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December 31, 2022
Empty Stocking Fundraiser Raises $7,122 to Help UWP Alumni in Need!
Thank you to all our new and past donors who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund to help alumni in need. With your help, we look forward to helping more alumni in new impactful ways in 2023. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 31, 2021
Empty Stocking Fundraiser Raises $7,805 to Help UWP Alumni in Need!
You keep us going! A big thank you to our new and past donors who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund to help alumni in need. Thanks to you, we will be able to help more alumni in more ways in 2022. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 31, 2020
Empty Stocking Fundraiser Raises $6,835 to Help UWP Alumni in Need!
A big thank you to our new and past donors who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund to help alumni in need. You keep us going! Thanks to you, we will be able to help more alumni in more ways in 2021. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 6, 2020
Reach Out UpBeat December 2020 article
Five Ways to Help Alumni Families in Need
We're nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic; we've seen raging fires devastate towns and cities in the U.S. West, several high-velocity storms make landfall in Asia and Central America—and devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Greece. Many have asked what they can do to help......[read full article]
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December 31, 2019
Empty Stocking Fundraiser Raises $14,366 to Help Alumni in Need!
A big thank you to everyone who have supported Reach Out through the years and gave to our Empty Stocking Fund. We exceed our goal to raise $8000 to help alumni in need. Thanks to you, we will be able to help more alumni in more ways in 2020. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 6, 2019
Reach Out Assists Hurricane Dorian Victim - UpBeat December 2019 article
Read one alum's first-hand account of experiencing Hurricane Dorian's wrath, as it wreaked havoc on the Bahamas on September 2, 2019. The strongest hurricane on record, was the worst natural disaster to strike the island. It demolished the family's home and everything they owned:...[read full article]
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December 31, 2018
Empty Stocking Fundraiser Raises $9510 to Assist Alumni in Need!
A big thank you to everyone who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund, and for those who supported of Reach Out this year. We exceed our goal to raise $6000 to help alumni in need. Thanks to you, we will be able to help more alumni in 2019. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 6, 2018
Reach Out Assists Alumni Fire Victims - UpBeat December 2018 article
"Attention! Attention! The winds have shifted and you have 10 minutes to evacuate your home before the fire gets here. This is a mandatory evacuation." Imagine having to leave your home in 10 minutes or less. What would you grab? What would be so important to you that, if lost, would be irreplaceable? This horror was a reality for several of our UWP alumni, who were in the Western United States firezones, and...[read full article]
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July 14, 2018
How would you Reach Out? - UpBeat July 2018 article
Times changed from when you traveled. We are so fortunate for our time together on the road. Now years later, many of our cast mates and friends have fallen on hard times. The full reality of life after the road sets in—jobs disappear, housing becomes critical, difficult medical issues come up. How would you Reach Out to help a family member...[read full article]
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December 31, 2017
Empty Stocking Fund Raises $6700 to Help Alumni in Need!
Thank you to everyone for your support of Reach Out this year and to those who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund. Thanks to you, we helped several alumni in need in 2017. Currently we have 6 applications in right now--the most we have processed at any one time. Thank you on behalf of our alumni in need, who found themselves homeless, jobless, injured or medically stricken, and are trying to find stability and rebuild their lives. These alumni often have exhausted all their other avenues of support, and have no where else to turn for assistance. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 31, 2016
Reach Out Helps 6 Alumni in Need in 2016!
Thank you to everyone for your support of Reach Out this year. Thanks to you, we helped 6 alumni in need in 2016. Thank you on behalf of these 6 alumni, some who found themselves jobless in a world economy and had no where else to turn for assistance. If you know an alumni in need, please have them fill out and submit an application for assistance.
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December 1, 2015
2015 Empty Stocking Fundraiser exceeds goal!
Thank you to all the alumni who gave to our Empty Stocking Fund. Thanks to you, we exceeded our goal to raise $3000!
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September 1, 2014
Reach Out contest winners featured in Fall 2014 issue of UpBeat.
Reach Out awarded our two contest winners at Reunion in July. [read full article]
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December 31, 2013
Reach Out Helps 6 Alumni in Need in 2013!
Thank you to everyone for your support of these 6 alumni and of Reach Out. Thanks to you, we helped 6 alumni in need-- including one international. Thank you on behalf of these 6 alumni, some who found themselves homeless, jobless and unable to work while they underwent difficult medical procedures. If you know an alumni in need, please have them contact Reach Out so that we may assist them.
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December 31, 2012
Reach Out Helps 3 Alumni in Need in 2012!
Thank you to everyone for your support of these 3 alumni and of Reach Out. Thanks to you, we helped 3 alumni in need-- including one international. Thank you on behalf of these 3 alumni, some who found themselves jobless in a world economy and had no where else to turn for assistance. If you know an alumni in need, please have them contact Reach Out so that we may assist them.
