Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "donation"

Get shaved at St. Baldrick's fundraiser

2013-03-10T01:47:32Z

Who said fundraising can’t be fun? After all, "fun? is part of the word. But to be fair, fund is too. So why not take a cue from Golden Bear and Low Brau’s St. Baldrick’s fundraising team and their effort and simply do both?

All leading up to Monday’s big shave day, team “Balds Deep” has been setting up its own mini-benefits around Midtown. With the goal to raise money benefiting cancer research, team captain Kellen Mcconnell said “Balds Deep” held an event Friday, March 8, at The Golden Bear to raise money, and confirmed new Midtown favorite, LowBrau, has been donating $1 for every beer sold to his team’s efforts.

A little healthy competition never hurt anyone, especially if the result benefits the fight against childhood cancer. This Monday, March 11, deVere’s Irish Pub will be hosting the annual fundraiser, where teams and individuals unite to shave their heads, all benefiting The Keaton Memorial for their St. Baldrick’s celebrations. Other Sacramento teams include “Sac Town Baldies” consisting of both Mulvaney’s B and L staff and Shady Lady staff, and “The Baldy Bunch of Sac Mag,” made up of Sacramento magazine staff.

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events began as a challenge between business professionals and have grown from one event in 2000, to over 1,300 events in 2012, raising critical funds for childhood cancer research. Events take place in pubs, restaurants, schools, churches, parks, malls, military bases, firehouses and any other place you can imagine.

More adults than kids get cancer, it's true. That's why governments and foundations fund more research for adult cancers — and we're all for finding cures for adults, making local participants and events so integral to finding a cure.

Balds Deep Captain Mcconnell put it perfectly: “St Baldrick’s is about our local community coming together to face something larger than any one of us. We must all do our part, to let the little guys know they aren't alone. Shaving our heads is an act of solidarity for these children.”

Although only one team can come out on top, all participants are winners because they are contributing in the fight to defeat childhood cancer. So be a do-gooder and brave the shave, March 11 at de Vere's Irish Pub Sacramento from 4-8pm, and at de Vere's Irish Pub Davis on March 13 from 5-8pm!

Keep karma and carry on in the fight for kids with cancer. Registration is open now at getbald.com.Donations are accepted. Or to donate visit the website.

Disclosure: This article was written by a supporter of the event, with a foot in PR, and not by anyone affiliated with said teams or event.

Salvation Army opens teen drop-in center in Oak Park

2013-02-04T23:53:48Z

Things are warming up in the Oak Park area. The Salvation Army officially opened the “Hot Spot” drop-in center at its Ray Robinson Oak Park Community Center on February 1.

Every Friday night, from 7 to 11 pm, the “Hot Spot” will provide teens, ages 13-19, an opportunity to utilize the multiple activities—like basketball, board games, art projects, video games and a computer lab—at the community center. Snacks are also given to the teenage attendees.

“People can come down and play instead of being on the streets,” said Oshe, a 17-year-old high school student who came to the opening night of the drop-in center to play basketball. “You always hear about kids getting shot, but this is a place where there’s some activities, it’s fun and (you’re) staying out of trouble.”

The Salvation Army has been working with Sacramento City Council members and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s Gang Prevention Task Force to develop this program.

“It was identified that Sacramento needs a safe place for the youth,” said Sonja Stires, Salvation Army program director for the Oak Park campus. “So we worked with focus groups, community partners and the youth themselves to identify the right time and day to open up this drop-in center.”

The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers and food donations for the “Hot Spot” program. For more information, call (916) 469-4620.

Disclosure: Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org or join the facebook page www.facebook.com/salvationarmysacramento

Salvation Army receives frozen turkey donation from AAA Insurance

2012-11-13T23:03:35Z

The Salvation Army in Sacramento received nearly 600 pounds of frozen turkeys from California State Automobile Association of Northern California. This marks the 16th consecutive year in which The Salvation Army has received turkeys from AAA. Last year, the donation helped nearly 500 individuals receive a Thanksgiving meal.

The donated turkeys will be prepared and served for a free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 22 at The Army’s Center of Hope emergency shelter in downtown Sacramento (1200 North B Street). Anyone from the Sacramento community can be served a meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.

AAA’s annual turkey delivery project is part of an ongoing effort to help meet the needs of the community during the holiday season. Throughout the morning, AAA will deliver more than eight tons of turkeys to 26 Northern California, Nevada, and Utah non-profits.

The Salvation Army will continue to accept any frozen turkey or canned ham donation, right up to Thanksgiving day.

Information on how to donate a frozen turkey or canned ham:

Where: The Salvation Army Center of Hope emergency shelter, 1200 North B Street, Sacramento
When: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Salvation Army honors local health systems at the Annual Community Luncheon

2012-05-30T20:13:17Z

Billed as the largest event of its kind in California’s capital region, The Salvation Army of Sacramento County held its Annual Community Luncheon on May 29 at the Woodlake Hotel.

With nearly 1,000 business and governmental leaders in attendance, the luncheon was an opportunity to showcase its programs, give a fiscal and service report to the community, and thank and recognize the individuals and companies who, through their community service activities or programs, have shown a long history of helping people in need.

“Any time we can inform and help people understand the full reaches of The Army’s mission, then that’s a good thing to have,” said Major Bill Dickinson, Salvation Army Del Oro Divisional Commander. “They become better friends and supporters when they know and see firsthand the success of our programs.”

This year, The Salvation Army honored Kaiser Permanente, Mercy/Dignity Health, Sutter Health, and UC Davis Health System with the "Spirit of Caring" award for extensive community service work and leadership. All of the health systems, along with the Effort, Salvation Army and County of Sacramento, have partnered together for the last seven years to operate the Interim Care Program (ICP), a respite care service for homeless patients.

“This is such a great honor to receive,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, ~~Sutter Health~~ CEO, Sutter Medical
Center, Sacramento. “It’s great to highlight what the four health systems are doing working together on an innovative program that’s being replicated in other communities. You see the true example of collaboration among the health systems, Effort, Sacramento County and The Salvation Army.”

The ICP offers clients up to six weeks of care and shelter during which they can focus on recovery and developing a plan for their housing upon discharge. The Effort’s case manager links clients with mental health services, substance abuse recovery, housing workshops and provides disability application assistance. The Salvation Army provides 28 beds in a designated wing of its shelter. In many cases, after their recuperations, past ICP clients continued on with further services as participants of The Salvation Army’s emergency shelter program.

“The Salvation Army has enjoyed its partnership with all of the health systems,” Major Dickinson said. “Each one is a valued member of this community, and we were blessed to have them as our luncheon honorees.”

Last year’s luncheon raised more than $ 274,000 in proceeds to support local Salvation Army programs and services year-round.

News10 (KXTV) evening anchors Dale Schornack and Cristina Mendonsa once again served as the luncheon’s master and mistress of ceremonies.

Editor's note: Edits were made to Carrie Owen Plietz's title after publication.

River Cats help kick off Salvation Army Week

2012-05-14T20:48:25Z

The Salvation Army of Sacramento kicked off National Salvation Army Week today by hosting a volunteer food box packing project at its Family Services warehouse in the North Sacramento area.

Among the volunteers who participated in this project were Sacramento River Cats pitcher Neil Wagner and pitching coach Scott Emerson.

“You always like to give back to the community,” Emerson said. “Anytime you can help out and assist The Salvation Army, then it’s a plus. Giving of your time is important, too. If you can’t donate money, you can always donate your time.”

The food boxes created from the volunteer project will eventually go to underprivileged families in the Sacramento area. Last year, on average, more than 600 food boxes were distributed monthly from the Family Services warehouse.

“It’s surprising to hear the amount of need out there,” Wagner said. “It’s sort of more than what you expect, but I hope we can bring a little awareness and help with this need.”

National Salvation Week is an occasion in which events locally and across country highlights the importance of Americans giving back to their local communities to support their neighbors in need at a time when many families and individuals continue to struggle to make ends meet. The very first National Salvation Army Week was declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower between November 18 and December 4, 1954 as a reminder to Americans that they should give freely of themselves.

