Laura’s House Gets a Helping Hand from Wells Fargo Merchant Services
Posted on October 17, 2011
Volunteers donate their time to help Laura’s House clean and organize the garage at its transitional housing facility
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Oct. 17, 2011 – Annually, Laura’s House provides emergency shelter and transitional housing services to more than 200 women and children who are fleeing violent homes. Among the many organizations in Orange County that support Laura’s House in fulfilling its mission to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, is Wells Fargo Merchant Services.
During September 2011, seven volunteers from Wells Fargo Merchant Services Orange County donated their time to help Laura’s House organize and clean out the garage at its transitional housing facility. Used as a storage facility for clothing, dry goods, furniture and other items that are critical to providing shelter residents with a safe and welcoming environment in which to build violence free lives, the garage must be organized and inventory taken on a regular basis.
“We are grateful to the volunteers at Wells Fargo Merchant Services who took time out of their busy schedules to help us clean and organize our storage room,” said Amy Borst, Clinical Director for Laura’s House. “The priority of our shelter staff is to ensure that the women and children who arrive seeking refuge are provided with food, clothing, and a warm bed to sleep in. The volunteers were tremendously helpful, and enabled us to complete our regular cleaning and inventory both quickly and efficiently, which gave our shelter staff more time to attend to the needs of our residents.”
Rosemary Hale, Vice President and Market Services Manager for Wells Fargo Merchant Services in Orange County organized the volunteer project. “Personally, I am an advocate for women’s shelters and I am thrilled that Wells Fargo Merchant Services and our team here shares that commitment,” said Hale. “After completing the community service project at Laura’s House, our team expressed how much they enjoyed the project, and what it meant to them to give back to the community by accomplishing such an important task for the shelter. Because of this project, Laura’s House now holds a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to doing more for the women who are served by the organization in the future.”
Laura’s House recently purchased the transitional housing facility as part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. Laura’s House is partnering with HomeAid Orange County to complete the shelter re-build project.
More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org.
About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently serves as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Kurt Ross, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken.
More information on the Cornerstone Campaign can be found at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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.
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2012 UPCOMING EVENTS
Posted on October 13, 2011
LAURA’S HOUSE ANNUAL GALA Saturday, October 6, 2012
Join us for our Annual Gala at the Marriott Newport Beach. Celebrate our 2012 honorees for their philanthropic contributions to our community. Enjoy a cocktail reception, silent & live auction, Wall of Wine and dinner reception. Sponsorships, tickets and ads available, please visit www.laurashouse.org/events to download the Sponsorship Form today!
PROJECT RUNWAY-RESALE, A VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT November 15, 2012, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Laura’s House relies on many dedicated volunteers to help make our organization run smoothly and efficiently. Join us for Project Runway-Resale, a Volunteer Appreciation Event. The night will include a fashion challenge, opportunity to mingle with volunteers and staff, delicious bites, and fabulous prizes for the winning teams. It is our turn to honor YOU—our “model” volunteers. Please RSVP to Melanie Galloway, mgalloway@laurashouse.org.
NEIMAN MARCUS HOLIDAY TREND FASHION EVENT November 16, 2012
Be privy to the latest holiday trends and must haves of the season. Experience an exclusive fashion presentation by Michaele Hall of Neiman Marcus Fashion Island., while enjoying brunch bites and in store shopping.
Laura’s House Annual Gala “Island Breezes” Nets $150,000
Posted on October 10, 2011
Proceeds will be used to support the programs and services that Laura’s House provides to families impacted by domestic violence
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Oct. 10, 2011 – On Saturday, October 1, 2011, 300 attendees gathered at The Island Hotel Newport Beach for “Island Breezes,” which raised $150,000 to support the programs and services that Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, provides to the Orange County community and beyond.
“Island Breezes” began with a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d’ oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and a “martini luge” housed within an island themed ice sculpture. Guests mingled amongst an expansive silent auction that included domestic and international vacations to France, Greece, Mexico, The Caribbean, Greece, San Francisco and Las Vegas; health and beauty packages from local Orange County spas, salons and fitness professionals; and, a “Wall of Wine” featuring more than 150-bottles of wine from around the world. Other items included jewelry, paintings, sports and entertainment packages, children’s toys and gifts. Prior to dinner, attendees also had the opportunity to enter a drawing for a Corum Heart Bracelet women’s watch valued at $6,395.
