I always look forward to the starting of a new year, when there is so much hope for the possibilities that lay ahead. Each of us at United Way are excited to work with our most valued corporate and community partners to build new relationships with organizations and donors not yet involved with our work.

Most importantly, the New Year is the time to say Thank You.

 To each of you, expressing our gratitude with a simple thank you doesn't seem like enough - your partnership has made it possible for United Way to continue to make a significant impact during a very challenging economic time.

By LIVING and GIVING UNITED together as one, we can, and are making a positive difference in our community each day.

With your continued support and dedication, Orange County United Way has generated $18.3 million in total resources this past year to help Orange County residents build self-sufficient lives.

A significant portion of our distributions supports the increasing needs in the community for basic needs, education and financial stability programs. These grants were recently awarded through United Way's competitive review process, funding 89 human care programs in Orange County. In addition, charitable dollars will further develop United Way's education initiative designed to increase high school graduation rates and its financial stability initiative which is designed to foster self-sufficiency through financial literacy and job skill enhancement.

By continuing your involvement with United Way, you will have the ability to significantly change the lives of many in 2010.

My team and I look forward to building relationships and strengthening our community together. Thank you for your partnership.

More than 80 Orange County corporate executives and community leaders gathered at the Diamond Club at Angels Stadium of Anaheim on September 17, 2009 to celebrate the close of the 2008/2009 Orange County United Way campaign year and celebrate the combined efforts of those building self-sufficient lives in Orange County. Special thanks to event hosts Alcon Research and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

Over 150 Employee Campaign Managers representing both corporate partners and supporters of Orange County United Way joined together at the Kick-Off reception hosted by UPS and MERIT, which marked the beginning of the 2009/2010 campaign season. Guests of the evening’s reception were welcomed with handshakes and high-fives by enthusiastic members of Girls, Incorporated, a United Way supported agency that “Inspires all girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold,” and a strolling magician was on hand. But by far the most motivational part of the evening was when we had the honor of listening to Rebecca’s story of how United Way helped change a family’s life during their most challenging time.

Rebecca has come a long way since she first received assistance from United Way supported agencies for food, rent and financial literacy courses. “I am so blessed to personally stand here and thank each of you in this room, because I am now self-sufficient,” said Rebecca. “My husband and I have each found a job and we’re able to enjoy the little things in life again. Each of you in this room is responsible for that, so I thank you very much,” added Rebecca.

Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) raised $548 from a bake sale and $1,288 from their annual luncheon. These dollars helped the team meet their workplace campaign goal of $122,000 with 100% participation! To reach this goal, ASP held several fundraisers, ran department participation competitions, sent various internal messages out to all employees and toured United Way funded agencies to not only hear about the needs in Orange County, but see them first hand.

Advanced Sterilization was recently awarded both the Golden Key and Spirit of Orange County awards for their outstanding commitment to raising dollars for United Way and participating in volunteer activities at United Way’s Celebration event.

Thank you ASP for your exceptional efforts and commitment to building self-sufficient lives in Orange County - your partnership is invaluable.

My husband Ralph was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s approximately three years ago. I would notice things daily that just didn't seem right. For example, he would put things in the cupboards that should have been placed in the refrigerator and things that should have been in the cupboards inside of the fridge. That was just the start of it. Different things started building over a period of time that I definitely questioned as not a normal habit of his. Finally he started having hallucinations and delusions (mainly at night), which eventually became known to me as "sundowners syndrome." I knew I was no longer able to leave him home alone to care for himself while I worked after he was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Fortunately, with the wonderful help and daily care of Alzheimer’s Family Service Center, I was able to keep him home for a couple of years. Without the support, staff and financial backers of this organization, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with the daily activities and challenges of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

I’m extremely thankful for this organization and organizations like Orange County United Way who support their efforts.

Professional Community Management (PCM), headquartered in Lake Forest, knows how to have a good time while supporting those in need in Orange County. The theme for their week-long United Way Campaign was “Join the Fun in Giving.” And fun, smiles and spirit were in abundance at their finale event on Friday, October 30, 2009.

The parking lot of their building was transformed into a Halloween carnival atmosphere where employees feasted on a delicious barbeque lunch and participated in a costume contest and silent auction.

By far, the most popular carnival thrill was throwing balls at the executive dunk tank. PCM CEO Donny Disbro was a great sport, showing that he will go to any length to give back, including getting drenched over and over again! Representatives from the local Orange County Fire Authority threw the first ball and were on hand during the festivities.

All proceeds from the event went to Orange County United Way. With over 30 years of support and commitment to United Way, its companies like PCM who are solving the challenging issues facing our community. Thank you PCM!

Orange County United Way, in partnership with Western Digital and Target Corporation, surprised seven families on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 with fully decorated Christmas trees, food for the holidays and toys for the children. The surprises were featured in three separate segments, airing live on Channel 5, KTLA with reporter Marie Mortera.

Orange County United Way participated as one of the 10 beneficiaries of Bloomingdale’s annual Shopping Benefit, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 that raised a total of $6,713 to build self-sufficient lives for those most in need in Orange County.

By volunteering your time through philanthropic efforts, you will build business, personal and leadership skills that will last you a lifetime. Orange County residents need you and your commitment to bettering our community.

The team at Orange County United Way had the opportunity to volunteer after partner organization, SMEDA, had a devastating fire that destroyed their building, resulting in a loss of food, toys, clothing and other items for those most in need in Santa Ana.

Between December 15 and December 18, 2009, Orange County United Way reached out to corporate and community partners, volunteers and donors, encouraging donations for the Non-profit organization, SMEDA.  The outreach brought in approximately 30 palettes of donated items and approximately $10,000 in pledges for SMEDA to re-build their damaged structure and lost items.

For current volunteer opportunities, visit www.unitedwayoc.org and click “Volunteer” at the top right. You will be directed to hundreds of opportunities to find a perfect project for you. Do you have more questions regarding volunteerism through United Way? Call Kim Frodsham at (949) 263-6142 or email KimF@unitedwayoc.org.

Orange County United Way generated $18.3 million in total resources this past year to help Orange County residents build self-sufficient lives.This past month, United Way announced the disbursement of $5.6 million of the $18.3 million in charitable dollars to meet the increasing needs in the community for basic needs, education and financial stability programs for the 2010 year. These dollars were recently awarded through Orange County United Way's competitive grant process, funding 89 programs in Orange County with a one-year grant. Remaining charitable dollars will further develop United Way's education initiative designed to increase high school graduation rates and its financial stability imitative which is designed to foster self-sufficiency through financial literacy and job skill enhancement.

"It's both an honor and a privilege to support effective and inspirational programs in Orange County for United Way's 2010 funding year," said Maria Chavez Wilcox, President and CEO of Orange County United Way. "These non-profits provide direct assistance to those most in need in Orange County, and United Way is thrilled to support their exceptional efforts. We're looking forward to building relationships with our new partners and building upon existing relationships with those who have continually brought change to Orange County," added Wilcox.

Thank you to each of our volunteer committees who helped during the rigorous process of selecting these outstanding non-profit partners.