COSTA MESA : Companies to Match $200,000 for SOS

The embattled charity Share Our Selves has been offered a $200,000 challenge grant from the Fieldstone Co., a Newport Beach home-builder, and the Irvine-based Fieldstead & Co. to help buy a new home for the organization, the charity’s directors announced Tuesday.

Donations for the purchase that are received by SOS before July 1 will be matched dollar for dollar by the two firms, up to a total of $200,000.

“This gives us a big boost,” SOS founder and Executive Director Jean Forbath said. “I am particularly enthused (that two such businesses) would show this kind of confidence and leadership.”

The nonprofit charity, which provides varied social services for the needy, is negotiating to buy a $1.4-million, 12,000-square-foot industrial building at 1550 Superior Ave.

SOS was forced to seek new quarters after the City Council ordered it to move from its current home in the city-managed Rea Community Center, 661 Hamilton St., reacting to complaints from neighbors about the charity’s clientele.

Although some businesses and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce object to the charity’s proposed site, the city Planning Commission last week approved a conditional permit for the building. However, the approval was appealed, and a final decision will be made by the City Council on March 19.

Forbath said the charity has opened a trust account for building donations. If the purchase falls through or the conditional use permit is not granted, all money will be returned to donors.

SOS Chairman Scott Mather said the organization hopes to raise at least $1 million before the close of escrow so SOS can “continue to serve the poor without interruption and without a heavy mortgage draining all (our) resources.”

The SOS building fund has already received nearly $300,000 in donations, including a $100,000 gift from John Michler, vice president of Hunsaker & Associates.