FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2007
RESCUE MISSION’S "SLEEPLESS IN SAN DIEGO" SPONSORSHIP TOPS $100,000 THANKS TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Donations for the inaugural community sleepout are on track, but more sponsors are needed
SAN DIEGO – Sponsorships for the San Diego Rescue Mission’s inaugural community sleepout, Sleepless in San Diego, have topped $100,000. Heading the list of corporate donors are co-Title sponsors Union Bank of California and The Corky McMillin Companies. Additional contributors include Ray and Kim McKewon, Ron and Maureen McMahon, JMI Realty, Sudberry Properties, Pacific Building Group, 1st Pacific Bank, Bank of America, Starbucks, Henry’s Farmers Market, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Chantilly Bakery. A 17-member host committee of notable San Diegans is supporting Sleepless in San Diego, including co-chairs, Malin Burnham of Burnham Real Estate and John Kratzer of JMI Realty.
Sleepless in San Diego is being established as a signature annual event to increase community awareness of the homeless situation in San Diego and to raise funds for the Rescue Mission’s many programs that help the homeless get off the street and become productive members of society.
"We’re on track to reach our fund-raising goal, and we are grateful for the generous participation of these businesses and individuals," said Herb Johnson, president and CEO of the Rescue Mission. "Homelessness is a community issue and we want to see all segments of the community involved in this sleepout."
Sleepless in San Diego is a challenge to charitable-minded San Diegans to do something they have never dreamed they might face – spending the night sleeping outdoors on a city street.
The event will be held outdoors at the San Diego Community Concourse in front of City Hall, rain or shine, on Saturday, April 28. Security will be in place throughout the event, which begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday and ends Sunday at 8 a.m. More information about the event and online registration are available at a new Web site, www.sleeplessinsandiego.org.
In addition to corporate sponsors, volunteers will raise money through pledges, with a minimum $40 pledge required for participation in the event.
All funds raised will support the Mission’s programs, which include San Diego’s only state-licensed 12-month holistic rehabilitation program for men and the city’s only emergency shelter for women and children. The Mission also operates a 12-month holistic recovery program for women and children and a food recovery and distribution program. The Mission accepts no tax money or federal funding and depends entirely on donations from individuals and corporations.
Individuals who wish to make donations or volunteer with the Rescue Mission should call 1-866-SD-MISSION or visit www.sdrescue.org.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION