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Details Coming Soon!
September 19, 2009
18th Annual Day of Caring Page Youth Center - "PYC, the place to be!"
October 10, 2009
Red Feather Ball at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort
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Congratulations To The Outstanding Individuals and Organizations Honored at the Holiday Bash!
Cox Communications (above) Gathers at Holiday Bash!
United Way of Santa Barbara County hosted their annual Holiday Bash event on Wednesday December 10th, 2008 at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort. Over 170 guests gathered to celebrate the holiday season and get an update on United Way's 2008-2009 Community Campaign. The evening began with holiday themed songs from the phenomenal John Douglas Quartet.
Hosting the evening's event was United Way Community Campaign Chair and Community West Bank CEO Lynda Nahra, and United Way Board Member and Deputy Campaign Chair John Wigle, CEO of AGIA Insurance Services. Guests included the new Director of Santa Barbara Foundation, Ron Gallo (pictured left); City Councilmembers Grant House and Helene Schneider, and many other friends of United Way.
The evening continued with an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who have contributed their time and talent to helping their community. Congratulations to all the honorees:
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1. Outstanding Employee Campaign: |
Cox Communications |
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2. Outstanding Campaign Committee: |
Nordstrom |
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3. Outstanding Campaign Manager: |
Jessica Johnston from Montecito Bank & Trust |
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4. Outstanding Pacesetter Campaign: |
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust |
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5. Outstanding Non-Profit Campaign: |
The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara |
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6. Outstanding Corporate Gift: |
AGIA Insurance Services |
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7. Largest Employee Campaign: |
County of Santa Barbara |
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8. Outstanding Volunteer Organization: |
Westmont College |
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9. Outstanding Individual Volunteer: |
Larry Urzua of Albertson's |
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10. Outstanding Fun in the Sun Volunteer: |
Tina Nelson |
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11. Outstanding Pre-K Partner: |
Theresa Weissglass, Santa Barbara School District |
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12. Outstanding POPI Individual: |
Arlene Perez, Latino Business Association, UCSB |
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13. Outstanding Tea Fire Fund Partner: |
KEYT-TV |
 
Larry Urzua, Albertson's and Theresa Weissglass, Santa Barbara School Districts accepting awards from Paul Didier |
The Territory Ahead Stays on Path of Generosity
Brian Clark of Catholic Charities with Joel Dinan, UWSBC
December 1, 2008 marked another charitable deed for The Territory Ahead. The clothing company based in Santa Barbara donated $100,000 worth of clothing to two United Ways in California. United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) received $75,000 in donated items and United Way of the Bay Area (UWBA) in San Francisco received $25,000 worth of clothing.
UWSBC will use the clothing to help those affected by the Santa Barbara Tea Fire. Many survivors lost everything in the fire, and donations such as these will help provide a starting point in rebuilding their lives. The Mountain Drive Association, Catholic Charities and Unity Shoppe are three such agencies that have received these donations and are currently dispersing items to those in need.
UWBA will use the donated clothes to assist homeless emergency room patients in an Oakland hospital. Frequently, these patients are treated and then unable to leave with the clothing they arrived in, as it has either been cut from their bodies or simply become un-wearable due to the nature of the injury or illness. Without this donated clothing, these patients would have to leave the hospital in a blue gown.
The Territory Ahead is a long time supporter of UWSBC, as it was the first company to volunteer for the Fun in the Sun Program. They have also contributed more than $350,000 in employee donations and corporate gifts over the past ten years. Over the past two years, the company has also generously donated more than $500,000 worth of quality clothing to various United Ways in California to assist the communities in which they operate. Thank you,Territory Ahead!
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United Way Distibutes over 2,300 Prescription Drug Discount Cards to Local Pharmacies over Two Months!
Many individuals in our community don't have health insurance, or need medicine not covered by their insurance plan. Medications often are not top priority when money is tight. These people can now save money on their prescription medications with the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card being distributed by United Way of Santa Barbara County. This card could lower the cost of medicine by an average 35%. United Way of Santa Barbara County is providing these cards free-of-charge to everyone in our community.
When the card is presented with a prescription to a participating pharmacy, clients will pay either the discounted price or the pharmacy's retail price, whichever is lower. The card can be used often as needed.
"Healthcare costs are one of the top concerns for people in our community," said Paul Didier, Executive Director of United Way of Santa Barbara County. "Forty percent of adults don't buy the medicine they need, have difficulty affording it or reduce the required dosage because of the high cost. The FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards will help individuals and families who otherwise could not afford to buy the medicine they need."
People with Internet access can go to www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices, and get a list of participating pharmacies.
Please contact Jeanette Delgado for more information at (805) 965-8591 x107 or jdelgado@unitedwaysb.org.
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Power of Partnership KidzArt Project Expresses Children's Thoughts on Our Community
In September and October, more than 60 children ages 8-11 participated in an A-OK (After School Opportunities for Kids) art project taught by KidzArt of Santa Barbara and sponsored by United Way of Santa Barbara County and the Power of Partnership Initiative.
The art project represents children's thoughts about their community around Health, Safety, Education, and Stability. The Power of Partnership Initiative has determined those four goals to be the most important to focus on over the next 10 years for Children & Families on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County. Children expressed their hopes for the future through watercolor drawings and in writing. In one art class, the children were asked what they could do to create a healthier community. Some of their responses were "eat fruits and vegetables", "ride my bike", "recycle", and "no smoking cigarettes or doing drugs". Children then created art work that illustrated their writing.
 On December 7, 2008, the children brought their parents to the Arts Alive! Multi-Arts Center for an Art Gallery Open House. Together, they viewed the artwork the children created through the Power of Partnership Initiative Art Project. Parents also participated by expressing their hopes for the future for Children & Families on the South Coast by taking the Power of Partnership Initiative Community Survey, available here. Special thanks to Theresa Weissglass of the Santa Barbara School District Healthy Start/A-OK program and Onolee Zwicke and Ben Swanson of KidzArt Santa Barbara for making this project a success! 
For more information, please contact the Power of Partnership Initiative staff at popi@unitedwaysb.org or Jerry Bellamy, Initiative Project Leader at (805) 882-0503.
Connect - Create - Change
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Montecito Bank & Trust Sets and Achieves High Goals
Pictured above from left to right: Janet Garufis, Ambia Jeckell, Jessica Johnston and Vanessa Dominguez
This year Montecito Bank & Trust campaign team, led by Jessica Johnston, Vanessa Dominguez, and Ambia Jeckell, was very optimistic. In a year when many United Way volunteers have been skeptical about the possibility of increasing contributions due to economic problems, the Chairs of this campaign set a goal of increasing contributions by 15%.
In order to achieve their goal, Jessica, Vanessa, and Ambia tried something new; a wine tasting event. They worked for months to get silent auction items and wine donated and sold tickets to employees and customers. The event raised more than $4,000.00 and the campaign increased by nearly $7,500.00, or 54%!
United Way thanks Jessica Johnston (Chair), Vanessa Dominguez (Co-Chair), Ambia Jeckell (Co-Chair), Janet Garufis, President & CEO, and the rest of the United Way campaign team!
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Mesa Communications Donates to United Way of Santa Barbara County!
Now through January 31, 2009, Mesa Communications is donating $10 from each activation of cell phone service or upgrade of an existing phone to United Way of Santa Barbara County. Please help support our community by visiting Mesa Communications at 1819 Cliff Drive Suite A Santa Barbara. Thank you to company President, Karen Hungate, and Mesa Communications for their support of the community!
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Happy Holidays from United Way of Santa Barbara County! Best Wishes for a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!
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