April 29th, 2010 By Ginger Wilcox

By now you probably have seen these doll house sized homes scattered in public spots around Marin.  The homes were created as part of Ritter Center’s Art Houses of Marin project designed to channel the dedication of local arts and culture into an awareness of homelessness in Marin County.  The scale model homes were designed and decorated by local artists.  They have been displayed around Marin for the last two months and will be auctioned off on Saturday.

There are approximately 1770 homeless people living in Marin on any given day according to a 2009 Marin County Point-in-time count of homeless persons.  The homeless problem in Marin has increased because of the economic down turn in the last year.

The Art Houses will be auctioned off on Saturday night at the 2010 Art Houses of Marin Gala Auction taking place at Villa di Santa, the private hilltop residence of the Woodland Market owners.

• What: 2010 Art Houses of Marin Gala Auction
• When: Saturday, May 1, 2010
• Where: Villa di Santa, Kent Woodlands
• Purchase Tickets
• More Info

Proceeds from the project will go to Ritter Center, a non-profit organization that has been providing free assistance to Marin’s low income and homeless population for 28 years.  How they plan to use the money:

1. Expand basic services and support of food, clothing, financial assistance for housing and employment, including important case management.
2. Increase current Health Clinic hours and capacity to provide better care and assistance for the under-served, under-insured or uninsured.
3. Begin the process of finding the “Future Home” for Ritter Center when the lease ends in the next 5 years.
4. Actively address fiscally responsible solutions and humanitarian outcomes by collaborating with community leaders and partners to end homelessness.

If you would like to donate directly to the project, click here.

~Ginger

Image courtesy of Andy Kaufman

September 4th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Image courtesy of TracyShaun on Flickr

The Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Invitational is coming up on September 19th in Marin County.  The event benefits Warm Wishes, a San Rafael non-profit organization which creates street packs to keep bay area homeless keep warm during winter.  Warm Wishes volunteers distribute 5,000 “StreetPacks” or backpacks stuffed with new, warm gloves, scarves, hats, wool socks and rain ponchos to homeless men and women and children, living on the streets of the Bay Area.

Never played Bocce Ball? That is ok!  It is fun and it is easy.  Wikipedia has a definition that makes it all sound very complicated, it is not!  You pick your team of four, and you throw these fun round little balls down a lane.   There is even a practice session for those who want to get their game on!  Every time I play, I think I should play more.  Teams for the event must be picked by September 11th, so go ahead and register!

Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Invitational Details

• What: 2009 Bocce Ball Invitational
• When: Saturday, September 19th, 10:00 am
• Why: Proceeds to benefit Warm Wishes street packs for the street communities throughout the Bay Area!
• Tickets: Entry and Raffle Ticket Purchase form
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Donate: Your donations are tax deductible. Donate to Warm Wishes
• Info: www.warmwishes.org
• Questions: Please contact Mary@marinlink.org or 472-0211

Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Practice Date is Sunday, September 13, 12:00-2:00, refreshments will be served, Albert park, 5 – “B” Street, San Rafael.