February 2017 Editor: Carol Dobi

Dear FOCUS Members, Our January Coffee Meeting at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club was a great way to start off the FOCUS year with more than 40 members and guests in attendance. Thank you, Sharyn Blongiewicz, for planning the coffee meeting and Jeri Barsz for being our hostess. Marsha Buckley-Boyle shared that checks for membership renewal are slowly coming in, with less than half of our membership having renewed. If you haven’t renewed yet, please do so now. The 2017 Membership directory will be printed soon and we want to include everyone. Lisa Alves talked about the January projects and encouraged members who have never shopped in the past to try it. She explained the shopping process and invited a few shoppers to share their experiences. We learned from Roger Clapp about Amazon Smile, another way for all of us to assist FOCUS with raising funds. Further in this newsletter, under Fundraising, is information on how Amazon Smile works and how to get set up so that your purchases through them benefit FOCUS. Sharyn Blongiewicz told us about plans she’s been making for this year’s General Membership meetings, with a mix of morning, afternoon and evening gatherings. A happy hour is planned for February 23rd at Miguel’s. Please refer to the flyer in this newsletter for all of the details. We had a lively discussion about our Annual Spring Fundraiser, with a lot of great feedback and suggestions from our members. This year’s fundraiser, Kickin’ It Up For Kids, will be held on March 26th at the Coronado Community Center with music by Neon Circus – Brooks & Dunn Tribute band. They are a great country band who sound very much like the real thing. You can hear them perform by going to this site - www-neon-circus.com. Tickets are on sale now! Our newsletter editor is now Carol Dobi – thank you Carol for taking on the role. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Yoe Kusumoto for all of the years she worked as our editor! We greatly appreciate all the hours you contributed. Wishing all of you a wonderful Valentine’s day!

Lorna Perez-Caster

TREASURY ROGER CLAPP

Treasurer’s Report for January, 2017 Starting Balance $ 93,797.50 12/31/2016

Deposits $ 3,425.00

General Expenses $ 956.28

Project Expenses $ 25,961.14

Fundraising Expenses $ 3,523.00

Ending balance $ 66,782.08 01/31/2017

Net Income for the Month $(27,015.42)

Member Dues $ 2,175.00

Other Income $ 250.00 Boutique Income

Fundraising Event-Kickin’ it up for Kids!

Income $ 1,000.00

Expenses $ 3,523.00

Total Income $ (2,523.00)

Expenses

Monthly Meeting Advance -

General Expenses $ 956.28

Projects $ 961.14

Project Budget for 2017 $ 80,000.00

Approved Project Expenses for 2017 $ 20,800.00

Project Expenses through January 2017 $ 25,961.14 This includes $25,000 which was in the 2016 Budget for the Urban Street Angels van

Encumbered Funds $ 19,838.86

Available Funds $ 59,200.00

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Dear FOCUS Members,

It's been a lot of fun planning interesting meetings, venues and menus for our 2017 FOCUS schedule. We are mixing up the meetings to include coffees, lunches, happy hours and dinners. Hopefully this means that all of you can fit several (or all!!) meetings into your busy lives. Please watch your newsletters for details.

February 23rd we're meeting at Miguel's Cocina (used to be called Miguelito's) all details are in the included flyer. See you there!

Sharyn Blongiewicz Executive VP 2017

SHARYN BLONGIEWICZ

FUNDRAISING

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE

“KICKIN’ IT UP FOR KIDS” FUNDRAISER Plans are underway for this year’s Spring Fundraiser “ Kickin’ It Up For Kids”, which is being co-chaired by Sharyn Blongiewicz and Lorna Perez-Caster. Thank you to the following members who are working as sub-committee heads. Jeri Barsz Pat McDonough Lynn Walsh Ethel Kallsen Fred Kallsen Connie Bienfait Members of the committee will be reaching out to you for your time and assistance. Please be open to saying “yes” to volunteering when called upon

UNDERWRITING

Our major fundraiser, “Kickin’ It Up For Kids”, is Sunday, March 26th. Every member is encouraged to participate in some manner.

To be successful, we need Underwriters. If you will consider a donation for any amount, we welcome it. Please send to:

FOCUS PO Box 180023 Coronado 92178 Attn: Ethel Kallsen Your gift is totally tax deductible as we are a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt charity. You will receive a receipt for your tax records.

Please contact me, Ethel Kallsen, 619-424-7813, if you have questions concerning Underwriting.

AMAZON SMILE – ANOTHER WAY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FOCUS

Most large companies support charities in one form or another and Amazon does it through Amazon Smile. People who use Amazon Smile can select the charity of their choice and Amazon contributes .5% percent of the cost of their qualifying order to their designated charity (not all purchases qualify). You pay the same price as you would on Amazon and Amazon Prime. Every quarter Amazon sends the total amount of contributions to the charity’s account.

Steps to shopping on Amazon Smile

1. Go to the website www.Smile. Amazon.com 2. Log in just the same as you do with Amazon.com, using the same

user name and password. 3. On your first visit to Amazon Smile, you will be prompted to

select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Search for Friends of Children United Society Coronado and select it.

4. Proceed with placing your order as you usually do. 5. Amazon Smile will remember your charity selection so that future

eligible orders placed on Amazon Smile will result in a donation to FOCUS.

You might see if your friends and relatives would be interested in shopping on Amazon Smile with FOCUS as their designated charity. This is an easy way for FOCUS to get more money to help Children in Need.

