 FOSTER CARE AUXILIARY NEWSLETTER MARCH 2007 |
 |
| Board Member Focus |
|
Chrysty Hodson, Recording Secretary & Gifts in Kind Donation Coordinator
Chrysty is one of those people who quietly show up when help is needed. She graciously agreed to oversee our Gifts in Kind Donations and does an excellent job of keeping a log of all donations, plus makes sure the shelves are stocked for distribution day, fixing many of the donated items so that they can be offered to our families. Chrysty is also our recording secretary at our board meetings which is a huge job. She does this with an outside job and small child…I’m so glad that she finds the Foster Care Auxiliary worthy of what precious ‘extra time’ she has for her volunteer efforts. Please meet Chrysty Hodson~
I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Southern California for college at Cal State Long Beach. I took a part-time job in a medical office to help pay for school, and before I knew it I was managing the office. About the same time, I was introduced to a great guy who turned into a great husband. 15 years later, I still have them both, plus a wonderful 3 year old son.
My husband and I lived the traditional adoption story; spending the first 5 years of our marriage not thinking about fertility, and the next 5 thinking only of fertility (or lack there of). We’d always been open to adoption, so as we were ending our infertility treatments we were evaluating all the adoption options available. We always felt it was strange for people to adopt from other countries when there where so many kids locally that needed families. After talking with attorneys, private adoption agencies and the County; the County of Orange offered more support and resources making this the logical choice for us. We were matched with our son when he was 5 weeks old and the adoption went smoothly, finalizing before his 1st birthday. We’re now back on the list to add to our family.
After reading about the Auxiliary in Team Talk, my mother, sister and I became regular shoppers. Seeing the unopened Crate and Barrel furniture donations, my sister and I offered to assemble them. While my sister has since moved to Texas, I’ve enlisted my mother and best friend to volunteer with me, and I’ve been elected as Recording Secretary.
When I took the filling job at the doctor’s office in college I fell in love with the medical field; the science, patients, everything. Working in the Auxiliary has been a similar experience for me. I love learning so much about foster parenting and meeting so many great people. |
|
 |
|
|
|
| President's Letter |
|
|
|
I am excited that the Foster Care Auxiliary has been able to partner with more stores to receive donations to be stocked in our distribution center. We now have ongoing donations from Office Depot, Talbot’s, Disney Store, Pottery Barn, and Avenue. Some of these stores have already donated and you will see their product on the shelves when you come for your distribution in March- and we just got the partnership with others, so you will see their donations soon. Proceeds that are available because of the success of our Thrift Store and Auxiliary go to buy these partnerships and for membership in the Gifts In Kind Program. It’s actually a very involved process and takes a lot of time to manage and track the donations. Chrysty Hodson and ‘AD’ Alvarado can be thanked for much of the work. If there is a store that you are involved with that might want to partner with us, make some initial contact with them and see if they are interested. There is a process for all stores to handle returns, out of season, and damaged goods…The more stores we have who handle these items by giving them to us (a tax break for them) the better our distribution center is able to be stocked.
Please plan on attending the Spring Fest on March 18th…it’s going to be at Kiwanis Land in Garden Grove. We’ll have some special judges judging all the tasty chili brought in and have tons of fun to boot. There is some special entertainment coming for the kids (adults are allowed to enjoy it too) and we’ll set up a few game booths with plenty of prizes for all. It should be a fun filled day for all Auxiliary members…if you know someone who might want to join, bring them to the Spring Fest and they can sign up there.
Don’t forget that March is Social Worker Appreciation Month…not that we don’t appreciate our social workers all year long!
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.
Kathy Harvey, President
Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County
|
|
|
Thanks to Bolsa Grande Key Club |
|
|
|
|
| Reminders And Important Notices!! |
|
Members Only Distribution Days
March 2nd– Fri from 11-2
March 3rd–Sat from 9-12
March 5th–Mon from 9-12
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.
We have Krispy Kreme Cards for only $10. These cards are good for a free dozen original glazed doughnuts (usually $6.99 each) each time you buy a dozen ...10 times! .............................................................................................
Thrift Store Special
March 1st –Thurs through March 6th –Tues only
women’s shirts, blouses and sweaters ½ PRICE !