“Salvation Army Week is a great reminder of how our donors and volunteers really do help us meet the needs of Sacramento,” said Capt. Hendrik Sumter, Salvation Army Sacramento County Coordinator. “We’re blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers, including some new ones like the Sacramento River Cats. We know can't do it alone.”

Annually, volunteers put in more than 30,000 hours of support for all Salvation Army projects and programs.

If anyone is seeking more information about volunteering with The Salvation Army, please visit www.salarmysacto.org.

Mike’s Bikes and PODS of Sacramento team up to collect bikes for African charity through April 29

2012-04-19T16:49:14Z

Mike’s Bikes and PODS of Sacramento team up to collect bikes for African charity through April 29

For the second year, Sacramento moving and storage company lends support to gather donations for bike retailer’s sister shops in Africa.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – From now through April 29, PODS of Sacramento is lending its support to Mikes Bikes, the largest independent bicycle retailer in the U.S., to help collect donations for their ongoing Africa Bike program.

A PODS® container has been placed at the Sacramento Mike’s Bikes store located at 1411 “I” St. (at 14th Street) and the public is encouraged to help fill it with donations of new or used bikes that will then be sent to Mike’s Bikes Sister Shops in Africa.

In 2011, a great business collaboration was born when PODS teamed up for the first time with Mike’s Bikes, helping them to collect more than 500 donated bicycles during a two-week bike drive.

“Last year’s partnership was a huge success,” said Ken Ude, president of Storage Mobility, Inc., franchise owner for PODS Sacramento. “We are thrilled to again lend our support to Mike’s Bikes and hope that during this year’s three week bike drive, we can break all records and help them collect over 1,000 bikes.”

In 2007, Mike’s Bikes began the Africa Sister Shops program to build a self-sustaining supply of working bikes in Africa and to promote economic growth by teaching African entrepreneurs how to run a bike business. Mike’s Bikes collects and sends donated bikes and start-up funding to developing African countries as well provides mentoring to the owners of its Africa Sister Shops with the goal of creating African job opportunities.

During the three week bike drive, the donated PODS® containers will serve as temporary bicycle donation centers and provide on-site storage. At the end of the drive’s conclusion, PODS will transport the containers to a central staging area where volunteers and staff will prepare the bikes for shipment to Africa.

Disclosure: I am a PR Correspondent representing PODS of Sacramento for the event.

South Natomas school donates 300 books to Salvation Army

2012-02-24T23:59:51Z

Salvation Army of Sacramento received more than 300 donated books from the students of Merryhill School of South Natomas today. The donation supports The Army’s Early Care and Education Program in Oak Park.

“We wanted our students to have the opportunity to develop service leadership skills,” said Lezli Warburton, Merryhill principal. “It’s important for our children to understand their connection to the community and how they can give back.”

Merryhill, a private school for pre-kindergarten through third grade, hosted the book drive for the last month. Parents and students were encouraged to donate books of various topics, including: alphabet, animals, colors, health and nutrition, music, science and weather.

“I'm really excited because these books are going to the children and they’re going to enjoy reading them now,” said Arjun Chauhan, an eight-year-old third grader.

This donation will be used to build a library for the classrooms--both for free reading time for children and for teachers to use in the curriculum. The new books will also help to supply of a “lending library”, allowing for the children of the Salvation Army program to check out and take home a book.

“We needed to build our library,” said Sonja Stires, Salvation Army director of programs for the Oak Park campus. “It was getting pretty thin. What they (Merryhill) have given us is huge. Having their students involved was fantastic because they will see themselves as resources to affect the community.”

More than 40 children, ranging in age from 3-5 years old, are enrolled in the Early Care and Education Program. A quantity of good books has been identified as a need for this program, as The Salvation Army works to strengthen its focus on early literacy.

Disclosure: Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army of Sacramento County. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org or join the facebook page www.facebook.com/salvationarmysacramento

Paula Deen to do live show at Community Center Theater

2012-01-20T04:20:43Z

Paula Deen – best known for her traditional southern cooking on the Food Network – is coming to Sacramento for a live show on Feb. 3.

While Deen will cook at the Community Center Theater that evening, she’ll focus on what she said she cherishes most about fame – meeting people she never would have met in her life as a bank teller.

“I’ll just visit with people,” Deen said. “It’s kinda like coming into my living room, us getting to know each other. People come in and forget everything that irks them.”

Deen will appear on stage with her husband, Michael Groover, whom she describes as shy, funny and a great cook.

“He has got the keenest sense of humor,” Deen said. “He’s one of the funniest men I’ve ever met.”

She said she’s looking forward to the trip to Sacramento, but her schedule will force the visit to be brief.

The appearance coincides with a donation made by the show sponsors, Smithfield and Safeway, as well as the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, to the Sacramento Emergency Foodlink. Deen’s live show is part of a nationwide tour during which donations will be made to several organizations.

Pork will be on the menu for the evening, but fans shouldn’t expect her live show to mirror the cooking shows for which Deen has become famous.

“If you are expecting to come away with a Julia Child cooking degree, you’ll be disappointed,” Deen said.

In addition to three television shows featured on the Food Network (“Paula’s Best Dishes,” “Paula’s Home Cooking” and “Paula’s Party”), Deen is a restaurateur and cookbook author. It’s a family business, Deen said, and she often collaborates with her two sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen.

“The best part of a family business is working with family,” Deen said. “And the worst part is working with family.”

Sure to be a topic of conversation is Deen’s recent revelation that she has diabetes. While her website promises new, diabetes-friendly recipes in the future, Deen said the six weeks during which her shows are shot are not a snapshot of her daily fare.

“We don’t eat in the south like people think. We eat a lot of vegetables,” Deen said, adding that she uses a lot less butter in her cooking than people commonly believe.

Deen recently topped Maxim magazine's list of television’s sexiest chefs, a title that she said she thought was a joke, initially.

“My breath was knocked out of me,” Deen said. “I was shocked. I loved it!”

As for what’s ahead for Deen, she said she’s working on many projects, but isn’t able to discuss them yet.

“The biggest is yet to come in my career. That’s all I can say,” Deen said.

Deen will personally make the delivery of pork products at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, said Mary Meagher, director of public relations and development at the Sacramento Emergency Foodlink.

“Our food closets will greatly appreciate the protein items,” Meagher said. “Through 140 partner agencies, we serve 100,000 people each month. We’re very happy that Sacramento is one of the stops.”

Tickets are still available to Paula Deen’s live show at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Sacramento Community Center Theater.

La-Z-Boy Owners Donate More Than $12,000 in Furniture to Home For Former Foster Youth

2011-12-21T23:45:57Z

Earlier this week, the local owners of six La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores in Northern California donated nearly $12,000 worth of beautiful
La-Z-Boy furniture to a privately funded home for recently emancipated foster youth in Placer County. Purchased by a concerned citizen and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer, “Taylor House” is a six-bedroom, newly remodeled home located in downtown Roseville. Once furnished, the home will welcome its first young women residents -- all of whom are no longer able to stay in a foster care environment after turning 18 years of age -- within the next few weeks.

To help furnish the empty home, local La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries owners Liz & Jim Reego donated a beautiful La-Z-Boy sofa, a leather chair, a chaise lounge, two fabric chairs, an English hutch/TV cabinet, five ottomans, a bedside chest, two rugs and a variety of home decor accessories valued at nearly $12,000 total. The local La-Z-Boy owners would like to encourage other businesses and involved community members to follow suit by providing support to Taylor House, volunteering at CASA volunteer or working with foster youth.

“As long-time community members, our hearts go out to abused and neglected children and youth in need of a safe and nurturing home environment,” said Liz Reego, co-owner of six (soon to be seven) La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries showrooms in Northern California. “We hope other businesses and community members will follow our lead and offer to donate, volunteer their time or find some way to support this worthwhile effort.”

