Jay Leno Helps The Salvation Army Orange County Break Fundraising Records Raising $2.9 Million at Friday’s Night for Others
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Jay Leno Helps The Salvation Army Orange County Break Fundraising Records Raising $2.9 Million at Friday’s Night for Others Event
Big Laughs Bring Big Bucks for the Nonprofit’s Center for Applied Research and Innovation in the Effort to End Chronic Homelessness in Orange County
TUSTIN, Calif., December 12, 2022 – The Salvation Army Orange County’s Night for Others event raised a record-breaking $2.9 Million last Friday, December 9, where Jay Leno performed to a sold-out crowd at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. The funds raised include a surprise million-dollar match that was announced at the beginning of the evening by Families Together CEO, Alex Rossel, and will benefit the nonprofit’s homeless care campus, The Center of Hope’s Center for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI).
“The Center for Applied Research and Innovation is at the heart of The Center of Hope (CARI) and our fight to ensure every person in the county is adequately housed,” said Major Nesan Kistan, Divisional Secretary Orange County. “CARI will sync research, years of practical expertise, and innovative approaches to find a real solution that will end chronic homelessness in Orange County.”
CARI will include the Samueli Solutions Hub and The Bill Gross Medical Center, which are part of The Salvation Army Orange County’s plan to disrupt the homeless space in Orange County. Full, wrap-around health care services will be provided, in addition to mental health care, dental care, spiritual, and even pet care. CARI will also house the first-of-its-kind research ‘hub’ in the nation, gathering today’s most innovative and entrepreneurial minds to leverage The Salvation Army’s practical expertise to create solutions to end homelessness, and other great challenges of our day.
The Center of Hope (including CARI) is part of the organization’s innovative plan to combat the homeless crisis. The effort is a $110 public/private partnership that combines a 325-bed low-barrier emergency shelter with 72 permanent support housing apartments, and onsite medical, dental, and pet care, built alongside The Salvation Army Orange County’s award-winning 175-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.
“Last year, there was a 17% decrease in homelessness in the City of Anaheim and The Salvation Army is the sole homeless shelter provider in Anaheim,” said Kistan. “As homelessness is increasing everywhere in the nation, we are proud that our efforts are translating into real solutions. This is only done through the help of our generous supporters and the innovative solutions that will continue to be fostered and brought to life at CARI.”
“We gathered on Friday night in a continued effort to do something amazing,” said Kistan. “God stirred the hearts of the men and women who joined us in Newport Beach on Friday night to make impossible dreams become reality.”
CARI is anticipated to break ground in May 2023 in Anaheim at the Center of Hope, which is The Army’s homeless care campus currently under construction. For additional information, visit orangecounty.salvationarmy.org or call (714)-832-7100. Media Contact: Amanda Helvie, Director of Marketing, The Salvation Army Orange County can be reached at (562) 900-2265 or via email, Amanda.helvie@usw.salvationarmy.org.
About The Salvation Army Orange County
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 25 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,200 centers of operation around the country. In 2021, The Salvation Army was ranked No. 2 on the list of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
For more information about The Salvation Army Orange County, visit https://orangecounty.salvationarmy.org/, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @salvationarmyoc
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