HomeAid’s 3rd Annual Essentials for Young
Lives™ Campaign Scores Record Collections
IRVINE, Calif. (June 4, 2010) –
Even in a challenging economy, Orange
County companies, county employees, elected officials, community organizations
and individuals dramatically increased their support for HomeAid Orange
County’s 3rd annual Essentials for Young Lives™ Campaign in
partnership with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County and the
YMCA of Orange County. Their combined
efforts nearly doubled the 2009 count.
This year a united force collected more than 273,000 diapers, baby wipes
and other “essential” baby items all to bring aid to the fastest growing
segment of the homeless population – families.
“We are so grateful
for the assistance of Essentials for Young Lives in helping us to serve the
thousands of deserving women and children who turn to us in their times of
crisis. These contributions literally
save lives and help our residents blossom into beautiful and confident
individuals with lives filled with hope and dreams for the future,” said Carol
Williams, Executive Director, Interval House.
Essentials for
Young Lives is a community-wide effort
to collect diapers, baby wipes, baby food and baby hygiene products which
are distributed to 16 non-profit organizations serving homeless mothers and
their children. Companies, community
organizations and individuals conducted collection drives amongst their
employees, friends and families.
David Prolo,
Principal, DK Chappell – Real Estate Solutions makes Essentials for Young Lives
a family event. A strong supporter since the program was introduced in 2008,
Prolo asked his son Brad what he thought about using his upcoming birthday
party as a way to help promote the campaign.
Without hesitation, Brad said he would ask his friends not to bring him
gifts for his 11th birthday, but instead bring diapers and baby
wipes. Brad didn’t stop there. He then asked his grandmother to conduct a
drive at her church.
“My wife, Celeste
and I are very grateful for Brad’s excitement to help others and we’re extremely
proud of his kind giving heart. We were
thrilled to see his excitement when he saw our entire SUV was full of donations
the he had helped collect,” said Prolo.
“The response this
year was truly overwhelming,” said Michael Ruane,
the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission of Orange
County. “These are difficult economic times, and there is a tremendous need for
baby items. The overwhelming success of the Essentials for Young Lives campaign
is a testament to the generous nature of our County residents, and we’re
looking forward to next year’s drive,” said Ruane.
The Orange County Essentials
for Young Lives campaign was first launched in 2008 and since then more than 500,000
essential baby items have been distributed to the following HomeAid service
provider partners that assist families and children: Anaheim Interfaith
Shelter; Casa Teresa; Families Forward; Fullerton Interfaith Emergency
Services; H.I.S. House; Human Options; Interval House; Catholic Worker – Isaiah
House; Laura’s House; Mary’s Shelter; Mercy House; Orange County Rescue
Mission; Precious Life Shelter; Shelter for the Homeless; Thomas House and
Women’s Transitional Living Center.
Work has begun on
the 2011 Essentials for Young Lives Campaign.
For more information or to get involved email info@homeaidoc.org or call 949.553.9510.
About
HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding
chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build and
maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild
their lives. Founded in1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building
Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing
developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders
and specialty contractors. To date the
organization has completed 46 housing developments that serve victims of
domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children,
homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org
About Children and
Families Commission of OrangeCounty
The Children and Families Commission of
Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added
a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. Funds help pay for education,
health care and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage
to age five and their families. The
Commission’s goal is to ensure all children are healthy and ready to learn when
they enter school. Programs supported by the Commission include shelter
projects and services for children and families because children learn better
when they have stable housing. For additional information visit: www.occhildrenandfamilies.com
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