News

In this month’s issue of OC Register Metro, OCUW President and CEO Max Gardner is featured in the STATUS column—giving the community a glimpse into what his busy, ever-changing “routine” looks like. In the article, Max is on the go from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., starting out his day with a strength-training workout to get him ready to strengthen OC before heading to our Irvine office, where the rest of his schedule is stacked with agency visits, meetings, and more than a “Minute” on camera.

From food banks to homeless shelters, and health services to tutoring, Mayors are increasingly seeking out national service and volunteerism to tackle tough problems affecting their communities. To honor this focus, the Corporation for National and Community Service has established April 9, 2013 as Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. Two weeks from today, participating Mayors will spotlight those who serve, hold public events, and utilize traditional and social media to express their gratitude for organizations that strengthen local communities across the country.

Orange County United Way is excited to announce that Connie Duckworth will be our 10th Annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast Keynote Speaker. Duckworth spends her time and talent as the CEO of the international nonprofit organization, ARZU—meaning “hope” in Dari—which empowers destitute women weavers in rural Afghanistan to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient. Her mission and message aligns with our Women’s Philanthropy Fund’s charge to break barriers to self-sufficiency for women and girls in Orange County, so they can find success and thrive.

The legacy of ladies who LIVE UNITED started with Frances Wisebart Jacobs, a Denver philanthropist who helped launch the first-ever United Way in 1887. Today, women are still leading the charge for change. The United Way Women’s Leadership Council is a network of 50,000 caring mothers, daughters, sisters, and community champions spanning 120 communities across the country. We thank Frances for building the foundation for a new kind of ‘women’s movement’ – one that’s raised more than $700 million to advance the common good.

On February 7 and 8, Orange County Funders Roundtable hosted the 2013 Nonprofit Summit for local leaders to focus on game-changing tactics to improve OUR community in the new economic landscape. 250 OC nonprofit executives, board members, and funders gathered for the collaborative conference.

Last night, our Women Looking Forward (WLF) donor circle united with The National Association of Women Business Owners – Orange County (NAWBO-OC) for a Networking Mixer and night to remember. The LIVE UNITED ladies gathered at the Heart Valve Museum at Edwards Lifesciences, an OCUW Golden Key Partner, to make a difference in OUR community. During the evening, a Westminster High School sophomore shared her story of how our Destination Graduation program literally saved her from dropping out of high school.

On January 9, the second of five forums was hosted at the California State University, Fullerton to discuss the Conditions of Children in Orange County over the last year. OCUW was one of the sponsors for the event, which took a closer look at the needs of OUR future leaders—the youth of Orange County. A panel, including our partner agency, MOMS Orange County, discussed the needs of babies from birth, while leaders from the OC Department of Education and CalWORKS shared shocking statistics of need in education and income care for children up to age 17.

Today, OCUW urges you to join nonprofit organizations around the country and call your congressional representatives to preserve the charitable tax deduction!

A “golden” opportunity to improve lives is coming your way! The OC Register is giving away $12.4 million in ads (via a golden envelope!) for a charity of their subscribers’ choice, and we hope you’ll sign it over to OCUW. Please check your all your OCR papers from the last week to see if YOU hold the GOLDEN TICKET to strengthen OUR community.

After Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, we hope you’ve managed to save some silver for giving season’s opening day, Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesday). After giving thanks, this year, you can give the gift that keeps on giving—the gift of community and compassion—on this new day. As a founding partner of today’s first ever global giving campaign, United Way urges you to gather your families, friends, and coworkers to LIVE UNITED by giving back and getting involved.