Community Memorial Fund Giving Program

 

This fund was established to give anyone the opportunity to memorialize a loved one, a colleague, a client, or a friend-–a gift that will make a difference in our community. 

 

You can make a tax-deductible donation in their memory to the Community Memorial Fund Giving Program at the Solano Community Foundation in any amount, at any time. Every penny of your contribution will result in grants to programs throughout the county that assist our needy neighbors and enrich our community’s quality of life. 

 

Each March, funds collected during the year will be awarded as grants to qualified nonprofit organizations in Solano County. These grants will be specifically designated as gifts from the Community Memorial Fund Giving Program.

 

 

2010 Community Memorial Fund Awarded 

In February 2010, Solano Community Foundation awarded $1,000 to Vacaville's Opportunity House, a safe, secure, drug-free and helpful environment for homeless participants to use as a springboard to self-sufficiency and to a productive lifestyle in the community.

Since its inception, Opportunity House has helped thousands achieve their goal of self-sufficiency. They offer an "umbrella" of services, including homeless assistance and providing a gateway to services offered throughout the community. They also hope to provide more transitional and alternative housing, supportive services, a mentoring program, and voluteer programs.

 

Opportunity House anticipated a 44% cut from the County Grant funding, which helps with staffing. The $1,000 grant they received from SCF's Community Memorial Fund was used to help fund Case Managers in their shelter programs. This includes a work week of seven days since client needs vary every day. Opportunity House counselors are trained and certified to listen, motivate, moniter accountability and provide referrals.

 

 

 

"This is the one area we would have to cut if there weren't funds. These jackets run us about $4,500 but the $2,000 is enough to give us what we need to make that budget," said Lynn Jewell, board member of North Bay Stand Down. 

 

To read the press release, click here.

 

To read the story about North Bay Stand Down, click here. 

 

 

For the 2008 year, SCF's Community Memorial Fund Giving Program awarded its first grant to Meals on Wheels, a local nonprofit committed to providing and delivering meals to seniors. MOW received a $1,000 grant to create a Web site that will direct traffic to their services.

 

"We are delighted that Meals on Wheels was selected for the inaugural grant from the Community Memorial Fund Giving Program. They are an important institution in Solano County, providing needed services to a vulnerable population," said Stephanie Wolf, President and CEO of SCF.

 

To read the press release, click here.

 

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If you would like to contribute to this fund and make a lasting difference in Solano County, please click here. For more information about this Fund, including specific wording of obituaries and memorial services for such donations, please contact us.

 

 

All the names of those remembered through this Fund are listed below as an additional tribute to their lives. This is a celebration of lives well lived, and gifts that gladden those who are still here. The underlined names link to photos and short quotes from the donors:

 

 

 

Annie Wren

 

Benjamin C. Bertagna

 

Charles A. Clark

 

Ciro Garcia

 

Andrew ("Andy") Goodman

(Article in Core-Online.org, click here)

 

Florentina Roderos

(Article in L.A. Times, click here)

(Article in Variety, click here)

 

Herb Kaiser

 

John Harwood

 

Kenneth G. Mistler

 

Leota B. Ruffing

 

Lisette Valento

 

Max Dreeben

 

Max and "Bub" Swagger

 

William T. Drake