Volunteers from the Red Cross Capital Region Chapter and PG&E are standing by to take your calls this morning at the KCRA television studio!  It's a telethon to help raise funds that will directly help the folks in Oklahoma put their lives back together after being dealt a heavy blow by the super-strong tornado. It runs until 9 p.m. Give them a call at 1-800-513-3333. Every dollar helps. Since 6 a.m. today, over $220,000 has been raised. Can't tune in to the KCRA telethon? Events of the day can be followed on their Twitter page @RedCrossCRC.

Event Planner Sharon Gerber finished her nine year run with a great finale - The 12th annual Gala for my Sister's House at the Crest Monday night. She has had the talent to pull of many successful fundraisers for non-profits in a very fun way. She has had Sacramento's movers and shakers involved in providing great entertainment for non-profit supporters to enjoy....all the while raising money to keep non-profits afloat. Last night's event kept folks laughing and admiring people in the public eye for doing some great lip-syncing and choreographry that hit the spot. Master of Ceremonies, Christopher Cabaldon, Mayor of City of West Sacrament was a natural onstage with humor and  introducin

  Cyclists, crew members, and hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the State Capitol Sunday, May 19, to welcome home the members of the ninth annual NorCal AIDS Cycle, a 4-day, 330-mile HIV/AIDS cycling fundraiser. The 2013 event raised more than $327,000 for HIV/AIDS services in the Capital region and Northern California—up from $304,000 in 2012.Nearly 4,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in the eight counties traversed during the four-day ride, with one in four new infections occurring in youth ages 13 to 24. In addition to raising funds to replace diminishing state and federal resources, NorCal AIDS Ride raises awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status to av

"Today the people of California pay tribute to 12 men whose names will be engraved on the California Peace Officers' Memorial," said Master of Ceremonies Attorney General Kamala Harris of the State of California. "Their service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten." "To the honored families who are here today there are no words to match the depth of your loss," Harris said. "But I do want to say 'thank you' on behalf of the people of Save California for supporting our fallen heroes." Since California became a state, 1500 men and women who gave their lives will always have their names on this memorial. Officers from all over California came to pay their respect. In 2012 two of

600 specimens of brawny, hairy men (well, some were) donned high heels to walk a mile around the Capitol Mall today. They did it with grace and pain. Some did it fast, some slow. They did it. They did it to raise awareness about sexual assault against women and raised funds for WEAVE to provide 24-hour services  for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Here's some photos from the event: Award winners will be posted when information is received. Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.