Sandpiper’s Annual Back-to-School Event

Sandpipers’ is a big part of my life and has helped me find a place to open up and discover more about myself while helping others in our community.  I joined in 2010 along with two of my girlfriends Kimberly and Tiffany. My very first event I volunteered at through sandpipers was the Back-to-School Shopping Spree at Khol’s. Though each event is a lot of fun and memorable in its own way, this is by far one the most cherished event at which I have worked. Here is a look at the success of this year’s annual back-to-School event!

Back-to-School Shopping Spree

On Sunday, August 19th, the South Bay’s largest philanthropic organization, Sandpipers, hosted their annual Back to School Shopping event at Kohl’s in Torrance. The event benefitted 76 underprivileged youth in the South Bay and was sponsored by the Sandpipers South Bay Community Fund with a $11,700 donation. Each pre-selected child was referred by a local agency and paired with a Sandpipers member who assisted them with purchasing school clothes and shoes valued at over $200 per child. After shopping, the children were treated to breakfast and given backpacks and school supplies. “Today is very significant because it marks the very first grant distributed by the Sandpipers South Bay Community Fund. Since the Fund was established in 2000 the principal has been increasing through capital appreciation and contributions. By fully funding this wonderful event for 2012, the SSBCF grant made it possible for Sandpipers to expand its coverage from 55 to 76 children. Sponsorship of the Sandpipers Back-To-School Shopping Spree is a perfect example of what we wanted the Fund to accomplish. With further growth of the Fund through generous donations, we look forward to more distributions in the near future.” said Diane Y. Petersen, SSBCF Steering Committee member. The South Bay Community Fund was founded with the purpose of one day dramatically the breadth and depth of Sandpipers’ assistance to individuals, families, community and educational causes, and nonprofit organizations in the local community.

Through the fund, Sandpipers will be able to begin important and much needed new initiatives that help more people in more ways, while assuring that they always meet their goals of:

• Encouraging and expanding philanthropic outreach in the South Bay.

• Ensuring the continuation and growth of core programs and community commitment by providing funding that is stable and predictable.

• Providing donors a means of expressing their community concern by leaving a special legacy of charitable support that will exist in perpetuity. “Back to School Shopping started in 1999 has become a favorite amongst our Sandpiper membership and is still going strong. We were beyond excited to be able to grow the program this year and include even more children and volunteers. It was so gratifying to look around the event and see so many smiling faces, not only from the children, but from so many volunteers, Sandpipers and Kohl’s employees alike. We hope this program continues to flourish and thrive for years to come.” said Rose Ahrens, Sandpipers Vice President of Philanthropy.

Sandpipers

Sandpipers is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to serving the needs of the South Bay community through charitable and philanthropic programs. Sandpipers’ is celebrating 81 years of philanthropic outreach to those most in need in our community. Over the years, Sandpipers has touched the lives of thousands of individuals, children and families through our programs.

Sandpipers South Bay Community Fund

A donation to the Sandpipers South Bay Community Fund is a permanent gift to your community and to the future. For additional information and to make a contribution, please visit www.sandpipers.org or contact: Julie Ohara Stewart, Sandpipers Director of Grants and Giving, giving@sandpipers.org

Save the Date: Holiday Homes Tour!!

20th Annual Holiday Homes Tour

November 30, December 1st & 2nd

*Kimberly & I are co-chairing the boutique this year! It’s sure to be amazing and you can plan to get most of your holiday shopping done! If you know of someone that would make a great addition to this year’s boutique, please email us.