Young women chosen to stay at “Taylor House” are required to be actively employed, pay reduced rent, remain drug and alcohol free and abide by the agreed-upon house rules as they bridge from a foster care environment to being completely independent and living on their own.

Disclosure: Traci Rockefeller Cusack represents a number of businesses and organizations throughout the greater Sacramento area including La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

Limitations not stopping their bell ringing efforts

2011-12-10T17:36:46Z

“It’s getting cold out here.”

Kelsey Cottle uttered this while ringing The Salvation Army bell outside Macy’s at Sunrise Mall. Yet her fellow bell ringers did not care--they were having the time of their lives.

“Yeah, they’re having fun,” Cottle said.

Meet Carl Virgin and Eulogio Lizarraga--the jubilant bell ringers. Both have cerebral palsy and are confined to wheelchairs, but they do not let it deter their efforts to give back.

“It just a good time for them to get out and people to see them,” said Cottle, who is Carl’s personal attendant through S.T.E.P. (Strategy To Empower People) services. “It’s great that they get to see them so happy and that they can do this (volunteer) like everybody else.”

Cottle recruited Carl for the bell ringing opportunity last year.

“My church talked about a need to volunteer in your community,” she recalled. “So I thought of him (Carl). I came to him and his roommate at that time about ringing the bell, and they were very receptive to that idea. I talked to their families and the people from S.T.E.P., and they all agreed that this would be a good thing for them to do.”

This year, Carl recruited his current roomate, Eulogio, to ring bells for a two-hour shift, all the time smiling and spreading some holiday cheer to all of those who walked by their red kettle.

“You can tell when they’re happy,” Cottle said. “Even though they can’t use words as much, they can get their feelings across.”

And the donors appreciated their hard work.

“I wanted to come by and say hello to them,” said Theresa, who came with her daughter to donate to the kettle. “It means more to me to see them, with their challenges, volunteering their time. It was great to see (them).”

Cottle said Carl and Eulogio may ring the bell again before the end of this Christmas season. But, without a doubt, they will be back ringing next year.

“We’ve talked about it,” Cottle said. Then turning to Carl and Eulogio, she asked, “Are we coming back again?”

“Sure,” Eulogio said … with a smile.

Salvation Army seeking donated turkeys for Thanksgiving meal

2011-11-14T17:23:18Z

Wanted: turkeys or ham.

That is what The Salvation Army needs for its upcoming Thanksgiving community meal.

"We need some additional donation so we can feed anyone looking for a hot meal this Thanksgiving," said Captain Hendrk Sumter, Salvation Army Sacramento County Coordinator. "Every bit helps when we are serving a lot of people."

More than 500 are expected to come to The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter in downtown Sacramento for the annual free meal. The donated meat will used for that day and to feed the clients from the shelter program.

Last week, California State Automobile Association of Northern California helped the cause by donating 31 turkeys.

Information about how to donate:

Drop off location: 1200 North B Street, Sacrametno
Days and Time: Donations accepted everyday til Thanksgiving. 6 am to 6 pm.

Information about free Thanksgiving Meal:

Location: 1200 North B Street, Sacramento
Date: Thursday, November 24
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

When Coats for Kids needed on-the-ground logistics, NEWS10 called PODS Moving and Storage of Sacramento

2011-11-01T19:52:16Z

PODS of Sacramento provides vital storage and logistics solution for NEWS10’s 21st Coats for Kids Winter Drive.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – PODS Moving and Storage of Sacramento will donate several of its storage containers to help collect donated coats in support of NEWS10’s 21st Coats for Kids Winter Drive through Dec 9.

Logistics were a nightmare for organizers prior to using PODS®, according to Brian Bills, a lifetime resident of Fair Oaks, Calif., and territory manager at PODS of Sacramento.

“In 2010, we supplied three PODS® containers at Swansons main dry-cleaning facility and transported each filled unit to Cal Expo where volunteers from the Salvation Army sorted the coats by size,” Bills said. “Having onsite storage at the starting point streamlined the collection process and allowed for greater efficiency overall.”

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 9 at select Swansons Cleaners locations throughout greater Sacramento. PODS will then transport each container filled with clean coats to Cal Expo for staging and distribution on Dec. 30.

Coats for Kids has collected and distributed more than 500,000 coats to children of all ages. This year’s goal is to collect 25,000 new coats. Monetary donations also will be accepted. Mail donations to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 340699, Sacramento, CA, 95834. All proceeds benefit News10 Coats for Kids.

PODS of Sacramento is owned and operated by Storage Mobility and also participates locally in Sacramento's Chips for Kids Toy Drive, Toys for Tots, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and several other nonprofit and community organizations.

For more information, or to make a donation to help a child in need, visit http://www.news10.net/life/community/events/coatsforkids.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Tina Vervoorn is a Public Relations Manager at Consortium Media Services, representing PODS of Sacramento and Storage Mobility.

Handbag auction assisting Salvation Army programs

2011-10-20T00:43:14Z

More than 200 handbags were up for grabs during the October 15 Helping Handbags luncheon and auction.

Hosted by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, a volunteer group made of local business women and retirees, the event had nearly 500 attendees pack the Radisson Hotel grand ballroom to check out the seventh annual live and silent auctions.

“It exceeded my dreams,” said Laurel Speier, Helping Handbags event chairperson. “You could see the ladies here in attendance had a lot of fun.”

More than $75,000 was raised. All of the proceeds will go to Salvation Army’s programs for women and children in the Sacramento area.

“Many of us here are blessed to have (comfortable) lives,” Speier said, “To not give back would be a travesty. “

Some notable items were auctioned off included: Valentino, Coach, and Michael Kors. A handbag donated by singer Linda Ronstandt was also included in the auction.

Salvation Army opens housing complex for homeless families

2011-09-22T00:42:04Z

The Salvation Army officially opened its new E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Complex on September 20. The 35-unit center, located near I-80 and Watt Ave., will house families who were homeless.

Each family had qualified for this housing program through The Salvation Army’s Family Service Department. All participating families may live in the units from six months to two years. Case workers will work constantly with each program participant to find permanent housing and employment.

The living complex is also a clean and sober program. For those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, recovery and prevention meetings will be available to them.

The new program is a blessing for 32-year-old Sunnie. She, along with her two children, recently moved into the housing complex. Prior to her participation in this program, Sunnie struggled with drugs and hopping from one shelter to another.

“They’re (Salvation Army) giving me a chance to get myself together,” Sunnie said. “It’s a way to not go down the same road I went through before. I can get my education, get a job, and get back on my feet and not worry about having a place to stay.”

More than $3 million was raised to purchase the property and start the housing program.

“The need for transitional housing for families in Sacramento is huge,” said Major Douglas Riley, Salvation Army Del Oro Divisional Commander. “To keep families together is critical these days. To help them in times of trouble and turmoil, that’s why we are here for.”

Joyce Raley Teel, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Raley's Family of Fine Stores, donated $2 million toward the project’s capital campaign. The living center is named in honor of Mrs. Teel’s late mother, E. Claire Raley.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for these people who had such a difficult past,” Teel said. “I’m very proud of this program. I’m glad my family could make a difference, along with many other donors.”

The donation was also made to recognize the work of The Salvation Army, who assisted E. Claire Raley’s family when she was a youth.

“My mother told me that The Salvation Army helped her family out when times were tough,” Teel said. “For some reason, I never forgot that. I just have a great admiration for them. Any disaster, they’re there. It impressed me, and here I am, trying to do my part and give back.”

German delegation volunteering at The Salvation Army

2011-07-01T22:47:42Z

A German delegation came to volunteer at The Salvation Army’s Family Services facility in Sacramento on June 30. The visit was set up by the Northern California World Trade Center, which is hosting the three member party.

The group is made up of two state parliament members, Markus Blume and Roland Theis, and the mayor of the town Monheim am Rhein, Daniel Zimmermann. They, along with nine other volunteers, spent nearly two hours creating 342 food boxes in the Salvation Army warehouse.

