Chamber Members Support Local Families During Holidays

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce recently presented a check to WRC in Oceanside.  Proceeds were raised from their annual Holiday Mixer in December.  The funds were used to purchase gifts for mothers, and to cover holiday dinner expenses for the families in WRC’s domestic violence shelter. 
 
In addition to a monetary donation, the Chamber also collected dozens of new toys for WRC to pass out to the children that are in their program.  Chambers members were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Holiday Mixer and it was one of the largest toy drives in recent years.

Director Lauren Jane-Stephenson gladly accepted that funds and shared a story about the needs of one particular person they were able to help, which is indicative of WRC. 
 
“We had a client that came into our shelter after living in her car for two weeks escaping her husband who had been abusive for the last 10 years. She had three children under the age of 10. He discovered where they were because she was using her cell phone to contact people for help. She escaped again and drove to a shopping center parking lot where a stranger told her about WRC. She came to us after hours around 6.30pm needing our help. She was still shaken up after she had been discovered but after a long talk with a case manager they decided our shelter would be the safest place for her family. They thrived at the shelter where they received case management, counseling and of course all their needs like food, clothing and medications were met. This client went on to finish her nursing degree which allows her to now support her family financially and emotionally on her own. Our shelter allowed that first step for independence and her family's future safety and happiness.”
 
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has donated over $3,500 in the last two years to local charities and non-profits.