You can help local homeless individuals stay warm this winter by donating to Coats for Christmas Day. Organized by the Jewish Community with support from United Way, this annual drive invites the community to help the local homeless population by making donations towards the purchase of coats from SLO Camp N' Pack. A contribution of just $20 or $25 (for extra large sizes) will purchase a brand new adult jacket, suitable for the outdoors, while $6 to $10 will provide a new sweatshirt. Contributions can be made online from the United Way homepage or checks can be sent to P.O. Box 14309, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. This year's goal is to raise enough funds to purchase 350 coats, and any donation amount helps! Coats will be distributed on December 25 at the annual Christmas Dinner for the Homeless.

To start the holidays off right, two San Luis Obispo County families received trees donated by Target and gifts donated by Wells Fargo employees; on December 19, both an Oceano and Atascadero family were greeted early in the morning by volunteers from Charter Communications, who helped United Way staff, Board and Youth Board members deliver the trees and gifts. Thank you to the Target stores in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo for donating decorated trees, to Wells Fargo for donating gifts, and to Charter Communications for volunteering and providing trucks to transport the trees; thank you to employees of AME and the City of San Luis Obispo Finance & Information Technology Department for donating additional gifts to four more local families to deliver this week, just in time for the holidays!

The Homeless Services Oversight Council of San Luis Obispo County, in partnership with Central Coast Clergy & Laity for Justice, San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association, San Luis Obispo Community Foundation and United Way of San Luis Obispo County, will be hosting a candlelight observance to remember our homeless neighbors who have lost their lives without homes. Join us at the Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo, on Wednesday, December 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. rain or shine. Please bring a candle.

Become a VITA Volunteer

Did you know AmeriCorps and other national service programs are at risk of losing funding due to draft legislation eliminating the Corporation for National and Community Service? AmeriCorps members are full time volunteers that serve communities--including San Luis Obispo County--by increasing the capacity of nonprofits to help the underserved. Without them, agencies would be further challenged to keep food in their pantries, open after-school programs, and provide meals and companionship to vulnerable senior citizens. We know Congress is facing tough choices, but we can remind them that cutting the Corporation for National and Community Service won't help our communities recover economically. Visit this site for ways to take action! 

United Way believes that households--with youth achieving their potential, better financial stability and healthy family members--are the foundation for thriving communities. How do we preserve the "SLO Life" which we hold dear? We believe the best way is to invest in your local community by giving to United Way of San Luis Obispo County. With your support, we can continue to advance the common good through our focus on education, income and health in the new year. Why? Because under the guidance and oversight of local community leaders and volunteers, we are wisely putting to use every dollar contributed to our Community Impact Fund. Investing in United Way's work will help improve the quality of life we enjoy and value so much here on the Central Coast. As we get ready to embark on meeting the needs of our community in 2012, we invite you to make a gift today by donating online or mailing a check to P.O. Box 14309, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.

From all of us at United Way, have a wonderful rest of 2011!