Font ResizeThe North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with a "Betting On Our Community" casino night fundraiser from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $40 per person and include a buffet dinner and starter gaming chips.
Incorporated in 1973, the services center is a nonprofit agency that offers vital community services that are rooted in the principles of preventing homelessness, strengthening the community and helping people achieve self-sufficiency.
To accomplish these goals, the center provides support services related to providing low-income families with food, rental and utility-bill assistance, shelter referrals and financial support.
The center also provides health care coverage and insurance enrollment, navigation and advocacy services for low-income children and adults and free minor home repairs to low-income homeowners.
Last year, the center offered first-time assistance to more than 5,000 low-income individuals.
With the assistance of generous community donations and volunteers, the center hosts four community distributions during the year. Easter baskets are provided to low-income children in the spring, and backpacks are given to low-income school children in August.
At Thanksgiving, a two-day distribution provides low-income families
The center also facilitates a highly rewarding Adopt-a-Family program. Businesses and community members enroll to adopt a local family or senior in need and provide them with gifts and food for a holiday meal. In 2007, more than 4,600 low-income individuals benefited from one or more of these distributions.
Corporate sponsors of the fundraiser are O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Soroptomist International of North San Mateo County, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo Bank and Comerica Bank.
For questions or to make reservations before July 25, call (650) 583-3373 ext. 19.
Honoring a special family tree — Family Service Agency of San Mateo County held a special luncheon recently to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Red-Car-Bel Auxiliary, which raised more than $1 million during those years for the nonprofit agency at The Family Tree collectables shop, 1589 Laurel St., San Carlos.
Laurie Wishard, president of the Family Service Agency, welcomed more than 50 auxiliary members, agency staff and supporters to a private event held at the agency's Early Learning Center in San Mateo, which opened three years ago.
The auxiliary is an 80-person volunteer group founded in 1968 whose members hail from Belmont, Redwood City and San Carlos.
It started with a desire to serve a greater community, grew into an idea to provide financial support and coalesced into "a mission to provide a source of income rather than a periodic donation," said Maralyn Struven, who is the auxiliary's historian, a charter member and a past president.
The group, which has expanded the The Family Tree from its original retail storefront, operates the shop with proceeds benefiting the 19,500 children, families and older adults the Family Service Agency serves annually.
"We're very proud that our store not only looks nice, but it smells nice," said Struven. "We have long embraced 'green' ethics by promoting the reuse of used products through resale. People are not only buying items at low cost but they are helping those in need."
The Family Tree has many "angels" that donate merchandise or services, including Kids Company/Footsteps, The Lighthouse, Dynasty Cleaners, Sheri Galvin, Clocksmith, Laurel Street Jewelry, Olsen Nolte Saddle Shop, White Oaks Hardware and Precision Engravers Inc.
Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday. To donate items or volunteer, call (650) 592-6150.
Auxiliary President Linda Westerhouse received a plaque from Kirk Syme, chairman of the Family Service Agency's board, and a proclamation from Rep. Jackie Speier's office. Auxiliary member Clare Roudabush was given a pin for her outstanding service.
The 57-year-old Family Service Agency empowers its clients to achieve self-sufficiency, building a strong and caring community.
It offers programs in child development and education, healthy family interaction, parent education and coaching, wellness and lifelong learning for older adults, and financial empowerment.
To donate to the Red-Car-Bel Auxiliary or to learn more about the Family Service Agency, call (650) 403-4300 or visit www.familyserviceagency.org.
If you have any news tips about our county communities, call or fax Carolyn at (650) 355-5533 or e-mail her at carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.
