We are participating in Project Understanding’s ‘Back to School’ drive.  The tutoring sites and pantry families need backpacks and basic items to start the school year with confidence. The goal is to arm each child with the tools they need to succeed. The club will have a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen in August where 20% of the proceeds will directly go to purchase back packs and school supplies for children.  Second, we hope to double the unwrapped Christmas toy drive this year at our December general meeting.  This is a fun way for the membership to get involved in helping support our community. Third, we are looking for volunteers to help in Project Understanding’s Tutoring Center mentoring children in reading, writing or math. There are currently 14 tutoring centers throughout Ventura County.

The SBWC general membership collects funds at general meetings which are donated toward tree conservation. The NGC (National Green Corps) and the USDA Forest Service have formed a partnership to sustain our national and urban forests through a reforestation program. The SBWC donation will be used toward the cost of replanting replacement trees indigenous to a particular damaged area. Pine trees and other trees are replaced that are destroyed by fire or by a natural catastrophe. The Forest Service does the planting and provides protection from fires, insects and disease in the forested areas. The benefits of these plantations provide soil protection, watershed protection, soil stabilization, future harvestable timber, as well as beauty and shade for recreation.

The Domestic Violence committee has focused on Coalition for Family Harmony a nonprofit organization that helps women and children of domestic violence. The organization has set up safe homes for families of domestic violence to go for a period of four to six weeks. The two homes provide 30 beds and help on average 330 families per year. The goal is to supply the most needed items to run a safe home such as bedding, linens and furnishings. Also to keep funds in reserve for family emergencies. In order to accomplish this, committee members will hold a “Shower” and have two jewelry/accessory sales.

1. Veterans Home of California-Ventura Donations.  Members will participate in providing donations in the fall and spring to the local Veterans Home. Personal items such as clothing, toiletry, stamps and wrapped food items will be donated.

2.  Veterans Home of California-Ventura Cards.  Members will provide birthday cards, get well cards and holiday cards with a personal note to individual veterans residing at the Veterans Home. Arrangements will be made to deliver the cards.

3.  Operation P.A.L.  SBWC has participated in Operation P.A.L. for the past 4 years. Support from the public for these outstanding wounded heroes is paramount to their recovery as each journey can be long and painful. By supporting this program, the club is trying to make a difference in the lives of young vets. Every holiday season, the club sends greeting cards with handwritten messages of support to individual service members who have been wounded, injured or have become ill while serving in combat zones. Once received, the volunteers at Operation P.A.L. sort the cards and letters then mail them in packets to each recipient. The Operation P.A.L. website posts information about each hero and recovery statuses are updated frequently.

4.  For The Troops.  SBWC will support For The Troops by providing holiday greeting cards that will be added to care packages sent to deployed members of the military.  Again, members are encouraged to add their own personal notes but since these cards are NOT for the wounded, the message may include a sincere thanks for their service and prayers for their safe return. These holiday cards will be collected at our November meeting and delivered to For the Troops in early December for mailing overseas. We will also collect items from their wish list to be mailed in the care packages.

5.  Ventura Stand Down.  The Stand Down is designed to assist homeless veterans with services during a 2 night-3 day event at the Army National Guard Armory that will be held in July 2017. Services include: housing, meals, clothing, medical, eye exams/glasses, dental, legal, outreach/employment assistance. Each veteran receives a fresh set of clothing, a new pair of tennis shoes, and a comfort kit with toiletries. Our club will assist by donating clothing and toiletries as needed.