Colton High Alumna Recognized

Crystal Egger, meteorologist for NBC4 Southern California, originally of Grand Terrace and a graduate of Colton High School, received the Spirit of Hope award last month for her service to children. Childhelp Inland Empire Chapter presented the award at its annual Forest of Hope event at The National Orange Show. Egger shared the story of how her daughter, Sayla Rae, was born three months prematurely, weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces. “The most exciting time of my life turned upside down in an instant. She went on to spend three agonizing months covered with tubes inside a lonely incubator in NICU. Now, at age five, she is healthy, energetic, smart, and absolutely perfect. She will forever be my miracle baby and proof that angels are everywhere,” she related. Egger's passion for helping disadvantaged children, which she does as a local ambassador for the March of Dimes, was born out of this experience, she explained. “Obviously, I feel incredibly blessed and I want nothing more than to give back,” Egger said. In addition to her daily appearance on Channel 4’s “Today in L.A.” and her role with the March of Dimes, Egger visits classrooms to inspire children to learn about weather and pursue careers in science, and volunteers for a number of other groups. “I could not be more excited to join Childhelp and make a difference in children’s lives!” she stated. Every year, Childhelp Inland Empire Chapter puts on a fundraiser to support the many programs of Childhelp International, including the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont, and the Childhelp National Child Abuse hotline (1-800-422-4453). The Inland Empire Chapter meets the third Wednesday of every month at the Arrowhead County Club at 6 p.m. All are welcome.