What ORC will mean to me

To my Family, Friends and FB Ohana,

A while back, I sent out a letter to many of you describing the path life took me down at the end of January. (I apologize if you weren’t an original recipient but I can still share that letter with you if you wish). Ultimately, it spoke of how I was laid off from my job of over 8 years but at the same time, entered a new and healthy relationship. I managed to find time to re-prioritize my values and with the help of my boyfriend John Cummings, was able to focus on the concepts of passion and giving. I took my newly found time to raise money for two organizations that I feel are playing a very important role in raising and supporting the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) youth and adults, and their allies of Pierce County. These two organizations are Oasis and The Rainbow Center.

Growing up in Hawaii, I never had places like these to turn to and I think that it is important for a state as progressive as Washington, to be a national leader in the cause.

After I sent out the letter, I received many checks in the mail from people who wanted to help. Recently, the fundraising chairs came up with this great tool to track donations and progress. I know for some, sending a check is a pain, so this method allows you to submit a donation from your credit card. Please help if you can. There is still lots of $$$ to raise before the end of May! My promise is to match and donate 10% of all the monies I collect. So far, I have collected approximately $1000 from those of you who mailed or gave me checks/cash. Whatever total I get from here, will also be matched by 10%.

Thank you for reading this far and please help if you can, even if it means sharing the link to my page!

~Ross

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The local LGBTQA resource centers, Oasis Youth Center and the Rainbow Center, are moving, and I am fundraising to support this great project.

The two centers will be sharing 6,000 sqft of space and starting a partnership that will enrich the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied (LGBTQA) community. The new facility will feature:

–Increased operational hours
–More participants and engaged community members
–Expanded opportunities for educating the South Sound community about LGBTQ and Allied issues
–A national best practice model of partnership and collaboration

I am excited to be helping this new space come into existence. In order to make this dream a reality, I need your help to meet my fundraising goal. A lot of people and organizations are stepping up to be a part of our Creating Community Campaign! There are tons of volunteers, a supportive landlord, and many community partners who are enthusiastic about being a part of this amazing effort. I want to invite you to be a part of this project as well. Check out our campaign website at http://www.orctacoma.org/

Please help to support my personal fundraising goal by donating via my online giving page. Thank-you for helping me reach my goal and supporting the O.R.C. Creating Community Campaign!