|
September 2009 eNewsletter |
|
| Newsletter Highlights |
See how we Stuffed the School Bus, learn about FASD Day, get your high school student involved with Youth Board, and check our what's going on this campaign season.
|
 Crayons, Rulers, and Books, Oh My! |
United Way of San Luis Obispo County collected supplies and literally "stuffed the school bus" on Saturday, August 22! Volunteers gathered at Target in Paso Robles, Office Max in San Luis Obispo, and Walmart in Arroyo Grande to collect supplies for local elementary schools. School buses were provided by San Luis Coastal and Paso Robles School Districts. Local businesses including AT&T, Dr. William Perry, Glenn, Burdette, Phillips & Bryson Tax and Business Advisors, Express, Mission Community Bank, Neal Truesdale Insurance, Sesloc, and San Luis Sports Therapy collected donations. Schools receiving donations included Bauer Speck, C.L. Smith, Georgia Brown, Monarch Grove, Pacheco, and Lucia Mar elementary schools. Thank you to everyone that helped support our local schools and children. |
Register now for Collaboration 2009!
|
Do you want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your organization? Come to the 2009 Nonprofit Collaboration Forum to see how collaboration can be an important tool to help nonprofits survive (and thrive) in challenging economic times. Join us on Friday, October 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the San Luis Coastal Adult School in San Luis Obispo for a full day of networking, speakers and group breakout sessions. Don't miss a special reception immediately following from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. featuring Karen Baker, California State Secretary of Service and Volunteering. Registration for both events is just $35 (or $30 for multiple participants from the same agency) before October 9; visit www.supportcenter.org for additional details and to register!
|
|
Nine Months, Zero Alcohol |
|
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day was conducted across the nation on September 9, to bring awareness of the damage that alcohol can cause to unborn children. According to the Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects, developmental disorders, and mental retardation in children (2005). Locally, Beginnings, a collaborative that envisions a community where every child is born free of the effects of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure, brought greater awareness to the community by displaying over 2,000 white flags on the county courthouse lawn; each flag represented a child who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol since 2004. Members of Beginnings, including those from nonprofit agencies, local government and the community at large, were on hand to show their support and answer questions at an information table. Speakers included County Supervisor Jim Patterson; Shirley Bianchi, former County Supervisor and founder of Martha's Place; Susan Hughes, Executive Director of First 5 San Luis Obispo County; Rick London, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of San Luis Obispo County; and Shannon Klisch, Beginnings Coordinator. For more information about Beginnings, check out their website at www.beginningsofslo.org. |
Calling All High School Students!
|
 The second term of the United Way Youth Board is underway! We are still seeking high school students from San Luis Obispo County who are interested in nonprofits and the community. To learn more about this fun leadership and teambuilding opportunity, visit www.unitedwayslo.org, or email youthboard@unitedwayslo.org. The Youth Board meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
CSECC Kick-Off
|
 The California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC) officially began on September 10th with a Kick-Off Event held at the west steps of the State Capital. Over 100 California nonprofits were there to share their goals as well as volunteer opportunities. CSECC was established in 1957 to provide a single charitable fund-raising drive in the State community. This is the 52nd year of the CSECC providing California State employees the opportunity to utilize payroll deduction to support charitable organizations they feel passionate about. United Way of SLO County has once again been selected by the state to oversee the campaign in San Luis Obispo County.
United Way will host two orientation events for agency campaign coordinators. At the orientation, pledge forms and resource guides will be handed out. Each agency should send one or more designate to represent their respective programs/teams/departments. If you are a designate for your department and you have not been contacted by United Way to attend the orientation, please call Horace Morana at (805) 541-1234.
