Goldstar’s Thanksgiving Appeal Feeds Those in Need

Goldstar’s Thanksgiving Appeal Feeds Those in Need

by | Nov 24, 2015 | Press Releases

Goldstar, the company that gets people out to live entertainment more often, has announced they’ll once again help put Thanksgiving dinner on the table for people in need through their 12th Annual Thanksgiving Appeal: http://www.goldstar.com/thanksgiving_appeal.

Starting Saturday, November 21, Goldstar members will be able to easily make a donation to a local organization on the Goldstar site and iOS and Android apps. The money raised from these donations will then go to local food banks, homeless shelters and organizations that help feed those in need this Thanksgiving in more than 35 U.S. cities coast to coast.

Confirmed organizations include, but are not limited to:

  • Atlanta: Atlanta Community Food Bank
  • Boston: Greater Boston Food Bank
  • Chicago: Greater Chicago Food Depository
  • Dallas/Fort Worth: North Texas Food Bank
  • Denver: Food Bank of the Rockies
  • Houston: Houston Food Bank
  • Las Vegas: Three Square
  • Los Angeles: Union Station Homeless Services
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul: Second Harvest Heartland
  • New Jersey/New York: Community FoodBank of New Jersey
  • Orange County: Orange County Food Bank
  • Philadelphia: Philabundance
  • Phoenix: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance
  • Portland: Oregon Food Bank
  • Sacramento: Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
  • San Diego: Feeding America San Diego
  • San Francisco: Life Learning Academy
  • San Jose: Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
  • Seattle: Northwest Harvest
  • Washington, D.C.: Capital Area Food Bank
  • Various Cities Nationwide: Feeding America

Goldstar’s Annual Thanksgiving Appeal began in 2004 when the company was still pretty small. The founders discovered that people didn’t buy many tickets just before Thanksgiving, so they decided to use their resources (which at the time were email and the Goldstar website) to encourage people to support an organization that could help make Thanksgiving a little bit better for those who might not have much of a holiday at all.

“That first year we raised $2,160! Not exactly a king’s ransom,” says Goldstar CEO Jim McCarthy. “Goldstar has grown significantly since then. And, funnily enough, this time of year is now our busiest season. But, we’re not too big, nor are we too busy, to remember that it’s important to give back each year to those who need it most.” So the Thanksgiving Appeal tradition lives on.

Over the last few years, Goldstar members, along with Goldstar staff, have helped feed nearly 200,000 people annually! The company hopes to feed a lot more this year. Goldstar makes live entertainment a part of everyday life for more than six million people nationwide.

Whether on the site or in the app, it’s fast and easy to discover local live events — from theater and sports to concerts, comedy and more — with tickets typically at half price or better.

Patch Canada, Goldstar, pcanada@goldstar.com, 703-727-4439

Star-studded Night of Comedy Raises $87,000 to Help End Homelessness (Pasadena Now)

by | Oct 23, 2015 | Union Station in the News

Star-studded Night of Comedy Raises $87,000 to Help End Homelessness

From STAFF REPORTS

5:17 pm | October 21, 2015
On October 15, 2015, Union Station Homeless Services’ 16th annual An Evening for the Station brought comedy lovers and community members together for an incredible night of laughter and entertainment to demonstrate that Homelessness is No Laughing Matter!

Union Station brought a fun twist to its long-running event with its first-ever comedy show! ArcLight Cinemas Pasadena filled with more than 400 guests for a stellar show of comedians from Netflix, HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, and more!

Event producer and comedian Ed Salazar opened the evening and presented a hilarious line-up featuring Kumail Nanjiani (The Meltdown, Silicon Valley), Jonah Ray (Nerdist, The Meltdown), Baron Vaughn (Grace and Frankie), Matt Peters (Orange is the New Black), Susan Burke (Smashed), and Jay Larson (Best Bars in America).

The audience heard Horacio give a moving testimonial about his experience at Union Station. Horacio, who worked as activist and well-esteemed UC lecturer, lost his housing due to health complications and mounting stress. After living on the streets of LA for almost two years, Union Station helped Horacio rebuild his life. “When you’re homeless, you need a tough spirit to survive,” said Horacio. “Sometimes, you survive with the help of others. I will forever be thankful of the life-changing work of Union Station and its amazing staff!” Today, he has housing and is currently looking for full-time work.

The event raised $87,000 in support of Union Station Homeless Services, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest and most comprehensive social service agency assisting homeless adults and families.

Corporate sponsors included Comedy Central, Norton Rose Fulbright, Westport Construction, Kauffman Wealth Services, Goldstar, Noor!

Visit https://goo.gl/vT5AHk and #USHSComedy for event photos and more!

About Union Station Homeless Services

Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. Headquartered in Pasadena, the agency is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With over 40 years of experience, Union Station proudly offers nine programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley; with services including street outreach, intake, care coordination, meals, shelter, housing, employment, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services. www.unionstationhs.org