Guests at the event were welcomed to dinner by Linda Kearns, Gala Chair, and Margaret Bayston, CEO/Executive Director of Laura’s House. Board Chair Laura Khouri introduced the recipients of the 2011 Crystal Heart Awards.
Rick Lutzky and Don Vodra, Crystal Heart Award Honorees
This year, Laura’s House honored two very special supporters who have contributed countless volunteer hours, and have been instrumental in helping the organization to realize it’s long-time dream for the expansion and rebuild of its Emergency Shelter. Rick Lutzky, of Lutzky Associates Development, LP joined the Laura’s House team in 2009, and since has donated more than 1,450 hours as the manager of this project. Don Vodra, COO of Rancho Mission Viejo, has served on the Laura’s House Board of Directors for six years, including two years as Chairman, and has been instrumental in orchestrating the resources and experts necessary to achieve Laura’s House’ long held goal of expanding the essential programs and services it offers to the community.
Cyndi Greeley and Claudia Bremser, Verizon Wireless Corporate Crystal Heart Award Honorees
Verizon Wireless received the 2011 Corporate Crystal Heart Award for their spirit of philanthropy and dedication to assisting victims of domestic violence through their corporate initiatives and volunteer program. Earlier this year, Laura’s House received a $50,000 grant from Verizon to support technology upgrades for its Emergency Shelter and Counseling and Resource Center. Employees at Verizon Wireless also participated in several events throughout the year including a “Fill the Fridge, Pack the Pantry” drive in the Spring, which collected non-perishable food items for Laura’s House; collected supplies so that children residing at the shelter could create special Mother’s Day gifts for their moms; and, participated in a backpack and school supplies drive. At its headquarters in Irvine, Calif., Verizon Wireless also created a special wall honoring the company’s contributions to Laura’s House that features tiles hand-painted by children participating in Laura’s House programs.
Following the presentation of the Crystal Heart Awards, Wayne Pinnell, Chair of the Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign, presented an update on the shelter rebuild project, and announced a challenge grant from Bette & Wylie Aitken, honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, and philanthropists, George and Julia Argyros, that they would each match donations toward the campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates.
The live auction portion of the evening, led by auctioneer Kent French, began with an appeal to fund the “Rebuild a Life” sponsorships levels, benefiting various elements of the Counseling & Resource Center. All proceeds from “Island Breezes” will be used to support the programs and services that Laura’s House provides to families impacted by domestic violence, including its Emergency Shelter; Counseling & Resource Center; Legal Advocacy programs; and, prevention and education programs including the Healthy Emotions and Attitudes in Relationships for Teens (H.E.A.R.T.).
Live auction items included a Maltese/Yorkshire, or “Morkie” puppy; four front row tickets to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center; Golf & Spa Experience at Pelican Hill, which includes a two-night stay in a bungalow with the choice of two Amber Gold Massages or a round of golf for two players, or one of each and, a suite at the Honda Center for the Andrea Bocelli concert on December 11; a wine pairing dinner, prepared by Chef Katherine Events for 30 people at Giracci Vineyard and Farms in Silverado Canyon, with an overnight stay for the host couple in the cottage on the property; a Corum Classical Skylight men’s timepiece valued at $33,000; and, a seven-night stay for two at Villa Lucia in Tuscany.
“We are grateful for the community’s support in fulfilling our mission to serve families who are impacted by domestic violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “Despite the economic downturn, Laura’s House continues to benefit from the generosity of our donors who see the value in the programs and services we provide to help women, men and children build lives that are free of violence. I was excited to see some old friends, as well as new faces join us this year in raising the funds that we need to continue to serve those who need our help.”
Wine for the evening was sponsored by Barefoot Wines, Addington Confections provided the toffee for the favors, and mothers and daughters from the National Charity League served as volunteers for guest check-in and check-out, and the live and silent auctions. The evening’s festivities concluded with dancing and lively entertainment provided by Sensation Showband.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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.
