Ready, set G’OTAY! Its Sylmar time and the OTAY group gears up again to spread love and compassion to our friends at the Sylmar Shelter. On Feb. 12, OTAY will join the staff of the shelter and cook a hot-n-hearty meal and feed it’s patrons. This is the start of a new year and new beginnings for many of us but sadly it’s a hard time for the homeless. The cold wintery months are upon us and for the less fortunate it is a difficult time to stay joyful. Whatever contribution is very much appreciated as OTAY looks for your aid in helping this event become a success. Volunteers are always welcome and monetary donations can go a long way.  The shelter is home to 150 and making sure each and every one is comforted, fed and smiling is the mission here at OTAY.  Please help OTAY help its LA family on Feb. 12, as your effort is what will help change the world.

Thanks to the Higher Vision Church of Castaic, CA, OTAY Group is going to give away coats to the children of the 92nd St. School in Los Angeles this Thursday.

The children will be receiving coats, sweaters, and boots as well as watching a screening of “Early Lingo” and getting snacks.  

We will be passing out blankets, coats, sweaters, and shoes all this winter so if you would like to donate these items please contact otaygroup@gmail.com!

The holiday season is here! During this time of year it is difficult not to cherish and appreciate the loved ones of our lives and the fortune of life itself. As the temperatures fall, the nights become longer, and the change of season colds we suffer take hold, it is during these very times where our comfort, health, love and shelter stand out amongst our most vital privileges. It is a time of peace for many of us, a celebration. The end of the year approaches and the constant “looking back” formula; pondering our most joyful of events, while separating the moments that frightened us or that may have weakened us. For many, the holiday season can be a delightfully forgiving time of year.

It is saddening to think that as peaceful and heart filled as holiday season is to most of us, that it could be equally brutal to endure for others. It is no secret that Los Angeles harbors an easily identifiable crisis of homelessness. However, what can we really understand about the enormity of this unfortunate situation? According to the Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty at the Weingart Center, an estimated 254,000 men, women and children experience homelessness in Los Angeles County during some part of the year and approximately 82,000 people are homeless on any given night. (http://www.laalmanac.com/social/so14.htm).

The idea that so many people lack the shelter and support that we seek so efficiently is mind boggling. Attempts to create more shelters, better funding for existing shelters, and food distribution have been slowly incorporated by large non-profit organizations and governmentally funded programs. However the true effort that is seen most clearly is the one from within. Such an effort is that made by The New Image Shelter in downtown LA. A shelter consisting of a safe, friendly environment for those with unfortunate living situations. More than just a shelter from the cold nights, The New Image Shelter hosts a family like community. Dinner is served everyday, communal eating groups can be found huddled around television sets.The presence of caring and knowledgable staff help support the guests in their development and growth as citizens. The shelter can be home to upwards of 700 people on any given night.

This year OTAY plans to welcome in the new year with a joyful event at The New Image Shelter. On December the 4th OTAY and a bunch of volunteers will roll up their sleeves and prepare dinner for the many friends of New Image. It is very important for people to come together during situations like these more than ever. OTAY would very much appreciate any gift you are able to donate as it will be utilized to the fullest extent. Volunteers may feel free to contact one of the board members with inquires. Those who are generous enough to support with a monetary contribution may do so through paypal or through a member of OTAY.

Please help OTAY and their friends this holiday season! Your contribution will benefit greatly and make an impact on many lives.

Thank You

OTAY Group

Higher Vision church of Castaic made a push for shoes this past October to help those both here in California and families abroad. As of today eight hundred and seventy-five pair of shoes have been collected with more still pouring in.

Childrens, womens and mens shoes all sizes and types have been put in our hands to allow Otay to make some drops this holiday season .

Many thanks to Pastor Jared Ming who saw that people could get involved with loving their neighbor. Alex Romero for knowing that Otay would be more than excited to work with them..

Otay volunteers Cherie Koshak and Rose Smithers were both big help with the collection of the shoes getting them out of the church and up the mountain.

Stay tuned to upcoming projects to share shoes with the homeless of Los Angeles!

This past Monday we shipped a suitcase full of cleats, uniforms, socks, shin guards off to a new Otay Volunteer Stephanie McLaughlin in Chicago. She is traveling this Thanksgiving holiday and is willing to take the shoes to the children in Mastatal, Costa Rica. How exciting it is to find others willing to help bridge the gap. When we all come together and help we are able to get so much more accomplished. Anyone who travels can be a huge help in getting supplies to other countries. The blessing of carrying on suitcase full will make a huge difference to a family. This year Sue Porges was willing again to share our desire to help the children in the countryside of Costa Rica who play soccer without cleats.. The Palmdale Youth Soccer League collected new and used cleats and uniforms and balls. One shipment was mailed this past summer to Oregon where three boxes went to our first contact near Llamas, Costa Rica. Scott Zazueta of Santa Clarita has also continued to support Otay and has proven to be a valuable resource with cleats, uniforms, and balls making sure the children all got the correct sizes on this last shipment.

