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Funding
Sierra
Services for the Blind, like most local non-profits, is primarily funded
through donations and fund raising events. And, unlike most national
organizations who have local offices in our community, the small purely
local agencies find it harder to attract local donations from people who
have not had a direct contact with the organization. In Sierra
Services’ case, despite constant exposure in the local media, most
don’t know of us until they or someone they know loses sight. For
this reason, despite 28 years of service to the community, we remain one of
the “best kept secrets in the community”.
Each
year we put on two major events:
The Golf Tournament
held in June is likewise a major event. Managed by Mitch Juricich of the
San Francisco Bay Area television and radio golf shows, “Hooked on
Golf”, Mitch makes this a regional event beyond the usual local
tournaments.
The Fall Abalone Feed
scheduled for September 12, 2009 is likewise a unique event. Abalone is
rare if ever available, even in bay area restaurants. We harvest them
within the state fish and game guidelines, and prepare them with an old
family recipe provided by one of our board members. The finest local
restaurants provide the rest of the meal. This gives the diner a chance too
not only eat abalone, but taste of several of the finest restaurants in
Nevada City. This rare event has drawn diners from as far away as Santa
Monica, Stockton and the bay area.
These events are
designed to not only attract local funding; they are designed to bring in
people from outside the area. Our community supports us throughout the
year. By designing events to bring people in, we know they will spend the
weekend, and add to the local economy by their presence. This is one little
way we can pay back the community that supports us.
We presently receive
only a small portion of our budget from governmental sources. Private
foundation grants, funding from organizations like Lions, Rotary, and
others make up approximately ten to fifteen percent. Beyond the events,
which account for twenty five percent of the budget, donations from the
public, businesses, and clients represent most of the budget. Additional
donations at Membership time account for much of this, and the membership
fees themselves account for only a small percentage.
All client services
are provided without charge to the client. Most of our clients are retired
and on fixed or low incomes. The recent rise in the cost of fuel, and the
resulting cost of transportation has put a strain on this policy. One trip
to Sacramento for a medical appointment is now $30 to $50 for gas alone.
The doubling of insurance in the last four years also makes budget
maintenance difficult.
Within this web site
you have the opportunity to donate to Sierra Services for the Blind. By
clicking on the donation bar you can make a donation either by check, or
credit card. We hope you have found this site informative. Visit the site
for information and find the studies done by Dr. Crews of the University of
Mississippi to see the extent of the problem, both locally and nationally.
We hope that you are willing to assist us in assuring our almost 400
elderly clients that their agency, the only full service agency for the
blind serving exclusively in a rural community in the nation, will survive.
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