Laura’s House Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors
Posted on June 4, 2014
Inspiring anniversary event includes cake, live entertainment, guest speakers and office tours
LADERA RANCH, Calif., May 28, 2014 – Laura’s House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing intervention, education, life skills and support to empower survivors of domestic violence to break the cycle of abuse will host a special birthday celebration at its Ladera Ranch offices on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. The public event will serve to inspire action and raise awareness for the organization’s vision of ending the silence of domestic violence.
In 2013, more than 2,600 individuals contacted the 24-hour Laura’s House hotline and were provided with crisis intervention services, an increase of nearly 10 percent from 2012. Over its 20-year history, Laura’s House has continued to increase the number of lives it touches annually, providing close to one million individuals in Orange County and beyond with domestic violence-related services and support.
“Since its founding, Laura’s House has continued to grow and expand its many programs and services to prepare our clients and their children to live independent and violence-free lives,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director of Laura’s House. “As we celebrate 20 years with our supporters, donors, colleagues and clients, we encourage the community to join us in learning more about the tragic reality for those affected by domestic violence and how we can come together to break the silence.”
The festive afternoon, which celebrates the nonprofit’s year of inception, will include an anniversary cake, live entertainment, open house and tours of its corporate offices and counseling and resource center. Interested attendees can RSVP to gclark@laurashouse.org or 949-361-3775.
In honor of its 20th anniversary, Laura’s House also has created a special Anniversary Fund to raise much-needed support for its lifesaving programs and services. The goal is to raise $20,000 to ensure Laura’s House is able to provide its services to help more families beyond 2014. The organization also will host its 20th anniversary gala on Oct. 4 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. Sponsorship packages and tickets are now available. For more information on Laura’s House and its 20th anniversary, visit www.laurashouse.org.
About Laura’s House
The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
In 2014, Laura’s House celebrates its 20th anniversary serving those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. For the past two decades, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support services to more than 4,000 battered women and children and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 45,000 people. Connect with Laura’s House on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Board member Laverne Freidmann represented Laura’s House in the dance competition hosted by the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club
The 2014 “Dancing for a Cause” event, sponsored by the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary, garnered more than $19,000 in donations for Laura’s House, thanks to the efforts of the Laura’s House Board of Directors and board member, Laverne Friedmann, who represented the organization in the 4th annual dance competition.
“I am thrilled to have participated in the 2014 ‘Dancing for a Cause’ event, on behalf of Laura’s House,” said Friedmann. “I had a fabulous time, and I am especially grateful to everyone, including my fellow board members, who contributed to the success of this event through donations and sponsorships, as well as those who came out to cheer me on during the competition, it was truly a remarkable evening!”
The 4th annual “Dancing for a Cause” event was held on Friday, May 9 at Casino San Clemente. Friedmann and her dance partner, Matt Gregory of South Coast Dancesport, danced to the popular “Flip Flop Fly” by the Blues Brothers, using a combination of East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop dance moves.
Friedmann is a steadfast supporter of Laura’s House, and has been involved with the organization for nearly a decade, helping to build awareness and raise funds that support the programs and services the organization provides to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. She has served on the Laura’s House Board of Directors since 2013, and currently serves as President of Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, Southern California’s leading privately held insurance firm, which she founded in 1988.
Other beneficiaries for the 4th Annual “Dancing for a Cause” event include San Clemente Sunrise Rotary; San Clemente Kiwanis; San Clemente Abolitionists; Rotary Foundation; and, Words of Comfort, Hope & Promise.
“The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is one of Laura’s House most dedicated and steadfast community partners, and we would like to thank them for helping us build greater awareness for domestic violence here on our community,” continued Friedmann.
Connect with Laura’s House on social media to learn more about programs, services, upcoming events and more. You can reach us at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurasHouseOC Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lauras_House Instagram: www.instagram.com/LaurasHouseOC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laura%27s-house
Center for Car Donations: Partnering with Laura’s House to “End the Silence” of Domestic Violence
Posted on April 23, 2014
Since 2006, Center for Car Donations has been accepting vehicle donations on the organization’s behalf; receiving 64% of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicles in 2012, Laura’s House has one of the highest returns in the State of California
Laura’s House, like many nonprofit organizations, uses proceeds from the sale of donated vehicles to fund the programs and services we provide to the community. Since 2006, we have been partnering with Center for Car Donations, which accepts donated cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and RVs on our behalf, sells them at auction, and then donates the proceeds to Laura’s House.
Recently, The Orange County Register reported that total revenue raised by vehicle donations is on the decline. With reports from the California Attorney General, the newspaper found:
In California, vehicle donations in 2012 raised $17.7 million in the name of nonprofits in California, although the charities got just $5.5 million of that, or 31 percent. That’s a far sorrier showing than in 2011. Then, total revenue raised by vehicle donations was higher – $21.6 million – and charities got more than half the take, at 53.8 percent.
Through our partnership with Center for Car Donations, which focuses on helping small charities like ours, Laura’s House receives a much higher percentage of return on the sale of vehicles. In fact, in 2012, Center for Car Donations accepted vehicles on behalf of Laura’s House that sold at auction for $16,700, from that amount we received $10,706, or 64 percent of the take – more than double the average for the State of California, as reported by the newspaper.
Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director of Laura’s House said, “We are grateful to Jacquie Elliott and Center for Car Donations for partnering with us to raise much-needed funds that are then used to help individuals and families build lives that are free of violence. Jacquie and her team are great advocates for our cause, and we appreciate their diligence in obtaining the best possible price at auction, then keeping expenses low so that we get a greater percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicles.”
