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Still time to contribute to the 2012 Holiday Fund
10 Tri-Valley nonprofits need financial help to fund current operations

by Jeb Bing

Contributions to the Pleasanton Weekly's 2012 Holiday Fund can be made through Tuesday, the Jan. 15 deadline for helping the 10 nonprofits targeted by this season's campaign.

With donations now totaling more than $73,000, these organizations stand to receive the financial aid they need to help fund their operations in 2013.

Contributions will be divided equitably, with 75% of all dollars raised going to Axis Community Health, Open Heart Kitchen, Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation, Valley Humane Society and ValleyCare Health System. Another 25% of the contributions will go to Hope Hospice, Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council, REACH, Sandra J Wing Therapies and Senior Support Services of the Tri-Valley.

This year we are partnering with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF), which will handle all finances related to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund. That will allow donors who contribute after Jan. 1 to take advantage of a tax deduction for the dollars they donate on their 2013 returns through the Foundation's 501(c)(3) status. The SVCF and the Pleasanton Weekly will handle all costs of the campaign. That means that every dollar will go directly to the 10 nonprofits with no administrative expenses.

"The agencies we have targeted for assistance have found that they now have many more to serve and often fewer dollars from their regular donors who have found themselves at times facing financial, employment and health care challenges and uncertainties," said Gina Channell-Allen, president and publisher of the Pleasanton Weekly. "Despite a modest economic recovery in the Tri-Valley, these are still-troubling times with unemployment in Alameda County, alone, still hovering at more than 8%."

Melanie C. LaGrande, corporate philanthropy manager of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, said giving to the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund this year is more important than ever.

"Although Pleasanton is ranked as one of the wealthiest cities of its size in the nation, there are thousands who rely on many of these 10 organizations we are helping this year for individual and family assistance, emergency aid when they're suddenly without jobs and health care," she said. "Not everyone is wealthy here, not everyone has a job, not everyone has health insurance. These are the people who need our help."