Category: Mahalo Donors

Fundraising Is Key

6/8/2015

TOC is making strides in its effort to become more active in fundraising among both individuals and companies.

A Case Statement has been approved and the next step is for our fundraising professional to visit a select list of opinion leaders to find out their perceptions of TOC in order to be able to better assess a realistic annual fund raising goal.

As a further step in this crucial process, a Development Committee is being formed to be led by a new Board of Directors member after that person is voted on at the Annual Meeting August 8.

Our Top 12 in 2014

12/10/2014

As 2014 begins to wind down, we are reflecting on a very successful year for The Outdoor Circle. Please help us celebrate!

From new laws to improve the protection of our environment to on-going beautification projects that improve our communities, we have been hard at work keeping Hawai‘i clean, green, and beautiful. Your donation today will help continue this work for tomorrow.

Here are the top 12 things we are grateful for from this past year.

Environmental Court established: Thanks to TOC’s help S.B. 632 was signed into law this year as part of a grassroots effort to improve enforcement of our environmental laws.
Digital tree map started: TOC is helping to document the positive impact of Exceptional Trees on our islands with a digital tree map. Click here to check it out. Volunteers are helping to input and verify the data now -- more on this in January.
Billboards defeated... again! We helped establish the ban on billboards in Hawaii in 1927 and we have defended it ever since. Twice this year -- once by bus, once by plane -- our enviable sign laws were challenged and twice they were upheld thanks to TOC’s leadership.
Exceptional Trees maintained: We helped maintain and protect trees recognized for their Exceptional qualities, and helped to get new trees nominated to the list.
Old trees saved: We helped prevent the unnecessary removal of dozens of trees throughout the state.
New trees planted: From tree giveaways to plant sales to our annual Arbor Day events, we helped find homes for more than a thousand new trees and plants this year.
Public’s interests asserted: TOC advocated to ensure green space in urban areas is open to the public and well-maintained, and that important natural areas are well-protected.
Community improvement projects: Branches throughout the islands are keeping their communities green with clean-up efforts, beautification projects and long-term park programs.
Partnerships, partnerships, partnerships: From the Women's Correctional Facility in Waimanalo to the Domestic Violence Action Center to businesses small and large throughout the islands, we collaborate with a wide range of groups and individuals on shared goals. Thank you to our many partners for working to help protect the things we all love about Hawai‘i.
Green-thumbs educated: TOC’s branches support adult and keiki education programs to encourage clean, green, and beautiful living.
Celebrating our long-time supporters: We celebrated the work of our most dedicated supporters. Some of them passed away this year, including Jo Best and Sally Edwards. They will be deeply missed, but their legacies live on in the work we do today.
Volunteers making a difference! We are blessed to have the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers throughout the islands working to protect and enhance Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Our achievements this year are the direct result of contributions donors gave us last year. We can continue this work and do much more next year with your gift today. We are less than $5,000 from our fundraising goal for this year-end appeal campaign. If fully funded, we will be able to launch the second phase of our digital tree map, advocate for public green space and sustainable urban development, support implementation of the Environmental Court, and of course, plant and protect trees!

There is still time to get your donation in and receive a tax deduction for 2014. You can mail your donation check to our office in Honolulu (1314 S. King St. #306 Honolulu, HI 96814) or just click here for a secure and immediate credit card transaction. Your donation benefits the work of The Outdoor Circle and our branches throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Thank you and happy holidays!

Shop for the Circle!

7/28/2014

In honor of Jo-Ann Best (1929-2013)

1/15/2014

JoAnn Bettinger Best, 84, of Kailua died December 14, 2013 in Honolulu after returning from a visit to see family on the East Coast. Born in New Albany, Indiana, Jo retired from the Central Intelligence Agency before teaching at St. Anthony’s School in Kailua and committing 20 years of her life to The Outdoor Circle. She served as President of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle (1997-1998) and The Outdoor Circle (2000-2002). Always quick to smile, Jo will be remember for her sharp wit, generous heart, and strong commitment to her community.

Jo is survived by her daughters Amy B. Crews and Elisa Vollert and son Christopher W. Best, sister Craig Boultinghouse, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A private celebration of her life and scattering of ashes will be held in February. The family asks that any contributions made in memory of Jo be given to The Outdoor Circle in support of tree planting and preservation efforts throughout the islands.

Mahalo to our Donors!

1/3/2014

Mahalo to everyone who supported us in 2013! We are deeply grateful and very pleased to announce that our year end donations doubled from the previous year — both in terms of number of donors and the amount donated. This is huge!! TOC’s supporters are really putting their weight behind the Exceptional Tree Initiative, which we look forward to implementing with tree plantings and park improvement projects over the next several years.

While we celebrate this significant milestone, we also recognize that we still have a long way to go to meet our fundraising goal. We know that the Exceptional Tree Initiative will need $50,000 to be truly successful. We are well on our way to meeting that goal, but are not quite there yet.

Thank you for helping us to start the year off right.

Fundraising Is Key

Our Top 12 in 2014

Shop for the Circle!

In honor of Jo-Ann Best (1929-2013)

Mahalo to our Donors!

Welina!

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