“People here (the volunteers) are really excited to contribute and help others,” said Blume, member of the Bavarian State Parliament. “We’re really happy to come out and help in some way.”

Sacramento was the group’s latest stop through the United States. The delegation was invited to America at the auspices of the Department of State, under a themed program entitled “Overcoming Economic and Social Challenges in the Wake of the Financial and Economic Crises”. The program encompasses the party visiting five different cities during this tour.

“We see that many in California need the strong work of The Salvation Army,” Blume said. “The Salvation Army does a fantastic job in assisting and supporting the poor and underprivileged.

For Doreen Abbott, a longtime Salvation Army volunteer, spending time with the German politicians was inspiring.

“They’re interested in what we’re doing,” Abbott said. “It was fun for us to share what it is like to give back to the community. They seemed to understand that (concept) and they wanted to be a part of that. It made our time together a lot of fun.”

Blume has also found some encouragement from the tour of the United States.

“We realize that the DNA of America is an attitude of not giving up,” he said. “I’m pretty sure that you’ll see a strong economy recovery sooner or later, regardless of what Washington is doing. That’s because I believe in the people of the United States.”

Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army of Sacramento County. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org or join the facebook page www.facebook.com/salvationarmysacramento

Grand Opening For New Salvation Army Education Facility in Oak Park

2011-06-23T00:14:06Z

After nine months of construction, The Salvation Army opened the doors to its new Child Development Center in Oak Park today.

The education facility is two stories high and nearly 14,000 sq ft, and it is the home for The Army’s day care and after-school programs.

“To see this come into reality is incredible,” said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County Coordinator. “We have a new education building that can make a real impact for many families in our area.”

The Child Development Center replaces an old 2,400 sq ft modular building that used to house the day care program for 24 years. A capital campaign was started in 2008 to raise the necessary funds for the construction of a new facility.

“It was not the best time for a capital campaign three years ago,” Bentley said. “But we needed to move forward because of the need in the community. We were very blessed that so many stepped up and assisted us with this project.”

In all, the construction cost $3 million.

The more spacious facility allows The Salvation Army the opportunity for expansion in both education programs. According to Salvation Army officials, the plans are to double the day care and after-school capacity.

“I’m really excited about the possibilities,” said Isa Losè, a mother of two children in the after-school program. “There’s just more room for the kids and more tools for them to learn.”

Since the start of the construction, the day care and after-school programs have been operating within The Salvation Army Community Center. The students will transition into the new building by the first week of July.

Disclosure: Syd Fong is the Public Relations Director at The Salvation Army Del Oro Division, Sacramento County Operations.

Mike’s Bikes and PODS of Sacramento join forces to collect bikes for Africa bike drive through June 26

2011-06-16T18:26:05Z

Bike drive supports the Mike’s Bikes Sister Shops project which aims to improve everyday life in Africa, one bike at a time.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – PODS of Sacramento and Mike’s Bikes, the largest independent bicycle retailer in the U.S., have partnered at three locations with PODS containers placed to serve as temporary bicycle donation centers and on-site storage during the Mike’s Bikes Africa bike drive.

Bicycle donations are tax-deductible and will be accepted at the following Mike’s Bikes stores from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 26.
1411 I St. (at 14th), Sacramento
264 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma
1615 North California Blvd., Walnut Creek

“Our Sacramento location is deeply rooted in the local community, offering PODS ® containers to help organizations fulfill their missions,” said Ken Ude, president and CEO of Storage Mobility, Inc., franchise owner of PODS Sacramento. “We encourage the community to get on board and fill the PODS® containers to the top!”

Mike’s Bikes designed the Africa Sister Shops program to build a self-sustaining supply of working bikes in Africa, and to promote economic growth by teaching African entrepreneurs how to run a bike business. With hopes of creating job opportunities in the local community, Mike’s Bikes collects and sends donated bikes and start-up funding to these developing African countries as well provides mentoring to the owners of the Africa Sister Shops.

“The PODS® containers will provide great visibility to our stores that have pulled together to collect bicycles from each community, pack them in an overseas container then ship them to our Sister Shops in Africa,” said Ken Martin, owner of Mike’s Bikes, based in San Francisco. “Once in Africa, the bike shop sells bicycles to local residents at affordable prices, which encourages local commerce, provides transportation and helps improve everyday life one bike at a time.”

This is Mike’s Bikes tenth shipment to Africa; its second bound for Sierra Leone. The ninth shipment included 480 bicycles. It left the Port of Oakland bound for Botswana on May 25.

# # #

About Storage Mobility, dba PODS
Storage Mobility, dba PODS, has 21 franchise locations and is the world’s largest independent provider of PODS Moving and Storage services for residential and commercial customers in the U.S. Areas served include California, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Pennsylvania and New York.

Founded in 1998, PODS currently provides moving and storage services to a population of more than 250,000,000 million consumers and businesses, in 48 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the U.K., through its company-owned and independent franchise network. To date, the PODS network has completed more than 330,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded 1.7 million deliveries and has over 143,000 PODS® containers in service.

PODS® secure containers are constructed of a steel frame and are available in three sizes: approximately 7-by-7-by-8 feet, 12-by-8-by-8 feet and 16-by-8-by-8 feet. The 12-foot and 16-foot containers have been tested to withstand winds of more than 110-mph when partially loaded. Newer PODS® containers have the same steel frame construction but are completely recyclable panels made of steel skins and a high-density polyethylene core. For more information or to schedule service, visit PODS.com or call 800-776-7637.

About Mike’s Bikes
Mike's Bikes was founded in 1964 as one of Marin County's first Schwinn shops. Today, with stores throughout Northern California, Mike's bikes remains true to its mission of "putting more people on bikes", and has grown to become the Largest Local Bike Shop in America. Visit www.mikesbikes.com or call 888-696-BIKE.

Disclosure: Tina Vervoorn is the Public Relations Manager for Consortium Media Services, representing PODS Sacramento and Storage Mobility, Inc.

PODS of Sacramento partners with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Event

2011-05-17T22:26:49Z

Territory Manager Brian Bills from the PODS of Sacramento franchise was happy to oblige a request from organizers to donate PODS® containers for the 2011 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Sacramento held on May 7 at Cal Expo.

Officials noted this was the biggest turnout they have ever had with approximately 25,000 people walking, running and raising money to find a cure for breast cancer.

Four PODS® storage containers were used as onsite storage of event merchandise and check-in points for race participants.

Although he did not run or walk Bills also provided services as a mobile DJ, providing music and inspiration to all who passed by.

“PODS is honored to be involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” Bills said. “This was an incredible experience to see everyone, all with such a passion for helping to find a cure for breast cancer.”

PODS of Sacramento is committed to the local community, nonprofit organizations and charities. For more information, visit the website at PODS.com/sacramento.aspx or call 866-229-4120.

Disclosure: Tina Vervoorn is the Public Relations Manager for Consortium Media Services, representing PODS of Sacramento.

Opera needs $37,000 to keep this year's season

2011-05-07T00:48:25Z

May 12 is the deadline for the Sacramento Opera to raise the final $37,000 of its $122,000 goal by that date – or there will not be a 2011-2012 opera season.

In all, the opera must raise $175,000 of pledges and gifts for the season.

The opera recently reorganized, strategically aligning with the Sacramento Philharmonic as both organizations continue to suffer from funding slumps as a result of the recession.

A meeting last week with 123 opera subscribers and donors to discuss the reorganization, and Sacramento Opera officials described it as “just the kind of engagement needed” in a press release this week.

If the $37,000 is raised, the opera season will include “Opera at the Cathedral” on Oct. 6, a double-bill feature in late November with the opera and Sacramento Philharmonic and “Rigoletto” by Guiseppe Verdi next February.

Pledges are currently being accepted, and they can be sent via email to info@sacopera.org, by calling 737-1000 ext. 305 or by mail to Sacramento Opera, P.O. Box 161027, Sacramento, CA 95816.

Pledges must be for donations within the next 12 months, and those payments can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or in one lump sum.

