Stockton, California

PRESS RELEASE Yvonne Sampson 209 969-6048

4th Annual Mary Graham Foundation Kids Art Auction Stockton Golf & Country Club May 15, 2012 5:30 ~ 8 PM

Your Support makes a life changing Difference to our San Joaquin Foster Youth and their ability to transition successfully to life on their own.

The Mary Graham Children’s Foundation invites you to join them for the 4th Annual Mary Graham Foundation Kids Art Auction at the Stockton Golf & Country Club, May 15, 2012, 5:30 ~ 8 PM. Guests at the event will enjoy hors d’ oeuvres and sample from some of the area’s fine wines starting at 5:30 PM. There will be a raffle with fabulous baskets and the evening will culminate with a live auction at 7:00 PM featuring unique one of a kind artwork created by the children participating in Mary Graham Shelter’s year-round Art Program. Tickets are $35 and are available at the door.

Proceeds from this event will be used to provide art classes for children in the County’s foster care program at Mary Graham Children’s Shelter. The Art Program is designed to develop a well rounded and healthy child by identifying new interests and skills, strengthen self esteem and improve foster children’s overall emotional well being.

Each year nearly 1,000 children from San Joaquin County need the services of the Children’s Shelter. The majority of these children are here due to severe neglect, abuse or abandonment by their parents. Especially during this traumatic time in their lives, the expression of using art as a creative outlet and a way to voice emotions can be the start of a new beginning for them.

In addition to the Art Program, the Mary Graham Children’s Foundation educates and enriches the lives of foster children who stay at the shelter. Our goal is to see that they receive the support they need to successfully transition from foster care into independent life. While government funds cover basic living expenses—food, shelter, clothing—there are no funding streams for the “extras” that enrich life —birthday and holiday parties, outings to movies and sports events, and educational field trips.

The Foundation’s Scholarship Program also supports young people as they leave the foster system at age 18. This program ensures funding to those that wish to fulfill their dreams through higher education. The students receive assistance with housing, employment, and health care needs, as well as providing them with an adult mentor. Without this support, only 1 in 100 foster youth are able to complete their educations.

For Reservations Contact Dorene Guerrero at Mary Graham Children’s Foundation @468-7614 or e-mail The Foundation at MGFoundation@clearwire.net
Thank You for your support in changing the lives and future of San Joaquin Foster Youth. They belong to us all!
Donations can be made to the Foundation: MGCF, P.O. Box 96, French Camp, CA 95231