SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - As United Way California Capital Region celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year, the local nonprofit working to end poverty through education has announced a new goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025.

“This is such an important year as we celebrate 100 years working together with this community to end poverty for local families,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “We have learned so much over the past 100 years, and now we are ready to enter our next century with a bold new goal. We know education is a proven ladder out of poverty, and we know school is square one for reaching families in need. With kids coming out of Covid even more behind in school, we have doubled down on our commitment to raise the resources necessary for our region’s children to excel in school and thrive as adults.”

Focusing on schools through its Square One approach, United Way California Capital Region offers a wide array of programming and services to ensure children and their families have the resources they need to succeed in school and in adulthood. From a regional reading tutoring program and school-readiness services for incoming kindergarteners to an income program for foster youth, guaranteed income for families, free tax preparation services and more, United Way has created a holistic approach that starts in schools. United Way’s work centers families in their children’s academic achievement by helping children excel in school, investing in families, and strengthening schools with resources to address increased poverty and deep roots of racial inequality.

“We know a quality education helps children develop social, emotional and cognitive skills that lay the foundation for a more fulfilling and stable life,” Early said. “Research shows that students who are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade falter in later grades and often drop out before earning a high school diploma.”

To make a donation to the 100^th anniversary campaign or to learn more about United Way’s programs and services, visit: YourLocalUnitedWay.org. For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has been working to end poverty by creating stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities. Since 1923, the local United Way has raised more than $500 million to fight poverty in the region and help families succeed.

United Way’s milestone year will culminate on April 29 with its 100^th Anniversary Gala at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. The fundraiser will honor the local United Way’s past, recognize present impact, and look forward to building a future where everyone in the region has the opportunities and resources to thrive. The event will include silent and live auctions, dinner and a keynote presentation by San Francisco 49er Arik Armstead who also cofounded the Armstead Academic Project that supports students in Sacramento and the Bay Area. For tickets, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org.

 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The Carmichael Chamber of Commerce will toast business and community leaders at a North Ridge Country Club gala on March 30.

The annual Community Awards dinner celebrates five citizens and a non-profit. Honorees all have long service to Carmichael community in common. Channel 10 anchor Alex Bell will emcee the event.

Person of the Year for 2023 is former legislator Ken Cooley. A long-time Chamber supporter, Cooley grew up in the Bay Area and studied at Sacramento’s McGeorge School of Law. The attorney was elected to the Rancho Cordova City Council in 2002. Councilman Cooley was twice city mayor and in 2012, District 8 voters chose him for California State Assembly. He served for 10 years and is now enjoying retirement from public life – and being granddad to his sons’ five kids.

Businessman of the Year is restaurant entrepreneur Ernesto Delgado. His interests extend from Carmichael to eateries in downtown and West Sacramento. Delgado brought traditional Mexican cuisine (and his mom’s favorite recipes) to the Milagro Centre in 2016. Under the Ernest Delgado Hospitality Group umbrella, his businesses support culinary education, the arts and Mexican cultural events.

Businesswoman of the Year is Bonnie Prophet, who owns one of Carmichael’s longest-enduring enterprises. Serritella’s restaurant opened its doors in 1965. Owner/chef Prophet learned her trade in her mom’s kitchen and through restaurant jobs during college years. The mom of three bought Serritella’s in 2006. She moved the business from its iconic Palm Drive corner location in 2019, and now offers sustaining Italian cuisine in the Milagro Centre.

Educator of the Year Holly Olson represents the third generation of her family to lead Carmichael’s El Rancho Preschool and Elementary. She began lessons there as a preschooler, graduated from El Camino High School and earned her education degree in Missouri. Mother of two teenagers, Olson steered El Rancho through the pandemic with few lost learning days for 80 private students. Her school recently marked a 57^_year anniversary.

Community Advocate for 2023, Linda Martin grew up and began teaching in New Mexico. Joining Sacramento’s San Juan School District in 1969, she first taught then administered. The educator retired as Associate Superintendent. Martin’s volunteerism includes serving the Carmichael Kiwanis Club, Carmichael Parks Foundation and the Aerospace Museum of California. Her present museum efforts focus on encouraging young people into science, technology, engineering, art and math-related careers.

Chamber Ambassador of the Year Betty Bowles grew up in Lodi. Raising a son in Sacramento, she boosted his Boy Scout troop, coached his soccer teams and helped in high school stage productions. Volunteerism was squeezed in around 30-years of assisting with workplace problems for the Department of Labor. After retirement, Bowles delivered pizza, baby-sat pets and wrote a history book on Lodi. She has been a Chamber volunteer for 14 years.

As the Chamber’s Non-Profit of the Year, the American River Parkway Foundation will gain a portion of gala proceeds.

The Community Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, March 30, beginning at 6 pm. $150 admission includes dinner, raffles, auctions and a no-host bar. North Ridge Country Club is located at 7600 Madison Ave. For information, call the Chamber at (916) 481-1002.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - It might be just adobe and tile. But Carmichael Presbyterian Church is among the most painted and photographed of local buildings.

