E-NEWS

Not only did SBB&T complete a successful campaign, they did so while having fun! Activities like Candy Grams, Media Sales, and Pizza Parties brought excitement and awareness to the campaign. And the Jeans Day special event was a great success! Bankers jumped at the chance to purchase a Jeans Day Sticker in order to ditch their usual business suit attire on select Fridays. All proceeds benefitted United Way of Santa Barbara County.

Because of the tireless support, positive attitude, and philanthropic hearts of the Campaign Committee more people in our community will have a brighter future. A special thank you to: Tom Thomas, SBB&T Campaign Chair, Mary Jean Vignone, SBB&T Campaign Co-Chair, and their 15 Campaign Committee members for their hard work and dedication.

Young Leaders Society Calls For Volunteers To Refurbish Community Action Commission's Backdoor Deli!

YLS Logo

If you are a young professional (ages 21 to 40), join Young Leaders Society for a day of getting your hands dirty, laughing with your friends and making a difference in your community. Volunteers are needed from 10:00 to 3:00 pm, and will receive lunch courtesy of CAC.

Please click here if you can join us on Saturday, January 30th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm prepping, moving, painting and cleaning CAC's Backdoor Deli. The proceeds from the Backdoor Deli help support the Senior Nutrition program throughout Santa Barbara County, notably Meals on Wheels. CAC provided services to approximately 13,000 low-income individuals and families in 2009.

YLS

Nadine Torbey, Amber Ortiz, Asura Serra, Janine Buseman-Williams, Oscar Flores and Lee Foster bring holiday cheer to hospice patients

United Way's Young Leaders Society has provided hours of volunteer support to children, families and most recently seniors. On December 19, 2009, nine volunteers brought gift bags and holiday cheer to the patients of Sarah House and Serenity House. The patients and their families were very touched to receive special attention during the holiday season. YLS members donated the funds to supply the gift bags containing holiday decorations, warm socks, cookies and crossword puzzles.

Our upcoming Professional Development event, "Entering a Green Economy," will feature Alan Tratner, Inventor, Environmental Expert and Entrepreneur. More details will follow.

Since YLS launched in March 2009, the amount of members has more than doubled to almost 40 members. The group will be celebrating its first year of accomplishments with a One Year Anniversary Celebration in April. More details to follow.

Bank of America Creating Opportunities In Our Community!

BofA

Tom Thomas with David Prichard, Bank of America Market President and Paul Didier

This year Bank of America's United Way campaign was a total success. Informational presentations were held at all locations, including the Merrill Lynch and Home Loan offices (formerly Countrywide). Several special events were held by the company during the fall. These events included a bake sale, Jeans Days, a raffle for Santa Barbara Bowl V.I.P. concert tickets, and a Margarita Party (the staff's reward for reaching the campaign goal). All told, the campaign increased by $4,000 under the Leadership of Employee Campaign Managers Monica Yorba and Eve Ortiz and Market President David Prichard.

David's volunteer work with United Way went well beyond the annual campaign. He has been the Chair of the Leadership Circle Committee for the last two years. David is a United Way board member and is successfully increasing the membership of the Leadership Circle Committee in order to have a growing and impactful presence on our friend-raising and fundraising at the $1,200 to $9,999 level.

David was raised in a United Way environment as his mother was the first female President of her Texas United Way. He has a strong commitment to give back to the community through local non-profit organizations.

Bank of America employees also donated nearly 100 hours of time this year during United Way's 18th Annual Day of Caring and Fun in the Sun Lunch Bunch volunteer activities.

United Way of Santa Barbara County thanks David, Monica, Eve, and the entire staff at Bank of America for their continued support of our community programs through time, talent, and treasure.

United Way Worldwide Reaches Out To Haiti

On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Reports describe the destruction to affect as much as 70 percent of the buildings, with debris filling the roads making emergency response difficult. The Prime Minister reported on January 13 that hundreds of thousands of lives may have been lost.

You can help people affected by donating to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund.

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by the disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your staff who have family and friends in Haiti and the Caribbean region.

Westmont Makes a Difference in Our Community

Elings Park

Westmont College Day of Caring Team 2009

Westmont College completed its annual United Way Campaign with remarkable results. Karen Sloan led the way for a third straight year as the Campaign Coordinator. Employees of Westmont College joined together to pledge over $17,000, and have once again proven their commitment to helping local people in need.