UPDATES!!!!

We have teamed up with an Airforce EMT currently based in Afghanistan to provide used goods to the people who receive aid at the Trauma Center on base.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

SPONSOR the cost of a FLAT RATE BOX —-$15 by check or paypal to OTAY Group Charity

DONATE used goods for us to send

SEND your own! Contact otaygroup@gmail.com for the shipping address.  Use the 12×12 flat rate box from the US Post Office and weight is not measured.  Save the customs receipt from the post office and send a copy to Otay for your tax deduction.

Otay is excited to announce that 20 packages have already been sent. Families are being aided by your donations!

We have 25 boxes that still need to be sponsored so that we can send them out. If you would like to help please donate $15 per box.

Every little act of generosity is multiplied as one person’s heart opens to another.

On Sunday March 6^th, OTAY successfully participated in a generous event in which group members prepared and served a delicious meal to 120 homeless. What was on the menu? Some beautifully braised beef stew with root vegetables, 3 potato mix mashed potatoes, roasted peas and corn, cornbread and some sweet buttery oreo sugar cookies and yes, some Kool Aid. Each and every patron of the shelter approached the line with joy and rumbling stomachs, and to their delight they left with a pile of rib sticking food that sent them into a peaceful slumber on until the night. Mounds and mounds of “yummy deliciousness” were given out on Sunday, in return, smiles and communal joy around.

The more OTAY collectively participates in events, the more they receive as a group. There is much more exchange than simply feeding a group of people standing in line. With OTAY, a homeless man or woman has a friend, a companion. It is important to learn, to share and teach others ways to take brighter steps in life. What OTAY has learned from Sunday’s event is that its spirit is alive! The call to young inspired volunteers and people wanting to be a part of something amazing has been answered. 4 young, spirited women volunteered on Sunday along with the OTAY team and it is great to see more and more people wanting to be involved. The memories of Sylmar Shelter will be fond. The hearts of the OTAY members were shared with the ones who needed them the most on Sunday and it was a reward had by all.

The Otay team served over 150 meals Sunday, March 6th at the Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Winter Shelter.

With the help of volunteers from the Desert Vineyard Church (Lancaster, CA) and financial donations that were received from our great supporters, our dinner was a great success!

Our chefs, Louis and Sev, prepared a homemade feast of beef stew with veggies, mashed potatoes, buttered corn and peas, corn bread, fruit salad, and oreo-sugar cookies.  The shelter guests were greeted with big smiles and even bigger portions of the delicious meal.

Otay was also able to bless the guests with hygiene kits with items like soaps, lotions, tissues, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, shampoo, etc.  This project was the first for our new intern Jennifer, an undergraduate of Philosophy and Women’s Studies at California State University, Fullerton.

The Otay team and MANY new Volunteers serve in Sylmar!

Many of the unused donations Otay has received in the last year was donated to GoodWill. Many of the donated (used goods) have been in storage of volunteers homes. Currently Otay does not have funding for storage, so any goods we are able to use and donate we distribute them first.

Good Will Donation

From February 9th-16th Otay members and volunteers traveled across several cities in El Salvador to take goods to local communities.

The project team prepares for the trip.

More pictures and videos to come!

OTAY GROUP CHARITY PLANNING TO FEED SYLMAR EMERGENCY SHELTER- MARCH 6, 2011

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Los Angeles, California (January 30, 2011):

Did you know?

-According to Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) on any given night, nearly 50,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles County. Of those, two in three have no shelter and are living in the streets. Los Angeles has one of the largest homeless populations in the nation for any major metropolitan area.

-Volunteers for OTAY group plan to descend on the Sylmar Emergency Winter Shelter, Sunday March 6, 2011. Volunteers will be providing an evening meal for the 120 shelter guests as well as hygiene kits.

Can you help us to prepare the shelter’s population for the spring season?

What are the needs?

Donations of toothbrushes/toothpaste and other toiletries are welcome. Monetary donations are welcome.

OTAY Group Charity is a service organization that spreads joy and creates friendships along the way. The non-profit serves the community with basic needs including food, clothing, shoes, blankets and many many smiles.  OTAY Group Charity is recognized as a public charity as Exempt Under Section 501(c) (3) of IRS code)

 

OtayGroup@gmail.com

www.otaygroup.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otay El Salvador Trip Feb 2011

Happy New Year to all of our Facebook friends!

We are spreading good cheer and love to El Salvador over Valentine’s Day.  Our destination is Immanuel School in Cojutepeque. They have 120 children from Kindergarten-9^th grade.

The goal is to take Spanish books, shoes, and school supplies in back packs.

To finish in Otay-style, we’ll make a lunch at the school for all students and teachers.

If you can support us with supplies and or donations we would appreciate the help.  If you have any ideas for how to gather supplies please let us know ..

 

We have 6 weeks to gather supplies.

Trip departs early morning on Feb 9^th returning Feb 16^th .

If anyone would like to join us we are willing to have more volunteers join us.

Contact Jillhud@live.com

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

It’s the second time going to the shelter in Sylmar. I feel blessed being able to serve others. It makes me smile when the people tell me they like the cookies that my mother made.  It really touched my heart when I saw the sweatshirts I brought from home were already being worn. It was a great night. Jenny

Uplifted by the wonderful people I have met that has allowed me to give back to those less fortunate. It fills my heart to see the smiles we can bring by giving a few hours of our time. I’d do it over and over again.  Misty

Otay was blessed to work with so many new faces of volunteers on this evening so close to Christmas .   Otay served one hundred which included families with young children.   Our Goal is to go once each month to this Winter shelter while it is open. If you would like to donate your time and or or help provide for the meal please let us know at Jillhud@live.com otay mom

The Otay way is; To Care , To Share and To Love another every day.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause was handing out presents at the L.A. Family Housing in East Boyle Heights. He needed Otay love and support to help prep, and distribute to the families and community. Big turn out from the local community, as well as new volunteers. Thanks to also the Canyon Creek Sports Camp family, this event was a huge and successful one.

Christmas was a little happier for a small portion of the world. But slowly and surely, Otay is giving love wherever it’s needed.

Thanks for the volunteers

Jill, Sevana, Louis, Karla, Misty, Nicole, Joel,Mario, Russ, and Marta

DECEMBER 4, 2010 CDV HOLIDAY BUS TO THE DOOR OF FAITH ORPHANAGE, TIJUANA, MEXICO Saturday, December 04, 2010 at 6:30 AM (PT)La Misión, Mexico

Another successful trip to Mexico is wrapped up. Headed by Jill, Josie, and Jenny they ventured/volunteered for a day to visit a local orphanage in Tijuana. Otay is always moving to the beat of LOVE.

Happy New Years everyone!