As we enjoy the last days of summer in Ventura County, it is a time to appreciate all that we have — sunshine, beach time with friends, summer vacations, Yvonne Gutierrez of El Concilio Family Services reported this week in a media release.
For many of our friends and neighbors, there hasn’t been a summer break. Instead, they struggle to buy food, to pay for medical bills and to find a safe place to sleep. Thousands of people across Ventura County can’t cover the basics, let alone any extras.
I am part of a local coalition of more than 40 local organizations and concerned individuals called Ventura County Together that has joined together to help those in greatest need in these difficult times.
This summer, VCT is partnering with the Amgen Foundation, to Get Together and Give Together, a campaign to raise $100,000 by September 3 that will go directly to provide food, shelter and medical care. We have a commitment of $50,000 from Amgen, the Ventura Community Foundation, United Way of Ventura County and First 5 Ventura County.
Our hope is that we can raise another $50,000 by reaching out to individuals and organizations that share our desire to help others and who want to know that when we give it will make a real difference. Please take a minute to give whatever you can. Even $10 will make a difference.
Please help us reach as many people as possible by forwarding this on to your networks. We have an opportunity to be a community that won’t let people go hungry, without shelter and without necessary medical treatment.
Please visit www.vctogether.org to see how you can help!