The nonprofit industry is the third largest in America. In Riverside and across the nation, nonprofit organizations employ hundreds of people and serve thousands. They provide food for the hungry, safety for the abused, care for our seniors, and shelter for stray pets. They also provide the community with entertainment, art, trails, gyms, libraries, medical centers, parks, emergency services, places of worship, and much more. Without nonprofits, the Inland Empire would be a pretty dull place to live.

We support our own and our other favorite nonprofits because we care about the issues we are
addressing and believe the work we are doing is making a difference. We’re fans and we’re loyal.

Like all businesses, nonprofits in the Inland Empire are struggling right now. They’ve had to reduce or cease services and ask staff to remain at home, yet their expenses continue to mount. And some, like those serving seniors, providing hunger relief, or offering mental health services have seen a substantial spike in demand for their services during the virus crisis.

We must remember, most nonprofits don’t make products or sell services to derive income. They rely wholly, or in part, on donations from people like you and me. Many have little to no reserve funds because supporters often put pressure on them to use all the money, they raise to support programming rather than save portions of it (this will surely change).

Money is tight for everyone right now. You may have lost your job, been furloughed, or seen your savings shrink due to a drop on your stock portfolio or 401k. It’s a rough time for everyone and we mean EVERYONE.
​
It’s also a time where it would be easy look inward and “look out for number one.” But if there was ever a time to look outward and express gratitude to those serving us and our community, this is it. 

Therefore, we urge to you to make calls or visit the websites of your favorite nonprofits and make a financial gift. By doing so, you’re helping to ensure that their services and staff can stay afloat during this time of crisis and be in a better position to thrive during the recovery.

Besides a gift, you can support your nonprofit by offering to make phone calls, donate food, shop for seniors, and say prayers. Even sending a note of appreciation or a gift certificate for take-out meals can warm the hearts of staff and make them smile . . . something we all need more of right now. And when the isolation ban is lifted, you can offer to do essential things at their center, run errands, or simply offer to volunteer to help them get back on track. 

If you’re a major donor, let me encourage you to contact your favorite nonprofits and offer to donate emergency funds.. These funds can help pay for staff wages and health insurance, as well as operational expenses, program expenses, or utility bills. It might just be the gift a nonprofit needs to free itself from the financial burdens and anxieties it faces.

The nonprofits in the Inland Empire are the cornerstones for much of our culture, fun, and service. In these unsettling times, let’s reassure them with a financial gift or commitment to help and show them our passion for their success and the well-being of their staff is authentic and true. In doing so, we’ll keep our nonprofits strong and stable and the Inland Empire vibrant.

Sincerely,

Executive Staff of HomeAid Inland Empire
Julie Reay; Executive Director
Katie Pickett; Development Director

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay attended a meeting where HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey discussed affordable housing as part of Dr. Carson's nationwide Driving Affordable Housing Across America bus tour.
The event took place at The Grove Community Church in Riverside. The group toured The Grove Village, a collection of four cottages aimed at reducing homelessness. HomeAid Inland Empire was involved with the building of the four 600 square-foot homes, which opened December of 2018. At that time, HomeAid Inland Empire and the Riverside County Chapter of BIA presented a check of almost $26,000, which represented their donations of cash and materials to the project.
Also attending the round-table discussion were HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee President Dave Reynolds of Boudreau Pipeline Corporation, and Executive Committee Vice President Loren Hanson of Fusion Sign & Design.
The Grove Village was the first project of its kind in the region in helping to reduce the incidence of homelessness in Riverside.