In addition this October Joe Valverde a grandfather with two soccer players provided a full set of uniforms and socks that were sent to Mexico near Encinda. The supplies were sent on a build a house project with the Desert Vineyard church in Lancaster. Five homes were built, families blessed with supplies and new uniforms were able to bless a team. The trip finished up with stopping at an orphanage and children clothing and toys shared. ( photo from mexico)

Many will think what can one pair of cleats do, but as we have seen over the past few years that individuals that come together can achieve much.. Thank you all for your continued support to stretch out to make a difference in another’s live..

Otay Group received the second annual donation of soccer gear from the Palmdale Youth Soccer League.

The members of this league have provided uniforms for an entire team, soccer balls, cleats, and training equipment.

These items will be donated to a partner team abroad.  Check back soon for pictures and updates on these items!

Otay would especially like to thank Sue Porges for her time and efforts into collecting and delivering these items.  Sue, you are spreading serious OTAY LOVE!

As a token of gratitude for all the donations received, the troops of the 946th FST sent us a wonderful gift.

We could not have blessed so many lives without your help.  Their gratitude is extended to you through the Otay Board Members.

If you would still like to donate items to the people of Afghanistan or the troops of the 946th FST (an emergency medical team) please email otaygroup@gmail.com for the mailing information.

Otay Love a Child: El Salvador, February 2011

Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love  Mother Theresa

For every acquaintance, God is using it to further his work showing love for all mankind. I was happy to know that a friendship with Pastor Nahum Galdamez over the years was the key to lead the Otay group to our international trip this February.

Nahum shared a need for a school in Cojutepeque, El Salvador. The school had no library. Books in Spanish for students and teachers were needed. Also needed were resource materials for the classroom and school supplies for each student for the new year that had just started a month ago in January.

This was right up our alley. Otay is about reaching out to a need, a commitment to come along side another and show unity.  How perfect it was to make it a Valentines project of love. Let’s dig in and gather what we can!  Calls went out to family, friends and connections with schools in Los Angeles.

It was super to see the quick work from a few schools.  Sunrise Elementary school was instrumental with instructional materials and workbooks for teachers. St Mary’s Academy   was key with student supplies.

How great to see this girl’s  team up with Otay for a 2^nd year and assist in this outreach. In addition, over one hundred valentines in Spanish were made to bless the children.

Liz Changala was focused on the Spanish books for children. She reached out to librarians in the Porterville area.

Mistie Barela, Otay Volunteer and VP of the middle school collected over one hundred pairs of shoes.  Jordan Schore from the valley delivered shoes and books that were donated from his friends. Others came with individual donations of shoes, backpacks and money . Every single donation was appreciated and without it we would have been limited on who and how much we could provide to the children and adults in El Salvador.

Otay is focused on the value of blessing others with a meal.  Sharing a meal gives a chance to connect on a personal level..  What every child loves is pizza and in El Salvador it was no different.  We decided to provide a pizza party for lunch for the students, leaving bellies full and happy.

With Nahum’s help and direction, he was able to assist us with a vehicle, driver and his family home to stay at.  Otay women volunteers joined together to tackle this project and it was quite an adventure.  Not only were we able to share love with Iglesia Bautisa Emmanuel with books, shoes, backpacks and school supplies for their students,  but also a special needs school in Metapan.   What a treat it was to spend a morning with these loving children! We provided piñatas, games, and a pizza lunch.  They stole our hearts within minutes of arriving. Our desire became clear as we spent time in the country to bless families with limited resources with bags of groceries, shoes, and clothing in Metapan.  Hearts are stretched when we realize how many blessings we have here and how little others have.

Our biggest joy came unexpectedly. Nahum had set up an opportunity to visit Simply Help shelter for seniors in Cojutepeque and it was here that God stepped in to use us in ways we had not expected.  We met Seniors who had little contact with others and they came alive sharing music and their singing with us. It was at this shelter we met Anna. She had gotten lost and was hours from her family with no ability to contact them. The true blessing was being given an opportunity to help reunite her with her loved ones. Our two hour visit became a 3 day excursion back and forth across the country. We were able to not only help Anna but develop a connection with the other 30 Seniors in the home.

Otay volunteers were treated like princesses at the family home in Metapan. What a treat it was to have breakfast daily with our host family.  They took special care and love was provided for us.  I believe I left part of my heart with them when we departed.

Sergio, our driver, and his nephew, Joel, made our trip one in a million. From the first hour af our arrival, Sergio was constantly looking for ways to go the extra mile.  Patient and kindness was his character.

Lastly, our El Salvador team thanks all of you for the support. Otay operates only because you allow us to be your hands and feet in sharing what you have with those in greater need.  God bless you.

Special thanks to the “All “women team. The sacrifice of each team member is appreciated. Everyone must provide for their own travel expenses and put their personal needs aside for the greater good.  Asking a woman to travel anywhere using only her carry on for a trip is challenging enough, but pile that on with tackling fear of the unknown for our first-timers was an awesome step of faith. What a unique opportunity it was to bring women together from different paths of life to spread love to children and adults in El Salvador!

Gracias amigos.

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Invisible Children will lead an info session and Q&A with Eric from Uganda!

Does your closet look like you should have starred in 27 DRESSES?!

Prom is just around the corner & many girls are unable to attend due to financial/personal circumstances … please help by:
DONATING YOUR OLD PROM DRESSES/BRIDES MAID DRESSES/EVENING DRESSES!
ACCESSORIES & SHOES ARE NEEDED AS WELL!