Healthcare reform passes House; Rep. Costa voted 'yea'!

Yes, we've been encouraging (nay, pestering) our members to keep making those phone calls, to keep smiling and dialing in favor of healthcare reform with a public option. And lately, the main target of our calls has been Rep. Jim Costa, who remained uncommitted until literally the very last moment.

I'm happy to report that, according to the website for the Clerk of the US House of Representatives, Rep. Costa voted *yea* on HR 3962, the House's version of meaningful healthcare reform. So, it would appear that all of those phone calls, vigils, marches, signs, and persistence paid off, encouraging him to listen to his constituents, 41 percent of whom are medically uninsured.

So, (tomorrow, since we're all needing a well-deserved rest) let's call Rep. Costa's offices one more time, to thank him for his vote in favor of meaningful healthcare reform and in favor of HR 3962. Those numbers remain:

Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341

Those thank-you calls are every bit as important as the calls we made to encourage his support of the measure. And perhaps even more so.

In the meantime, another big Thank You goes to you, who phone called, who smiled and dialed, who held signs, who stood in hundred-degree weather, who fought hard for this to pass. To you, on behalf of Volunteers For Change-Fresno, I give my most sincere thanks!

And of course, it's not over yet. Next up: Getting healthcare reform through the Senate.

We've won this one... let's keep Being the Change!

Healthcare reform passes the House

Moments ago, the U.S. House passed HR 3962, its version of the healthcare reform bill. The final tally was 220-215.

Now, on to the Senate!

Healthcare reform needs your calls today. This is it. Make or break. Do or die.

If ever there were a Volunteers For Change 'All Hands On Deck' alert, this would be it.

The long-awaited day has apparently arrived. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on its version healthcare reform bill sometime Saturday, Nov. 7. And depending upon what time you're reading this, that's either tomorrow. or today.

The bill needs to pass, or it dies. This is the proverbial 'it.' This is for all the marbles. And this needs 218 'yes' votes in the House to pass.

Sadly and most disappointingly, Rep. Jim Costa is still officially withholding his support. Even though his website states "Clearly Congress must work together in a bipartisan effort to provide a health care system that ensures the every American receives proper medical attention at an affordable rate." Even though he also states on his website that he "will continue to strive to ensure that the needs of the people of the Valley are met." All while 41 percent of the people in his district remain uninsured.

He has a golden opportunity to do something positive for his constituents, but at last report he seems to have no interest in doing so.

To put it bluntly, we need to call his office enough times today to make his phones either melt or cry for mercy.

And we need everyone -- especially those V4CFers who are his constituents -- to make their voices heard.

Please, take a moment to call his office right now. Strongly encourage him to vote in favor of his constituents by voting in favor of the bill.

Those numbers?

Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341

Rumor has it his Fresno office will be closed for the weekend. If that turns out to be the case, let's provide his Washington D.C. office with that deluge of calls. If not, let's dial 'em both until their lines smoke.

This is it. Make or break. Do or die. Let's get it done!

Community Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities During the Holiday Season

The Community Food Bank needs volunteers to help box Holiday Meals that will be distributed to families throughout the Central Valley during this holiday season.

Fortunately, all of the dates fall on a Saturday! This means more Volunteers for Change Fresno members will be able to enjoy the opportunity to make an impact on our community during this holiday season.

Information regarding the dates announced at the general meeting on November 3rd has been revised.

Please contact Kris Arden (kkarden@yahoo.com or 978-1736) to volunteer or for more information regarding the opportunities listed below.

Holiday Meal Boxing Opportunities:
November 7 - CANCELED
November 14 - 1pm - 4pm
November 21 - SHIFT 1: 8am-12pm, SHIFT 2: 1pm-4pm
December 5 - SHIFT 1: 8am-12pm, SHIFT 2: 1pm-4pm
December 12 - SHIFT 1: 8am-12pm, SHIFT 2: 1pm-4pm
December 19 - SHIFT 1: 8am-12pm; SHIFT 2: 1pm-4pm

Location: Community Food Bank
3403 E. Central Ave.
Fresno, CA 93725

Hope to see you all there!

Santa's Village Donation Update & Thank You

Hello fellow Volunteers for Change Fresno Members!

On November 3rd, we had a wonderful campaign reunion and toy drive for Santa's Village. Members donated a total of 38 toys and 7 articles of clothing at the meeting. Great job everyone! Let's try and boost those numbers by the time the event rolls around in December.

Donations of toys and clothing for schools age children will be accepted through November 15th (the deadline may be extended, so stay tuned). Please contact Kris Arden (kkarden@yahoo.com or 978-1736) if you would like to make a donation.

Thank you to all the members who brought toys and clothing to the meeting. As many of you know, these may be the only gifts the children who attend Santa's Village receive the entire holiday season. Thanks to your generosity, their holidays will be brighter.