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December 31, 2011
Reach Out Helps 4 Alumni in Need in 2011!
Another great year for giving! Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money to help alumni in need. Thanks to you, four alumni who were homeless, jobless and had no where else to turn were given assistance. If you know an alumni in need, please get them in touch with Reach Out so that we may help them.
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December 31, 2010
Reach Out Helps 5 Alumni in Need in 2010!
Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money to help alumni in need. Thanks to you, five alumni who were down to their last dollar, without a home andd/or without a job were given assistance. Here's to helping more in 2011!
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Sept 23, 2010
2nd Reach Out Virtual Wine Tasting and Charity Auction
To UWP Alumni Worldwide,
The 2nd Reach Out Virtual Wine Tasting and Charity Auction is coming October 23, 2010!!!
Do you know an alumni in need? It might even be you. Reach Out is there when you hit those rough patches and could use a little help!
The Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (Reach Out/ROAAN) is having its 2nd Virtual Wine Tasting & Charity Auction to help raise money for UWP alumni in need. (Acting) President of the Reach Out Board, Jacki Ford Morie notes, “Through the efforts of generous alumni worldwide, Reach Out has been able to help 6 alumni over the last year and a half (since getting our tax-exempt status) during their greatest time of need. Going into 2011, we hope to double the number of those alumni helped through Reach Out.”
“We had two successful fundraisers this past year – the Wine Tasting Launch Party and our Online Charity Auction,” said Cyddia Rodrigo, Secretary of Reach Out. "On October 23, 2010 at 3:00 pm, we are going to be combining both fundraising efforts for our Virtual Wine Tasting with a Charity Auction. We had 17 alumni worldwide join our party virtually online last year and we are hoping to see even more of you join us this year! We have moved our event start time back to 3:00 pm [PST] to make it easier for our East coast and other time zone friends to join us virtually. If you are in the Southern California area head on down and join us in person!"
“Our hosts for the evening are Richard and Margie Oliver, who have graciously opened their home to us for this event," Cyddia remarks. Richard himself calls his residence ‘a tranquil country home, but in a rural setting’ and adds, “We have a large collection of antique clocks that make this a very intriguing place for people to visit.”
“This year we have upped the ante to make joining us ‘virtually’ more fun,” said Zan Diener Treasurer/Web Maven of Reach Out. “Virtual participants can purchase virtual toasts, they can send us a bottle of wine from their country or state in advance to compete in the wine competition (for a chance to win the 2 night stay in Vegas) and they can bid on the many items up for auction including jewelry, trips, collectibles and many other wonderful items as part of our online charity auction.”
“We have worked hard to make the ‘Virtual’ and ‘Live’ aspects of this fundraiser event exciting. We will have a web cam streaming throughout the entire Wine Tasting event. If you join us online live for the web cam broadcast you will hear the virtual toasts to friends and loved ones, see the wine tasting attendees modeling off the auction jewelry (and other auction items) and we will be interacting with you on the live web chat! You may even hear us sing a few songs for you – including singing ‘Roads’ at the close of the evening!” says Jacki Ford Morie.
The idea for Reach Out emerged during the “40 Years And Counting” (40YAC) 2005 Reunion in Tucson, when the 65-70 Era members had the opportunity to spend time together, reconnecting, reminiscing, and networking. At one meeting, members were very dismayed to discover many of their former staff and alumni had fallen on hard times. Returning to California, a small group began the development of the Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (ROAAN) – as a way to help fellow alumni should there come a time when they needed it.
Reach Out is a non-profit organization established to assist alumni who have significantly participated in the rich, historical, world changing, global, musical, outreach organization of Up With People (UWP) and its associated groups of Sing Out (SO), and World Smart (WS).
The organization is designed to provide emergency financial assistance due to special circumstances.
Reach Out is supported by alumni for alumni. We are funded through ongoing fundraising events and donations both personal and corporate. "These organizations enriched our lives in so many ways. Now we can reach out and give back by helping one another and together we can find ways to give hope to those who need it. Please consider becoming a charter member today and join us to help the many alumni in need worldwide." says Jacki Ford Morie.
To make a tax-deductible donation, purchase a virtual toast, become a charter member, or to RSVP to the October 23 Virtual Wine Tasting, please go to www.roaan.org
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October 24, 2009
Announcing the Reach Out launch!
ONLINE POSTING - from the sing-out@yahoogroups.com
Reach Out (ROAAN) Launch
The capability for Up With People Alumni to "pay it forward" and "help each other" has come into being. The Alumni of Southern California have been able to organize a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the purpose of providing assistance to fellow alumni who may be in need.
"Need of what?" you might ask. This organization can provide a point of contact for financial assistance, or housing, job opportunities, business coordination, travel or other opportunities for alumni of all Eras. All we need to do is help it become and stay solvent.
The Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (ROAAN) is an outgrowth of a common concern voiced about 5 years ago at the 40th Reunion. It took a while, but now we can help each other with an additional benefit of taking a tax deduction (in the U.S.) on our assistance. Any alum can request assistance from ROAAN. Confidentiality for donations and assistance is assured. There is a place where we can get help if needed. Some of us have been able to provide personal assistance to others in some way before ROAAN, but it required lots of individual contact and an awareness of the problems others were having. We now have a way to get help to those in need in a coordinated way that is beneficial to giver and receiver. The privacy factor helps ensure that those in need aren't caused any publicity over their plight, and the donors are sure that help is going to someone in need. This network provides a place to help friends without a lot of fanfare and is truly in keeping with the spirit of Up With People. It is a donation of time, money, work or other assistance to someone who may need it... someone we may or may not know, but who shares our belief that people can work together to make this world a better place. It's not a handout, but a hand UP. It's not a loan, but a gift. And who knows, someday you might just need a hand to help you up for some reason.
Some of us have been able to provide personal assistance to others in some way before ROAAN, but we now have a way to get help to those in need in a coordinated way that is beneficial to giver and receiver. The privacy factor helps ensure that those in need aren't caused any publicity over their plight, and the donors are sure that help is going to someone in need.
This weekend there is a kick-off fundraiser in Los Angeles... with the capability of virtual participation. You don't have to be in LA to take part or donate. Jump on this bandwagon, and help a friend or two. Check out the ROAAN website http://www.roaan.org and be there for a friend.
with the blessing,
TC
Tom Coulombe , 68-69A, ASFTW
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October 19, 2009
Reach Out Officially Launches!
Reach Out is officially launching! Do you know an alumni in need?
The Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (Reach Out/ROAAN) is having its official alumni debut with a fun launch party – a wine tasting fundraiser. President of the Reach Out Board, Jackie Taylor-Sutton notes, “Reach Out has been busy for the last two years, behind the scenes, taking part in two events: “The Time Is Now” alumni show in 2007 and the Colwell Brothers book signing event in Pasadena in 2008.” And now, in 2009, the group has official tax exempt status. “Now that people can make tax exempt donations to this worthy cause, we want to let all UWP alumni know that we are out here for them,” said Jacki Ford Morie, vice-president of the Reach Out group.
“Since only a handful of people have heard about Reach Out, we decided to have a fun inaugural event, where all alumni could participate,” said Jackie Taylor-Sutton. "On October 24, 2009 at 4:00pm, we will be hosting the Reach Out Launch Party & Wine Tasting Fundraiser. "Imagine a worldwide alumni party where you can either participate in person if you are in the Southern California area, or virtually if you are from other places around the globe. We will have a web cam streaming the event and over the evening if you make a donation, we will toast you live from the party. We might even tell some great stories about you and your time in UWP and its associated groups." said Jacki Ford Morie.
The idea for Reach Out emerged during the “40 Years And Counting” (40YAC) 2005 Reunion in Tucson, when the 65-70 Era members had the opportunity to spend time together, reconnecting, reminiscing and networking. At one meeting members were very dismayed to discover many of their former staff and alumni had fallen on hard times. Returning to California, a small group began the development of the Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network -- a way to help fellow alumni, should there come a time when they need it.
Reach Out is a non-profit organization established to assist alumni who have significantly participated in the rich, historical, world changing, global, musical, outreach organization of Up With People (UWP) and its associated groups of Sing Out (SO), World Smart (WS) and Moral Rearmament (MRA). The organization is designed to not only provide financial assistance, but to become a networking resource for job placement, housing, scholarships and specific needs due to special circumstances. Whether it is a business contact you need to get your next job, trying to find other local alumni when you move to a new town or just finding a plumber down the street... Reach Out is there for you!
Other than the two early performance events, Reach Out has given out support to several alumni who have fallen on hard times. “The assistance provided by Reach Out came at a time when I couldn’t pay for all the medical bills. I was out of work and I didn’t know how I was going to make it. Reach Out not only helped me monetarily through that tough month, but the members of Reach Out have offered lots of support and help since then. I believe in Reach Out and their mission to help UWP alumni of all eras. Thank you Reach Out!” from (name withheld), Era 65-68.
"I was facing bankruptcy and losing my house, car...everything. I was thankful for any assistance and my cast and friends really came through to help me." from (name withheld), Era 68-70
Reach Out is supported by alumni for alumni. We are funded through on-going fundraising events, campaigns and donations both personal and corporate. "These organizations enriched our lives in so many ways. Now we can reach out and give back by helping one another and together we can find ways to give hope to those who need it. Please consider becoming a charter member today and join us to help the many alumni in need worldwide." says Jacki Ford Morie.
To make a tax deductible donation, become a charter member or to RSVP to the October 24 "Virtual" launch party, please go to www.roaan.org
We hope to see you at the party!
Help UWP alumni in need. Join our Facebook group! 
All donations are tax deductible and go to alumni in need.
Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (Reach Out/ROAAN)
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