MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN

As many of you already know, this is an exciting time to be involved with ChildNet. At ChildNet Foundation we are genuinely optimistic about the road ahead given the support we received from donors in our first operating year, as we exceeded our fundraising goals for fiscal year 2006-2007. The stage is now set toward even greater fundraising success. We believe that ChildNet Youth and Family Services has a very bright future indeed. Here are some of the highlights from last year:

• With support from individuals, foundations, corporations, small businesses and community groups, ChildNet received gifts totaling more than $500,000.
• The ChildNet Foundation Endowment Fund was established with a generous gift of $50,000 from Alegria Foundation. We are honored that Alegria chose ChildNet because of their admiration for our exceptional “Continuum of Care”model to help children in our community.
• The “Golden Circle,” our prestigious Youth and Family Fund donor recognition program now boasts over 80 members whose total contributions to ChildNet exceeded over $300,000. I want to pay special tribute and give thanks to Binnie and Jack Berro for their leadership in helping us reach this level of achievement. Binnie and Jack have served as co-chairs from the very beginning. The Berro’s are tireless in their dedication to organizations throughout the South Bay and we are so grateful for their interest in ChildNet.
• The 26th Annual Festival of Chefs: “Picnic at the Beach” launched our pivotal year. At that event, co-chaired by Mary and Larry Horwitz, we had one of our best attendances on record with 541guests and over $40,000 raised.
• The 23rd Annual “Latin” Romantic Interlude, held at the Museum of Latin American Art received tremendous community support. With over 200 guests in attendance, this was the most successful ChildNet fundraiser in 36 years, raising over $138,000. The sale of Scholarship Bonds, itself, brought in $20,250 to underwrite the educational expenses of Youth Home boys. We honored 2007 Sweethearts and community philanthropists, Jeri and David Goldstein. Many thanks again to co-chairs, Linda Lassers and Sandy Facon.
• Our 2nd Annual Golden Circle Reception, held at the lovely home of Nancy and Jim Emslie, featured the newest ChildNet program, Family Support Services, where we heard moving presentations by several of our clients on their journey to seek assistance during difficult times.
• Our Corporate and Community Partnership program was established to enlist leadership on our newly created Advisory Board and to help expand visibility in the corporate and philanthropic community

All this could not be possible without you! Thank you for your interest and financial support of the ChildNet mission.

Rick Neill
Chairman