Happy 2008

The member distribution days are changing a bit so pay close attention to the dates below.
Focus Group–1st Sat by appointment, or the following Mon or Tues 11-1
Supporting Members- Fri or Sat following the 1st Sat 11-1
We are separating the member days into two categories…
Our Focus Group Members are County of Orange foster parents, kinship – relative caregivers and NREFM’s (non-relative extended family members), other agency’s foster parents (FFA’s) and adoptive parents who have adopted a child who was formerly a foster child in the county of Orange and is still a minor in your home. 
In other words if an OC foster child is in your home or you are still caring for an adopted OC foster child, and you are a member of the Foster Care Auxiliary- you are our focus group. 
Social and other agency workers can choose which group they belong to depending on if they are obtaining distribution for a family who fits the above criteria or not. 
The second group will be named our Supporting Group and will consist of donors, volunteers, and agency workers who are members.   
In other words if you don’t fit into our Focus Group and you are a member of the Foster Care Auxiliary- you are our supporting member group.
Member Distribution for Focus Group Members will be the 1st Saturday in January by appointment only.  Just call 714 778-3383 with your preferred ½ hour between 9am and 2:30pm.  You can arrive any time within your chosen ½ hour, but also must finish choosing your product within that same ½ hour, so it’s best to arrive at the start of your chosen time.  When you call, if you are leaving a message be sure to clearly leave a call back number in case your time slot is full.  You may also email your requested time…you will get a return email to let you know if the time you requested is available.  No Saturday appointments will be made after noon on Friday.

The Monday and Tuesday after the 1st Saturday will also be Focus Member Distribution Days between the hours of 11am and 1pm with no appointment needed.

Our Supporting Members can visit the center on the Friday or Saturday following the 1st Saturday of the month from 11-1 for the donations we are able to share with them. 

I hope this will alleviate the long lines our Saturday member days have created and any confusion from donations meant for our focus group.

Please bear with us as we work out the kinks in this new system … suggestions for improvements are welcome.
I realize it will take several months until those without email understand the new procedure and considerations will be made.

Our mission statement is to enhance the lives of Orange County Foster Children and to help support and retain Orange County Licensed Foster Families.  Thank you for helping us to fulfill our mission. 

Visit our web site or center to find out how you can get free tickets to the Anaheim Arsenal’s Basketball game on February 2nd.  Sell one or buy one and get one free…3 different price/seats available.  Our kids will be able to participate in on court activities especially for them at half time, plus meet the players and coaches! 

Plan on attending our Spring Fest at Kiwanis Land on April 12th…more details later.

I hope your new year will be filled with new and exciting ways to fill your lives and increase the wonder and joy that children bring into our lives.

Kathy 

P.S. Please remember that only one membership is allowed per household (address).  We appreciate donations in higher than regular membership amounts from our supporting members.