FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 27, 2001

Contact: Dean Henderson, 729-5000, avgop.com

From: All Antelope Valley Republican Organizations

Subject: Republicans Deliver on pledge to support the Salvation Army

(PALMDALE) The Antelope Valley’s Salvation Army received a sorely needed cash infusion recently from the Antelope Valley Republican Party. Captains Dan and Judy Luschenat were presented with an initial check of $5,000.00 and the pledge of more to come.

Over the last couple of months Captain Dan of the Salvation Army has been communicating the particularly dire need for funding for the organization that has helped so many needy souls in the past. These pleas coincided with a pledge from President George W. Bush to support the efforts of faith-based organizations.

When the Salvation Army’s need for help was identified, the five official Republican organizations of the Antelope Valley banded together to focus on the solution.

The five groups include: The 36^th Assembly District Republican Central Committee, Antelope Valley Republican Assembly, Congress of Republicans, Palmdale Republican Women Federated, and the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.

The vehicle used to generate the much-needed funds was an old fashioned raffle. Joan Smith, member of the local Republican Central Committee, persuaded several merchants to donate a plethora of valuable prizes. Ed Sileo, member of the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly, paid for the cost of printing the tickets. And the entire membership of each organization mobilized to sell thousands of one-dollar tickets.

According to Captains Dan and Judy, the several week raffle period not only generated the thousands of dollars reported by the Republican Party, it also significantly raised community awareness of the Salvation Army’s many charitable programs and their dire need for financial support in order to keep their doors open.

Donors to the raffle came from all levels of the socioeconomic spectrum. From the more notable benefactors which include local Attorney R. Rex Parris, Auto Dealership Managing Partner Ron Emard, and Bank President Jack Seefus, to the more anonymous grassroots volunteers and senior citizens.

Winners of the raffled prizes included the Palmdale Republican Women Federated, Insurance Agency Owner Mike Dispenza, Realtor Burl Patterson, Escrow Company Owners Ted and Dixie Eliopulos, and Eleanor Gera and Bruce Nelson.

Local Republicans were proud to be able help the Salvation Army and are already planning for future fundraising events that will help the community.

For more information contact Randy Hall at 946-2969 or the Republican volunteer clubs can be reached at 949-1275. Or visit the web site at www.avgop.com.