SAN RAFAEL TEEN WINS STATEWIDE CONTEST
                      ORGANIZED BY CALIFORNIAVOLUNTEERS
                Osnat Oran wins trip for four to Disneyland® 

San Rafael, CA – CaliforniaVolunteers (the state agency that promotes service and volunteerism in California) today announced two winners of the statewide Find It. Do It. Share It. Contest. They are Osnat (Nati) Oron of San Rafael and Nancy Denen of San Diego. The Walt Disney Company-sponsored contest encouraged Californians to submit their personal volunteer stories in an effort to inspire others to volunteer. The contest was co-sponsored in Marin County by the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (Center).

On CaliforniaVolunteers.org, individuals across the state submitted personal volunteer experiences that strengthened their commitment to service. Oron told of how her personal and challenging experience of moving to the U.S. as a young girl instilled a deep-rooted commitment to helping others facing challenges of their own. She now serves as president of three volunteer clubs at her high school, organizes an annual fundraiser to build wells in Africa and has created a peer counseling program to help at-risk students.

“We are proud that, of the many inspiring volunteer stories submitted from the state of California, Nati, a member of the Center’s Community Action Team won,” stated Linda Davis, Executive Director of the Center. “Nati serves as a shining example of how much we can accomplish when we work together.”

The winning contest entries were chosen by CaliforniaVolunteers from a pool of statewide finalists selected by local volunteer organizations throughout California. Oron was selected as a finalist by the Center. Both contest winners received a trip for four to the Disneyland ® Resort and an opportunity to participate in a volunteer project with Disney VoluntEARS for Family Volunteer day on November 17. The winners also have an opportunity to attend The Women’s Conference in Long Beach on October 23.

For more information on volunteering call Joshua Castro, Volunteer Services Coordinator of the Center at 415-479-5710 or visit our website www.centerforleadershipmarin.org.

###

About the Center: The Center is located in San Rafael and seeks to enrich and strengthen volunteerism and nonprofit organizations in its mission to develop a vital and engaged community dedicated to building and sustaining quality of life.

AboutCaliforniaVolunteers: CaliforniaVolunteers is the state agency that manages programs and initiatives to increase the number of Californians involved with service and volunteering. Through the innovative Web site, CaliforniaVolunteers.org, individuals and families can search for volunteer opportunities throughout the state that match their interests.

About Disney’s Outreach: Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in their community. Last year, Disney donated more than $170 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world.