United Way of Ventura County reports on Stuff the Bus program, 12th Annual Spirit Awards Gala honoring Hank Lacayo

President’s Message 

Dear Friends,

Summer has been busy at United Way. Thanks to the generosity of donors contributing at 70 collection sites across Ventura County and the generous time of our volunteers, our Stuff the Bus program again exceeded our expectations. For the children receiving a new backpack stuffed with supplies it’s like opening an unexpected present.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending our first Building Healthy Smiles dental clinic in Simi Valley in partnership with Clinicas del Camino Real and First 5. The event was designed for families with a child entering

kindergarten who don’t have dental insurance or who have Denti-Cal but haven’t been able to find a dentist who accepts it.Read some of the stories of the 36 children who received free dental screenings and fluoride varnishes.

In just two weeks
, we celebrate our 12th Annual Spirit Awards Gala and return to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library after a decade. We will be honoring longtime community leader and United Way board member, Hank Lacayo, on his 85th birthday with ourLifetime Achievement Award. A limited number of tickets are available for this highly anticipated event.

Please join us as we honor Hank and all the spirit award winners receiving recognition in the name of our United Way founders.

For over 70 years, countless donors and volunteers have shaped this organization to be what it is today. Your involvement today shapes the impact of our work tomorrow.

How can you be of service to your community? We invite you to be a part of the change. Together, united, we will provide hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Very truly yours,


Eric Harrison 
President & CEO 
United Way of Ventura County

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