1,600 Local Families Receiving Food Assistance at Distribution

2011-01-19T23:50:36Z

“This helps me a lot.”

Charmar Randle was grateful for the assistance she just received. She was one of 1,600 families to receive food and other essentials from the January 18 Feed The Children distribution at Cal Expo.

“The economy is so bad and that’s why you see so many families out here,” said Randle, a Sacramento resident. “It’s good that they are having this (distribution) right now in order to help those who are in need.”

Feed The Children, an international relief organization, delivered four semi tractor-trailers full of food and other products to the event. The distribution was part of Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 200,000 families across the country since it began in 2009.

“We got to see a lot of families getting blessed today,” said Aaron Wynn, Feed The Children event coordinator. “What we’re trying to do is show them that someone cares and that someone understands the hard times they are going through.”

Feed The Children agency partner, The Salvation Army-Sacramento, identified the recipient families. Each family received a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items and a box of Avon products. The boxes are designed to help a family for up to one week.

“With the toiletries I got,” Randle said, “it means that I’m saving some cash. The extra money you have left can go for gas or bills or whatever else.”

Nearly 50 volunteers helped out with the distribution, including several members of the Sacramento Kings. DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside, Pooh Jeter and Carl Landry assisted with delivering the donated items to each recipient.

“When I heard about this event,” Kings forward Landry said, “I said count me in (to volunteer). It’s all about giving back to the community and giving back to those who support you. These folks (recipient families) are so sweet, so humble and so grateful for the little things. It just makes me happy to be around them.”

This was the second consecutive year in which Feed The Children and The Salvation Army partnered together for a food distribution.

“We were very pleased to be part of this event again,” said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County coordinator. “This was a tremendous partnership we had with Feed The Children and the Sacramento Kings. I hope we were able to provide some joy and hope to all of the families we served today.”

Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army-Sacramento. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org

Sacramento makes Christmas tree recycling easy

2010-12-29T01:29:42Z

Another year and Christmas has come and gone. Relatives are heading home, the piles of leftovers get smaller with each meal and in just a matter of days it will be time to vacuum up those little green needles and say goodbye to this year’s Christmas tree.

Each year, tens of thousands of trees are purchased in the Sacramento area. While they can be thrown out in garbage cans or taken to landfills, the city of Sacramento and a few other local programs are offering easy and convenient ways for people to recycle their once bright and beautiful living room centerpieces. Recycling your Christmas tree will not only keep landfills from overflowing, but will also allow what’s remaining to be reused as mulch or for other agricultural purposes.

For those looking to recycle with the city, there are a few easy and free ways of accomplishing this, according to the Department of Utilities.

People with green waste cans may dispose of their trees in those, or leave them for loose-in-the-street collection during the first week of January. Leave the tree remains where they will be visible but not obstructive on the side of the street on your regular collection day.

Trees may also be dropped off, free of charge, at any one of these locations:

Elder Creek Recovery & Transfer Station
8642 Elder Creek Road
8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jan. 8

Also accepting trees Dec. 27 - Jan 31, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. -3 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Closed Sundays

Kiefer Landfill
12701 Kiefer Blvd.
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Jan. 8 and Jan. 9

North Area Recovery Station
4450 Roseville Road
8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Jan. 8 and Jan. 9

SMUD Corporation Yard
6100 Folsom Blvd.
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Jan. 8

Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station
8491 Fruitridge Road
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Jan. 8

Also accepting trees Dec. 27 - Jan. 31, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Closed Sundays

All tree owners are responsible for stripping the trees of any ornaments, lights, tinsel and other decorations, and must cut trees of 6 feet or more into pieces of 3 feet or less before recycling.

Another economical option is to support local groups or programs who are running Christmas tree drives to raise money for their respective organizations, such as schools and youth groups.

One local Boy Scout troop, Troop 380, has been collecting trees in the Rosemont and Mather areas for about 15 years, said Scoutmaster Dave Ishikawa.

“We’ve picked up about 1,000 trees before,” Ishikawa said, “but we average more around 500 these days.”

Troop 380 asks for $10 for tree pick-up, which is taken to green waste management to be turned into mulch. The proceeds go to paying for the troop’s summer camp and any equipment the scouts may need.

The troop will be picking up trees on both Jan. 2 and 8 in the Rosemont area. For more information, click here.

Photos courtesy of Sacramento County Waste Management and Recycling

Sacramento Family Keeps Daughter's Memory Alive Through Toy Drive

2010-12-03T00:24:29Z

When Rosie Carollo was hospitalized at the Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento due to a rare form of epilepsy at just 6 months old, she was cheered up by the toys, movies and activities in the hospital’s Child Life Program.

After her passing in 2004, just shy of her second birthday, her parents, Nicole and George Carollo, were set on keeping Rosie’s memory alive by giving back to the Sutter Children’s Center located at Sutter Memorial Hospital after they provided such great care for their young daughter.

“When Rosie passed away, we wanted to do something in her memory to repay the wonderful care we got and to help out other children like Rosie in the Child Life Program,” said Nicole Carollo.

While walking trough their neighborhood admiring holiday decorations and looking to get a few ideas for their own house, the Carollos noticed bins in front of houses for people to donate food as they too strolled down the street admiring the decorations. It was at this moment that the Carollos had the idea to have a toy drive in Rosie’s honor.

After seeing how much joy that toys brought Rosie while she was in the hospital, the family decided the best way to honor Rosie and give back to the hospital was by donating toys to the unit in hopes of creating joy for other children during their time in the program.

The Carollos began their charitable toy drive in 2007 when they were inspired to give back to the Sutter Children’s Center after experiencing first-hand the heartache of having a child hospitalized there, but at the same time were overjoyed with the care that the facility gave their young daughter.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of the Rosie Carollo Christmas Lights Toy Drive, which will be held from 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and is part of the Carollos’ elaborate Christmas display at their home at 3961 Fair Oaks Blvd. in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento. New, unwrapped toy donations, as well as any cash or check donations, will be collected to give to the brave children at the Children’s Center.

In the three previous years, this event has made quite a splash in donations. During the inaugural event in 2007, the Carollos collected 741 items and $236 in cash. In the three years of its existence this special event has collected nearly 2,500 items and approximately $3,676.

This year, the Carollos and the Child Life Program are requesting: non-fabric infant rattles and toys, board games, toy doctor kits, crib-side soothers – such as Fisher Price’s aquarium or rain forest – arts and crafts kits, and comfortable slippers for school-aged and teen patients.

“The first year we did it, we had no idea it would become this big,” said Nicole. “We just thought it would be a little toy drive.”

Four years later, the Carollos look forward to the company of hundreds of Sacramento residents who gather in celebration of little Rosie’s life and the life of every child cared for at the Sutter Children’s Center.

“This is easily the happiest day of the year for me,” said Nicole.

Guests and their families enjoy the elaborate Christmas lights display along with cookies, hot chocolate and even a special visit from Santa Claus. In addition, Sacramento firefighters will be there giving out official fire department stickers and coloring books.

The Carollo family – which now also includes 5-year-old Claire, 2-year-old Grace and 1-year-old Lily – has made it their lifelong goal to spread little Rosie’s story and increase the awareness of infantile spasms. In the future they hope to set up a foundation in Rosie’s name to raise funds for infantile spasm research.

If you would like to be a part of this event but cannot make it out on Dec. 12, the family is gladly accepting donations for the entire month of December at their doorstep located at 3961 Fair Oaks Blvd, at the corner of San Ramon Way and Fair Oaks Boulevard. For further information on how you can help, e-mail Nicole Carollo at N_Carollo@yahoo.com.

