FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 20, 2001

For further information, contact:
Susan G. Zepeda
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 714-245-1650
Fax: 714-245-1653

HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION ?HEALTHY ORANGE COUNTY GRANTS? TOP $100,000

The HealthCare Foundation for Orange County approved twelve grants to local nonprofit health service providers for its winter giving cycle, totaling over $103,000, the Foundation's largest Healthy Orange County grants disbursement to date. Projects target family violence, injury prevention, and substance abuse, as well as access to primary medical care, health education, dental and vision care.

Susan Zepeda, Executive Director of the Foundation, noted that funding requests have increased considerably from past giving cycles, as the economic recession and stresses of coping in the wake of the 9-11 tragedy place increased demands on the County's important nonprofit safety net of services. The Foundation joins with other community leaders in calling attention to the ongoing local needs of working families and the unemployed in Orange County, who may be without health insurance and have difficulty accessing needed health care.

Projects funded include:

• Car seat safety at Easter Seals - $10,000
• Children's diet and exercise planning grant to Children's Hospital of Orange County - $4,000
• Children's nutrition education through Second Harvest Food Bank - $2,440
• Clinic Access Project at Boys and Girls Club of Tustin - $6,096
• Dental Care at Assistance League of Santa Ana - $10,000
• Domestic Violence Hotline at Orange County Human Relations Council - $10,000
• HIV/AIDS Education through the American Red Cross - Orange County Chapter - $10,000
• Safety education for new parents at Maternal Outreach Management System (MOMS) - $5,500
• Sober Mother/Health Baby program at Mariposa Women's Center - $10,000
• Therapeutic after-school program for children from violent homes, through Laura's House - $10,000
• Vietnamese language Guide for new parents, through Prevent Child Abuse Orange County - $10,000
• Vision Assessment at Blind Children's Learning Center - $10,000
• Funds for these projects come from the Foundation's Hospital Legacy Fund, dedicated to assuring access to care for needy and underserved residents of central Orange County. This fund was created with the net proceeds of the sale of United Western Medical Centers to Tenet Corporation in 1996. The Foundation manages other trusts created by individuals and families, dedicated to improving health in Orange County, and works with donors and their families to assure that their philanthropic health funds are invested effectively, to address local needs. Further information about the Foundation may be obtained from their website at www.hfoc.org.