California Non-Profit Goes Green to Make Green - Launches Recycling Business to Fund Programs for Disabled

Palm Springs, CA, March 06, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Greater Palm Springs-based DesertArc launched its first Recycling Program in November 2008 and is already providing meaningful paid employment for 17 of its clients and is rapidly expanding its program to serve more and more businesses and hire more clients.

DesertArc’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities who live in its service area, generally known as greater Coachella Valley. The non-profit agency serves 600 people, most of whom are adults enrolled in vocational training programs. The mission goes further, with a clear goal of not only teaching job skills, but helping people with disabilities become fully independent of any state-funded support, including DesertArc, by earning their own way with a regular paid job and living independently. The Recycling Program is the newest DesertArc program and may serve as a model for other non-profits to emulate. It is a business model that provides an excellent employment experience for DesertArc clients while it raises money to help support DesertArc’s mission.

“Our #1 goal is help as many people as possible to become as independent as possible. The Recycling Program is helping us do that,” says Richard Balocco, Executive Director of DesertArc. “This is a perfect business model for us – with State budget cuts, we have to be able to raise more money through our business enterprises so our programs can be maintained and properly funded. Service reductions would otherwise be necessary and the impact upon our clients and the community would be severe. That is a poor second choice.”

DesertArc is getting creative in other ways as well, and this year introduced a home raffle where ticket buyers can enter to win a chance at a $1.2 Million dream home or $1 Million cash. According to Mr. Balocco, “We love the raffle– it’s a great fundraiser, we meet lots of people and it also helps us offer something really fun for our supporters. We’ve already awarded $60,000 in prizes to ticket buyers with much more to come.”

In addition to supporting DesertArc, ticket buyers like the good odds of a raffle compared with the California Lottery, since raffle ticket sales are capped at no more than 18,000 and the odds of winning a substantial prize are better than 1 in 140. Multi-ticket purchasers not only increase their odds, they also have a chance to win the $15,000 top prize only available to them. “We’ve found that the people who find out about the raffle are excited about the prospects of winning and excited to help us. Tickets cost $150 each with discounts for 3 packs and 10 packs. With the multi-ticket discounts and improved odds, lots of people buy bundles,” said Mr. Balocco. With the cap on sales, limited tickets are available so if you’d like your chance, act now. Call (888) 771-8874 or visit www.PalmSpringsDreamHomeRaffle.com.

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