Thrift Store Hours:
Mon. & Sat. 9am-4pm Tues
Thurs, & Fri. 11-6
Closed: Sun. & Wed.
............................................................................................
Help the Environment - Help the Auxiliary!
We are collecting ink cartridges and cell phones for recycling.
.............................................................................................
Nature’s Cradle
The Foster Care Auxiliary has a Nature’s Cradle they would like to loan to a member who needs it. Please contact an Auxiliary Board Member to arrange to pick it up. If you don’t know what a Nature’s Cradle is, come by the store to see it in action…a reproduction of what the infant should feel like in its mother’s womb. Soothing and comforting to those newborns that are colicky or experiencing traumas like drug withdrawal.
.............................................................................................
Meetings and Events Upcoming events:
Upcoming events: Visit our on-line calendar for the latest information
http://calendar.yahoo.com/fostercareaux
March 15th, Thursday evening at the Distribution Center. 7pm Please join us!
March 18th – Spring Fest at Kiwanis Land (see information below)
September 29th – Foster Family Picnic
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. .
.............................................................................................
WISH FROM THE AUXILIARY
I am hopeful that someone knows a CPA who might want to help the Foster Care Auxiliary with an audit. Call me…Please? 714 778-3383
Please contact me. We are a 501c3 so any donation would be tax deductible.
.............................................................................................
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| 2007 Spotlight on Youth Award- Steven Harvey |
|
 |
Steven Harvey was nominated by the Foster Care Auxiliary Board to receive the 2007 Spotlight on Youth Awards for his volunteerism with our organization. He was chosen from more than 50 nominations by the Women’s Division of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce as one of the winners and honored at a luncheon on February 22nd. |
|
|
| Spring Fest |
|
|
|
|
| Thanks to those who make our mission possible |
|
|
To the following who have contributed $2500. or more:
- R.C. Baker Foundation
- Boeing Employees Community Fund
- Orangewood Children’s Foundation
- National Charity League, Pacific Coast Chapter
- Clippers Foundation
To the following who have contributed $100 or more:
- Jim, Pam and Emily Preib
- Gene Noonan
- First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana
- Wal-Mart #2546
- Dr. Richard Mungo
- Ellis G. Evans
- Wiechelman & Associates, CPA
- Stantec Consulting (The Keith Companies)
- Debra Bosch
- Alpine Home Medical
- Viola Harvey
- Barbara and Don Newport
- Lorin and Carol Ferrell
- Jon and Carol Howerton
- James and Louise P. Shamblen
- James and Mary J. Donato
- Margaret Rice
- Paul Wallace
- To Orange Grove Quilters Guild who has made hundreds of pillowcases for our children.
- To Pullman & Miller, Attorneys at Law for their sponsorship of our May 2006 newsletter.
- To our 2006 ‘Friends of Foster Family’ award recipients, National Charity League, Pacific Coast Chapter and Vicki Andis
- To Orangewood Children’s Home whose ongoing support contributes to the success of the Auxiliary
- To Miguel Cuebas and Hometown Buffet for their contribution of food at special events
- To Costco of Garden Grove for the donation of back packs
…And to YOU for being a member and participating. |
|
|
| Foster Care Auxiliary Can Make Money-Here's How! |
|
 |
|
Please make www.GoodSearch.com your home page. What if Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County earned a penny every time you searched the internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it’s powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County as the charity you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! And, be sure to spread the word! |
|
|
| Your Space |
|
This is your space…what would you like to share with other foster parents? What are your needs and what do you have to offer?
|
|
|
|
| PArent Leadership Award |
|
Kathy and Martin Harvey honored with The Parent Leadership Award at an upcoming breakfast at the La Hacienda in Santa Ana. It is sponsored by The Rise Foundation, Orangewood Children's Foundation, County Of Orange, Families And Communities Together, and Parents Anonymous. CONGRATULATIONS Kathy and Martin!!
|
|
 |
|
|
| 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)
|
|
|
|
| Check It Out! |
|
|
|
| Newsleter Sponsor |
|
|
|
| Our Board |
|
|
|
|
|
