SPIRIT OF GIVING

Josh's Heart Update

In this entry of The FOCUS, we feature Don Nahhas of Risk Management Services who provided us an update to his charity, Josh's Heart, named after his late son. We caught up with Don for an interview about the progress the charity has made in 2018.

1. I noticed you were able to partner with Sac State’s University Staff Assembly (USA). What was the process of getting this partnership and what does it mean to your charity efforts?

"I believe it all started with President Nelsen sending out an email to the campus about participation in the Our Promise campaign in 2016 which introduced Josh’s Heart as a recipient. From that point forward, the hornet family has embraced our nonprofit in memory of our son, Josh, who passed away on August 14, 2016 from liver failure due to years of alcohol abuse. Also, it doesn’t hurt to work with Janie Mutchler, who is on the USA board.  She suggested to Michael Hendren, USA president, that they help us with one of our Blessing Backpack drives and the rest is, well, a total blessing to us."

2. Contributions from the 2018 Charitable Campaign season helped fund your Blessed Backpacks, Thanksgiving Blessed Lunches, and supported two students in the Salvation Army’s Construction Program. Looking back on 2018, how does it feel to have received this amount of support throughout the year? 

"To be honest, a flood of emotions for my wife, Dawn, and me. We have been so blessed to have so many people help us to help others. Several members of the hornet family have not only donated items for our Blessing Backpacks but they have made a monthly contribution through the Our Promise campaign as well. When President Nelsen mentioned that Sacramento State had the highest donations of any CSU, I thought that was great but when he stated that Josh’s Heart had the highest contributions of the campus, wow! Dawn and I cannot thank President Nelsen and Jodi Nelsen for the passion they have for this community and for Josh’s Heart. They have helped to define what it means to be a member of the hornet family by stepping up andstepping in when needed. Another unsung hero in our hornet family is Officer Nathan Rice. He knew Josh and helped with our last Blessing Backpack assembly. He spoke of how he met him and how Josh was a great influence on him. Dawn and I have a great respect for him and what he has done to help change the stigma about the homeless and law enforcement."

3. What are some of the most needed items that are often overlooked?

"Compassion. We believe that no matter what you current circumstances are, they do not define you, and to let others know that they matter! So often we see someone on the streets and don’t even think to say hi or even smile. When Josh was on the streets, he always felt that he was a second-class citizen and that everyone looked down on him. That carried over even after he was in his own apartment.  The items we are always collecting for our Blessing Backpacks are travel-size grooming essentials, snacks, bottled waters and gift cards to Subway, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, etc."

4. Is there anything else we should know about your charity?

"We have had people tell us that they are thankful for Josh’s Heart, not only for what we do but for the opportunity to volunteer. Often, they want to do something to help the homeless but did not know where to start. We are fortunate to have been blessed with the ministry, to be able to go out and talk to our friends on the street. Some of them, Josh called his family. We often run into people who knew Josh and tell us stories about him. Finally, we are always looking for volunteers to help assemble and distribute our Blessing Backpacks. This is a great opportunity to bring families and groups together to help our friends on the street."

ASI Food Pantry Encourages ABA Giving

Since 2015, the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) has sought to lessen the burden of food insecurity among the student population. In 2017, the ASI Food Pantry distributed more than 30,000 non-perishable food items to students, as well as toiletry and other hygene products. ASI took advantage of the seasonal giving spirit with their annual food drive, and to make it fun, turned this year's efforts into a competition.

Different food items were designated different point values, and offices were challenged to see who could donate the most. Items like cerela, pasta, and peanut butter were worth three points because they contributed to "multiple meal items." Two point items, or "single meal items," included Mac & Cheese, canned soup, and spaghetti sauce. Finally, side dishes like canned fruits and vegetables, as well as toiletries and hygiene products, were worth one point. View the campaign flyer here.ABA hosted three drop-off locations to encourage ABA staff to donate, including Sacramento Hall 272, Modoc Hall 3005, and the front office of Facilities Management. The goal was simple: "we wanted to win!" said Administrative Specialist, Jeannie Swafford. "But, the truthful answer is, we wanted to help alleviate food insecurity within our community in whatever small way we could."

Well, the results are in. According to the Director of Student Engagement & Outreach in ASI, Reuben Greenwald: "We collected over 2,670 points of items, second place in the contest came from Administration & Business Affairs with 649 points total of items." That is nearly one quarter of all donations received hailed from ABA! The winners, with 1,003 points worth of items came from Student Affairs.

While we may not have won, it is important to remind ourselves the purpose of our contributions. "The ASI Food Pantry saw an increase of over 150% in student users this year," said Greenwald. While students deal with issues like transportation, class sizes, and finals, it's important for students to know they can always access food at the ASI Food Pantry. Major thanks to everyone in ABA who contributed this year!