shhhhh, be very quiet

Hello is anybody here!?!?! :)

I have been pretty busy over the last few days... going tonight to teach a basic computer skills class at an InnVision Inn (shelter). Work is a bit busy with a couple of big releases happening this week.

This weekend, I will be going on a shopping spree with kids from InnVision. Should be a lot of fun, each kid is giving $100 to spend.

The following weekend, I will be helping with a field trip to the Tech Museum with the InnVision kids.

Hyperion's Charitable Giving Committe is going to be donating money to InnVision in Sam's name.

The Sunnyvale Engineering team raises money every holiday season and this year the money raised will be provided to InnVision in Sam's name as well.

Even though you might hear my complain / whine / bitch about work, I do work with a great group of people.

Here is the email that was sent out:

Greetings everyone,

As some of you are aware, November and December are the months that Hyperion encourages charitable giving in the form of food, toys, clothing, and money to a variety of worthy organizations.

This year, the Engineering Sunnyvale Core Team and Robert Gersten are encouraging you to give to a very special cause in the name of Samantha Everett, the wife of Tim Everett, who passed away in August of this year. Tim is QA Director of Corporate Quality and has been with the company for almost 11 years.

The "Samantha Everett -- For Today" Endowment was established to honor Samantha's cherished values of helping children and their mothers overcome obstacles in order to improve their lives. The Endowment funds a special program at InnVision - The Way Home in the South Bay.


Below is a description of the program and Tim's personal comments about how important it is to him and to Sam's memory. Donation information is below as well.

Information describing InnVision and their services:
InnVision, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is the South Bay's largest provider of services and housing to at-risk and homeless families and individuals. More than 15,000 people have passed through the InnVision doors this year, 2000 more than the previous year.

We offer comprehensive supportive services, case management, and access to affordable housing. Each of the InnVision programs and shelters provides an uplifting environment that enables and empowers each client to become self-sufficient and to find the way home.

InnVision provides programs to women and families that give our clients a real chance to develop good life, parenting, and employment skills. Working closely with their case manager, women and families have access to abuse counseling, childcare, job training, education, and other services required to ensure they do not repeat the cycles of homelessness.
http://www.innvision.org

Why InnVision?
Sam had a very special place in her heart for children. We struggled in our 9 years together to start a family. Sam always seemed her happiest when she was around kids.

I am working with InnVision in a couple of ways:

To create an endowment in her name that will be used to help the moms and children. The endowment will be provided to InnVision under the name "Samantha Everett - For Today". The endowment will go towards helping to cover the expense involved in running programs and shelters for the kids and their mothers.

Sam and her Mom (Jan) lived in very challenging circumstances when Sam was little. The beauty and greatness of Sam was amazing as an adult even with her difficult childhood. Essentially, I hope to be able to help a "little Sam"... to help a child as much as possible, coming from such tough circumstances, to be able to shine even brighter as an adult. At times, Samantha seemed to just glow with brilliance. Maybe with my help in her name, she and I can help a child shine as bright every single day.

More importantly, I plan to donate my time personally with the organization. Providing money is great, but even better for me will be actively working. I have been spending at least two hours a week, visiting with the kids, hanging out with them, and simply enjoying myself. I had a great time on a recent field trip to the San Jose Art Museum with the kids. Hopefully they will remember the visit as fondly as I do.

Donations to the "Samantha Everett - For Today" will be accepted on Tim's behalf by Nora Minassian. You can write a check to InnVision or provide cash. InnVision is a charitable organization, so you can also request matching funds by Hyperion. Forms for this will be available with Nora as well. Nora sits in a window office on the 2nd floor near the top of the side stairs.

The Core Team encourages donations to any and all charities that are near and dear to your hearts. The Second Harvest Food Bank is a wonderful cause, and we encourage you to give to whatever organization you are most comfortable with. This year is a great opportunity, however, to support something very special in honor of Tim and Samantha.

You can request a matching gift from Hyperion of up to $250/year. If you would like to take advantage of this, you should donate to InnVision by Check only, and make a photocopy of your check before giving it to Nora. If you have already donated to InnVision and you have a receipt, you can also request matching funds. Go to the following link to fill out the form on Globalsource requesting the match. Nora will give you the 501c3 form necessary to show that InnVision is a charitable organization.

Lastly, Tim is more than willing to answer any questions you have about the organization and the benefits it offers to its clients.