The ActiveRain Point is closing in 3 short days! If you haven't entered the June Challenge and spent some of your well earned points - you still have time! See original June Challenge Post for all the details. On the mark, get set, use your points!!
I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about an organization that Gary and I have been involved in for quite some time. They are a fabulous group of very caring and dedicated volunteers and staff caring for kids of all ages.
Gary and Tammy Webb, the founders, began their good work in 2005 by helping out thousands of foster kids in Arizona through various programs, events and opportunities. They continue their good work to this day. I just learned yesterday that they recently made plans to expand and are moving into a new facility this fall. I am excited about this for many reasons. I will be starting a new group this fall for Active Seniors, which I wrote about in a previous post. I knew I wanted a charity to be one of our activities. OCJ Kids is the perfect way to make a huge difference in kids lives that need so much. There are well over 10,000 kids in foster care here in AZ. And did you know that once kids reach the age of 18 they are 'aged out' and not provided any more foster care services. OCJ Kids is a huge supporter of this group of young adults as well as younger kids. Thank God! Where would these kids be if not for OCJ Kids and the help they lovingly give each and every day.
Around 2006 or 2007 Gary Webb asked if I would be on his Board of Directors. We had met through a Chamber of Commerce Networking group and hit it off right away. Absolutely I said, I would love to help out in whatever way I could. I was on the board for a number of years. We also continued throughout the years to support OCJ Kids both financially and with donations of items they needed. Recently we had a sofa and other house hold items we donated to OCJ Kids. A young 18 year old girl had recently 'aged out' of the system was getting her own apartment. She had nothing - as in nothing, and to top that off her 'sister' stole the $650 she had saved up for her deposit. Hard to imagine being that young and not having parents to help out, isn't it. That's where OCJ Kids helps out - whenever kids need them.
Currently they're working on a back to school drive for school supplies. If our Active Senior Group was up and running we'd be helping out with putting together the backpacks etc for all the kids. And of course we'd be fundraising as well. They also offer workshops to young adults that are applying for a job. And our Active Senior Group Members would be a good fit for these workshops as well. And there's much more we can accomplish together. I so look forward to getting this group started next fall! Read about the new group for Active Seniors in the Phoenix Area.
So my friends. I would gladly give all my ActiveRain Points to OCJ Kids!
Every single POINT. I'm very open to Rainers giving even more points!! And isn't this POINT! Yes! Being of service and giving back to our communities. There are lots of kids that need our help and guidance in the foster system in Arizona.
A big thanks for being a co-host for the June Challenge Debe Maxwell, CRS ! You Rock the Rain Sista - Big Time!
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