The 3rd annual Champions Breakfast was a chance to thank those who have gone that extra mile... usually a lot of extra miles... to help HomeAid Inland Empire on its mission to help end homelessness in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director, Julie Reay, was able to present trophies to some, plaques to others, and certificates of appreciation to the many who have given their time, talent, and treasure.
The 2019 "Corporate Donor Champion"​ was Boudreau Pipeline Corporation - headed by their President, Alan Boudreau. Vice President of Operations, and HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee President, Dave Reynolds, was also on hand. The folks at Boudreau Pipeline Corporation - always giving back - accepted their Champions Breakfast trophy, and then promptly presented HomeAid Inland Empire with a donation of $15,000 that was raised at their 3rd annual "Cars, Crafts, Bikes and BBQ" event. The Boudreau Pipeline Corporation slogan rings true... "We Dig the Future".
The 2019 "Community Leadership Champion" was Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino. Mario Razo, Executive Director for the Housing Authority, accepted their trophy. The successful "No Child Left Unsheltered" initiative is bringing real change to the community.
The 2019 "Individual Leadership Champion" was Andy Mulz, Vice President of Operations at Red Robin Restaurants. A member of the HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee as Vice President/Community Engagement, Andy has used his wise leadership, unwavering commitment, and endless generosity toward making an impact for the less fortunate. 
The 2019 "Corporate Partner Award" went to Wells Fargo. HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee Vice President/Shelter Development and Wells Fargo Regional Banking District Manager, Jacob Gillette, received the plaque honoring their pledge to support HomeAid Inland Empire.
A 2019 "Board Member of the Year" accolade went to Lisa Weldy of Meridian Land Development. Lisa, a HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee Vice President/Marketing & Secretary, has been a close ally of HAIE Executive Director, Julie Reay. Lisa, throughout the year, has accompanied Julie to varies functions and symposiums, and contributed many, many hours to further the HomeAid Inland Empire cause.
Master of Ceremonies, Chris Nunez, of the Victor Valley College Foundation, once again did an exceptional job keeping the event informative, yet fun.
Dr. Cheryl-Marie Hansberger, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, City of Riverside, showed the leadership the City is taking to address the homeless situation.
Also speaking were Megan Nehamen, Co-Executive Director for Foothill Family Shelter - the facility where HomeAid Inland Empire celebrated placing their 1,000th bed, and Anne Unmacht, of Project T.O.U.C.H. - an organization dedicated to the peoples of Southwest Riverside County.
An amazing, uplifting testimony from Joy Washington, formerly homeless, now a Career Service Specialist for Goodwill SoCal in Riverside, brought some to tears. Her inspirational story will actually be released as a book and movie in the coming year.
Lastly, we had CeeCee Curtis, HomeAid Inland Empire Vice President/Advocacy, and Account Executive at First American Title Company, tell the audience about the HAIE CareKits. CeeCee not only explained the purpose of the kits, but also the personal notes of encouragement that individuals could write, and place in the bags, to give a positive message to those who sometimes aren't even looked directly in the eyes. Each chair at the Champions Breakfast had a CareKit backpack, full of supplies, for each guest to take with them, and give to a person in need.
The HomeAid Inland Empire website, Facebook page, and other social media will soon have additional images from the Champions Breakfast.
​

The first of two Project Playhouse Pet Edition weekend events has concluded in Fontana. This 8th annual event was a fun and successful weekend. HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay had a total of  10 custom-built pet houses.
Among those participating in the build were Blake Roofing, Boudreau Pipeline, GreenBee Concrete, Hartter/Hooper, Holt Plastering, Lennar Inland Empire, Mon-May Framing, The Money Store, and West Coast Drywall.
Supporters who volunteered their weekend to assist included HAIE President and Boudreau Vice President of Operations Dave Reynolds (Dave built an awesome Quonset Hut, in tribute to the March Air Field Centennial), HAIE Board Director and GreenBee Concrete's Alisha Abrahamson (who built the Double Dutch pet house), Lennar Inland Empire's Todd Bourguignon, and a whole crew of Lennar folks - who not only built many of the other pet houses, but provided the muscle to get them to the winners' homes! HomeAid IE Administrative Assistant Taylor Tadlock, and Christopher Reay of Reay Design Studio also did their part.
Alisha not only cranked out ticket sales, but she got San Bernardino Fire Department ME 72 to stop by with one of their big, shiny engines, AND she brought along four teenage volunteers who sold tickets, twirled directional signs, and were just all-around help with anything needed.
Our blog image shows Alisha with her young helpers. 

