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Community Foundation asks donors to ‘Stand & Salute’ veteran support groups this Thursday

A marine veteran salutes members of American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 honor guard march in Huntington Beach in 2019.
A marine veteran salutes members of an American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 honor guard in Huntington Beach in 2019. This Thursday, Orange County residents can participate in “Stand & Salute,” an online day of giving benefiting nonprofits that assist veterans and their families.
(File Photo)
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To support the more than 107,000 county veterans, many of whom have been impacted by the pandemic, the Orange County Community Foundation will host Thursday “Stand & Salute,” an online day of giving for nonprofits who serve vets and their families.

This year’s effort hopes to raise more than $125,000 for six area organizations — 2-1-1 Orange County, Child Guidance Center’s Strong Families, Strong Children program, Goodwill of Orange County, Strength in Support, Support the Enlisted Project and Working Wardrobes — all of which provide services that help veterans successfully transition to civilian life.

Carol Ferguson, director of donor relations and programs for OCCF, explained how Stand & Salute not only helps raise vital funds for groups that provide direct assistance to veterans and their families, but also helps expand the reach of participating nonprofits.

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“It helps these organizations build a brand around their cause, cheer each other on and bring in new donors who, with the right stewardship, might become passionate supporters of the organizations,” Ferguson said, explaining how first-time donors could become ongoing philanthropists or help by becoming boots on the ground for veteran support groups.

To participate, anyone may go online, to stand-and-salute-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org, where they can learn more about each nonprofit and the programs they provide, and then donate to any or all of the groups listed.

The Orange County Community Foundation is designed to connect donors and philanthropists to groups in the area whose missions and programs align exactly with causes people care about. Since 1989, OCCF has awarded nearly $780 million in grants and scholarships throughout the county.

Through annual iheartOC Collaborative Giving Days, like Stand & Salute, the Foundation helps coordinate philanthropy efforts around a particular cause, such as homelessness, or individuals with disabilities, where those who can give will make a real local difference, Ferguson said.

OCCF provides the platform, along with training and digital assets nonprofits can use to expand their reach and build awareness about the work they do.

“We find donors are really passionate about one cause or another, and they’re going to want to support organizations within those causes,” Ferguson said. “This is a way for us to support nonprofits in our community and help them build their capacity.”

To learn more about OCCF, visit www.oc-cf.org or call (949) 553-4202.

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