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FOSTER CARE AUXILIARY NEWSLETTER APRIL 2007
Board Member Focus

Rachel Pradhan, Newsletter and Web Site Design
Rachel is one of the newest members of our board and comes to us in the true spirit of giving. Because she believes in our cause, Rachel and her husband, Nirzhar take time from their busy schedules with their own thriving business and children to share her expertise and talent with us. In addition to having our web site designed by this team, Rachel volunteered to both keep our site current and has taken over designing and distributing this newsletter. It is my pleasure to introduce Rachel Pradhan~

Nirzhar first met Kathy while he was still in school studying web design and video production. Kathy had contacted the Art Institute of California to see if there would be any willing students to redesign the Foster Care website. Nirzhar was in the class that Kathy was referred to. Given a choice between Boy Scouts of Orange County and Foster Care Auxiliary, Nirzhar thought the decision was a no brainer.

Once we decided to start our own company, Blaze Interactive, we decided that we wanted the company to help support the community as well since a healthy community helps everyone. At first we decided to help one non-profit per quarter developing a website, but that proved to be more cumbersome than we had anticipated. While looking back on some of Nirzhar's projects, we came across Foster Care Auxiliary, and noticed that some changes needed to be done on the Home Page. We contacted Kathy, and asked if we could help.

Out of all the projects Nirzhar did for the Art Institute's non-profit clients, the FCAUX was our favorite because of their mission and true, loving, compassionate hearts toward helping children. When we realized that Kathy was a little "over-stretched" with updating the website, it was natural for us to jump-in and help. We keep the website up-to-date, and make changes so that it's easier to navigate, and most important: we take off one item off of Kathy's "to-do" list. We also developed the eNewsletter with an email database program. Recipients of the eNewsletter can manage their account, the eNewsletter can be easily read without opening another program, and FCAUX can see who's reading the eNewsletter.

Although we are not able to currently have foster or adoptive children of our own, we hope that our contribution is helping make a difference in the lives of children.

With Love and Peace: Rachel, Nirzhar, Dorje and Nirvan

President's Letter






There is a lot going on at the Auxiliary! Free hair cuts, a brand new reading literacy program, the start of a foster family friend program, the regular donation of some great bakery goods, a Mary Kay fundraiser, a donation of materials and work to build a room in our distribution center, and some special volunteer recognitions to name but a few of the many items on my mind and included in this newsletter.

The next time you come into the center, you’ll get to see a resource/meeting room built for us by Tom Brooks of BCI. Tom generously donated all of the materials and labor to build this room up to and including drywall. We are anxious to start using it as a meeting/resource/training room and are only awaiting carpet to make it complete which is scheduled for tomorrow as I write this.

Most of you know that the Auxiliary Board is a ‘working’ board in the true sense of the word. Very soon we will need to start preparing for our annual picnic which is to be September 29th this year. It sure would be nice to have a committee of persons with some time to help us out for the major Auxiliary event of the year. It is a great way to show your appreciation for the foster families in our community who welcome the county’s most vulnerable children into their homes over and over again and adjust their family dynamics based on the needs of their present children. A truly daunting task when you think about it. Give me a call if you’d like to help in any way....with a good group effort, the work won’t be overwhelming to any of us.

As always, if I can answer any questions or if there is anything you would like to discuss, do not hesitate to give me a call. Please make sure that I have your current email to keep you informed of special offers like our pastry donation.        
 
Kathy Harvey, President
Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County

THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS


On February 24th, the storage trailer behind our store was completely emptied, cleaned out, and reorganized by John Tran and a fantastic group of volunteers. This was a very dirty job, but these kids got in there, rolled up their sleeves and got the job done. The amount of work that a small group can get done in a short amount of time is amazing. We sure do appreciate their efforts.
Reminders And Important Notices!!
Members Only Distribution Days

April 2nd: Mon 9 - noon
April 6th: Fri 11 – 2
April 7th: Sat 9 - noon
Members please bring your own bags

 
**Shoppers, Bring your own Bags on Member Shopping Days! **
Every member can shop one time per month choosing between
the 1st Monday, 1st Saturday, or 1st Friday of most months.