This year, the CSECC goal is to make sure that every state employee is at least asked to give what they can to charities that need our help now more than ever. United Way thanks you for your support of this year's campaign. |
Save the Date: Make A Difference Day 2009
 |
| On Saturday, October 24, join with over 300 community members and Cal Poly Students to lend a hand to local nonprofit agencies as part of Make A Difference Day. The breakfast kickoff begins at 9 a.m. at Cal Poly, and participants volunteer around SLO County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking on campus is free, and participants are provided with a free continental breakfast and lunch. Last year over 25 Make a Difference Day projects were scheduled with organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy, SLO County Historical Society, the Alzheimers Association, and Growing Grounds, pictured above. Visit www.VolunteerSLO.org to learn more. |
AT&T Foundation Contributes $5,000 to the Community Impact Fund
 |
AT&T is a loyal contributor to United Way of SLO County and is committed to strengthening local communities by providing good jobs, donating time and supporting underserved populations. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has supported projects that address community needs where they and their customers live and work. Supporting education has been a major focus of theirs for more than a century, helping students succeed in school, in the workforce and in life. Last year, AT&T employees pledged over $8,000 to United Way via their annual employee giving campaign and the AT&T Foundation gave an additional gift of $5,000. AT&T is currently gearing up for this year's campaign which will take place from September through October. United Way thanks AT&T and its generous employees for their contributions and volunteerism!
Pictured above, from left to right: Rick London, CEO; Resource Development Committee Members Barbara Heki of AT&T, Wade O'Hagan, Charlotte Storlie and Dominique Simonian, Bookkeeper. |
ExxonMobil Kicks Off Their Annual Campaign
 |
|
The team at ExxonMobil runs one of the most enthusiastic and fun workplace campaigns around. This year, they held two golf tournaments benefiting United Ways throughout the tri-counties area and held five consecutive days of presentations to launch their 2009 campaign. These presentations included representatives and volunteers that were able to share the United Way story with ExxonMobil employees at their locations in Goleta, both on and offshore at their three oil platforms.
ExxonMobil has a long history of commitment and support for United Way and values United Way's leadership role in assessing and funding priority programs in the community. United Way is a key component of ExxonMobil's strategy to meet its social responsibility within the communities in which they operate. They also sponsor a Volunteer Involvement Program which encourages employees, retirees and their families to actively contribute their time and talents to nonprofits. A $500 grant can be awarded to a nonprofit organization after a participant volunteers at least 20 hours of their time to the organization.
Special thanks to Jay McCord, SYU/SAP Administrator for ExxonMobil Production who was the golf tournament chair and organizer of this year's campaign. As he shared with his co-workers during the kickoffs, "I not only wear the Live United t-shirt, I live it!" Mr. McCord has been with the company for over 30 years and we wish him well on his upcoming retirement.
Photo: Coming in by helicopter to the first ExxonMobil platform, "Heritage", off the Santa Barbara coastline. |
100% Support
|
 Asking for monetary contributions on behalf of a nonprofit agency can be filled with various challenges. That's why United Way's Board of Directors hold their own giving campaign every year. This year's Board is proud to announce that every single member is making a financial contribution to United Way, and the majority of them are leadership level donors of $500 or more. Not to be outdone, the staff at United Way also has 100% participation in their employee giving campaign. Both groups know that if you are going to ask others to give, you have to be a giver yourself. Believing so strongly in the mission of United Way makes giving easy - even for those who already dedicate many hours to its vision of building a stronger, healthier, more compassionate community in SLO County.
|
| Opportunity Exchange |
You can help a SLO County nonprofit agency by taking a moment to read through the list of items needed, volunteer and employment opportunities, upcoming events, items available, and advocacy opportunities. If you would like more information, please contact the agency directly using the information provided in each listing. Click here to view the most recent Opportunity Exchange. | |
|
|
|
|
United Way of SLO County
P.O. Box 14309
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Office (805) 541-1234
Fax (805) 543-5317
|
The Great California Shakeout
|
The Annual Statewide Earthquake Drill begins at 10:15 a.m. on October 15, 2009, when millions of Californians will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On", the largest earthquake drill ever! All non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate in the drill (or plan a more extensive exercise).
Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you
work, live, or travel in California. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
Why is having a "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" drill important? As with anything, to act quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an arthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or before something falls on you.
Nearly 5.5 million Southern Californians participated in the 2008 ShakeOut. Now statewide, the Great California ShakeOut will be held on the third Thursday of October each year. Everyone can participate! Individuals, families, businesses, schools, government agencies and organizations are all invited to register. Visit www.shakeout.org.
|
|
|
Check out the Youth Board, and other United Way programs on Facebook! |
|
Tell Five Friends
to take action
|
|
Forward this Newsletter!
| |
|