AMAZON SMILE – ANOTHER WAY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FOCUS

Most large companies support charities in one form or another and Amazon does it through Amazon Smile. People who use Amazon Smile can select the charity of their choice and Amazon contributes .5% percent of the cost of their qualifying order to their designated charity (not all purchases qualify). You pay the same price as you would on Amazon and Amazon Prime. Every quarter Amazon sends the total amount of contributions to the charity’s account.

Steps to shopping on Amazon Smile

1. Go to the website www.Smile. Amazon.com 2. Log in just the same as you do with Amazon.com, using the

same user name and password. 3. On your first visit to Amazon Smile, you will be prompted

to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Search for Friends of Children United Society Coronado and select it.

4. Proceed with placing your order as you usually do. 5. Amazon Smile will remember your charity selection so that

future eligible orders placed on Amazon Smile will result in a donation to FOCUS.

You might see if your friends and relatives would be interested in shopping on Amazon Smile with FOCUS as their designated charity. This is an easy way for FOCUS to get more money to help Children in Need.

Please ask friends, family and neighbors if they would like to JOIN FOCUS. Also, PLEASE remind current FOCUS friends (that you know) that FOCUS Membership and Yearly fees are currently DUE.

In an effort to print the 2017 FOCUS Directory in a timely manner, we need to have current Membership information and 2017 paid dues.

FOCUS Membership MEMBER #1 Name: ______________________________________________Spouse: ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________ Cell Phone:______________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________

______ PATRON $150 per individual ______ ACTIVE (General Membership) $75 per individual

MEMBER #2

Name: _________________________________________________ Spouse: ___________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________ Cell Phone: _____________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ PATRON $150 per individual ______ ACTIVE (General Membership) $75 per individual

Please indicate your INTERESTS: _____Fundraising _____Event Planning _____Decorations _____Invitations _____Newsletter _____Assembly & Delivery _____Telephone _____Raffle Donations _____Hostess for Meetings _____Shopping for Projects _____Other _____Use of Home for Special Occasions You may send to: FOCUS Friends of Children United Society PO Box 180023 Coronado, CA 92178

PROJECTS LISA ALVES AND JEAN BAUER

Attention New Members: We would love for you to become a FOCUS Shopper and experience the heart and soul of what FOCUS is all about!

Five easy steps to being a shopper

1. Contact the selected agency and confirm the items to be purchased 2. Using your funds purchase the items at the best price possible 3. Arrange to drop off or have the items delivered 4. Take a picture for the newsletter with the youth and/or agency members 5. Send your receipts for reimbursement to Roger Clapp

January Projects Approved $20,800

Voices For Children $2,500 - Shopper : Lorna Perez-Caster

www.speakupnow.org

Voices for Children transforms the lives of abused children by providing them with volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). With the support of a CASA, a child in foster care is more likely to succeed, receive vital services, and find a safe, permanent home. $2,500 has been approved to purchase car seats and other items to meet basic needs of foster children.

San Diego Youth Emergency Shelter- (StoreFront) $2,400 - Shoppers: Lucile Fleming and Carla Bacon

www.sdyouthservices.org

Storefront-Youth Emergency Shelter is a program of San Diego Youth Services, a nationally recognized social service agency working to help at-risk youth and their families become self-sufficient and reach their highest potential. The Storefront is San Diego's only emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youth ages 12-17. We will be providing fresh fruit and vegetables, portable snacks, and frozen foods.

Urban Street Angels/8 West $1,000/per month $11,000 - Shoppers: Pat Bowler, Betty McGinty and Roger Clapp

www.urbanstreetangels.org

Urban Street Angels seeks to end youth homelessness with sustainable community programs that provide hopeful opportunities for those living on our streets. Their weekly outreach and overnight shelter programs provide homeless youth with food, hygiene supplies, clothing and footwear. Their 8 West transitional employment and supportive housing program, also provides youth with food and hygiene supplies. Throughout the year we will be providing food, water, socks, hygiene kits, sometimes clothing and shoes and during the cold months blankets and sleeping bags.

San Diego Armed Services YMCA $2,400 - Shopper: Suzanne Manual

www.asymca.org

The San Diego branch of the Armed Services YMCA (ASY San Diego) was founded in 1920 and has been fulfilling this mission ever since. They believe that while an individual may enlist, the whole family serves – and military families have been under growing amounts of stress for the past few decades with the increased frequency and duration of deployments, limited pay increases, and greater uncertainty about their futures. FOCUS will provide families with essential baby items that they are unable to afford.

Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA) $2,500 - Shopper: Pat McDonough

www.ccsasandiego.org

CCSA has been providing services for the past 44 years, serving emergency food for families in need. Parents come to CCSA for food and clothing for their children. They also have a new mother layette program where new moms can receive a bag filled with clothing, diapers, bottles and toys. FOCUS will purchase of items for the layette program as well as new socks and underwear for school age children.

Thank you everyone for the continued support to Urban Street Angels. Last December the Board and General Membership approved the purchase of van. A 15 passenger 2016 Ford Transit 350LR Wagon with 2,300 miles has been purchased. The van will be used to support their outreach program in Ocean Beach and transport homeless youth back to their shelter for a meal, a shower, a place to sleep (on the cots and bedding we purchased back in March 2016) and hopefully the start of a life-changing journey. Urban Street Angels is very Thankful and Excited-Eric Lovett, founder of Urban Street Angels described it as a “Dream come true”.

Lorna Perez-Caster, Eric Lovett and Lisa Alves the day the van was purchased by FOCUS.

The same van after being painted and wrapped, courtesy of Modern Image.

THANK YOU FOCUS!

THANK YOU FOCUS

Families Forward Project

Thank You

EVENT PHOTOS CARMEL FLECK

January

Coffee Meeting