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Thrift Store Special

April 2nd – April 7th All remaining Easter stock in the store is
***********************************
½ PRICE************************
Thrift Store Hours:
Mon. & Sat. 9am-4pm Tues
Thurs, & Fri. 11-6
Closed: Sun. & Wed.

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Good Finds at the Thrift Store

    I love this top I found at the Thrift Store. It’s a Norton McNaughton Suede Feel and look button up shirt that washes beautifully and comes out looking good as new. I actually got everything shown in this photo at the Thrift Store. Norton Brown Faux Suede Blouse $1.50 Green, Old Navy T Shirt $1.50 Arizona Jeans $1.50 Candies Leather Upper Shoes $1.00 Total price of this outfit $5.50 !!!! Such a deal! Come and shop and let us know what your favorite deal at the Thrift Store has been…sending photos to share in the newsletter. I was never a Thrift Store shopper…I’m still not really because I just don’t have time to shop. But as I’m cleaning up and walking through the store over and over again, sometimes these deals just jump out and speak to me. The problem is my closet is full of stuff that I don’t like half as much but paid twenty times the price for…guess I’ll be donating them to the Thrift Store for someone else’s deal!
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Meetings and Events Upcoming events:
Upcoming events: Visit our on-line calendar for the latest information
http://calendar.yahoo.com/fostercareaux
April 12th: Thursday evening at the Distribution Center. 7pm Please join us!
May 5th:
Foster Parent Conference
May 19th:
We’ll be doing something special at the Bella Terra Mall to celebrate Foster Care Month…come on by and say hi! July 28th: Not sure of the specifics yet, but we’ll be hosting a baseball event, so stay tuned and be ready to RSVP when the time is right.
September 29th:
Foster Family Picnic
October 20th:
Pumpkin Picking Event at Tanaka Farms

Monthly Board Meetings are generally the 3rd Thursday evenings of each month…location will be announced. Contact any board member or check the web site for current information.

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WISH FROM THE AUXILIARY
I am still hopeful that someone knows a CPA who might want to help the Foster Care Auxiliary with an audit. Call me…Please? 714 778-3383 We are a 501c3 so any donation would be tax deductible.

Rubber base board (about 110’) and installation for several small rooms.

Carpet and installation for Thrift Store.

Ceiling Tiles for Thrift Store.
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2007 SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM AWARDS

Jerry Looker
On April 19th, two very special volunteers will be honored at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine. Jerry Looker and Marc Mitchell will be recognized at the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards Luncheon for their dedication and dependability in all that they do for the Auxiliary.

Thank you Marc and Jerry!
Marc Mitchell
Baseball Tickets!!

Baseball tickets to the first 185 to respond!
We have National Charity League who supports us in so many ways to thank for these tickets.

Please RSVP for the game by Tuesday via email FosterCareAux.com or call me at 714 778-3383 This offer is for Orange County Licensed Foster Families who are Auxiliary members only.

List in your rsvp: your name, the number of tickets you would like, and who they are for:
Example:
Kathy Harvey:
4 tickets 1 for me, 1 for my husband, 1 for my child, 1 for his friend.
You are not guaranteed the number of tickets you request based on how many respond.

Game is at Angel Stadium on Friday, April 6, 7:05pm. I will let you know when to pick up your tickets, probably on Thursday or Friday of next week. Please do not respond if you cannot attend...the seats will have to be filled.


Spring Fest



The Spring Fest put on by the Foster Care Auxiliary on March 18th was a day of fun, food and prizes for foster families. Chili judges, Gary Taylor and Al Cardamon had a tough time deciding on a winner from the nine chilis entered in the Chili Cook Off at the event, but Foster/Adoptive mom, Christine Cano was given a $50 check for the tastiest chili.


The crowd was entertained by social worker/magician, Tim Buu as well as the Prehistoric Pets show. Officer Goldenburg was there to give everyone tips on how to put their children’s car seats in properly and a whole team of clowns put art work on every face available as well as made plenty of balloon animals while doing other clown things.

The hot dogs, baked potatoes and chili with all the toppings were the perfect menu for a rather cold day. Backpacks stuffed with t-shirts and blankets were given to each family attending and several without jackets found the blankets very comforting during the day.

Lucky Winner of Quilt raffled at Spring Fest was Ann James who was very happy to receive the quilt that I made to raise funds for the Auxiliary.

