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Community Comes Through Again
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Dear Editor,
Once again, the generosity of our hometown has exceeded anything I could have imagined! Only four days into this week, the Family Support Network has been blessed with people bringing in toys, food and monetary donations so that we can in turn, help local families in need. A friend brought in a huge box of brand new socks, underwear, and clothes for children. Another friend stopped by and saw my office stacked with donated toys, stuffed animals and food items and said, “I want to make a donation, too.” I offered a receipt and she said, “Oh, my check is my receipt” as she gave me a check made out to FSN for $500. My eyes filled with tears of gratitude as we hugged. A local couple came in and said, “we just heard about your programs and we want to do something” and gave us $300 in grocery store cards. And this all happened by Tuesday! On Wednesday, a friend delivered 10 huge, REAL Christmas trees to 10 families from a list I provided to him. This is his seventh year of donating these trees. OLGA (Oakdale Ladies Golf Association) donated nearly $3,000 to FSN from their Christmas luncheon last week and the list goes on!
In addition to assisting families through our resource center, the Family Support Network has been working alongside Oakdale Police Department’s CAPS volunteers for the Toy Drive for children age 2-10. While our community’s ‘system’ has evolved over the years from the ‘Spirit Tree’ at a local grocery store, Oakdale continues to find ways to make sure that children and families are provided with clothes, toys and food during the holiday season. In addition to these local donations, the FSN is one of 15 non-profit groups selected by the Modesto Bee to participate in their annual “Book of Dreams.” Not only is that a wonderful way to donate to any of the worthy organizations, it provides information on available services and programs for families in each community from Oakdale to Patterson. All 15 organizations serve a vital need to families of Stanislaus County.
On behalf of our staff members and volunteers at the Family Support Network of Oak Valley Hospital, we extend our sincere thanks for your generosity. Because of YOU, we are able to bring smiles to children’s faces and tears of gratefulness to the parent’s eyes. It just takes one time of seeing that happen to know these long days are worth every single minute. Bless you all for making this possible. Since 1993, the Family Support Network has served Oakdale and we will continue to provide services to our community through health education classes, wellness promotion, food and clothing distribution, car seat classes, school readiness programs and during the holidays, putting those heartwarming smiles on the faces of families in need.

Thank you from the
bottom of my heart,

Karen O’Bannon,
Executive Director
Family Support Network – Oak Valley Hospital
District