Community Outreach
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

 

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Champ Camp

 

There are several opportunities for volunteers from SITE-SoCal to assist with the Alisa Ann Ruch Foundation's Champ Camp for children with burn injuries.

 

For information about volunteer opportunities: Volunteers - Alisa Ann Ruch Foundation.

 

To download a volunteer application: Champ CampVolunteer Application.

 

 

 

SITE-SoCal in the News

The Alicia Ann Rach Burn Foundation newsletter recently featured the SITE-SoCal regarding its donation from the 2007 Holiday Event auction proceeds. You may read the foundation's newsletter article here.

 

Charities Sought for SITE-SoCal Holiday Event Giving

The SITE-SoCal Outreach Committee is seeking new charities to support for our 2008 Holiday Event fundraising. Proposals from charities are now being accepted. If you know of a charity you would like to suggest for consideration, please download this 2008 Charity RFP and forward it to the charity directors.

 

Please note, all RFPs must be received by June 30, 2008. 

 

SITE-SoCal Volunteer Opportunity

 

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Golf Tournament

 

Volunteers and donations are needed to assist with Fore the Kids Golf Tournament on Monday, April 28, 2008 at Coto De Caza Golf Course. You may download a

JDRF Volunteer Needs Form here.

 

SITE-SoCal Outreach Director Jennifer Shafer will be happy to answer any questions regarding the organization and its benefit to children with type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes).

 

For more information about Fore the Kids and the JDRF:

Fore the Kids Golf Tournament.

 

Charities Receive All Funds from 2007

SITE-SoCal Community Outreach Director, Jennifer Shafer recently delivered checks for $34,200 to each of the charities we selected to benefit from our 2007 Holiday Event fundraising.

 

Horsemanship for the Handicapped

 

Horsemanship for the Handicapped used their SITE-SoCal funds to buy a four-horse trailer, on which they have painted the SITE-SoCal logo. Having the four-house trailer will allow the group to reduce the trips to and from the arena to pick up horses for use with the kids on therapy days.

 

Our first outreach event was with Horseman For the Handicapped. A reporter from the San Diego Union-Tribune covered the outing, which you can read here.

 

Ambition without heart is just empty activity. We've seen how much heart SITE-SoCal members and our business community puts into our annual holiday event. As grateful as we are for each one who participates there, we want to continue the momentum throughout the year.

 

Thanks to our enthusiastic Community Outreach Director, Jennifer Shafer, we will have that opportunity. Jennifer has created a calendar of outreach opportunities, with activities for all interests.

 

Please view the calendar here and then contact Jennifer if you can help. 

 

The Dolls Say Thank You to SITE-SoCal

 

From Betty Whitehead with The Dolls: "Words cannot express how grateful we are to receive that wonderful check Thursday.  Sara and I also wish to thank you for having us as your guests at your incredible luncheon.

 

"We didn’t waste any time in spending some of the money.  We received a case from Kaiser Hospital about a young family starting out, he being a chef and she a teacher with complications from her pregnancy with twins. Her husband had his leg amputated several years ago, but was doing well with his prosthetic.  However the stump did not heal properly and they had to re-operate on him. She finally got back to teaching, leaving him home on crutches with twin babies.

 

"The families have tried to help and she is off on the weekends, but they needed baby sitting for the twins 4 hours a day. Until June when she is off for the summer and hopefully, he will get a new prosthetic. He is studying to go into another business because he can no longer continue as a chef with his problems. So, thank you for allowing us to assist this wonderful family.

 

"The cost for 5 days from now until June is $6000.00 (Hard to believe I used to get a quarter an hour). Again, thank you and your wonderful organization for your grant for which we are most grateful."

Karen Olhava-Henderson Memorial Fund

This year we contributed $15,000 to an Educational Fund established for Luc Olhava-Henderson, son of Karen Olhava-Henderson.

 

More about the Memorial Fund.