The Child Life Program is an important part of each child's hospital experience at the Sutter Children’s Center. Child Life specialists work with the child, parents and hospital staff to make life as normal as possible and to minimize the emotional trauma to the infant, child or adolescent and his or her family. As a member of the health care team in both outpatient and inpatient settings, Child Life specialists provide essential life experiences for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for peer interaction. The program also “employs” three full-time canine therapists as part of its Pet Therapy Program.
The Sutter Children’s Center is a comprehensive children’s “hospital-within-a-hospital” that offers on-site 24-hour pediatric and neonatal care physicians. It provides a patient- and family-oriented approach of more than 50 board-certified subspecialists and a full medical transport team. The Sutter Children’s Center is nationally recognized as a center for excellence by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions for its outstanding care for children. Additionally, the Sutter Children’s Center is approved by California Children’s Services and is the only non-university facility in Northern California granted associate membership with the California Children's Hospital Association. For more information, visit http://checksutterfirst.org/children/.

Disclosure: PJ Petersen is a student at California State University, Sacramento and an intern with Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region

River City Food Bank opens door to new location

2010-12-02T04:53:01Z

Community leaders and supporters congregated at the corner of N and 27th streets to see the beginning stages of the new River City Food Bank. After a four-alarm fire destroyed the RCFB’s original location Oct. 21, the community immediately responded, and the Sutter Medical Center donated this space for the Food Bank to rebuild.

The blaze, determined as arson by the fire department, heavily damaged the building and destroyed about 10,000 pounds of food.

Though still a large empty room, save for a few hanging lights and fold-up tables, the new location promises to give clients a more comfortable space and volunteers a better ability to help the community, RCFB Executive Director Eileen Thomas said. Compared to the previous food bank location, the new spacious area will allow for additional privacy for clients and more room for donation storage.

The event “celebrate(s) moving out of a truck and into a real space,” Thomas said, pointing to the Goodwill truck parked across the street from which the RCFB has been operating for the past few weeks.

She told the crowd that building projects rarely go according to plan. “Whatever you do,” she said, “you double the cost and triple the time.” She apologized for the building not being ready, but said they expect to have the space filled and operable by the middle of next week.

A burnt and warped laptop was on display as a remnant of the October fire, which Thomas considered a powerful symbol of the RCFB’s rebuilding process, since every program and document on the hard-drive was able to be restored.

The crowd huddled around a podium while Thomas introduced key supporters of the Food Bank’s recovery, including Councilman Steve Cohn, RCFB Board President Susan Timmer and Sutter Health Sierra Region Director of Community and Government Relations Keri Thomas.

“It’s a day to recognize those who responded on the day of the fire and to thank the community,” 3fold Communications Director of Media Lesley Miller said. 3fold has helped the RCFB with marketing and outreach, and helped organize the morning’s debut of the new space.

Timmer began the presentation by thanking everyone for their support and saying she never expected to be board president of a food bank rebuilding from a fire. “It was hard to imagine how we’d ever get started again, but here we are,” she said.

Cohn thanked the Trinity Episcopal Church for its continued support of the RCFB.

“We have a commitment to make sure this fire is turned into something that really rises like a phoenix,” Cohn said, “and the city will do all it can to help.”

Helping the homeless and those in need has always been one of the main priorities of the mayor and the council, right up there with job creation, he said.

Keri Thomas spoke on behalf of Sutter Health.

“I’m really proud to be part of a business community that steps up in a time of crisis and need,” she said. “We understand that if people don’t have access to basic needs – food, shelter – they can’t live a healthy life.”

Other supporters included Ruland’s Used Office Furnishings, which was at the event bringing tables and furniture into the empty building; Borges Architectural Group helped coordinate permits; Western Health Advantage donated computers; CalTronics donated a fax machine and Downey Brand offered IT technical assistance.

Grant donations were given by Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Golden One Credit Union, Delta Dental and The Sacramento Bee.

The event was also a memorial for Mac, a well-loved cat who was lost in the fire. The food bank’s other cat, Cheese, was found safe and later given up for adoption.

The rebuilt River City Food Bank is located at the corner of N and 27th streets.

PODS of Sacramento supports annual Coats for Kids Winter clothing drive, donations accepted now through Dec. 3

2010-11-24T22:02:38Z

PODS, ABC News 10 and Swansons Cleaners team up to collect coats for 20th annual charity drive in Sacramento.

PODS of Sacramento, part of the PODS Enterprises, Inc. national franchise network, is donating portable storage containers to collect donated coats in support of ABC News10 and Swansons Cleaners annual Coats for Kids Winter drive.

Donations of new and gently used coats will be accepted now through Dec. 3 at nine Swansons Cleaners throughout Sacramento.
Now in its 20th year, Coats for Kids has collected and distributed more than 475,000 coats to children and families in need. This year, goal is to collect 500,000 coats or more.

For more information about donations or to get involved, call ABC News 10’s Coats for Kids hotline at (916) 321-3362. For a complete list of drop off locations, including Swansons Cleaners, go to: www.news10.net/life/community/events/coats-for-kids/donations.

About Storage Mobility and PODS
Storage Mobility is the largest independent provider of PODS, Portable On Demand Storage, in the world. Since 2004, Storage Mobility has been serving the storage and moving needs of residents and businesses across the country from their 21 franchise locations since 2004.

In addition to providing exceptional moving and storage services, Storage Mobility is all about giving back. Storage Mobility and PODS support a number of different charities and community events that seek to enrich the lives of children and their families in the communities it serves.

Founded in 1998, PODS provides moving and storage services in 48 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and England. To date, the company has completed more than 200,000 long-distance moves, exceeded one million deliveries and has over 138,000 PODS containers in service. For more information, go to: www.pods.com.

PODS containers are available in two sizes, approximately 8-by-8-by-12 feet and 8-by-8-by-16 feet, and can be delivered to use as temporary or long-term storage at a designated location, at the local PODS Storage Center, moved across the street, or moved virtually anywhere in the country.

PODS Greater Sacramento Area Storage Center
6271 Florin Perkins Rd, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95828
Telephone: (866) 229-4120

Media inquiries
Consortium Media Services
Pressroom@Consortium-media.com
Adrienne Stephens (805) 654-1564, ext. 116

Disclosure: Tina Vervoorn is the Public Relations & Social Media coordinator for Consortium Media Services, representing PODS.

Robbie Waters gives library $150,000

2010-11-24T05:59:47Z

Outgoing Sacramento City Councilman Robbie Waters is giving the Sacramento Public Library Authority up to $150,000.

Waters specified at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting that he wants his donation to go toward materials at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

He announced at the council meeting that he scrapped his earlier terms for the donation. Last week, Waters had planned to give the money to the Library Authority only if the City Council retains the name of the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

If the City Council changed the name of the library, Waters had planned to give the money to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Waters said that he talked to City Attorney Eileen Teichert’s office about his original plan and then decided against it. “I’m withdrawing that proposed resolution agreement that was published last week because there was a conflict of interest involved with that,” he said.

The $150,000 comes from City Council discretionary funds. Each council member is allotted $55,000 annually for his or her discretionary account, said city spokeswoman Amy Williams.

Leyne Milstein, the city’s finance director, explained that Waters’ $150,000 consists of a combination of discretionary account funds and funds that go to council members from cell phone tower agreements.

The city allows council members to carry over unspent money from previous years in their discretionary account, Milstein said.

“It’s an accumulation of unspent money,” Milstein said, referring to the $150,000.

City attorney Eileen Teichert explained that the city enters into agreements with cell phone companies that want to place towers on city property. A portion of the city’s revenues from these agreements are credited to council members’ discretionary funds when the towers are located in their districts, she said.

Photo by Kathleen Haley.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Salvation Army Receiving Large Turkey Donation

2010-11-12T00:41:00Z

The Salvation Army in Sacramento received more than 700 pounds of frozen turkeys from California State Automobile Association of Northern California on November 11. The turkeys were delivered to The Salvation Army’s B Street Center of Hope emergency shelter in downtown Sacramento.

The donation was part of AAA’s annual Thanksgiving turkey delivery project, an effort to help meet the needs of various communities during the holiday season. More than 10 tons of turkeys were distributed by AAA to 26 Northern California, Nevada and Utah non-profits.

“Our point of view is to give back to the communities we’re serving,” said Greg Jennings, AAA district sales manager. “The Salvation Army does a very good job of taking care individuals who are less fortunate, and that’s why we are a proud partner with them every holiday season.”