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Survivors of abuse build violence-free lives with help from Verizon
Posted on October 7, 2011
Company’s $50,000 HopeLine grant to Laura’s House in Orange County, California funds technology upgrades; Verizon employees also donate food and other essentials to shelter.
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Sept. 21, 2011 – Survivors of domestic abuse can now search for jobs, find apartments, or locate schools for their children through new online tools and resources, thanks to a $50,000 Verizon Wireless HopeLine technology grant to Laura’s House. In addition to funding computer upgrades for shelter residents, the grant also modernizes the agency’s computerized case management system to help ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.
Verizon Wireless employees in the company’s Irvine marketing and sales operations group also conducted a collection drive of essentials for survivors living in the Laura’s House shelter. Employees donated non-perishable food, gift cards from national retailers and local grocery stores, and supplies for children in the shelter to make arts and crafts gifts for their moms.
As a thank you to Verizon Wireless employees, Laura’s House presented the company with a wall of “thank you tiles” created by children in the agency’s counseling and shelter programs—a wall now prominently displayed at the company’s local headquarters.
“We are honored that Verizon Wireless has chosen to support Laura’s House in providing much-needed programs and services to families that are rebuilding their lives free of violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and executive director of Laura’s House. “We found the company’s collection drive to be a very creative way to engage their employees in helping Laura’s House end the cycle of domestic violence in our community. We’re also grateful for their financial contributions, and hope that their efforts will inspire other local businesses to find ways to make a difference in our community.”
“Giving back to the communities in which we work is part of who we are as a corporate citizen,” said Diana Zaccardi, vice president of marketing. “For our marketing and sales operations team in Irvine, it was an honor to collect and donate more than 450 items and $560 in gift cards to Laura’s House. We know what a great organization they are and that they’re putting to work every item we donated to benefit each woman and child living in their shelter.”
More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org. The Verizon Wireless HopeLine program collects no-longer-used cell phones and accessories at the company’s Communications Stores. The company recycles, refurbishes and resells the equipments, using the proceeds to awards grants of cash, phones and free airtime to domestic violence prevention agencies. To learn how to donate to HopeLine, please visit: http://bit.ly/pgN2gV.
About Laura’s House
Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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.
About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
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Laura’s House Launches Awareness-Building Campaign to “End the Silence of Domestic Violence”
Posted on October 7, 2011
- During Domestic Violence Awareness Month visitors to the Laura’s House Website can listen to audio recordings of two women who broke the cycle of violence
- Donors to Laura’s House can double the impact of their donation due to a pledge Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance that will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, donations made through the Website, during October 2011
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Oct. 1, 2011 – Laura’s House, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, today announced the launch of a month-long education and awareness-building campaign to “end the silence of domestic violence,” in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
During October 2011, visitors to the Laura’s House Website can listen to stories shared by two survivors, Nancy and Sophie, who have overcome abusive relationships and are now building lives that are free of violence for themselves and their children. Visitors who make a donation via the Website will be able to double the impact of their contribution due to a pledge from Newport Beach-based Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, Inc., to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 in donations to Laura’s House, made during the month of October. The funds raised during this campaign will be used by Laura’s House to provide much-needed programs and services to other families who are fleeing violent homes.
“A recent study found that during 2010, there was a 25% increase in the number of women and a 60% increase in the number of children seeking refuge from domestic violence,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “As an organization, in addition to providing services to families who are fleeing violent homes, we strive to provide the community with the information and tools they need to prevent domestic violence from occurring. Our organization is blessed to have so many supporters within the local community, and we hope that by sharing the stories of these two survivors, we can encourage the broader community to become more involved in helping us to ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence.”
Laverne Friedmann, president of Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services, a long-time supporter of Laura’s House stated, “We are proud to support Laura’s House in its efforts to ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence, and I hope that through our matching pledge, more people will come to realize the value that this organization brings to the community. The prevalence of domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions, and it is only by getting people to talk about it that we will be able to turn the tide and reduce the incidence of it in our communities.”
Nancy and Sophie’s stories will be available at Youtube.com/laurashouse1994 to donate to Laura’s House via its Website, visit http://www.laurashouse.org/donate.html to make donations to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month during October 2011.
More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775. Those in crisis should call the Laura’s House 24-hour toll free hotline at (866) 498-1511
About Laura’s House
Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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.
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