Mentoring with volunteers

We all know that education is the answer to conquering poverty and your United Way, in collaboration with other local agencies, is beginning to plan this year's Fun in the Sun program for homeless and low income students at local schools.

Fun in the Sun is a daily summer program where hundreds of these children are brought together to bolster their knowledge and confidence to help assure future success in school.  The children receive nutritious meals every day and each child receives vision screening and a dental exam with many follow up treatments.

Fun with face painting

Building confidence

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Katherine and Stewart Abercrombie at the Red Feather Ball

Santa Barbara County's United Way mourns along with our community over the loss of one of our generous and caring supporters.   Stewart Abercrombie passed away leaving behind his loving wife Katherine, five children, and many grandchildren.

Stewart, a long time area resident, was a founding member of Ranchero Vistadores, where he served as President for 6 years.  He was El Presidente of Fiesta in 1963 and has served as a Santa Barbara Medical Foundation trustee for decades along with memberships on the board of the Santa Barbara Zoo, Transition House, Westmont College Foundation, and the Sheriff’s Council.

In 1997, Stewart and Katherine launched the first-ever Red Feather Ball, United Way's gala to benefit Linkages, our community collaborations.  Throughout the 8 year history of this event, Stewart and Katherine have built floral arrangements, decorated tents, folded napkins, and handled legions of volunteers while establishing a benchmark by which all black tie galas are measured. It is rumored that Stewart wore out a station wagon hauling decorations to and from events. 

We at United Way are very proud indeed to have called him a dear friend.  

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Costco and TalkingRain Beverage Company have teamed up for the sixth consecutive year to raise money for participating United Way agencies across the U.S. and Canada.  Since 1999, this event, which runs from February through April, has generated more than $254,000 for United Way offices across the nation.

Through the end of April, TalkingRain will donate 25 cents for each case of TalkingRain's ICE branded products, including Sparkling ICE, ICE Botanicals and ICE Teas, sold at Costco warehouses, and Costco will match the contribution.  The money goes to United Way offices closest to the Costco where the sale takes place.

"Costco and TalkingRain are bringing brand recognition to United Way and its many charities",”says Costco Senior Vice President Tim Rose.  "The program is giving United Way a great financial boost and will hopefully make many more people aware of the wonderful programs the organization supports throughout the country.  TalkingRain and Costco have made a commitment to give back to the community in the very important aspect of human services."

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Paul Didier with John Wiemann (Senior Campaign Manager), Cathi Arnold (Co-Chair), and Ron Andrade (Co-Chair) at UCSB's Campaign Celebration event.

At the conclusion of its late-winter campaign, UCSB has raised a grand total of $109,320, far-surpassing its goal of $100,000.  This year's total amount is an impressive $10,000 increase from the university's 2003-2004 employee campaign.

Upon learning of the campaign totals, Ron Andrade, Co-Chair of UCSB’s Campaign Committee, exclaimed: “I can't believe how tremendously successful we were this year!”

Congratulations to the Campaign Committee Members at UCSB: Ron Andrade, Cathi Arnold, Dave Bothman, Meghan Dougherty, Priscilla Mori, Sandy Morris, Larry Parsons, Sarah Pritchard, Steve Pulliam, Pat Sheppard, and Jenise Sterling. 

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