Mercy House Announces 5th Annual Fundraising Gala, Living With Heart - The Organization Will Recognize President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council Lucy Dunn as Community Honoree, and Western Digital as Corporate Honoree

    IRVINE, CA, March 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mercy House, one of Southern California's premier advocates of the homeless, providing a unique system of dignified housing alternatives, programs, and supportive services, today announced that its fifth annual fundraising gala, Living with Heart, will be held at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

This year Mercy House will celebrate the accomplishments of Lucy Dunn, president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council. Governor Schwarzenegger appointed her to the California Transportation Commission in 2008 and she served as the state's Director of Housing and Community Development in 2004. She is a director of a number of non-profit organizations including the Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation and the Bolsa Chica Conservancy. Dunn is also a member of Orange County's working group to develop the county's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness along with Mercy House's Executive Director Larry Haynes.

Mercy House also will honor the achievements of Western Digital Corp. As an exemplary corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates, WD is committed to supporting the needs of these communities by funding through its WD Foundation local charitable organizations such as Mercy House. Over the years, Mercy House has been the recipient of the generosity of the WD Foundation through numerous contributions and grant awards.

"It is with great appreciation and admiration that we honor Lucy Dunn and Western Digital for their extraordinary contributions and service to our entire community," said Larry Haynes. "They continue as determined models of loyalty and support to their neighbors, always sharing our view of developing creative change for the better." Please join us on May 16 to celebrate the distinguished works of these very deserving honorees."

Co-chairs for Mercy House's fifth annual Living With Heart Gala are board member Kathleen A. Janson and Cara Stewart Good.

Mercy House has developed a continuum of care to provide homeless prevention, emergency services, transitional housing and permanent housing with supportive services for a variety of homeless populations in Orange County, Los Angeles County and the City of Ontario. Clients include families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and some who are physically and mentally disabled.

In addition, this year, Mercy House is managing the Orange County Cold Weather Armory Emergency Shelter program, providing up to 400 beds per night for the homeless at the National Guard Armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana, Calif., as well as the Ontario Temporary Homeless Services Area (THSA), providing space for up to 172 individuals for the City of Ontario, Calif.

* Mercy House provides housing for more than 200 people

* Mercy House provides all of its housing and supportive services for approximately $16 per day per person

* Our transitional housing programs successfully move our clients into permanent housing 85 percent of the time

* During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Mercy House served more than 2,500 different people in our walk-in centers

* Mercy House feeds more than 1000 people per year through our food voucher program

* During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, we prevented homelessness for more than 225 people

Tax-deductible tickets to this black tie optional evening of cocktails, silent auction, dinner, live auction and exciting performances are $250. The proceeds of the event will be used to support the growing number of Mercy House services and facilities.

About Mercy House
Santa Ana, Calif.-based Mercy House is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides housing and comprehensive supportive services for a variety of homeless populations including families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and the physically and mentally disabled. Founded in 1988 by Father Jerome T. Karcher, Mercy House has established Mercy House Center, as well as transitional living facilities including St. Joseph House, Regina House and Emmanuel House. In 2005, Mercy House offered permanent affordable housing for the first time by opening the San Miguel Residence. Mercy House has expanded its services to open three facilities in Ontario, California. Guadalupe Residence provides 15 four-bedroom apartments for permanent affordable housing. Assisi House provides nine apartments as transitional housing units. Mercy House also offers a men's residence, Trinity House, in Pomona, Calif. Visit www.mercyhouse.net.

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