February Meeting in North County
Posted: February 1, 2017
Girlfriends Care Second Saturday
You won’t want to miss the North County Girlfriends Care Brunch on February 11th to “Share the Vision for 2017” and find out how you can “Make Your Something Count”!
We will also have MaryAnn joining us to share about the YMCA’s OZ and TAY programs. OZ and TAY provide resources and support for youth and young adults in San Diego county.
RSVP to Suzanne@girlfriendscare.org and let us know you’ll come and if you’d like to bring a brunch item to share! This is also a great meeting to bring a friend and introduce them to GFC and what we do!
WHO: Girlfriends Care, Teens Care, and Guests
WHAT: Girlfriends Care Casual Brunch Meeting. Dress is Saturday Casual!
WHEN: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, Saturday, February 11, 2017. We’ll have you out in time for your weekend errands and your sweetheart celebrations!
WHERE: Get Smart WorkSpaces, 2888 Loker Ave East, Ste 111, Carlsbad, 92010.
WHY: Learn more about OZ/TAY as well as Girlfriends Care’s vision for 2017 and our smorgasbord of volunteer outreach projects from which to choose as you enjoy the company of Girlfriends!
WANT TO HELP? Homeless teens and kids (boys and girls) aging out of the foster program served by OZ and TAY are in need of the following items. Bring them to our February meeting. Not in your budget…No problem. Join us for fun and friendship anyway!
Blankets
New or gently used towels
Flashlights
Batteries
Personal Products (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes)
February Meeting in San Diego
Posted: January 16, 2017
San Diego Girlfriends Care at the San Diego Food Bank
Please join us for a casual San Diego GFC Brunch meeting at the San Diego Food Bank!
Liz Sheehan, VP of Development for the San Diego Food Bank will be giving us an update on how this amazing organization is working to stop hunger in San Diego County. She will also give us a tour of their impressive facility.
WHO: Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, and Friends!
WHAT: First Saturday brunch meeting, casual attire
WHEN: Saturday, February 4th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
WHERE: San Diego Food Bank
9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego 92121
Bring a friend! RSVP now AND let us know if you’d like to bring a brunch item to share!
Canned meats, i.e.: tuna, chicken, spam, etc.
Macaroni & Cheese, whole grains (oats, quinoa, pasta)
Canned Chili, Spaghetti with Meat, Beans
Fruit (packed in water or light syrup), low-sugar cereals
Tax-deductible receipts available upon request!
January’s SD Meeting Recap
2017 began with full throttle high energy when about 20 girlfriends met at the Clairemont Library in San Diego on Saturday, January 7th. Our featured partner was Volunteer Action for Aging. Teresa Powell who is their volunteer coordinator explained that the focus of the organization is to bring “action oriented activities” to seniors throughout San Diego. “There are a variety of ways you can be involved” said Teresa, “sharing traveling experiences” or “art group’s” and “leading seniors to create their autobiography as they write personal stories” to name a few. With many hands, our group beautifully wrapped 179 socks each with a card. They were delivered to seniors receiving food from the San Diego Food Bank. On a rainy and cold day…it is a perfect way to warm “soles!” Bringing smiles and amazement to faces of the recipients who know others care is the joy that comes from making “Your Something Count”.
Household items and gift cards from December’s collection drive were given to volunteer coordinator Melissa Gutierrez from Just In Time for Foster Youth. Melissa introduced Allison Bechtel, Associate Director who will act as our new liaison. Melissa is joining the San Diego County Education Department where she will continue helping foster youth navigate the waters to secure a good education. We will miss her; she promises to keep her eyes on us in her new job!
Updated: March 18, 2017
San Diego Opportunities
HERE ARE SOME CURRENT OUTREACH PROJECTS IN CENTRAL SAN DIEGO THAT MAY HAVE YOUR NAME ON THEM! Contact Info@girlfriends.org for more information or to sign up!
- Prayer Pillowcases comfort the homeless and those living in transitional housing. January through May is the time of year when our Girlfriends-Who-Sew get busy with cutting, pressing and sewing flannel fabric for 700 pillowcases! Want to join in? For more information, email pillowcasesSD@girlfriendscare.org.