How to Donate a Vehicle to Laura’s House
Individuals wishing to donate an unwanted or unused vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks or RVs, can call Center for Car Donations at 877-411-DONATE to set up a convenient pick-up time for the vehicle. Same day and weekend appointment may be available. The donor can then designate that the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle be allocated toward Laura’s House. Upon the sale of the vehicle, donors will receive a receipt for the sale amount.
To qualify for a tax deduction during the 2014 tax year, all vehicles must be picked up by the Center for Car Donations by Dec. 31, 2014. Vehicles do not have to pass a smog test, be operational or registered. However, the donor must be the legal titleholder of the vehicle, and must show clear title. Additionally, all donated vehicles must have an engine and be towable.
For additional information the tax benefits afforded by vehicle donations, the IRS provides A Donor's Guide to Car Donations at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/pub4303.pdf. Donors are also encouraged to check with their tax professional to determine the exact benefit of their donation.
Laura’s House to Host 3rd Annual “Wine & Dine” Benefit at Big Canyon Country Club
Posted on April 16, 2014
More than 100 guests are expected to join Laura’s House for a beautiful evening featuring culinary and wine delights, a wine auction featuring more than 100 bottles of wine, and a blind tasting contest
Ladera Ranch, Calif., April 16, 2014 – To support the programs and services that it provides to individuals and families affected by domestic violence throughout Orange County and beyond, Laura’s House will host its 3rd Annual “Wine & Dine” event at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, on Friday May 30, 2014.
Click to Tweet: Please join @Lauras_House on Friday, May 30 for our 3rd Annual #Wine & Dine event! http://bit.ly/PGABun #NewportBeach #GivingBack
More than 100 guests are expected to gather for a beautiful evening that will include entertainment, a wine tasting, a selection of gourmet menu items, and a silent auction featuring wine tastings, unique experiences and tour and more than 100 bottles of wine. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to taste more than 60 different wines throughout the evening, and for the first time this year, participate in a blind tasting contest, facilitated by event committee member and wine connoisseur Dr. Frank Murray, along with Yvette Poe, proprietor of Vino Paraiso Wine Store.
Some of the wineries that will be featured at the 3rd Annual “Wine & Dine” event include Apsara Cellars, Carneros; Campesino Cellars, Carneros; Clos Pepe Estate, Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley; Copain Wines, Anderson Valley and Yorkville Highlands; CORE California Wines (Sonoma Wine Company), Paso Robles and Contra Costa County; Cousino Macul Wines, Chile; Cowboy Canyon Winery, Silverado Canyon; Donnafugata Wines, Italy; DUNSTAN Wines, Carneros; Frescobaldi, Italy; Giracci Vineyards and Farms, Silverado Canyon; Jemrose Wines, Bennett Valley; JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles; Kessler-Haak Wine, Santa Rita Hills; La Marea Wines, San Benito County; Le Pich, Napa Valley; Loring Wine Company, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sonoma Coast, Russian River; Lucia Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands; Melville Vineyard & Winery, Santa Rita Hills; Pierre Martin, Loire Valley, France; POE Wines, Anderson Valley; Point Concepcion Wines, Santa Barbara County; Riverain Vineyards, Napa Valley; Sojourn Cellars, Sonoma Coast; Tercero Wines, Santa Ynez Valley; Ventisquero, Italy; and, Wind Gap Wines, Alexander Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains.
“As we celebrate our 20th year of serving the community, we are grateful to those who help us shine a light on domestic violence by attending our special events,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “The Wine & Dine event, especially, has become a very popular event over the years, and one that our donors, staff and volunteers look forward to all year long. I would also like to thank our wonderful event committee, and all of the wineries who will be participating this year for their generosity toward our organization.”
Event committee members for the 3rd Annual Wine & Dine Event include long-time Laura’s House supporter Dr. Frank Murray; Laura’s House board member and proprietor of Giracci Vineyards and Farms, Linda Kearns; former Laura’s House board member and volunteer, Brenda Zalke; and, Yvette Peo, Founder, Vino Paraiso Wine Store in Murrietta.
The 3rd Annual “Wine & Dine” event for Laura’s House will take place starting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30 at Big Canyon Country Club, located at 1 Big Canyon Drive in Newport Beach. Individual tickets are $95 per person.
In addition to individual tickets, Laura’s House is also offering several event sponsorship packages starting at $500 for four (4) event tickets; premium seating and table signage; and, recognition in the Laura’s House newsletter and on our Website. At the $1,000 level, sponsors will receive eight (8) event tickets; VIP seating and table signage; sponsor recognition at the event and in all printed materials; recognition in the Laura’s House newsletter and on our Website; and, a commemorative gift. Sponsors at the $1,500 level will receive ten (10) event tickets; VIP seating and table signage; inclusion in a sponsorship ad to run in the Orange County Register; sponsor recognition at the event and in all printed materials; recognition in the Laura’s House newsletter and on our Website; and, a commemorative gift.
To purchase tickets and learn more about our sponsorship packages, visit www.laurashouse.org/events or call (949) 361-3775.
Connect with Laura’s House on social media to learn more about programs, services, upcoming events and more. You can reach us at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurasHouseOC Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lauras_House Instagram: www.instagram.com/LaurasHouseOC
About Laura’s House
The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
In 2014, Laura’s House is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. During the past 20 years, Laura's House has provided shelter and support services to more than 4,000 battered women and children and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 45,000 persons.
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Donate For a Great Cause!
Posted on April 16, 2014
Laura's House Resale Store is coming to Ladera Ranch for a day!
Saturday, April 26th, 2014 10am to 5pm
We will accept donations of gently used clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.
Laura's House Resale Store Mercantile West Shopping Center Ste. B-10 (Next to Comfortable Sleep) 25626 Crown Valley Parkway, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Please contact us with any questions or for more information: (949) 472-8800
Help provide a better life for families affected by domestic violence.