One of the most anticipated HomeAid Inland Empire events is Full Bellies, Warm Hearts!
​HAIE Executive Director Julie Reay shares the following...
Upwards of 200 backpacks full of school supplies for children were distributed, plus back-to-school shoes and clothes! 100+ moms and kids enjoyed a day of fun, food, face-painting, a petting zoo, professionally-taken portrait prints, and more at Veronica's Home of Mercy in San Bernardino.
Valley Restart Shelter in Hemet was presented with back-to-school supplies-filled backpacks, shoes, clothes, and gift cards to Chuck-E-Cheese.
Two dozen volunteers from HomeAid Inland Empire board members and affiliated companies helped to make the day fun filled and run smoothly.
Shout out to the following for their tireless efforts: Red Robin Restaurants, Boudreau Pipeline, HMC Architects, Meridian Land Development, Lennar Homes, GreenBee Concrete, Rilington Group, Berkshire Hathaway Realty, Pacific Dimensions, Charles Hilton Photography, and Reay Design Studio.

A grant in the amount of $33,411.09 was presented to HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay from The Kroger Company Zero Hunger / Zero Waste Foundation, their generous customers, and Ralphs and Food 4 Less Operating Divisions.
Kroger is deeply committed to help drive positive change in our communities. During the 1st quarter of 2019, Ralphs and Food 4 Less grocery stores held a coin canister drive to collect loose change to support hunger relief programs for homeless shelters throughout Southern California.
The Zero Hunger / Zero Waste social impact program is invested in ending hunger in the places we call home, and eliminate waste across their company by 2025.
On hand with Julie were HomeAid Inland Empire President Dave Reynolds of Boudreau Pipeline Corporation, Building Industry Association Riverside County Chapter CEO Bill Blankenship, and John Votava, Corporate Affairs, Ralphs, a Division of The Kroger Company.

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay was happy to accept a donation from FirstService Residential.
​HAIE President Dave Reynolds was on-hand, along with Member-at-Large Brian King. Representing FirstService Residential were Hallie Kirkingburg (Business Development Manager), Christy Towner (Regional Manager), Rebecca Wiest (Regional Manager), and David Swayze (Team Manager).

One of HomeAid Inland Empire's significant supporters, Lennar, was on-hand at the City of Menifee Independence Celebration Parade helping to promote the upcoming HAIE 8th Annual Project Playhouse Pet Edition events.
Lennar had a float carrying multiple pet houses they have built for the events, and included marchers carrying a Project Playhouse Pet Edition banner. AND, the Lennar / HomeAid Inland Empire float WON Best Overall Patriotic Award!
Many, many Lennar associates volunteered for the parade; And trade partners who assisted in the building of pet houses included Andrew Lauren, The Mon-May Company, West Coast Painting, Blake Roofing, Talley Metal, and Temeka Group.
Two HAIE Project Playhouse Pet Edition events will be held in September. The 21-22 event will be at Sierra Lakes Marketplace in Fontana, in the parking lot in front of Petco. The 28-29 event will be at Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center in Eastvale, in the parking lot in front of Petsmart.
​Be sure to check out the Lennar parade video linked HERE !

HomeAid Inland Empire participated at the annual Builders For Babies / HomeAid Essentials Diaper Drive in Anaheim, right under the "Big A" in the Angel Stadium parking lot.
HomeAid Orange County takes the lead on making this event happen, and builders such as Lennar, William Lyon Homes, Meritage Homes, and National Core participate in the building of "Diaper Structures".
HomeAid Inland Empire once again enlisted Carlos Lopez of HMC Architects to assist in the design and build of their structure. Carlos, a member on the HAIE Board of Directors, worked with his staff to create the "diaper throne" as a homage to "Game of Thrones".
Sitting in our "throne", and greeting guests for photo opportunities, was our own Dragon Queen, Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc.; a HAIE Board Director always ready to help the cause!
HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay adds that the diaper delivery and storage assistance of Reliable Wholesale Lumber will continue to make a strong impact throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

HomeAid Inland Empire Board Member Mark Dimitruk, of Pacific Western Bank, presented a donation of $10,000 to HAIE during the recent "Essentials for Young Lives" event held at a Lennar model home complex in Jupura Valley.
HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee Vice President / Community Engagement member Andy Mulz, of Red Robin Restaurants, was also on hand when the contribution was made to HAIE  Executive Director Julie Reay.