How low will thieves go?

The non-profit group toiling to keep East Union Memorial Cemetery in shape had eight trees donated by a local family. Someone between Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, stole six of the Japanese Maples valued at $80 each from the cemetery at the corner of Louise Avenue and Union Road.

The volunteers that run the cemetery are asking anyone with information on the theft to contact Manteca Police at 209.456.8101.

Dream of resource

center for homeless

veterans in Manteca

Irene Godinez and other volunteers with the Bridge to Change non-profit hoping to raise money to put severely injured veterans into highly mobile Tracker Chairs also want to step up efforts to help homeless veterans in Manteca and nearby communities.

They’d like to establish a homeless and resource center for veterans.

“Considering what they have done for us, we should try to help them,” Godinez said.

Their first mission, though, is the upcoming United We Stand golf tournament on Friday, Sept. 9, at the Manteca Golf Course.

They are hoping to raise $15,000 to purchase a Tracker Chair for retired Army Captain David Lee Nunes Jr. who was severely injured in an accident while serving his country.

The group last year raised money to make it possible for Fidel Bobadilla — an Army soldier from Hanford seriously injured in Afghanistan — to receive a $15,000 Tracker Chair. The gift has allowed Bobadilla to maneuver about his two acre property in Hanford with his children as well as do numerous chores.

Both Bobadilla and Nunes are expected to be at the Sept. 9 golf tournament that starts with registration at 11:30 a.m. with the tee time at 12:30 p.m. The four-person scramble has a $125 per player entry fee.

Godinez and other volunteers are seeking players, sponsors, raffle items and volunteers to assist with the tournament. Additional information can be found at www.unitedwestandgolf.com or contacting Godinez at 209.808.2550 or at irenemre@gmail.com.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com