2005 Summary

Dear Friends,

Our 12th year was instrumental in helping many families eat complete meals. We clothed babies, provided games for underprivileged children, brokered donations to civic organizations and provided goods so churches could continue their outreach and assistance programs. We gave support to military families and community centers for Christmas programs.

The Numbers - Over the past 12 years, the drive in Alpine and the drive has raised over 10,000 (ten thousand) bags of donatable goods! Hundreds of unpaid volunteers have helped pass out over 100,000 bags door to door.

Getting the Word Out – Five years ago, ABC Channel 10 featured our drive as a news story. The Alpine Sun" featured us as a front-page story. The Californian newspaper has featured us. Many civic organizations have permitted us to give presentations. Two chambers of commerce assisted in our efforts. Three years ago KPBS Public Broadcasting featured our drive as a community documentary which was aired on local television. Channel 6 featured us on their morning program and KPBS has presented our drive on their Full Focus evening program.

Good Deeds are Contagious - Real estate companies from Sacramento to Orange County have participated by adopting their own version of the drive. The California Association of Realtors has recognized the Gift Bag Drive and the National Association of Realtors is familiar with the drive.

Local Sponsorships - As with any grass roots campaigns, local businesses got behind our efforts. Past sponsors have included, Sprouts Grocery Store, The Bread Basket, Cajon Hills Escrow, Heritage Escrow Company, The East San Diego County Association of Realtors, The Alpine Sun, The Alpine Bread Basket, Sprouts of El Cajon, and Smart Final of El Cajon.

Corporate Backing - We also had some big names support our efforts including, First American Title Company, California Title, Re/Max Associates, Prudential California Realty, Waste Management, Albertsons Grocery Stores Windermere Pacific Coast Properties and Edward Jones Investment.

Beneficiaries -We have donated goods or brokered cash donations to the following organizations:

- The Polinsky Children’s Center - Hundreds and hundreds of dollars in cash and nearly 1000 bags of new toys and diapers

- 26 Churches and Outreach Centers

- $10,000 to various community organizations, including:Hundreds of dollars to the East County Boys and Girls Club

- Hundreds of dollars to The Salvation Army

- Hundreds of dollars to the Alpine Kiwaniis club

- Hundreds of dollars to Roger Hedgecock's military families program

- Hundreds of dollars to Sonshine Haven outreach program

- Hundreds of dollars in food gift cards to churches and needy families

Special Needs – From assisting displaced families during the San Diego County Fires to sending hundreds of cases of food to ravaged hurricane victims, the Gift Bag Drive has been able to spread kindness to many areas. Because all work is performed by volunteers who are not paid nor are there any local, state or chapter dues paid, we are able to re-donate 100% of all gifts. Although we do not accept money, we broker hundreds of dollars payable directly to organizations in need.