You have been a great blessing to families in need.

Community Christmas Shoppe 2018 is in the books! We had two back to back weekends of serving under-resourced children and families in Ventura County- and we could not have done it without you. We heard so many times from our volunteers, “we are blessed to be a blessing” and that cannot be more true. Thank you again for your willingness to share your time and resources with others.

	1,500 Families Shopped For Every single family that reached out to ACTION was able to come to a Christmas Shoppe. And 55 families affected by the Thomas and Woolsey Fire were able to shop for toys!
	13,500+ Gifts Given More than enough toys were donated for the 4,000+ kids that were shopped for! And all extra toys have gone on to bless partner ministries across Ventura County.
	1,400+ Volunteers Serving At each of our Shoppes, loving volunteers showed up to help our guests select toys, take family photos and meet Jesus through prayer. 703 guests were prayed over!
	207 Community Partners Overall, 59 Churches, 52 businesses, 50 schools and residences and 46 agencies came together to donate toys, food, and clothing to make each Shoppe a unique and festive event!

Yes, volunteering in your community is good for the soul- but did you know it is actually good for the heart? In a study conducted by UnitedHealthcare in efforts to “support and encourage volunteerism and understand its impact of health,” 76% of people who volunteered in the last year said that volunteering made them feel healthier!

94% said that volunteering improved their mood.

96% said that volunteering enhanced their sense of purpose.

78% said that volunteering helped lower their stress levels.

And a quarter of people said that volunteering helped them manage a chronic illness.

“Volunteering isn’t just something healthy people do. Everyone can reap benefits,” says Katie Rubin, Vice President of Social Responsibility at UnitedHealth Group. “Our study involved a representative sample of adults across the country: young, old, in good health and in poor health. Remarkably, we see older individuals and those who suffer from multiple chronic conditions taking on volunteering—and feeling better as a result.”

Are you ready to skip the gym this week? Sign up for a volunteering project in your area!

ACTION volunteers having a blast on Serve Day!

In case you missed it, summer is here! July in Ventura County has kicked off with a heat wave that is already reaching dangerous temps.  Its times like these that the vulnerable in our communities are even more exposed to life-threating issues. Studies show that seniors are especially affected by summer heat; as the body gets older, it loses its ability to regulate heat. From 1999-2009, roughly 40 percent* of all heat-related deaths in the U.S. – nearly 3,000 – were adults over 65 years old.

But there are many ways in which we can prevent this as active members in our community. Read on to see how you can be a good neighbor for the elderly, disabled and low-income individuals around you!

Step One: Check on Your Neighbors!  Even just to say hi. Taking the time to check on someone, even just for 5 minutes, goes a long way in preventing heat-related issues!

Step Two: Know the Signs! Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can show early warning signs. Be on the lookout for excessive sweating, tiredness, dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps. If the heat illness is more serious, vomiting, nausea, and fainting can occur.

Step Three: Prevent Dehydration! Feeling thirsty is a sign that your body is struggling to regulate heat. Make sure that your neighbors (and you) are drinking fluids often and eating water-rich fruits and veggies (cucumber, watermelon, celery, and strawberries are great choices) with every meal. Also limit alcohol and caffeine, consumption, since those dehydrate the body further.

Step Four: Cool Off! Make sure your neighbors are wearing clothing of light and airy materials, like linen and cotton. Lying down in a cool place with a fan or an ice pack lowers the body temperature too. If they can’t stay in the house, suggest taking a leisurely stroll around the mall or go to the library to read.

Step Five: Water is a Friend. Aside from drinking it throughout the day, water is an excellent way to cool the body down externally. Anything from splashing cold water on the face to taking a cool bath helps!

For more information on how to manage the heat, check out this helpful article from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!

*See DripDrop.Com