OC Family To Family Campaign Reaches $1 Million In Donations

IRVINE, CA — A generous donation pushed an Orange County United Way fundraiser drive over the top, this week. The OC Family to Family campaign's million dollar goal has been met, they say, thanks to a $500,000 dollar-for-dollar match donation by the Lyons-Smith Family Foundation.

The campaign, dedicated to homelessness prevention efforts, will directly help 2,000 Orange County families on the brink of homelessness due to COVID-19 job loss or reduced income, according to a United Way spokesperson.

Each family will receive a $500 emergency Bank of America debit card to help with rent, utilities, food, and other basic needs during the pandemic.

“United Way’s mission is to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves, and there are many families and individuals who can’t do so right now. With the generous donations of so many in our community and the dollar-for-dollar match by The Lyons-Smith Family Foundation, we are going to be able to help many Orange County families weather these tough financial times and maintain their livelihood,” Susan B. Parks, president and CEO of Orange County United Way.

This campaign is part of Orange County United Way’s broader efforts to raise much-needed dollars for a Pandemic Relief Fund, which supports low-income individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness, the current Orange County population experiencing homelessness, and vital social and human services.

“This match has allowed the generosity and community involvement of Orange County residents to shine through and to make a difference in the lives of many who are feeling great financial stress from the pandemic. We’re honored to have been able to help and this has been a transformational opportunity to build off of the work United Way is doing,” said Larry Smith and Nancy Lyons, founders of The Lyons-Smith Family Foundation.

There is also a new opportunity to help an additional 400 Orange County families thanks to a $100k dollar-for-dollar match from the Homeful Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to solving homelessness.

Through an innovative partnership between homebuilders and homeowners, Homeful has created a unique, ongoing and expansive source of giving that is transforming the fight against homelessness.

“We couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity to help an additional 400 families in Orange County regain their financial footing after suffering setbacks from the pandemic. We’re proud to be a part of the effort to keep families housed during this time, and we’re so impressed by the community’s giving spirit,” said Jeff Roos, President of the Board, Homeful Foundation.

Donations of all sizes are welcome and appreciated. To make a donation to the ‘OC Family to Family’ Campaign, please visit UnitedWayOC.org/Family or text ‘Family2Family’ to 51555.