Operation Care News - September 2010

"It Takes a Village"

Steve Cannon was one of Operation Cares earliest volunteers!

2010 Marks the 30th anniversary of Operation Care. In the beginning, it was a grass roots organization with volunteers taking abused women and their children into their own homes and helping them get back on their feet. Our own "Skipper" in this year's production of "Gilligan's Island" was one of these dedicated pioneers. He tells of the days before we had a safe house in Amador County, when he and his wife Debra volunteered to answer the crisis lines. "We answered the lines, and picked them up and took them to our house, or to someone else's home until they could find a safe place to live", recalls Steve. Over the years, he has continued to volunteer in various capacities for Operation Care, most recently as an actor in our annual variety show and fundraiser, along with his beautiful daughter, Bonnie Cannon-Brown. Without community members like Steve, and the hundreds of volunteers and staff we have had over the years, we would not be able to accommodate the ever-increasing need for vital services of our programs.

Steve and his daughter Bonnie perform during our recent production of "Gilligan's Island"

Increasing Numbers
In the past 12 months, we have seen a 50% increase in bed nights at our safe house. This fiscal year, Operation Care housed 60 women and children in the safe house, and one man at alternate safe shelter. Advocates helped 37 victims with temporary restraining orders, and provided crisis intervention to 25 sexual assault victims. The staff provided transportation 570 times for domestic violence victims to get to safe shelter, appointments, court, or other locations.

80% of the funding for the organization is generated from state and federal grants and 10% from county, local and foundation grants. A full 10% of income is from fundraising and contributions throughout the year, most of which comes from the annual "Faces of Amador" variety show and the golf tournament. This year, the organization implemented "Friends of Operation Care", a tiered program for donors to support important programs, and receive various levels of recognition during the year. Soroptimist of Amador, Volcano Communications Group, Jackson Rancheria & Casino are among the major sponsors.

"The generous contributions have put us on track for fundraising this year," noted Linda Zender, president of the Board of Directors. "Without our 'village', we would not be able to help those most vulnerable when they really need us. We thank all of the volunteers and community members who rally around us and allow us to continue our mission."

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Soroptimist of Amador
Anonymous Donor
Jackson Rancheria
Volcano Communications
Ledger Dispatch
Bray Vineyards
Native Sons of Sutter Creek
Beauty Emporium
Jim & Glenda McClenahan
Timothy & Patricia Stalder
Jim & Sally Thompson
Women of Faith Lutheran Church
Gold Rush Ranch & Gollf Resort
Bank of Amador
Jaymee Loverin
Thomas Shirley, & MANY MORE.
see all sponsors