Team to Conduct Fundraising Events for the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation; Host Food and Supplies Drive for the Houston Food Bank and Hold Blood Drive with The Methodist Hospital

In addition to yesterday's announcement detailing the $1 million combined donation by Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane, the Astros in Action Foundation, and Astros players and staff to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation, the Astros will be helping victims of Hurricane Ike through a number of activities at Minute Maid Park during the team's last homestand of the regular season.

"The devastation by Hurricane Ike is both heartbreaking and humbling," said Astros owner Drayton McLane. "The Astros are inspired by the strength, courage and cooperation of our fellow Southeast Texans. It is in this one-of-a-kind Texas spirit that we are initiating opportunities for all Astros fans to come together next week at Minute Maid Park and help make a difference in the lives of those in need."

Baseball: Astros, you and I can continue helping Ike victims.

The Los Angeles Workforce Funder Collaborative (LAWFC), a public-private partnership led by United Way of Greater Los Angeles that is focused on implementing long-term systems improvement, new funding streams and effective policies to serve Los Angeles businesses and our local workforce, today announced over $1.3 million in grants to support community partners. Designated to Los Angeles County organizations providing job training and workforce development within the healthcare, construction, logistics (including the Los Angeles Ports, which take in 43% of all imports brought into the US) industry sectors, the grants will serve to drive the LAWFC’s goal of creating the necessary pathways to ensure a skilled and financially stable workforce.

The announcement is made in conjunction with today’s release of The Allied Health Workforce Analysis by The California Endowment, an LAWFC member, and a grant reception at The California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles, CA.

Los Angeles Workforce Collaborative Funds Local Organizations to Create Thriving Workforce System in Los Angeles.

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded 21 grants totaling $3.3 million for innovations in pediatric hospice care, fighting childhood obesity, expanding a popular entrepreneurial training program for youth and creating a new Jewish history center on the site of the first synagogue in Phoenix.

"Piper Trust is honored to support projects that introduce new models and best practices, and build on the rich heritage of the Valley," said Judy Jolley Mohraz, Ph.D., president and CEO of Piper Trust. "These grants will make a difference in the lives of our youngest to our oldest residents throughout the Valley."

$3.3 million in grants made to Maricopa County nonprofits.