The turkeys donated in Sacramento will be prepared and served for a free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 25 at the Center of Hope shelter. Anyone from the Sacramento community can be served a meal from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day.

“We are blessed to receive this incredible donation from AAA,” said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County coordinator. “They are a major reason why The Salvation Army has been able to feed hundreds of individuals every Thanksgiving.”

This is the 14th consecutive year AAA has donated turkeys to The Salvation Army. Last year, the donation helped more than 600 individuals receive a Thanksgiving meal.

SydFong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army of Sacramento. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org

Francis House 40th Anniversary

2010-11-01T03:11:18Z

Supporters from the Sacramento area and beyond came to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Francis House on Friday night. Francis House also launched their campaign to raise $250,000 to expand their building.

“We are one-fifth of the way there with the $50,000 seed grant from Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, owners of Cache Creek Casino Resort,” said Mike Zeglarski, a member of the Francis House board of directors.

The expansion will enable Francis House to provide more services, with extra space for counseling and classrooms. Francis House hopes to ass classes such as substance-abuse counseling.

Francis House is a faith-based community that provides life-changing opportunities through resource counseling, education, support groups, spiritual resources and referrals. Some of the programs include fast-track employment services, a career center, self-help housing, a rescue shelter program and veterans outreach program.

“We want to knock out those barriers so people can get their lives back,”program director Forrest Reed said.

Reed said Francis House is the only program that offers help with transportation and identification. Francis House provides bus tokens, gas vouchers, birth certificates, California IDs and drivers licenses necessary to obtain jobs.

Francis House was founded in 1970 by Father Anthony Tozzio and Sister Kathy Wood. Wood and Tozzio provided sandwiches, clothing and personal attention in a house around the corner from St. Francis Assisi Catholic Parish church. The “house” burned down in 1989 and Father Barry Brunsman rebuilt in a new location downtown.

Food was provided by Mulvaney’s, Tuli Bistro, Evan’s Kitchen and Bella Bru; wines were provided by Abundance Vinyards, Mount Aukum Winery, Pilot Peak Winery and Solune Winery; and the featured entertainer was Mumbo Gumbo.

Donations to Francis house can be made at francishouse.info or by calleing Greg Bunker at 916-443-2646

Elementary Students Donating Socks to Salvation Army

2010-10-26T20:05:13Z

Socks were overflowing at the Foulks Ranch Elementary School in Elk Grove on October 22. It was the culmination of a three-week effort in which students from five Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) elementary schools and six other schools in Galt participated in the second annual Socktoberfest donation drive.

During Socktoberfest, students collected socks to help supplement donations distributed by The Salvation Army. Sock bins were placed at each of the schools until the end of the collection.

More than 1,600 pairs of socks were collected.

"I want to thank all of the schools and students involved for another great effort in this year's Socktoberfest," said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County Coordinator. "The sock donations will go a long way to assist many families in need. Also, it's a great way to keep them warm, especially when we are entering the winter season."

Socktoberfest was spearheaded by EGUSD servicing learning coordinator and sixth grade teacher William Utile.

“We gave the kids the opportunity to help out and make a difference,” Utile said. “I was really excited to see more teachers come on board and get their classes involved.”

In addition to the sock collection, service learning teachers created a curriculum for the students featuring Sock Sally, the sock puppet. Lessons cover mathematics, poetry and reading.

Socks can still be purchased online for donation to Socktoberfest. To donate online, visit http://socksally.theclassroom.org/sockdonationorder.html.

Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army in Sacramento. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org

Rising Tide Foundation Donates $7,500 to Youth Mariners

2010-10-20T23:16:20Z

PHOTO:
West Sacramento’s Rising Tide Foundation donated $7,500 to the Sacramento Delta Youth Maritime Association during a work party last week on the association’s 78-foot boat docked along the West Sacramento waterfront. Holding the ceremonial check are (left to right) Chelsea Snedden, Julian Wright, Brannen Wright and Dana Eckler. Row Two: David Stroud, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Samuel McDowell, Ian O’Bryan, Sean Aiken, West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce CEO Denice Seals, and Skipper Nate Eckler. Row Three: Bryan Turner, Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan, Boatswain Jakub Davis, Operations Officer Chris Pease and Heather Wright. Row Four: Executive Offer Jeremy Pease, Jim Aiken, Sailing Instructor Jeff Fraine and Engineering Officer Dan DeGroot. Back Row: Mark O’Bryan.

RISING TIDE FOUNDATION DONATES $7,500 TO YOUTH MARINERS

There’s a rusted old shrimp boat docked on the West Sacramento waterfront along South River Road, but it’s not another of the abandoned, sinking vessels that have dotted the shoreline over the years. It is a project of the Sacramento Delta Youth Maritime Association, a group of 18 mariners ranging in age from 12 to 17, and their adult leaders, who intend to turn the 78-foot boat into a training and exploration vessel. But it needs a lot of work.

The youth group will grind through decades of rust to extend the cabin, adding a galley, dining area and training facilities on the top of the boat, while turning the former shrimp holding tanks into separate bunk areas for boys and girls, with a head and shower for each. A small galley, which now adjoins the wheelhouse, will be expanded into quarters for the adult crew. Other improvement will be a retooled mast and exhaust system, according to the group’s adult leader, “Skipper” Nate Eckler.

Board members of West Sacramento’s Rising Tide Foundation toured the boat with Eckler and were determined to help, culminating in a donation of $7,500 during a work party on the boat last week. The crew of young workers stood at rapt, military-style attention as West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon and local developer David Stroud, chairman of the Rising Tide Foundation, presented the donation.

“The Rising Tide Foundation was founded under the premise that ‘a rising tide raises all ships’ and even within the comfortable borders of West Sacramento, there are people and projects in need of a boost,” said Stroud. “We are proud to provide that to this endeavor.”

To date, the maritime association has invested about $5,000 in the boat, which was built in Alabama in 1968 and christened the Saint Joseph before it navigated through the Panama Canal to Morro Bay where it served as a working shrimp boat. While en route from Morro Bay to West Sacramento in July, the starter on the big diesel engine failed, but the group completed repairs while being towed to the Golden Gate by a boat operated by a Sea Scouts troop in Napa. The group completed the last 12 hours under their own power. The vessel has been renamed the Neptune, with the boat’s new name embroidered on shirts and caps worn by the crew.

“With donations such as this and the continuing flow of support from the community, we expect to be seaworthy soon,” said Eckler.

A mother needs your help!

2010-07-10T05:36:56Z

On July 24, 2010, I Tamika Tillis from Three Hands Together will be having a Community Baby Shower for a mother with terminal Cancer. This devastating disease prevents her from working to take care of her unborn child. By donating cash and in kind items to this cause, you are helping to create a beautiful, joyous memorable event to a woman affected with this unpredictable disease. The color schemes for this event are brown and pink.
I have a personal stake in this particular event. My grandmother died from cancer. Not only do I want to help her, but also the many others diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is a disease that can affect the entire body. Some symptoms of cancer may include loss of appetite, weight loss, hair loss, and loss of cartilage, loss of limbs and organs, fatigue, and weakness. Even simple everyday living skills become increasingly difficult. Everyone is affected differently by these symptoms.

My goal is to raise at least $ 800.00 for this project. This will help with the cost of putting on a successful event for the expectant mother and community guest, which sends a message to the community that we care. Please help me reach that goal with your kind donation. Your donation is tax deductible.
My deadline to get my donations is July 17, 2010. Following the event, I will send out a brief recap of the Three Hands Together Community Baby Shower to all my sponsors.

Thank you in advance for your support. Please call me if you have any questions or comments about the Three Hands Together Community Baby Shower. I can be reached at 916 236-9909.
Tamika Tillis, CEO
Three Hands Together

CSUS Students Unite with BloodSource to Save Lives

2010-04-30T05:05:22Z

Often times in college students are forced to work in groups with some acting as leaders and others lagging. This is not the case with Sac State’s Coms 158 class.