Its earliest members met in a schoolhouse and soon built a sanctuary on Marconi Avenue. The schoolhouse and original church are long gone but Carmichael Presbyterians – the earliest organized congregation in Carmichael – worship on. Marking a century this year, the congregation formed soon after Daniel Carmichael’s satellite town was colonized.

“It brings me joy to be part of a ministry that has loved and served God and our neighbors for 100 years,” says Pastor Keith DeVries. “This is a vital and energetic church, much as it was when we first began. We’re all excited about our anniversary.”

A year-long program of commemoration began with a January festival that offered brunch and memorabilia displays. On May 7, mezzo-soprano Hannah Ludwig will present a concert fundraiser. The congregation will unearth a time capsule on May 21; potluck lunch will follow. Youth groups reunite over the weekend of August 4-6 and a Christian pop concert ends the gathering. On September 16, the church food closet celebrates its 50^th year with a barbecue.

A centennial quilt will be unveiled on November 12. A December 1-3 gala weekend rounds off the festive year with a concert and luncheon. Anyone may attend all celebrations.

“In June, we’ll open an art show featuring paintings of the Church by local artists,” says Centennial committee member Karen Orlando. “And our memorabilia display can be seen in the heart of the campus. Over the decades, Heritage Committee volunteers have diligently recorded and saved pieces of our history. Their work leaves us a lasting treasure.”

Relics include old photos, toddler-sized Sunday school chairs, mid-century stained glass and a funky wooden donation box. A Celtic cross has special provenance: it was fashioned by famed Carmichael builder Drew Dickson, whose oak leaf carvings adorn sanctuary pulpits.

On campus, century-old olive trees recall the colony’s pioneer orchards. Indeed, church records parallel local history. The faithful convened soon after Daniel Carmichael’s remote township began. Farmers’ wives began Sunday School classes in Carmichael Elementary. Uniting 14 denominations as Carmichael Community Church, 41 members soon organized a ministry. Formal affiliation as Presbyterians came in 1927 and a wooden church and steeple rose on donated Marconi Ave land.

Early members were a who’s-who of the vintage colony. The Beutlers, Gibbons, Deweys, Dicksons, Clarks, Engels, Guns and Donovans filled the collection plate. During the Depression, church olive trees were harvested, and the fruit sold. When the Great Freeze destroyed hundreds of orchards in 1932, frozen water pipes flooded the church basement. The original building – whose bell could be heard from Mission Ave – served the Presbyterians till the early 1940s.

Wartime shortages of material and manpower determined the mission theme of their new home. Harvesting mud from church property, parishioners and their teenage kids constructed a new chapel across the road.

Naturalist Effie Yeaw taught Sunday School and donated a plaque that bears St Francis of Assisi’s prayer. Community pillar and garage owner Glen Hughes and his wife exchanged wedding vows at the church altar. Carmichael’s first librarian, Sarah Lott, sang in the choir.

Parish numbers jumped to 800 when Carmichael expanded after WWII. A large sanctuary building was commissioned and dedicated in 1951. The current congregation is almost 500, including 100 children and teens. Worship caters to all ages by blending traditional and contemporary worship styles.

Community outreach also stays in tune. The church houses a food closet and serves monthly hot meals for the poor. A winter respite program offers day refuge, with food and showers for the homeless. Teenage parishioners have established a community garden to contribute to the food closet.

“We reap the benefits of the love and service given by those who laid our foundations,” says Pastor Keith DeVries. “We remain guided by Christ’s commandment to love God and love our neighbors.”

Learn about Carmichael Presbyterian services and centennial celebrations at www.carmichaelpres.org.

 

 

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - A great nonprofit in the Sacramento Region is —you might say—bringing a lot of “gold” to the community. The organization is NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue and their mission is to rescue and place adoptable Golden Retrievers into loving homes.

As the privileged pet owner of a 13-year-old rescue, this author was personally thrilled to take on this writing assignment to help bring visibility to the non-profit and to a local Golden lovers group doing good in the community.

The first thing to know about NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue (NGRR) is they do not have a central facility for sheltering dogs. Instead, they rely on an extensive team of well-networked volunteers to help keep everything running smoothly.

NGRR services Northern California to the Lake Tahoe/Reno region and to Fresno and San Luis Obispo Counties. Skilled volunteers are always wanted to support the organization in a variety of roles—from hands-on operations to professional services.

Fostering is at the heart of this rescue where volunteers open up their homes to surrendered Goldens needing a safe temporary environment. Upon intake, dogs receive a veterinary exam, vaccinations, and are spayed and neutered if needed. NGRR covers all medical expenses while a dog is in foster care.

The non-profit relies on contributions and their online store (www.ngrr.org) to help defray costs.