- GFC Gift Bags for women in transition. Laurie is always collecting items such as body wash, lotions, unused make-up, costume jewelry, gift cards, small journals, pens, and other girlie items to make them feel pampered and pretty! Bring your donations to our next meeting or email us.
- Monarch School. We are collecting hygiene items for this amazing school that provide a safe, caring environment for learning for children facing homelessness. They are in need of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, full size Shampoo, Conditioners and Body Wash. Bring these items to any GFC meeting.
- Just in Time for Foster Youth – We are collecting cleaning items for their Spring Cleaning Drive – broom & dustpan, bleach (Clorox, etc.), dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, cleaning gloves, sponges, scrub brush, Swiffer wet/dry mop, toilet bowl scrubber, mop, and buckets. Bring these items to any GFC meeting or drop them off at Just in Time with Nathan – 619-677-2119.
- Jessica’s House of Hope – Support the women and children in their journey to become independent and self-sufficient! Mail financial support to Girlfriends Care, P.O. Box 1820, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Tax deductible receipts upon request!
- Amazon-SMILE is a simple and automatic way for you to support Girlfriends Care every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Girlfriends Care. Simply choose AmazonSmile and Girlfriends Care, then place your order as usual. Share this with your friends, relatives, college students ordering their books, etc., so we can “Compound the Caring” for all those we serve! AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives. Another Win-Win-Win!
GYBSD Food Drive
January 6, 2017
Help us “Collect a Grand of Food” to Feed the Children!
That’s 1,000 items of nutrition for Got Your Back San Diego to help in the local fight against childhood hunger! Can we do it?
You might organize a family project, or include your school, church, neighbors or work group in this project to feed the children!
GYBSD helps children who are technically homeless through a weekend nutritional program that provides food in backpacks through the local schools!
THEY NEED DONATIONS OF FOOD! THEIR GREATEST NEED IS FOR PROTEIN ITEMS! Soup with meat. Chili with meat. Ravioli with meat. Canned chicken, beef, or tuna. Light weight packaging or pouches appreciated when available; please no glass containers.
Chunky soups
Canned pasta/protein meals
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, spam)
Canned beans (pinto, black, refried)
Dry or canned evaporated milk
Protein bars
Peanut Butter/Jelly in plastic container
Dried fruits and individually wrapped cracker snacks
Individual servings of cereal and oatmeal
Click here for a flyer to use for your own drive.
DELIVER TO ANY DROP SITE DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY! Tax deductible receipt available upon request. To find a drop-off location nearest you or to be a drop-off location, please contact us at info@girlfriendscare.org.
Updated: July 12, 2017
North County Opportunities
HERE ARE SOME CURRENT OUTREACH PROJECTS IN NORTH COUNTY THAT MAY HAVE YOUR NAME ON THEM! Contact Info@girlfriends.org for more information or to sign up!
- Shining Stars – Volunteers needed to distribute informational cards at Comic-Con on July 21st & 22nd to sound the alarm about human trafficking. Sign up here or contact Olivia at ncshiningstars@gmail.com for more information.
- Volunteer Action for Aging –Service Program to increase socialization and well -being of Volunteers needed for arts/crafts events in July! Contact Theresa Powell at tpowell3@scanhealthplan.com
- GFC Gift Bags for women in need– A beautiful gift bag brings a smile to those with very little. Girlfriends Care decorates and puts together gifts bags for women and girls in need, We need new journals, beauty items, jewelry and other “girly” items to fill the bags. Contact Diana Hanes at Diana@girlfriendscare.org if you would like to donate or bring them to a monthly meeting.
- Carlsbad Care and Shares! Volunteers needed to prepare and assist largest single donation opportunity Girlfriends supports for our communities! Sign up for shifts Oct 1st (Street Faire), 8, 9, 10 or 11th.(Village event) Contact Carol@girlfriendscare.org
- Prayer Pillowcases – Help us Meet our Goal! Girlfriends are needed to help cut, iron and sew our Prayer Pillowcases in preparation for the distribution of more than 700 pillowcases each year to comfort the homeless and those living in transitional housing in both North County and San Diego. Girlfriends are also needed to lead groups of kids decorating and praying for the receiver. Contact Linda Crawford at pillowcases@girlfriendscare.org for more information and/or to make a project donation.
