SupportAbility Highlights and History

  • The Courage Award has been presented to over 900 deserving high school seniors.
  • As of 2019 over 900,000 dollars has been awarded.
  • We serve 15-20 high schools in Orange and Los Angeles Counties yearly.
  • An anonymous contributor has enabled SupportAbility to offer two four-year college scholarship to a student with a physical disability.

SupportAblility began in 2001. Our first Appeals Letter was sent in the fall and we received $12,000 from this initial campaign.

EmpowerAbility, our newsletter, was published at this time.

The Honorable Jack Trotter hosted a luncheon for SupportAbility to gain start –up funds. This luncheon proved to be the boost SupportAbility needed to forge ahead.

Fifteen courageous students were awarded $12,000 the next spring.

Fund Raising

In the following years SupportAbility established core fundraising events. The Appeals Letter is still sent each October to our entire mailing list, and donations continue to grow. In addition, many major contributions have been received from foundations, corporate groups, civic groups and friends of SupportAbility.

Over the years SupportAbility has hosted many fundraisers.

  • Closest-to-the-Pin competitions at Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course.
  • A Valentine’s Day Tea hosted yearly by board member, Nancy Lewis at her home.
  • Tin Frogs, an eclectic boutique owned by Pam and John Pomeroy hosted the annual Shopper’s Delight where fifteen percent of the day’s sales were donated to SupportAbility.
  • A $3,000 renewable grant was first received in 2002 from Amigos de los Ninos.
  • S/A Campus Clubs at several high schools are run by students who raise funds for Courage Awards.
  • Memorial Awards have been established by families .
  • Only a hundred raffle tickets are sold for a chance to spend a week at Kady and Bob Smith’s Sun and Moon Orchard in Hawaii. The drawing for this grand prize is held at the Annual Wine Dinner.

The Santa Ana Country Club is home to our most successful fundraiser, The Annual Golf Tournament and Reception was hosted by Katharine and Jack Trotter for fifteen years. SupportAbility continues to host this inspiring event.

Angels In The Wings

SupportAbility greatly appreciates its “angels”, a group of faithful and generous friends who underwrite everything needed to ensure each successful event! These people have been helping since 2001!

Recipients

Our courageous and deserving recipients make it all worthwhile. They keep in touch with us and we are happy to help them with books and incidentals as long as they remain in school.  Many have graduated and have pursued Master’s and Post Graduate degrees. They return to share their inspiring stores and update us at the Annual Golf Tournament and Reception in June.   It is our hope that recipients can pay it forward and one day mentor other recipients and take an active part in SupportAbility!

Publicity

Julie and SupportAbility have been honored with:

The Clara Barton Spectrum Award by Orange County Red Cross
The Ronnie Lott Award given by the Pacific Club
Outstanding Women in Orange County by We Give Thanks
Bank of America’s Neighborhood Hero Award
Ring of Honor Award at Mater Dei High School
The City Irvine Wall of Recognition.

Awards Presented to Julie & SupportAbility

The Ring of Honor was awarded to Julie by Mater Dei High School.

This honor is bestowed upon someone who has given of themselves, i.e. in service or monitarily . Julie received it for her association with SupportAbility and its work with the students of the high school.

SupportAbility has given Awards to over 100 students displaying courage over the years.

Her name, along with other recipients, such as Bishop Tod Brown and Carl Karcher (deceased), is displayed on a building in the center of the Mater Dei High School campus in Santa Ana, CA.

CLARA BARTON SPECTRUM AWARD

THIS AWARD HONORS BARTON’S SPIRIT

The Clara Barton Spectrum Awards are named in honor of Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross in 1881. She recognized the need for disaster relief services after the Civil War. During that war, she was called “Angel of the Battlefield” for the care she gave wounded soldiers.

• The Clara Barton Spectrum Awards recognize women who have demonstrated the same tireless effort and pioneering spirit of Clara Barton.

With your financial help, SupportAbility continues to provide scholarships to seniors from over 17 high schools every year.
Thank you for your support.

PLEASE DONATE