For the love of the breed

Robin Gostovich is NGRR’s Outreach and Special Events Coordinator for the Sacramento and surrounding areas. “Some 400 dogs a year are given a second chance when they find NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue,” she reports. “We’re always looking for compassionate dog lovers to help out.”

As a long-time owner of Goldens and a Fair Oaks resident, Robin got involved with the organization eight years ago when one of her daughters found a dog online. Their new dog, Simon, became the first of many Goldens the family adopted or fostered through NGRR.

Robin has fostered at least 20 dogs. “It’s not hard to give one up when you know it’s going to the right home. Yeah, you may cry when that time comes, but you do what’s best for the dog. It’s always about the dog!”

She is huge advocate for Goldens and for NGRR—two topics she loves to talk about. “I just want people to know about this amazing breed and what a great job NGRR does for their dogs.”

Robin and her husband, Mark, now have three Goldens at home: 12-year old Quincy, 10-year old Donne, and 6-year old Hero. Robin likes to say, “Goldens are like potato chips, you can’t have just one!”

A Group for Golden Lovers

Community outreach is an important part of what Robin does. “Everyone loves to meet our Goldens. The dogs open up so many doors leading to people and organizations who look to us for support.”

Robin is also the founder of a Northern California group called Norcal Golden Lovers Sac. “It’s through this group and partnerships that we’re able to give back to the community.”

The group hosts fundraisers and accepts donated pet supplies and food for two local non-profits: Growing Past Today and Jake’s Journey. They also donate dog food to the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank.

Matt Rise owns LogOff Brewing in Rancho Cordova where Robin often hosts fundraisers and social events through Norcal Golden Lovers Sac. He enjoys supporting their activities by bringing visibility to their causes and has even placed a permanent doggy donation bin inside the brewery.

“At LogOff Brewing we love dogs! It’s satisfying to know how much community good has come out of our partnership with Robin and all the volunteer work she does on behalf of NGRR and Norcal Golden Lovers Sac.”

Matt is hosting Barks and Brews on March 26 from 2-6 p.m. “It’s a fun dog-themed event at the brewery benefitting Front Street Animal Shelter. Come meet the vendors and enjoy live music and food,” he says. “Norcal Golden Lovers Sac will be on-hand to accept donations of bagged dog food, leashes, and dog toys for the non-profits they support.”

Meetups and Playdates

Members of Norcal Golden Lovers Sac also team up for fun events, meetups, and playdates with their Goldens. Robin spearheads a local social Meetup site of 783 members to help spread good will in the community and have some fun, too! The meetups are open to all Golden Retriever owners.

“These dogs make great ambassadors. We are simply Golden lovers doing good in the community while enjoying our pups!”

Join ‘Norcal Golden Lovers Sac’ on Facebook and start connecting with other members.

Plus, join their Meetup site and view upcoming events: www.meetup.com/norcalgoldenloverssac/

If you’d like more information on Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue, please visit their website: www.NGRR.org.

ROSEMONT, CA (MPG) - A new 15-bed facility for adults aged 60+ will be opening soon in Sacramento County. Nottoli Place, named after retired Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Don Nottoli, will house older adults who are eligible for Sacramento County's Adult Protective Services (APS) and experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

“It’s a high compliment and a true honor to have a safe harbor such as this bear my name,” said Nottoli at the soft opening for the facility.

The shelter has 15 rooms. Some rooms will allow double occupancy for spouses or caretakers.

Several community members showed up for the soft opening of Nottoli Place on Thursday, February 23. During the ceremony, Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume highlighted how important it is for the county to have facilities like Nottoli Place. 

“The reality is there are people who live good lives who have had bad things happen to them and it is important that society steps up to protect them. Through no fault of their own, whether they are victims of abuse or neglect or being taken advantage of, this is a place for them to come and feel restored, to alter their faith and their hope. And they can have a safe, healthy environment to get back on their feet,” said Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume.

Sacramento County, like many other counties in California, has seen an increase in older adults facing housing insecurity and homelessness for the first time due to a destabilizing event or because they are the victims of abuse or neglect. Nottoli Place is meant to provide a safe space for older adults until they are able to find more permanent housing.

“By adding this place that will be a place of comfort and warmth and welcoming we’ll be able to address some of that need in our community and for that, I am very thankful,” added Nottoli. 

To be eligible for Nottoli Place, adults must be involved with Adult Protective Services and be able to live independently or have a care provider to assist them. Applicants must live in Sacramento County.

On-site services will be provided by Volunteers of America, including 24-hour staffing and availability 24 hours per day/seven days a week, daily meals, and laundry services.

Additionally, case management services will be provided with linkages to resources, including longer-term housing. There are rules people must abide by when staying at Nottoli Place. No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed. Weapons are also forbidden. There is also a pet policy. One animal is allowed per guest. The pet must be vaccinated, and vaccination records are needed upon registration.

For questions about APS eligibility or to report abuse or neglect, call the APS hotline at (916) 874-9377. To learn more about Sacramento County APS, visit dcfas.saccounty.gov/Pages/Home.aspx.