Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2018-2019 | Page 5

23RD ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION CARES PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Winnie Comstock-Carlson, Ext. 101 [email protected] EDITOR IN CHIEF Allison Joy, Ext. 106 MANAGING EDITOR Sena Christian, Ext. 110 SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITORS Eva Roethler Shoka Shafiee, Ext. 104 ART DIRECTOR Kelly Barr, Ext. 115 SENIOR DESIGNER Sara Bogovich, Ext. 108 EDITORIAL DESIGNER Theadora Kaiser, Ext. 115 AD DESIGNER Jason Balangue, Ext. 105 MARKETING MANAGER Kiara Reed, Ext. 112 VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Clayton Blakley, Ext. 109 [email protected] DIRECTOR OF KEY ACCOUNTS Valerie Reynoso Piotrowski, Ext. 102 [email protected] For more information about advertising, send an email to [email protected] CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT Tamara Duarte, Ext. 107 Philanthropy Is the American Way P hilanthropy has long been an important part of our American way of life. It promotes strong civic priorities with schools, libraries and hospitals, to name a few. Our acts of generosity also make it possible to innovate and “build a better mousetrap.” Whether philanthropy provides the resources to create and move forward as an engine of business and economic development or provides the safety net for the failures that may be part of the road to success, our propensity for giving is part of what makes us exceptional. Where else can a young student, who has had to drop out of school to work multiple jobs to put food on the table for younger siblings, find the compassionate help that provides the needed support so that student can become the doctor who develops the newest breakthrough in cancer treatment? Many of us have heard heartbreaking stories of teens in foster care who turn 18 and are exited from the system. When these youth have no resources, being on their own can be extremely difficult. But with the guidance and support of a nonprofit specializing in pro- viding opportunities and empowering former foster youth, that young person’s hope can be restored, and in many instances, he or she may want to pay it forward and give back to the community. It’s hard not to well up with tears when hearing heartfelt and passionate testimonials from young people who have benefited from these types of programs. This is just one example of how nonprofit organizations serve the needs of our region. The importance of the nonprofit sector and our philanthropy cannot be overemphasized: It brings us together and helps us define the essence of what makes us the community we all love. Comstock’s applauds our community members who dedicate a portion of their time and resources to improve the welfare of their fellow citizens and is very pleased to present a number of their inspiring and exciting stories in our 23rd annual Capital Region Cares publication. In our region, we enjoy a robust range of initiatives, and there is something for everyone and every interest — we hope you will find inspiration in these pages and perhaps become further involved in philanthropy as a result of something you read herein. Everyone can have their chance at contributing to the American dream through their giving. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lillie Apostolos, Alastair Bland, Willie Clark, Jessica Dumont, Christina Kiefer, Laurie Lauletta-Boshart, Trish Moratto Litke, Russell Nichols, Corey Rodda, Robert Schaulis, Torey Van Oot, Jennifer von Geldern, Karen Wilkinson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christina Best, Joan Cusick, Terence Duffy, Tia Gemmell, Fred Greaves, Ken James, Corey Rodda Winnie Comstock-Carlson Publisher PRINTING Commerce Printing Sacramento, Calif. commerceprinting.com Published by Comstock Publishing Inc. 2335 American River Drive, Ste 301 Sacramento, CA 95825 [phone] Fax [phone] comstocksmag.com comstocksmag.com | 2018-19 CAPITAL REGION CARES 5