indian wells valley

A Day of Caring

10-12-2011 09:41AM Kari Boisvert

United Way of Indian Wells Valley wants to introduce a United Way Worldwide tradition to our community –  A Day of Caring
The many nonprofits and other service organizations in the Indian Wells Valley are operating on low budgets, and some times no budgets, and yet they have many tasks that need to be carried out, such as maintenance, etc. We would like to invite the community to help out at these organizations on November 12^th, doing projects that will help them function optimally. We will have something for all to do; up on a ladder, in a kitchen, on the floor with a child, or on a couch with an elderly – painting nails, doing hair, reading, or just visiting.

This will also be an opportunity to learn about other volunteer opportunities in the community.

Please contact us with your information and we will assign you a project, or come to our office on 206 Balsam St. between 8 and 10 am on November 12^th for a “last minute” assignment.

Family Fun Fair 2011

10-05-2011 01:16PM Kari Boisvert

The Family Fun Fair 2011, the tenth annual, was a great success. The weather was perfect, the agency booths were perfect, the entertainment was perfect, and we had hundreds and hundreds of visitors. The kids had fun with tortoises and snakes, fishing pond and musical zoo, arts and crafts, etc., etc. The adults were able to pick up information about the agencies, enjoy watching their kids have fun. and visit with friends and neighbors who had the same great idea as them; going to the Leroy Jackson park for good, clean, free fun. We saw many people who brought comfortable lawn chairs and just spent the day under the shading in front of the stage. There was all kinds of variety of entertainment from the Dixieland Band, to belly dancers, to cheer leaders of all ages, to patriotic children and on and on. It was a great day for all, and we thank everyone who made it possible.

Family Fun Fair 2011 Click to see more pictures

IWV Help Desk

07-31-2011 05:52PM Kari Boisvert

In July 2011 we wrote and were awarded a grant from Edison International. The grant is to go towards the creation of IWV Help Desk. We are still looking for funds to complete the projects, but would like to describe it to our friends and donors.

The IWV Help Desk will be a resource that can be used through United Way or directly by the user.
The user can be an individual looking for financial assistance, free child care, sliding scale health care, meals on wheels, etc.
The user can also be a social worker looking for a certain kind of assistance for a client.

The information on the IWV Help Desk will, when completed, contain resource information for the underserved in the Valley. We are planning on including low or no-cost health care, day care and after school care, rent/financial aid information, utility assistance, mental health/crisis support, etc., etc.

The major part of this project is collection of data from the different service providers, etc. If you have contact information, or actual information about any such, please email us at kari@unitedwayiwv.org or call the office (760) 375-1920.

We think this will be a great asset for the inhabitants of the Indian Wells Valley, and we look forward to using it and sharing it.

2010-2011 Community Campaign Celebration

05-26-2011 11:22AM Kari Boisvert

On May 3^rd member agency representatives and representatives of our many donors met at the Carriage Inn to celebrate and thank those who contribute through their work and their funds.

Jennifer Keep, campaign coordinator at IWV Water District talked about the campaign at her workplace and how the employers and employees work together to raise funds for the community. Jo Lish from the American Cancer Society talked about the work they do, and what services cancer patients, survivors, and family members can receive.

The following awards were given;
Largest Corporate Donation: Tybrin Corporation (gold), L-3 Communications (silver)
Largest Total Contribution from Employees Only (49 or fewer employees): IWV Water District (gold), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (silver), AltaOne Federal Credit Union (bronze).
Total Contribution from Employees & Corporation (49 or fewer employees): Tybrin Corporation
Total Contribution from Employees Only (50 or more employees): DCS Corporation (gold), Jacobs Engineering (silver), Supervalu (Albertson) (bronze).

Largest Total Contribution from Employees and Corporations (50 or more employees) “The Rock”, went to DCS Corporation. “The Rock” is a perpetual award, and DCS has taken it back to their offices the third time in a row. We are very grateful for the employees at this and all the other offices in our area who contribute so generously to our local campaign.

Special Member Agency Award. Southern Sierra Boys & Girls Club were recipient of the Total Largest Designations from the United Way Campaign this year. The “Cactus Rose” truly symbolizes the protection and care given to these young people while they are involved with this agency, and United Way were happy to see them take the statue with them for display for a year.

Two of the Board of Director members will be stepping off the Board this year, and they were recognized for their long and faithful service. Linda Eberhart for six years on the Board, in part serving as interim President, and as Vice-President/Secretary. Gino LaMarca had served 25 years in all capacities on the Board, and has been an invaluable asset to all who have been able to work with him.

We look forward to a new campaign and thank all who have and will contribute in one way or another.

Family Fun Fair 2010

12-28-2010 09:26AM Kari Boisvert

The Family Fun Fair was a great success, attended by many and enjoyed by all.

The agencies did a great job of creating activities for the children and the families. They were also able to promote their causes, inform about their agencies, and share some of the good that they do on a daily basis.