By Dena Bunnis
December 22, 2009

Rep. Loretta Sanchez gave out $39,000 to 31 Orange County organizations today, money she saved from sending E-holiday cards this year instead of her traditional Christmas Card.

Sanchez solicited applications from local non-profit groups and and set up an independent committee to pick from those who applied.

One group - the Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County will receive $6,000. Three- Colette’s Children’s Home, Vietnamese Community of Orange County Inc. and the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance  will each get $2,000.

“In this time of economic hardship and need, every bit counts,” said Sanchez. “My hope is that these donations will make a difference to Orange County families through the assistance that our local non-profit organizations provide,” said Sanchez.

She is making the announcement this morning at MOMS Orange County in Santa Ana.

The Foster Care Auxiliary helps support foster children in the county and also works with foster families who want to provide permanent homes for these children.’

Colette’s home provides homeless single women and homeless mothers with children have a save place to stay while they get on their feet.

OCAPICA works enhance the health, social and economic well being of the community. The Vietnamese organization has a similar mission.

By Emily Heil and Elizabeth Brotherton
December 1, 2009

The holidays have officially arrived on Capitol Hill: Not only is the Capitol Christmas Tree being decorated on the West Front, Rep. Loretta Sanchez revealed her annual holiday card today — and it has a “Dancing with the Stars” theme.

Sanchez’s infamous greeting card traditionally features the California Democrat and her beloved pet, Gretzky the Cat, posing in a lighthearted, holiday-themed setting.

This year’s installment doesn’t disappoint, depicting the Congresswoman ballroom dancing in a sparkly silver dress, a la the star-studded reality competition. Gretzky sits at the judge’s table, giving Sanchez a score of “10” and saying, “Tom DeLay, eat your heart out!”

“Whether it’s with the stars or under festive lights, may your heart dance with joy this holiday season,” the card reads.

Rather than printing her card this year, Sanchez is going green, sending recipients the card electronically. The money normally spent on printing and mailing the cards will be given to nonprofits in Orange County, Calif., through a “competitive application process,” Sanchez writes in an e-mail to campaign supporters.
Meanwhile, workers are diligently trimming the Capitol Christmas Tree for its official lighting on Dec. 8.

The Orange County Register
December 1st, 2009

Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s holiday card- the most eagerly-awaited piece of mail on Capitol Hill is here – in your inbox.

Sanchez, D-Santa Ana, has a new twist on her annual message. She’s sent out e-cards and is using the money she’s saving on printing and postage to help needy non-profit agencies in Orange County.

The idea to help out local charities came to Sanchez a couple of months ago, she said. “I started thinking just how difficult the economy was and whether there was something we could do. I had so many people coming into my office and to my Saturday office hours telling me they are out of jobs. And I’ve gotten so many requests for donations.’’

And given the focus on the environment, she figured she’d go green with this year’s holiday greeting.

This year’s card definitely maintains Sanchez’s style of mixing humor, political satire and of course her white fluffy cat, Gretzky.

The message is: Whether it’s with the stars or under festive lights, may your heart dance with joy this holiday season.” A not-so-happy Gretzky is saying: “Eat your heart out Tom DeLay.”

And your favorite non-profit could be the big winner!

December 1, 2009 (Santa Ana, CA) – Last week, we told you that a big surprise was in store for Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez's annual holiday cards this year. After years of mailing cards to constituents, friends, and family, Loretta is doing something different this year - she is going green with her holiday card!

Rather than print thousands of cards this year, Loretta will instead make donations to Orange County non-profits in need by sponsoring a holiday donation competition.

"In light of these tough economic times and given the continued focus on climate change and the need to do more to protect our environment, there was no question that for the first time ever, the right thing for me to do this year was to go green with my holiday cards," said Sanchez. "Those who typically receive my cards will still receive my card, only this year they will receive an electronic version. And with the money we normally spend on printing and mailing the cards, my campaign will give donations to needy non-profits in Orange County through a competitive application process."

The Orange County Register
November 23rd, 2009

If it’s the holiday season it must mean that Capitol Hill is waiting to see what Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s Christmas card will look like this year.

For 2009, the Santa Ana Democrat has a new twist. She’s going high tech and is going to send an email to folks who sign up on her campaign web site to let them know what the new twist will be with this year’s card.

Click here to see cards from past years.

The announcement will come on Tuesday, Dec. 1. And if you want to find out soonest you can go to www.loretta.org and sign up.