This event is the first of at least four events planned for Auxiliary Member Foster Parents during 2007, and is just one of the many ways that Foster Care Auxiliary supports Foster Care efforts in our community.
Your Space

Thank you everyone for your Mary Kay orders, which help support the Foster Care Auxiliary! I will be at the Foster Care Auxiliary giving Mini-Mary Kay-facials during Saturday’s Distribution day, from 9- 12pm. You can pick-up your orders during that time, as well as any samples you requested. Thank you again for your support!

Rachel Pradhan, Independent Beauty Consultant, 949.249.4958.

 

The Gift of Reading

We have our first two trained tutors to start our adult literacy program through Read OC. If you know a motivated adult or teen who is at least 16 and not going to a traditional high school, have them contact us for information if they have a desire to learn to read, write or speak English at our center.

Literacy isn’t just about reading a book. It is about functioning in the world. It’s about being able to fill out a job application, use a computer or an ATM, order from a menu without pictures, and communicate in an emergency for a child.

Learning to read creates a ripple impacting every area of our lives. Lessons are individualized, confidential, and highly goal-oriented. Tutors structure the learning process around the goals of the learner, using materials that relate to those goals.

Call or email our center to get information on the reading literacy program. Let’s get started!

Foster Family Friend

There are volunteers who would like to help foster families by playing a game, reading, helping with homework, etc. in your home.  These volunteers are not to be babysitters, but can create some spare time for foster parents.  Call or email me if you are interested in being matched with a Foster Family Friend.  714 778-3383 fostercareaux@yahoo.com      

Bakery Donations

Watch your email for the donation times….there is not always a lot of notice.  If you aren’t getting the bakery donation email from me (I believe there have been four now), drop me a note and I’ll add it to my list.  (The newsletter list is separate and I don’t always get the newest emails)      

FREE HAIR CUTS!

Supercuts is offering free haircuts at specific times so that the newly licensed people can practice. They have their degree but just need to learn the “Supercut” way and they are always looking for people who want a free haircut. You can drop in anytime between 9am - 2pm on April 5 and 6 and April 26 and 27…walk toward the back of the store and and tell them you are there for a free trainee hair cut! You can also call for a trainee appointment on any Tuesday or Wednesday between 2pm and 3:30pm by calling Linda at 714 526-2055.

These free hair cuts are only available at Supercuts, 932 W. Orangethorpe, Fullerton (corner of Euclid and Orangethorpe) Be sure to tell them thanks and mention the Foster Care Auxiliary. Click here for a driving map from Google.     

Newsleter Sponsor

http://www.davidkharrington.com
wiechelman@earthlink.net
Our Board
Foster Care Auxiliary Office 333 S. Brookhurst in Anaheim 714 778-3383 FosterCareAux@yahoo.com www.FosterCareAux.com
President & Newsletter Coordinator: 
Kathy Harvey 
kharvey@socal.rr.com

1st Vice Pres. & Event/Volunteer Director:
Nina Yamasaki yamasaki5@aol.com

2nd Vice President & Welcome Committee
Tina Marie Schuhrke 
everydaymom2@msn.com


3rd Vice President /Thrift Store Ops & Membership Chair: 
Martin Harvey
mharvey@socal.rr.com

Gifts In Kind  
Chrysty Hodson
chrystyh@hotmail.com
 
Corresp..Secretary: 
Edna McConnell
iambirdlady1@hotmail.com
Treasurer: 
Barbara Martinez 
barbdanm@excite.com
 
Social Services Rep: 
Joanna Hussey 

Joanna.Hussey@ssa.ocgov.com

 
Circle of Concern: 
Diana Suber 
 
Advisory Board Rep: 
Karen Templeton
    
KarenCA6@aol.com
      
Truck Drivers & Maintenance Coordinator:
Jerry Looke

Donation Coordinator: 
Shirley Jandron
 
shirol@socal.rr.com 

Web Site and Newsletter Design & Maintenance: 
Nirzhar & Rachel Pradhan
Rachel@blazeinteractive.com
http://www.blazeinteractive.com

Albertson’s & Cell/Ink Cartridge Fundraiser:
Christine Cano
mc.cano@verizon.net

Past Pres. & Grievance /Allegation Support: 
David Reger 
dvdnan@aol.com