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Businesswoman treats school workers to lunch

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A businesswoman who appreciates the support she received as a student in Ramona schools is giving back — and she plans to do it annually.

Shelly Heimer, Supreme Lending branch manager, is providing lunch for the staff at each school during Ramona Unified School District Staff Appreciation Week, May 2 through 6 — one or two schools a day. She got an early start last Wednesday at Montecito High School and was at Mt. Woodson Elementary School last Friday.

This week she was at Ramona High and Olive Peirce Middle schools on Tuesday and at Barnett and James Dukes elementary schools on Wednesday. She will be at Ramona Elementary on Thursday and at Ramona Community School and Hanson Elementary on Friday.

She invited real estate agents to join her, one at each school.

“I tried to place agents that had a connection to the school,” she said in an email. “Some worked that way and others did not.

Agent Doreen Smith joined her at Montecito High School, Karen Domnitz at Ramona High, Lori Hoge at Olive Peirce, Susan Willis at Barnett Elementary, Kimberly Warnock at James Dukes Elementary and Regina Flores Group at Ramona Elementary. Deb Espinoza, Stage Presence Homes broker/owner, was with her at Mt. Woodson Elementary and will be at Ramona Community School and Hanson Elementary.

“As a student I was inspired by a handful of teachers who molded me, believed in me and encouraged me,” said Heimer.

She said her reason for providing lunch for every employee at each school “goes deep.” Her father raised her and her brother by himself, she noted.

The late Darrel Cheely, who was Hanson Lane principal when she was in elementary school, was the most kind-hearted man she has known, she said, and nurse Gloria Klein “was so nurturing, loving and provided support that few can understand.”

In middle school, now retired principal Linda Solis believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself, she said. Now retired teacher Michael Jordan, her class adviser and homeroom teacher at Ramona High School, guided her in a direction of leadership through Associated Student Body and Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), now SkillsUSA. That guidance, she said, forever changed her life.

“I love what a teacher can do for a young person who lacks self-respect and self-confidence,” said Heimer. “A teacher truly has the opportunity to make — or even break — a person, and in my life I have been so lucky that I was influenced by some amazing teachers.

“Now my daughters are in the same school district, being taught by the same families and friends who shared my childhood, and it’s my turn to watch my children be inspired and loved by this amazing village that we live in.”

After graduating high school in 1993, Heimer attended San Diego Mesa College before joining the U.S. Army.

“I loved every bit of my six years (in the Army),” she said. “I made the best of friends, became more self-confident, and was honored to have served my country.”

In 2003, she and her husband Doug moved to Ramona. They’ve been married 12 years. Their twin daughters, Cadence and Reagan, are 7, and daughter Karlie is 9.

“Ramona is unique,” said Heimer. “I am honored to be able to serve our community. I have always had a passion for giving, and I believe out schools are the most important part of any community — especially this one.”

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