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In This Issue... Fun in the Sun Evaluations Soar The Myths and Realities of Long Term Care Red Feather Ball, Loved By All
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This year, United Way’s Fun in the Sun program – a comprehensive summer curriculum which provides educational and recreational opportunities to youth from low-income families – contracted an external, independent researcher from Claremont Graduate University to obtain information and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Participants, counselors-in-training, program leaders, and participants’ parents were asked about participants’ reading ability, perceptions of positive identity and self-control, leadership skills, and satisfaction with the Fun in the Sun program. The results of the study showed that 76% of the general program participants improved their reading skills. Typically, children from low-income families lose two to three months of reading achievement over the summer, meaning that they start the school year at a disadvantage compared to their classmates from middle- and high-income families. Additionally, 84% of the general program participants upheld or gained in their perceptions of family and community support. Participants, their parents, and counselors-in-training were generally quite satisfied by the Fun in the Sun program.
On Thursday, October 26, United Way hosted a free seminar, “The Myths & Realities of Long Term Care” featuring Diane B. Doiron, CLU. She addressed Long Term Care issues and concerns, and discussed the important differences to look for in policies being offered today. Diane is an expert in the field of risk management, estate planning, and long term care insurance, and has operated Doiron Financial Associates since 1974. Diane is a member of United Way’s Board of Directors and serves as the chair on the Endowment/Gift Planning Services Committee. This seminar is one in a series of free Power of Partnership seminars offered by United Way of Santa Barbara County. To learn more about future seminars, visit our website at www.unitedwaysb.org/newsmediaseminar.htm
United Way of Santa Barbara County ‘s 2006 Red Feather Ball & Cirque, La Cirque du Bal de la Plume Rouge, was held at the Bacara Resort & Spa on October 14. The event celebrated a decade of the past recipients of the Abercrombie Community Excellence Award. These honorees included:
Larry Crandell and KEYT-TV Philanthropy the Musical, a production of Broadway and Hollywood songs were “decomposed” by Erin Graffy to honor the philanthropist. Such songs as, “As Time Goes By,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You” became “As Dimes Roll By” and “I Get a Check Out of You.” The musical was fun, clever and earned a standing ovation for the cast, Erin, Anne Smith Towbes, Susan Keller, Parker Montgomery, Fred Benko, and Steven Crandell. They were accompanied by Gil Rosas on the piano. The crowd was also entertained by la Cirque performances, the German Wheel, the Aerial Chiffon and the Strength and Balancing Duo. The event’s live auction of an African Safari, an Alaskan fishing resort and fantastic trips to Fiji, Paris and New York drew lots of excitement and bids from the audience. Also on the block for the live auction were scholarships to United Way’s signature summer learning program, Fun in the Sun. All proceeds from Red Feather Ball go to this special program, which assists Santa Barbara’s homeless and at-risk children. Next year’s Red Feather Ball will be held on Saturday October 13, 2007. Reserve your tickets now for a better-than-ever event. Call United Way of Santa Barbara County at 965-8591 or visit our website at www.unitedwaysb.org.
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