INNVISION OPENS SANTAS CUPBOARD FOR BAY AREA HOMELESS FAMILIES

InnVision needs over 5,000 holiday gifts for homeless families in the South Bay. For the past five years, InnVision, the South Bay's largest provider of services and housing for homeless families and individuals, has maintained the gift giving tradition through Santa's Cupboard. Santas Cupboard provides family members with the opportunity to select, wrap and give gifts to their loved ones that are personal, rather than exchanging pre-wrapped gifts donated from anonymous strangers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INNVISION OPENS SANTAS CUPBOARD
FOR BAY AREA HOMELESS

Urgent Need for Gifts

San Jose, CA, Dec. 6, 2002 - Its that time of year again! The holiday season has begun and Christmas is almost here and InnVision needs your help. For the past five years, InnVision, the South Bays largest provider of services and housing for homeless families and individuals, has helped homeless families take an active role in the holiday festivities. InnVision has maintained the gift giving tradition with a unique program called Santas Cupboard, which gives out over 5,000 gifts annually. This year, InnVision expects to give out over 6,000 gifts as the number of homeless has risen dramatically but we start into the season with shelves that are sparse.

Santas Cupboard provides family members with the opportunity to select, wrap and give gifts to their loved ones that are personal, rather than exchanging pre-wrapped gifts donated from anonymous strangers. By making this possible, InnVision is helping to strengthen and empower families by helping the homeless of San Jose give gifts to their families.

A lot of people want to help for the holidays, and want to give gifts to children; but children are not the only ones who appreciate Christmas. By helping parents to give gifts to their children of all ages, we are building their self-esteem and in that way it is one of the best holiday programs we have," said Anne Ehresman, Director of Programs at InnVision.

All toys, gifts for men, women, and teens as well as wrapping supplies are donated by members of the community and support from the community during this recession times is very important. By supporting this program you are changing lives," said Christine Burroughs, CEO of InnVision.

Contributions include toys, gifts for adults, gift-certificates, wrapping paper, ribbon, or monetary donations and can be taken to InnVisions Georgia Travis Center, 66 East Rosemary St, San Jose, or 974 Willow St in San Jose. For more information contact Carol Shultz at (408) 292-4286, or visit www.innvision.org.

InnVision is the South Bays leading provider of services and housing to homeless and at-risk families and individuals. With 17 sites, InnVision is able to provide a continuum of care and break the cycle of homelessness for Bay Area families. InnVision was established in 1973 and helps over 14,000 people each year.