As part of The Shops at Tanforan's back-to-school promotion, shoppers may "dump" a pair of gently worn jeans in exchange for a $10 mall retailer gift card from Aug. 9 through Aug. 31. The collected jeans will be donated to charity partner Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties to be recycled or sold at their retail stores.

"Your donations help create second chances", said Michael Bongiorni, Goodwill's materials donation manager. "Through our stores and reuse-recycling programs, we are able to reuse items that would otherwise go into landfill. Together we can help sustain individuals, communities and the environment."

The charity promotion, free to the public, launches at Tanforan's "Dump Your Denim" event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 9. Bring jeans to the Goodwill table to receive a $10 retailer gift card for use towards the purchase of back-to-school gear.

After the event, shoppers can "dump" their jeans at the mall's customer service booth anytime until Aug. 31 or while gift card quantities last (one gift card per person).

Questions? Call The Shops at Tanforan at (650) 873-2000 or visit www.theshopsattanforan.com.

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A chamber full of treasures — The Daly City-Colma Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of chief executive Georgette Sarles, outdid itself this year at its 55th Annual Installation of Officers/Board of Directors and 10th

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Annual Cypress Business Awards, aptly called "Chamber of Treasures."

Sarles welcomed more than 180 guests, some in costume, to the pirate-themed fun fest held June 19 at Lake Merced Golf and Country Club in Daly City.

"We just launched a new chamber directory as well as Comcast advertising, a new Web site is coming up, and a new newsletter will follow," she announced.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Adrienne Tissier swore in the following officers: Georgette Sarles (Georgette's of Westlake); Jim Comstock (Seton Medical Center), first vice president; Michael Joseph (Walgreens), second vice president; Manny Reburiano (Allstate Insurance), secretary; and John Hui (Brisbane Printing), immediate past president; and the incoming board of directors.

Andrew Comstock, a 16-year-old Serra High School student and the son of Jim Comstock, received the Junior Ambassador award and gave the invocation.

The Cypress award winners were: Lucky Chances Casino, large business of the year; Outback Steakhouse, medium business of the year; Allstate Insurance, small business of the year; and William Choutka (Westlake Village Apartments), leadership.

Tony Zidich, Daly City's treasurer, was honored with the Cypress Lifetime Achievement award, which was presented by Al Belotz and Al Teglia, who spiced up the occasion with a few laughs.

The Daly City Police Athletic League, the oldest such league in California, was given the Golden Apple Education award.

The annual Presidential awards went to Bruce Axler (Axler Insurance Co.); Robert Barnhill (Trader Joe's-Westlake); Jonathan Cano (San Mateo Credit Union); Lida Chatman (Lucky Chances Casino); Sherri Napier (Serramonte Center); and Teresa Proano (Duggan's Serra Mortuary).

The awards recognized the winners' "contributions above and beyond the norm," said Sarles.

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Raising money for moms and infants — Seton Foundation's recent fundraiser, "Sipping With Seton," was a sizzling success as more than $28,000 was netted to renovate and purchase bassinettes for the Seton Medical Center's Women and Newborn department and to support the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton New Life Center, both in Daly City.

The Women and Newborn department offers a comprehensive range of services, specific to the needs of mothers and their babies. It provides five labor and delivery rooms, in addition to a level two nursery, with the most up-to-date equipment, should the baby have special care needs.

The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton New Life Center provides quality prenatal care including physician services, childbirth and parenting classes, convenient laboratory services, and delivery at Seton Medical Center for low-income mothers and their babies.

Katherine King, the foundation's executive director, welcomed more than 165 people to the exciting event, which was held June 20 at the Daly City Hall Rotunda.

Mike Nicco, ABC7 Morning News meteorologist, emceed the evening's activities, which included an opportunity to taste wines from 16 wineries and enjoy hors d'oeuvres, chocolates, live music, a silent auction and a raffle.

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Honoring exemplary service — Cynthia Lem of Burlingame was installed as the new president of Soroptimist International of Millbrae/San Bruno June 25 at its 2008-2009 Installation of Officers and 51st Annual Service Awards Dinner held at Magnolia of Millbrae.

Outgoing officers, including president Julie Luevano of Daly City, who served for two consecutive years, were honored, and all incoming officers took their oaths of office.

Under Luevano's successful leadership, the club raised more than $30,000, using it for grants, scholarships, and to support community programs in San Bruno and Millbrae. The club also took on the hands-on program of mentoring low-income girls at Lomita Park School to help prepare them for middle school.

Donna Taylor, director of the primary enrichment program at Lomita Park School, earned the Making A Difference For Women award. She has raised more than $100,000 to fund the program, which has a high proportion of non-English speaking families and low-income students.

Ursula B. Williams, the single mother and sole support of a 7-month-old son, and a former heroin addict, won the Women's Opportunity award, which goes to a woman who is returning to school to better her family circumstances.

A full-time student, Williams expects to graduate with an associate degree from the College of San Mateo in December, earning a grade point average of 3.2, and wants to be an office manager to support her family.

Elizabeth Constantino, a 2008 Mills High School graduate and an incoming West Point cadet, was honored with the Violet Richardson award, which honors a young woman for volunteer action in the community.

Constantino has worked tirelessly to support the rights of the disabled to attend mainstream schools and to be accepted into the school community through the Best Buddy Program, which enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-on-one friendships.

The clubalso honored Catherine's Center, a St. Vincent de Paul Society program developed in collaboration with the Sisters of Mercy. The center offers support to women upon their release from prison, with a transitional residence of safety, dignity, and structure; educational and job skills training; one-on-one mentoring; and spiritual and practical support to help them transition to their freedom in society.

To learn more about Soroptimist, contact Cynthia Lem at (650) 740-5333 or cynthialem2002@yahoo.com.

If you have any news tips about our county communities, call or fax Carolyn at (650) 355-5533 or e-mail her at carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.