We Need Your Support

Share Our Selves (SOS) has seen this staggering statistics in the last few months:

•  Needy families and individuals receiving groceries each day has increased by 40% since September, and those in need of food is up 35%
• Walk-ins for the  medical clinic have increased 10.3% in the last three months
• Financial assistance needs have jumped by at least 25%
• SOS’s dental clinic used to accept applications every month for new patients , but now can only accept these patients every other month

Families Forward has been experience these issues in the last few months:

•  300% increase in the number of calls from families seeking emergency services in the last month alone
• Last year, Families Forward opened their adopt-a-family program for the holidays and within a month had 545 families selected. This year, in only 10 days, the agency had 750 families apply
• The number of families and individuals coming to access the food pantry has double in past months

Serving People In Need (SPIN) records:

•  Calls for services has increased by 65%
• SPIN’s Street Service Program has seen a 30% increase – most of these families are working and accessing food to offset costs of rent, utilities, etc.
• The corporate business park location has seen a 40% increase of the number of walk-in clients

2-1-1 Emergency Hotline:

• Calls to 2-1-1’s emergency hotline between July and November have increased by more than 6,000 additional calls
• Requests for food assistance, rental assistance and housing and utilities assistance has almost doubled from this time last year

What Does All Of This Mean?

Families and Individuals in Orange County need your support. LIVE UNITED & GIVE UNITED to support the health and human care of Orange County.

10th Annual Real Estate and Building Industry Luncheon

On April 16, 2009 from 5 – 8 p.m., the Real Estate and Building Industry Committee of Orange County United Way will be hosting the 10th Annual Real Estate event, benefiting Orange County children and youth by encouraging their educational achievements.

The reception will include a silent auction and special guests. Coach John A. Robinson, former Head Football Coach for USC, LA Rams and UNLV will be the guest speaker.

Please visit the event website at www.RealEstate2009.kintera.org to find out more!

Trick the Trolley with Women Looking Forward

View the Slideshow from the event!

On December 19, Women Looking Forward members and United Way staff gathered together to trick out a trolley with items for the beneficiaries of Share Our Selves, one of United Way’s many community partners serving families in need. Once the trolley was packed with blankets, warm clothes, diapers, children’s toys and food, the Women Looking Forward members jumped aboard the trolley to deliver the items to Share Our Selves.

Jennifer Cagle, Chair of Women Looking Forward, reflects on the importance of volunteering during the holidays. “These are tough times for many families and by sharing our time and treasures with others, we can help make the holidays that much brighter for those less fortunate.

 Women Looking Forward members give $1,000 or more annually to Orange County United Way to support basic needs for families today and long-term solutions focused on education and financial stability for a more prosperous tomorrow. The 140 members and their families are also very active in the community, volunteering their time with many of United Way’s agency partners.

 

“There is no better way to celebrate the true meaning of the holidays,” said Tom Stewart, Owner of The O.C. Cruiser company who so graciously donated the holiday-themed trolley for the special occasion. “Anyway we can help give back to the community, we’re there.”

 

With the current economic climate, Share Our Selves has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families and individuals coming to seek the safety net services they provide to the Orange County community.

 

“We have seen a 40% increase in clients coming to SOS for food this fall as compared to last fall,” said Elizabeth Evans, Communications Manager at Share Our Selves. “We are so grateful for the partnership we have with United Way and the generosity of the Women Looking Forward members.”

Tocqueville Society Holiday Reception at David Yurman

On the evening of Dec. 10, 2008, David Yurman South Coast Plaza opened its doors for a private holiday party for more than 60 Orange County United Way Tocqueville Society members and their guests. The members gathered together to celebrate the collective power of the society’s 300 generous individuals and in light of challenging times, encouraged new members to join to help families in need.

Tocqueville Society members give $10,000 or more annually to Orange County United Way and are working towards reaching this year’s goal of $2 million to support basic needs for families today and programs focused on education and financial stability for a brighter tomorrow.

Tocqueville Society Chair, Robert E. Palmer, spoke to the guests about the importance of giving back to those around us who need our help. “Now more than ever your support and generosity is applauded. These are tough times and we are a community with the capacity to give and make a difference,” said Palmer. “Please remember, that while we are all experiencing cut backs, when you are in need, 10% less of nothing is still nothing,” added Palmer.

Tocqueville Society member, Lisa Locklear, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Ingram Micro North America, shared a story with the group about a volunteer activity she, her husband and two sons took part in at one of Orange County United Way’s community partners. “It’s easy for many of us to get caught up in our day-to-day lives and not consider the blessings we have. Many of us open the pantry when we are hungry, but many others don’t have this luxury. My sons now have a greater appreciation for the little things,” said Locklear.

David Yurman Assistant Manager, Maria Holm, thanked the group for all they do in the community and shared that a portion of the proceeds from the special gathering would go back to support the work of Orange County United Way.

Check out photos from the event here!

Make Your Gift Count with the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast

Past sponsors and new supporters of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast joined for a “Sneak Peak” reception at the home of Artyn and Max Gardner to announce this year’s guest speaker and share the goals of the event. Sponsors also had an opportunity to select their seating for the event and learn more about the needs of women and girls in Orange County.  

Event Co-Chairs Sherri Bovino and Judy Fox Brandt made the announcement that Liz McCartney, Co-Founder and Director of the non-profit St. Bernard Parish and CNN’s 2008 Hero of Year, will be the motivating guest speaker!

View video of Liz accepting the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year Award

Learn more about the ST BERNARD PROJECT founded by Liz & Zack

Vikki Vargas will be the event Emcee at the May 1^st event. Vikki is NBC4’s Orange County Bureau Chief, overseeing all news gathering operations for the station in Orange County.

For more information on the 6^th Annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast, please visit www.wpfbreakfast.kintera.org or call Scott Homolka at (949) 263-6176 for more information.