- Homeless Street Teens and Foster Youth Aging out of the system – Donate non-perishable snacks or socks to be handed out to the homeless teens through YMCA Youth & Family Services. Bring to the next Girlfriends Care meeting or drop off at any of our drop off locations or contact MaryAnn at mgraham@ymca.org.
- Milestone House, Support At-Risk Teen Foster Girls! Milestone House is in need of volunteers who willing to share their teaching talents in areas needed – such as music, art or cooking. Contact Beverly Boone at Beverly@milestonehouse.org.
- Help Women and Children Rebuilding Their Lives After Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault – The moms and children living in transitional housing at the Women’s Resource Center always need basic household supplies and grocery store gift cards. Drop your donation during regular business hours at their office at 1963 Apple Street, Oceanside 92054 – or bring to a GFC meeting.
- Brother Benno’s– Volunteers are always needed at both the main center and the Thrift Shop. Contact Denise Seymour at denise@artistofyourmind.com. The Thrift shop is in needed of clothing donations. Drop off at the Thrift Shop or contact parsons7016@sbcglobal.net.
- Bread of Life– Serving the homeless in North County. Volunteers are needed for various projects. To find out more go to website bolrescue.org or contact bolrescue@gmail.com. Donations of food and paper products are in need!
- Fill A Belly welcomes families, small groups and individuals to bring, serve and enjoy dinner with guests on Tuesday evenings at Holiday Park in Carlsbad.
- KidzCare– Hands-on kid sized outreach projects for kids age K-8th grade are great teaching tools! Contact Sharon at KidzCare@girlfriendscare.org for more information or to sign up.
- Teens Care for ages 13-19 is designed to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth. Projects can count towards community service hours required by local schools. For more info or to get on the mailing list, contact Ellen at TeensCare@girlfriendscare.org.
- Have a few minutes to pick up and deliver items directly to those we help? Please notify Girlfriends Care at info@girlfriendscare.org that you would like to help when an opportunity comes up!
- Have a talent to share? Contact Carol@girlfriendscare.org to add your name to our list of those willing to teach, sing, play an instrument or share your skill at an upcoming event, senior home, or other organization we serve. (Please indicate name, email address, talent and best times available.)
- “GFC Breakfast Club”: Help feed the poor and homeless at Brother Benno’s on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December). Arrive at 9:30 AM and finish by Noon! The food, which is supplied and prepared by Brother Benno’s, is served from a cafeteria-type line. If you want to serve, or just to put your name on the Serving Roster to be notified for future months, please let us know at Info@girlfriends.org Ages 17 thru 107 are welcome!
- Amazon-SMILE is a simple and automatic way for you to support Girlfriends Care every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Girlfriends Care. Simply choose AmazonSmile and Girlfriends Care, then place your order as usual. Share this with your friends, relatives, college students ordering their books, etc., so we can “Compound the Caring” for all those we serve! AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives. Another Win-Win-Win!
Check back with us periodically to see “What’s New” with Girlfriends Care!
BOOM – Business Explosion
January 2, 2017
Join us at the 8th Annual Business Explosion on Thursday, January 26, 2017! 2:00-6:00 PM, at the QLN Conference Center, 1938 Avenida del Oro, Oceanside, CA.
Food, Fun, Speakers, Prizes, Exhibits to visit, People to meet! Unbelievable networking and friend-making opportunities!
IF you want to have some fun AND support Girlfriends Care at the same time….this is the place to be!
ONLY $10 per person to attend using this link ($15 at the door).
Want to attend for FREE? Come help spread the word about Girlfriends Care by “womaning” the GFC booth for 2 hours and sharing the vision of GFC with Boom attendees. Contact Carol to volunteer.
Girlfriends Care is again the Non-Profit Beneficiary for the Give Back Random Raffle! Donate a prize here.
IF you have a business, this is a great place to exhibit and/or share business cards with new prospects! Register your business here.
