Our focus is on Los Angeles County where we serve the elderly, the homeless, children whose lives have been impacted adversely by HIV / AIDS, and children who are abused, neglected, abandoned, orphaned, runaways, learning-disabled, at-risk or disadvantaged.
Statement About Our Annual June Father’s Day Potted-Plant-Making and Sing-A-Long “Karma Yoga” Events With Our Elderly and Senior “Family Members”
Happy July ! We sent two beautiful flower arrangements to Marina Pointe Healthcare Convalescent Hospital and Terraza Court Senior Living (Assisted Living), both in Culver City … Due to COVID-19, we were NOT able to visit them for our Annual June “Potted-Plant-Making and Sing-A-Long” events but hope to see them for Yuletide Caroling in December ! Stay Safe ! P.
O.I.F. Challenge Grant To Provide Food Resources And Combat Food Insecurity In Los Angeles
June 10
O.I.F. Supporters and Volunteers! We invite you to join our VIRTUAL fundraiser / “challenge grant” to provide food to those adversely impacted by COVID-19. Please click the link below to donate via PayPal or call us to process a debit or credit card or mail us a check ! All of your donations will be given to a couple of established food-based non-profits with proven track records. And, O.I.F. will match your generosity by pledging matching funds up to $ 4,000. For the past 25 years, we have committed ourselves to serving the marginalized, disenfranchised and at-risk populations in Los Angeles County – many of whom are black or people of color. Since we can’t produce our June “Karma Yoga” events with our Elderly and Senior “Family Members”, we CAN instead celebrate our “Mission Statement” by “Making A Difference …. One Heart At A Time.” P. J. Schumacher, Roberta Beitch and Sara Sluss – the O.I.F. Board of Directors.
Happy Pride Month ! Let’s celebrate inclusivity and diversity and peaceful co-existence.
July 6
CHALLENGE GRANT UPDATE … Thanks to all who donated during our “challenge” grant so far to raise $ for “food-based” non-profits here in Los Angeles. We donated $ 1,000 each to FOUR wonderful Non-Profit organizations combating food insecurity in Los Angeles. Roberta spoke with each of the charities and they were SO, SO GRATEFUL. The four organizations are : Project Angel Food; Hollywood Food Coalition; A Place Called Home and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The challenge is ongoing & we would love and appreciate your donations. Please go to our donation page & click on the link! We are STILL “Making A Difference … One Heart At A Time” !
Reflections On The Passing of Linford “Chip” Dawson
by P.J. Schumacher, Executive Director
Today, I reflect on the passing of someone very dear to me, Linford “Chip” Dawson.
My history with the Dawson family goes back to 1993 when Louise was the bookkeeper and office manager at Mark The Carpetbagger.
She and I developed a close friendship and I then became involved with the entire family.
From the moment that I met Chip, I was touched by his easygoing and heartfelt humility, kindness and a desire to make a difference in the community.
Soon after meeting the family, myself and some others established a brand-new, “ground floor” charity, One Incredible Family Inc., from scratch ! We had no sponsoring body, no parent organization, no government grants.
The Dawson Family became deeply involved with our charity and Chip was very committed to the what we refer to as “Karma Yoga” …… The discipline of being “in service” and giving “of service” !
He provided logistical support to our events for 25 years particularly our annual “Homeless Feeding and Banner Creation” where we currently prepare 1,600 full Thanksgiving-style meals and 24 free-form, “From The Heart” banners and then deliver and serve to 24 different shelters throughout the County.
Chip was always there to “lend a hand” and transport the project supplies, etc.
He and the family also served the residents at various shelters throughout the years.
In addition, I also served as the family’s accountant and … early on … learned of an incentive program through the City of Culver City which allowed them to purchase their lovely home in 1995.
And, when the boys were in their late teens – back in 2009 – I sponsored / nominated them for the Tavis Smiley 100 Young Leaders of the Decade program and they were selected.
Chip and Louise beamed with pride at that celebratory banquet and I shared in that special honor for the whole family.
That’s the key here ….. Chip was MY family in the TRUEST sense of the word. FAMILY was key to him but not just his IMMEDIATE family, NO. He and I shared the same definition of FAMILY.
Chip Dawson was my “brother from another mother” and we both acknowledged that over 25 years of shared mutual gratitude, respect and admiration.
There were many “challenging times” – ups and downs – and we were there for each other. It was an honor to have them as guests at my Son and daughter-in-law’s Wedding in June, 2013.
As Peace Pilgrim would oft say, “He Has Made His Glorious Transition To A Freer Life.”
Rest Well, My Brother. YOU HAVE EARNED IT.
I leave you with these lyrics from the famous Diana Ross song which exemplifies who Chip was to me ……
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who’s lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that’s not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don’t you
Reach out and touch
Somebody’s hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody’s hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
If you see an old friend on the street
And he’s down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you’ll see
It’s something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving
Reach out and touch
Somebody’s hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody’s hand
Make this world a better place
If you can