Friends Legacy Campaign to raise $1 million to pay off the construction loan on The Consignment Shop in Rancho Santa Fe, allowing more money to be distributed to local human care agencies, and to create an endowment fund to ensure The Country Friends will continue to give back to the community.
Every year, the board carefully selects each prospective San Diego County-based agency on its individual funding request. Selected agencies must continually meet the organization’s benefits and funding criteria, and more important, support The Country Friends’ mission to support human care agencies with emphasis on those providing services to women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Visit www.thecountryfriends.org.