From April 2005 – June 30, 2005 many of TACA’s members have helped raise awareness and needed funds for our efforts! I WANT TO SEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THESE GREAT EFFORTS!

What Happened?
- 80 families involved
- 38 families participated
- Over 2,500 autism awareness blue bracelets were distributed
- And over $33,000 raised to help TACA’s efforts!
- Average contribution by family $798
- Additional funds are still coming in (and welcomed anytime!!)
TACA’s Friends & Family Top Fundraisers:
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FAMILY CAMPAIGN – CONTEST RUNNING TOTAL: |
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Cary Family |
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$5,550 |
* |
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Valdez Family |
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$5,000 |
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Yorks Family |
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$5,000 |
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Monahan Family |
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$1,685 |
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O'Connor Family |
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$1,635 |
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Brodske Family / Ford |
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$1,246 |
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Spicer Family |
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$1,200 |
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Romero Family |
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$1,050 |
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Monarch Beach Rotary Club - Wood Family |
$1,000 |
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Barboza Family |
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$983 |
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Contino Family |
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$900 |
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Busse Family |
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$800 |
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McIlvain Family |
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$525 |
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Riley Family |
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$521 |
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Na Family |
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$500 |
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Mason Family |
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$480 |
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Brodie Family |
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$355 |
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Lee Family |
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$325 |
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Quenimitter Family |
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$300 |
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Oishi Family |
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$295 |
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Sanchez Family |
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$285 |
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Ramirez Family |
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$267 |
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Johnnson Family |
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$260 |
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Hong Family |
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$250 |
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Hengehold Family |
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$250 |
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Dr Kurt Woeller & family |
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$250 |
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Zielinski Family |
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$235 |
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Wu Family |
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$230 |
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Stillman Family |
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$210 |
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Barstad Family |
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$200 |
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Kersey Family |
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$200 |
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Lyons Family |
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$200 |
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Palreddy Family |
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$150 |
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Sanchez Family |
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$150 |
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Barmache Family |
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$150 |
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Kramsky Family |
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$125 |
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Alam Family |
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$100 |
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Logan Family |
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$100 |
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Kroeger Family |
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$100 |
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High Desert Moms |
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$70 |
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Garcia Family |
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$50 |
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Jimenez Family |
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$50 |
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Yensco Family |
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$50 |
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Total Family Campaign: |
$ 33,281 |
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Money In (Bracelets ) |
$ 1,206 |
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Online Donations: |
$ 250 |
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TOTAL DONATIONS IN: |
$ 34,737 |
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Family Campaign Goal: |
$ 50,000 |
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GOAL TO GO |
$(15,263) |
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Total Commitments: |
$ 6,595 |
$41,332 |
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GOAL TO GO |
$ (8,668) |
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Highlighted Activities:
Many TACA families approached family, friends and colleagues to buy an autism awareness blue bracelet and write a donation to TACA.
Some of TACA’s top fundraisers approached their employers to give the foundation that gives them the support they need. These corporations generously gave in honor of the TACA family and have been some of are largest, ongoing supporters. Thank you to these great organizations!
I would love to highlight ALL THE HARD WORK FROM all the participants in this campaign. For the benefit of the different ideas I have highlighted a few for your review. If you would like to include your story – please let me know!
The O’Connor Family
All for the love of their daughter Aine, Jacqueline & Brendan (a Los Angeles County firefighter) approached the two fire stations and their hardworking employees with autism bracelets in hand for donations. This amazing family raised over $1,600! (I love these brave firemen even more than before!)

The O’Connors’ Aine
Ford Motor Credit Adopted TACA Over April & May 2005
With a special thanks to Jim Brodeske, his family, and the Ford Motor Credit staff these amazing employees raised over $1,200 for TACA’s efforts.
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How they told folks about it
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Ford Motor Credit - Cypress superstars! |
How Ford Motor Credit organized these efforts:
- Identified their charity. They then contacted TACA (based on an employee who worked there).
- Had a presentation from member of organization. I went to their location and present to the group a 15 minute presentation on autism and TACA’s efforts.
- Created posters and flyers distributed to all employees (see sample above)
- Sales, sales, sales to employees! These efforts included: Nachos, lunches, 50/50 raffles, breakfasts, ice cream, bracelets, pins, plants, garage sale, jeans day (want to wear jeans? Pay a dollar amount for the charity!)
- Obtained branch manager support. His/her emphasis to all employees on importance of corporate citizenship and community involvement.
- Probably most important: having a strong, dedicated committee to keep the employees aware and motivated!
Special thanks to Kori and her team at Ford for making this happen and sharing the information!
Monarch Beach Rotary Club
A TACA member Dale Wood introduced TACA to the fun and caring members of the Monarch Beach Rotary Club in early June. A brief presentation was made and TACA found an entirely new group of caring friends! They raised $1,000 on behalf of TACA families!

Lisa Ackerman (TACA Executive Director) with Nan & Paul
from the Monarch Beach Rotary Club.
Spicer Family Softball Tournament
Over a sunny Sunday on May 1, 2005 in San Clemente – over 15 slow pitch softball teams and their families gathered to PLAY BALL! They also raised money and awareness for TACA! Chris, Darcy & family Spicer raised $1,200.00 with a fun filled day for an important cause!
The Romero Family:
A determined mom bought over 300 bracelets and sold them to co-workers, family members and at her high school reunion and raised over $1,050 for TACA!
Sears Pediatrics Office
Down in Capistrano Beach – Susan and all the Sears Pediatrics staff wore and sold autism awareness bracelets to their friends, family, and patients! These efforts raised over $100.00 and gave them an opportunity to help TACA!
This is just a highlight of some of the efforts from the participants in the Friends & Family campaign! If you want to list your efforts please contact us.
A special thanks again to all that participated in these efforts!
What’s next?
Help us celebrate a job well done! Our sponsored celebration party will be:
- Date: Saturday July 30, 2005
- Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
- Location: Skosh Monahans – 2000 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa
Conclusion:
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HELPING THESE IMPORTANT EFFORTS! WE APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK OF ALL THE FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TACA FRIEND & FAMILY CAMPAIGN!
The friends and family campaign will be an annual TACA awareness and fundraising effort April thru June. But that does not mean you cannot fundraise for these efforts year round! TACA will accept Friends and Family donations at any time in honor of any TACA family.
Introduction letter about the Family and Friends from TACA’s Executive Director
Family letter writing information