 

Alicia Ann Ruch Foundation: Champ Camp Red Wagon Foundation

2008 Holiday Event Raises $152,000

 

We are once again amazed at the generous contributions and cheerful purchasing by the travel and hospitality industry at our 2007 SITE-SoCal Holiday Event. In fact, we're thrilled to say our Grand Dreams became a Grand Success. Thanks to everyone who donated and purchased, we raised $152,000 to split amongst our four charities and the Karen Olhava-Henderson Memorial Fund.

 

Our 2007 Financial Officer, Joe Viña, announced the amount in a heartfelt letter emailed to members and supporters on January 7th. You can read Joe's letter here.

 

The two-day event was held this year at The Grand Del Mar in

 San Diego on December 12 & 13, 2007. Take a peek at our online photo gallery of this wonderful event here.

 

2007 SITE-SoCal Charity Recepients

 

"It doesn't matter now much money you give....it is the intention of your heart that matters." ~Anonymous

 
Thank You Letters from Last Year's Charity Recipients

Stacy Motenko 2006

Camp Alandale 2006

LaCalle 2006
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The DOLLS: (Dedicating Our Loyal Loving Service)

Because of a concern for the big business aspect of so many charities and the costly use of charity dollars for overhead expenses, The DOLLS Inc. was formed.  Our operating costs must be covered by our membership dues and even then, many of the items we include in our budget are underwritten. We do not receive Federal or State funds but depend on our fund raising events, contributions from various foundations and individual donations.  How fortunate that we were chosen to represent the Los Angeles Area by your group. This money will be well spent in providing scholarships for many students who fall between the cracks. When a student qualifies for one of our scholarships they may reapply each of the four years that they are seeking their college degree. In addition, we work with  social workers, physical therapists, hospital rehab nurses and others to help those children and mothers who do not have the means to pay for durable equipment, special trikes, day care and even a child's own bed.  We never work directly with the family but with the specialists handling their cases.  Our goal is to provide help and hope to the parents and hopefully fulfill the needs of their children.

The DOLLS Inc. does not have a website.

Champ Camp – A Summer Camp for Burn Injured Children

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation hosts Champ Camp, a week-long, residential summer camp for children with severe burn injuries between the ages of 5 to 20. It is an inspiring week where children from throughout California are able to embrace their inner beauty, looking beyond their scars and disfigurement in a safe environment. Historically, over 50 kids are transported from Southern California each year in collaboration with our partner hospitals; Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Shriners Children’s Hospital and LA County + USC Hospital. Champ Camp is an empowering week of age-appropriate activities such as swimming, fishing, horses, arts and crafts, a variety show, white water rafting (among other activities) which have helped campers develop self confidence and provides a week to laugh, play and enjoy life as a child.

San Diego Las Hermanas for Horsemanship for the Handicapped

San Diego Las Hermanas is a group of dynamic women that dedicate their time and raise funds for Horsemanship for the Handicapped in La Mesa, California.  Horsemanship for the Handicapped provides therapeutic riding to children with mental and physical disabilities.  They serve children with Cerebral Palsy, Rhett’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism, and Multiple Sclerosis.  These children ride for free at the Sprites Arena every Saturday morning.  All contributions go to the care and feeding of the horses and their facility.

San Diego Las Hermanas, representing Horsemanship for the Handicapped, is very grateful for SITE to be chosen as a beneficiary in the 2008 year.

The Red Wagon Foundation 

The goal of The Red Wagon Foundation is to promote a better quality of life for children. The Foundation supports programs that foster the positive development of youth through education, mentoring, athletics, and the arts within the boundaries of Orange County, California.   The Red Wagon Foundation has also supported other great programs like Angel Faces, a project overseen by the Orange County Burn Association, designed to enhance the self esteem of young female burn victims. Our organization has also created a Secret Santa program, sent youngsters to surf camp, provided rental subsidies to a family in dire straits, and funded a week-long music production program through the good work of Music Rainbow at the R.H. Dana Special Education School.