They have pulled together to create an amazing public relations campaign for the upcoming blood drive for a nonprofit organization, BloodSource. Each person is volunteering, working and taking this campaign seriously. It is utterly amazing to see each student pour heart into the campaign and take on more tasks than one should sign up for.

It is comforting to know that these hardworking students are our future leaders in the public relations profession. With this campaign, the public relations students have united to save lives and to better the community.

BRAZILIAN NIGHT FUNDRAISER!!

2010-04-20T21:00:54Z

The Brazilian Center will have a Brazilian Night on April 24th at 8:30 pm, with live music, brazilian food and our tradicional Capoeira. This fundraiser is to help the Brazilian Center to create more programs for the community at large.

Come to experience a wonderfull brazilian night and meet other brazilians in the community, be expose to our culture and help us help others, by participating in our events what is tax deductable, you will be part of a positive difference that we are trying to make in the life of others.

We are asking for a donation of $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door. To become part of the Brazilian Center family or to volunteer you can find us at www.braziliancentersac.org or come to our space at 3313 Julliard Dr. Studio #C Sacramento, Ca 95826 Phone (916) 387-7344.

Harv's tax day car washes benefit Weave

2010-04-14T05:07:29Z

Harv's Carwash will be scrubbing vehicles for charity — and only four cents profit per car — on tax day Thursday.

On April 15, the Midtown car wash will donate $16.95 from every $16.99 full service wash to WEAVE, a local nonprofit set up to prevent violence against women.

Owner Aaron Zeff said Tuesday he's not tweaking his nose at the IRS by holding the event. Harv's made local and national news last month when two Internal Revenue Service agents showed up to collect on an overdue bill. Zeff owed four cents in back taxes, but the bill had grown to more than $200 in penalties and fees.

"We would never tweak our nose at the IRS. The men and women of the IRS have a job to do," said Zeff, who is also president of the Midtown Business Association.

The fundraiser was created as a way to "turn lemons into lemonade," Zeff added.

"This is part of our ongoing effort to work with WEAVE," he said. "We believe in their mission, and the folks there are terrific."

April is not only the month when state and federal taxes are due — it's also Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The charity carwash will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Harv's, 19th and L streets.

Voyage Home Loans Employees Contribute to Haiti Relief Efforts

2010-02-03T00:11:31Z

Sacramento, Calif. — In an employee-led initiative, Voyage Home Loans donated over eight hundred dollars to UNICEF’s ongoing humanitarian relief effort for children in Haiti. The donations were collected by members of a team from KDND 107.9 “The End” in Sacramento. The contributions were a part of Voyage’s new Social Good Directive, which hopes to promote local, regional, and global Social Good awareness through Facebook in 2010.

The project was led by Voyage’s Carly Harrington and Corinne Blackney, who quickly and efficiently brought the employees together and organized the donations in slightly over an hour’s time after hearing about The End’s efforts via the “Wake Up Call” morning show.

“We were glad to help out,” Harrington said. “Doing all we can to help those in need is something that we believe in at Voyage, both in our personal lives and in the workplace.”

Millions of Americans have reached out to those in distress in Haiti, and UNICEF has been at the forefront of the efforts to provide relief to children in Haiti, who have been faced with dire circumstances following the January 10 earthquake.

The “Wake Up Call” and 107.9 “The End” had been calling for donations throughout the week, and continue to accept contributions at their studio. More information is available at their “Help Haiti” page on their website.

“After seeing all the media coverage on the disaster there, we really wanted to reach out and try to ease the suffering of those in need.” Blackney added. “The Wake Up Call gave us an opportunity to come together and do our part to help the kids over there.”

Voyage’s Social Good initiatives have benefited many different causes, and are representative of the company’s history of charitable projects. Voyage hopes to draw over five hundred thousand new fans to their Facebook page, Voyage Home Loans (http://www.facebook.com/VoyageHomeLoans), and encourages followers to post about their altruistic undertakings in an effort to create a group committed to making a difference in their communities.

“Our hearts go out to the victims in Haiti,” said Paul Ueckert, president of Voyage Home Loans. “I’m proud of our employees and their willingness to give what they could to ease the lives of those who have been affected by the earthquake.”

For more information, contact info@voyagemtg.com.

About Voyage Home Loans

Voyage Home Loans was formed from two smaller companies in 2007, and has grown to over 100 employees and several branches across America. Last year, the company was honored to receive an A+ Employees’ Choice Award, from the Sacramento Business Journal, in the small business category. This year, the company hopes to increase its participation, involvement and partnerships with various non-profits, not-for-profits, and individual causes to at least four events a month throughout 2010.

http://www.voyagehomeloans.com/

From Sacramento to Haiti, the Jewish Federation, your location for community donation

2010-01-20T22:19:35Z

According to Jewish tradition, the highest form of tzedakah, or charity, is to donate to a community fund, or kupah. Whether your donation is in the form of community service hours, survival materials or a monetary donation, it all helps to strengthen and build our community at large.

The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region, and their overseas beneficiaries, work with a broad set of national and international institutes that span the world to provide relief, rescue, and reconstruction. The federation system is dedicated to inspiring community members to secure the financial and human resources necessary to achieve the mission of caring for those in need, without discrimination. That includes supporting victims of natural disasters and assisting refugees from war-torn countries.

Most recently, the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region has been at the forefront of relief and aide sent to the victims of the Haiti earthquake in the form of monetary donations. The Jewish Federation has partnered with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to provide urgently needed aide and relief to victims of the devastating earthquake.

A reputable source of community giving that benefits the world locally and globally, the Sacramento Federation has been a driving force in providing aid overseas. Take a look at the many projects and forms of aide that Federation has taken part of in the past:

* Federation donors provide assistance to victims of natural disasters through UJC rescue and relief mailboxes. That includes assistance to victims of the earthquakes in Turkey, Armenia and Columbia, and hurricanes Georges and Mitch in the Caribbean.

* The federation supported UJC Kosovo Relief Fund, which raised $3.5 million provided humanitarian relief for Kosovar refugees, helped repair and reopen 15 elementary schools, and distributed posters warning children about the dangers of land mines. Through the Jewish Agency for Israel, UJC provided resettlement and relief, including 11 planeloads of goods: 100 tons of medicine, blankets, tents, clothing and other basics.

* In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee., with support from federations, rescued more than 2,100 Jews, Muslims and Christians from war-torn Sarajevo. Thousands of food packages and 60% of the available medications were distributed free of charge on a non-sectarian basis by the federation-supported Sarajevo Jewish community.

* In Albania, federation support enabled one of the few winterized refugee camps to house the conflict's most vulnerable refugees, and provided bedding and mattresses to 23,000 refugees, recreational kits for over 10,000 children, and arranged for the services of physicians and nurses.

* In Ethiopia, the JDC, with funds provided by the federation system, provided full-scale medical, social and educational services to 15,000 Jews in Addis Ababa, maintaining their health and morale until they were airlifted to Israel by JAFI's 1999 Operation Solomon. In 1999, JAFI brought 2,300 more Ethiopian Jews, 1,400 from Quara, to Israel, all supported by Jewish federations.

* In the former Soviet Union, over 205,000 needy elderly are receiving some kind of assistance from the federations of North America through JDC. In 1999, JDC delivered more than 960,000 food packages, provided four million hot meals, supplied 44,000 clients with fuel, clothing and blankets, loaned more than 26,000 pieces of medical equipment, and mobilized nearly 10,500 welfare volunteers.

* In Morocco, through JDC, the UJA Federation Annual Campaign of United Jewish Communities provides food, clothing, shelter, health care, and Jewish cultural and recreational activities to the most vulnerable of Morocco's Jews.

* In 1999, 411 young Jews from war-ravaged Yugoslavia participated in a two-week pilot trip to Israel developed by JAFI, with funds from federations. Participants were invited to remain in Israel while exploring study opportunities and immigration options. 135 chose to stay.

To donate to the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region's Haiti Relief Fund or community campaign, please visit www.jewishsac.org