Archive for the ‘Giving Back’ Category
Despite our affluent community, homelessness is still a problem in Marin County. Project Homeless Connect is an initiative that was created by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, other government agencies, the private sector and community non-profits and individuals. The program helps the homeless with access to key services such as dental services, DMV IDs, Family Services and more. This program has been brought to Marin and will be held for the fourth time on January 29. You can help out by volunteering for Project Homeless Connect!
- When: January 29, 2009
- Where: First Presbyterian Church- 1510 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
- Hours: 10 AM until 3PM (Doors close at 2PM)
- Volunteer check-in: 8:45 am
- How to volunteer: Download complete volunteer information or contact Marin Link at 415-472-0211.
It is hard to imagine that families in Marin are going hungry, but they are. We have begun hearing that the Marin Food Bank now has more than double the number of families needing their support this year. I have been told that in June of this year, the Marin Food Bank was providing food for approximately 1,200 people – three meals a day. By October, that number had risen to nearly 3,000 people. In response, Pacific Union’s Greenbrae office has kicked off a Peanut Butter and Jelly drive. When I first heard about it, I can honestly say I was a little skeptical. PB&J? How will that help the hungry?
Over the last week, I have heard stories from a few of my coworkers who, as kids, went to school hungry and had to use the services of a food bank or a “soup kitchen”. They have said that even if all they had had was a P&J sandwich to split between breakfast and lunch, going to school would have been so much easier than going to school so hungry. The food provided at places like Marin Food Bank literally changes peoples lives.
Favorite foods of the children are macaroni and cheese, green beans, peanut butter, jelly, canned chili – - easy-to-prepare, nutritious foods that the little ones will eat. The food bank is also in need of paper bags with handles and egg cartons. The paper bags are used to distribute food. Egg donations come in bulk. The egg cartons provide a safe and easy way to distribute the eggs.
My office attempting to get as much PB&J to the Marin Food Bank as possible. This year is a challenging year for many of us, but most of us don’t ever have to worry about having actual food on the table. For about six dollars, a large jar of peanut butter and a large jar of grape jelly can be purchased at Costco (we will be buying in bulk). If you have a few dollars to spare, please make a contribution to our drive. You can drop off PB&J, a check or other canned goods (non-perishable) at the Greenbrae office at 189 Sir Francis Drake in Greenbrae or contact me and I can arrange pick up. Don’t forget to drop off your paper bags with handles as well!
Additionally, you can also donate food directly by dropping canned goods at the Big Turkey display at the Town Center Mall in Corte Madera, or at food donation boxes in West America Banks and Safeway stores. Cash contributions can also be made online with the Marin Food Bank.
Every little contribution, even six dollars, makes a significant difference to people living in our community.
Today is Blog Action Day, where bloggers around the country focus on a single cause. This year, bloggers around the country are writing about poverty in an effort to raise global awareness about this very important issue.
Poverty is a huge issue in the bay area with huge disparities between the affluent and the poor. Did you know that there nearly 600 homeless teenagers in Marin County alone? That number is staggering and heart wrenching.
Under the direction of MarinLink, the first ever Project Homeless Connect was held in San Rafael last year and repeated in April. The program is modeled after San Francisco’s tremendously successful Project Homeless Connect where volunteers come together to help those in need get the services that are critical to their health and well-being with resources such as medical and dental care, mental and substance abuse counseling, shelter and public assistance information.
If you are thinking about getting involved to help fight poverty there are many Marin organizations that I know would love your money and/or time! Here are just a few to get you thinking:
- Marin Link- Project Homeless Connect
- Adopt A Family of Marin
- Beach House/A Home Away From Homelessness
- Gilead House
- Homeward Bound of Marin
- Novato Human Needs Center
- Open Door Ministries
- Ritter Center
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Warm Wishes
If you have children, you have probably heard about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For the second year, I am honored to sit on the event committee for Miracles on the Bay, a benefit for St. Jude. When I tell people I am involved with St. Jude, I often get looks of confusion.
“The hospital is in Tennessee, right?”
Yes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is located in Memphis Tennessee, but many Bay Area children are treated by the hospital, and all families benefit from the incredible research developed at this hospital.
St. Jude is the world’s leading research center for pediatric cancer and catastrophic disease. The hospital treats children from the Bay Area, across the U.S. and from more than 70 countries around the world at no cost to their families. All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard for the families ability to pay. Research developed at St. Jude is shared freely worldwide with anyone who can benefit from it and since 1962, that research has been a driving force behind raising childhood cancer survival rates from less than twenty percent to more than seventy percent overall.
Miracles on the Bay will feature tastings from more than fifteen top San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and chefs including Dry Creek Kitchen, Il Fornaio, Lark Creek Inn, Masa’s, Orson, Fish & Farm, and more.
- What: Second Annual Miracles on the Bay benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- When: Thursday, May 1, 2008 , 6 p.m.
- Where: Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center
- Tickets: $125 in advance. Purchase Tickets
This event was phenomenal last year, and is set to be even better this year. Join me for a fun and fabulous event, but more importantly- join me in saving the lives of children in the Bay Area, in California, and throughout the world.
The real estate blogging community is banding together to help raise funds for Tornado victims.
This week, thousands of people lost their homes and over 57 lost their lives. The destruction is devastating and over five states have a long road ahead in rebuilding after these massive destruction.
When I tell people I volunteer with the Junior League, they either think the Junior League is a kids baseball team or have this impression of a snobby group of society women who wear pearls and drink tea. Books like The Devil in the Junior League haven’t done much to help (although quite funny!)
Earlier today, my friend Larry Bettag was giving me a little flack about being a JL member (his wife has The Devil in the Junior League book). So, Larry inspired me to explain what the JL really is.
As you may know, I love to “give back.” One of my latest projects is the Marin Family Service Agency Gala fundraiser. I started working with the agency through the Junior League of San Francisco five years ago, and have continued on my own. Over the last year, I have been working with 5 fabulous women on a advisory committee to put on the auction at this year’s gala event.
On Saturday night, September 15, a stunning Kentfield residence will be turned into an Italian fantasy land. Guests will be able to watch Italian Street Painting (live), play a game of bocce ball, and enjoy open air Fellini films. A live and silent auction will feature fabulous packages from tropical getaways to one of kind wine and dine experiences. It will be a magical evening raising money for a fabulous organization.