February 11, 2005

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Publication Date: Friday, February 11, 2005

Editorial

Thanks to our many generous readers throughout the community, the 2004 Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund raised a record-high $68,290 in contributions. These contributions will now be distributed to eight selected charities and nonprofits that need our help. This total includes matching funds from the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, an organization that works yearlong to help tens of thousands of needy individuals in the area. The amount raised, some $20,000 more than in our first annual Holiday Fund campaign in 2003, is especially remarkable considering that many readers told us that they were making their year-end contributions to the tsunami aid groups after the Dec. 26 disaster. Even this week, despite the $977 million now pledged to that relief effort, the United Nations warned that more cash is needed to fund long-term reconstruction efforts.

Although our 2004 Holiday Fund campaign has closed, we urge our readers to continue contributing to the charities of their choice throughout the year. David Rice, who is President of the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, notes that donations to local charities are down significantly, both because of a still sluggish economy and due to the widespread switch by local donors who have sent their checks for tsunami relief. Rice is available to talk about these needs at 734-9965 or through his organization's Web site at www.tvcfund.org. We also recommend that readers who want to contribute consider the eight organizations we selected: ¥ Axis Community Health Center: Provides medical, mental health, addiction counseling and health education services to more than 20,000 patients and clients each year, regardless of their ability to pay. An estimated 70 percent have no medical insurance or are underinsured, including some that have recently lost their jobs and health benefits. Call 201-6240 about contributing. ¥ Kaleidoscope Activity Center: For almost 25 years, this center has provided an after-school and summer day camp program for developmentally disabled children and young adults ages 5 to 22, operating out of Dublin. Participants also go on outings throughout the Bay Area. Call 828-8857. ¥ Open Heart Kitchen: As the only nonprofit free soup kitchen in the Tri-Valley area, this service provides nutritious meals for low-income people in the Pleasanton-Livermore area at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasanton and Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore. Visit www.openheartkitchen.org. ¥ Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council: An all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, PCAC supports the community in pursuing facilities and environments where people may pursue all the arts. It also provides world-class concerts and outreach programs for young people. Call 461-4864. ¥ Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center of ValleyCare: Located inside the ValleyCare Health Library, it offers personalized reference assistance and access to medical databases, some in other languages, including Web sites and articles, plus books, videos and models. The library has both a librarian and nurse on staff to help with research. Call 734-3315. ¥ Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley: Located in the Pleasanton Senior Center, this service offers a Friendly Visiting program, a registry for finding caregivers, health screening, counseling and referrals, as well as case managers to assess a senior's needs. Its goal is to keep seniors living independently. Call 931-5379. ¥ Tri-Valley Haven: Runs a domestic violence shelter as well as a homeless shelter for families, a rape crisis center and a 24-hour hotline. Its mission is to aid those who have experienced abuse and offers counseling, a legal clinic and other practical advice. Call 449-5845. ¥ Valley Humane Society: This nonprofit group is volunteer-driven, with the mission to educate on responsible pet ownership. It assists in rescuing and placing abandoned or injured animals and operates an adoption center in downtown Pleasanton. It does not euthanize unless health problems dictate. Call 426-8656.

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