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Hospice and Comfort
As a child and early teen, I volunteered forty hours per week each summer at my local Naval Hospital as a ‘candy striper’ for the American Red Cross. Through my high school years, I spent many hours at a local nursing home listening to stories, laughing and just receiving joy from the residents who didn’t have regular family visitors. I never considered this philanthropy, rather just something I did to pass time, hear living history and receive joy from those around me but as I grew older I gradually stopped volunteering.
The First Dog
Nonprofits that Help Animals
I contribute regularly to Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, a no-kill animal rescue group devoted to protecting and improving the lives of homeless and abused animals in the Sacramento area.
Calendar
Our Promise Events
Our Promise has several events throughout the year. See what’s coming up in your local area.
Support Nonprofits
That Help Those Who Are Sick
There are thousands of nonprofits in Our Promise that help those who suffer from terminal diseases. Through Our Promise, you have the opportunity to support various nonprofits.
How Our Promise Helps
E.J.'s Daughter
E.J. Fogel is a State Park Heavy Equipment Operator. His daughter, Taryn Fogel, was born in December 2001 with a very rare disease which affects the mitochondria, the power source of her cells.
Become an Our Promise Liaison
Make a Difference
When I think of how I would want to make a difference in someone’s life, I have always arrived at the conclusion to “just do the right thing” for as long as I can remember, I have always been involved in community service.
CSECC News – August
It’s been a great summer, gearing up for fall campaign. Here are some things you should think about.
Submit your newsletter story
Are you a member federation of Our Promise: California State Employees Giving at Work and want to submit a success story about a state employee who has been helped by your organization? Or are you a state employee that would like to share your connection with a nonprofit? Submit your story here.
First Steps
Our Promise (formerly CSECC) has made a difference for me and my family. When she was 18 months old, my daughter Olivia was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a neuromuscular disease affecting both the nerves and the muscles. With the help of doctors at Shriners Hospital for Children, she received care and treatment which enabled her to begin walking when she was 3 ½. Olivia continues to receive treatment at Shriners today, all free of charge, thanks to the generous contributions that are made each year to this non-profit organization.
Volunteer, I am
When I was 12 years old, I started my career and passion for volunteering. My father encouraged me to get involved with the community and be proactive to make change. I received scholarships during my senior year in high school because of my academic performance and starting the Key Club through the Kiwanis Club of Woodlake High School. I absolutely love to volunteer and serve my community. I currently serve as a committee member on the Red Heart Ball, for the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of the Valley.
Helping Others Where Those I Love Were Not
I have made a charitable contribution to Sutter VNA and Hospice of Sonoma County monthly from paychecks almost as long as I have been a State employee. My mother died when I was 18 years old and there really was no one available to support me in own process of grieving. It was many years later that I had the supportive environment that allowed me to fully grieve my loss and move on.
How To Explain Disease To A Child
United Way holds a very special place in my heart because it was there for me when I needed it most. About twenty years ago, my daughter Heather was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilms Tumor (kidney cancer). She was three years old at the time and I was terrified for her. Aside from my own feeling of terror, I needed to find a way to explain what was happening to my daughter without terrifying her as well. I had no clue how to tell my daughter about her illness in terms a child would understand.
Fighting A Different Kind Of Enemy
My name is Arnold Hardy and I am cancer survivor. Unfortunately, cancer has been a factor in my life as well in the life of a few of my relatives. I have been with the California Highway Patrol for 15 years and am currently assigned to Valley Division . In December 2008, my life changed forever. I had experienced Hermturia. This is a medical term that is used when blood is discovered in urine. Immediately I made an appointment with my doctor. After a series of test, I was told that I had kidney cancer. As the father of 3 remarkable children, I knew that I would fight this thing and beat it! Luckily, I was able to have the cancer removed through surgery and was spared the pain of chemotherapy and radiation.
Exceptional Training and Life Changing Experience
In 2007, I was recruited as the Campaign Liaison for CDCR. I had just moved to Sacramento from spending my life at PBSP. Small town girl…never parked in parking garages, hadn’t parallel parked since receiving a driver’s license, never rode in an elevator. What a learning experience Our Promise (formerly CSECC) was for me personally!
Why continue to give when you’re retired?
“In my case, I was hooked on charitable giving – having done it for 35 years at ever increasing amounts. Plus – I had chaired the Department’s CSECC campaign from 1983 until I retired in 2003.
So, unlike most state employees, I knew about the PERS option as soon as it was created.
As far as “why should I give,?” I tell people that if just feels good in these hard times to be part of the solution. Let’s me sleep good at night.”
Inland Empire United Way
Website: www.ieuw.org
Counties Covered: Claremont, Diamond Bar, La Verne, Pomona, San Dimas, Walnut, Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Lytle Creek, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Mt. Baldy
PCFD Code: 059
United Way of the Wine Country
Website: www.uwsml.org
Counties Covered: Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma
PCFD Code: 073