Spotlight on Gun Violence Awareness: Keeping the Momentum Going!
Gun violence is an epidemic in the United States, with over 100 people killed by guns every day. Come hear about the work of two organizations that are making a big difference in the fight to end gun violence in this country.
Learn about the history and development of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots organization formulated in response to the Sandyhook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The speakers will explain how MDA volunteers work towards “gun sense” in America and what you can do to help.
About the presenters:
Maribeth McFaul – Moms Demand Action activist, artist, art teacher, and mother of five boys. Maribeth campaigned for Katie Porter as part of the “Freeway Rebels” Banner Team. She joined Moms Demand Action four years ago, when the constant threat of gun violence in public places began to feel like an epidemic. Maribeth has been a resident of Mission Viejo for 40 years and currently lives in the Costa Del Sol community.
Michelle Wendehost – English and Spanish teacher at Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo. Michelle became a member of Moms Demand Action due to her fear that her students, not to mention her own son, could die by gun violence if common sense laws are not enacted now. Michelle campaigned for Mike Levin and Harley Rouda, both of whom have gun-sense policies. She and her husband live in San Clemente and their son is a student at UC Riverside.
Brady Orange County (formerly Orange County Brady Chapter) is the longest running gun violence prevention organization in Orange County. Presentation topics include state and federal legislation and the organization’s work to elect gun violence prevention congressional candidates. The group’s efforts helped set the table for the historic positive action in the House this year. It faces the same challenge to keep the momentum going in Sacramento.
About the presenters:
Charlie Blek has been working the grassroots of gun violence prevention since 1995 and he will share what brought him to this issue. Charlie served as the founding President of the California Brady Chapters. On May 1 st he will step down as President and Sandy Wilder will take over the position. Charlie recently retired from the practice of law and has been honored by Loyola Law School for his work on gun policy. His article “Our Second Amendment” was published by the American Bar Association.
Mary Leigh Blek began her work in gun violence prevention in 1995 and worked along with Charlie to form the national Million Mom March which merged with the Brady Campaign in the early 2000s. As President Emeritus of the Million Mom March, she worked in DC as the chapters merged into a powerful grassroots component of the Brady. Her educational background at UCLA School of Nursing and public health graduate studies provided the background for her focus on reforming California and the country’s gun policy. The Bleks have been honored by many national and local organizations. Mary Leigh has spoken before the United Nations, given Congressional hearing testimony and was invited to speak in Rome and Belgium.
Meet the organization’s new president: Sandy Wilder is the dynamic leader who will take over the Presidency of Brady Orange County on May 1st. We will have the opportunity to meet her at this meeting.
This month as part our ongoing Community Outreach efforts, we’ll be collecting diapers, diaper rash cream and baby wipes as part of United to End Homelessness and HomeAid’s local drive. Bring your donations to our June meeting and we’ll make sure they are distributed to local families that are homeless or on the verge of homelessness.
Spotlight on Gun Violence Awareness:
Keeping the Momentum Going!
Gun violence is an epidemic in the United States, with over 100 people killed by guns every day. Come hear about the work of two organizations that are making a big difference in the fight to end gun violence in this country.
Learn about the history and development of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots organization formulated in response to the Sandyhook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The speakers will explain how MDA volunteers work towards “gun sense” in America and what you can do to help.
About the presenters:
Maribeth McFaul – Moms Demand Action activist, artist, art teacher, and mother of five boys. Maribeth campaigned for Katie Porter as part of the “Freeway Rebels” Banner Team. She joined Moms Demand Action four years ago, when the constant threat of gun violence in public places began to feel like an epidemic. Maribeth has been a resident of Mission Viejo for 40 years and currently lives in the Costa Del Sol community.
Michelle Wendehost – English and Spanish teacher at Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo. Michelle became a member of Moms Demand Action due to her fear that her students, not to mention her own son, could die by gun violence if common sense laws are not enacted now. Michelle campaigned for Mike Levin and Harley Rouda, both of whom have gun-sense policies. She and her husband live in San Clemente and their son is a student at UC Riverside.
About the presenters:
Charlie Blek has been working the grassroots of gun violence prevention since 1995 and he will share what brought him to this issue. Charlie served as the founding President of the California Brady Chapters. On May 1 st he will step down as President and Sandy Wilder will take over the position. Charlie recently retired from the practice of law and has been honored by Loyola Law School for his work on gun policy. His article “Our Second Amendment” was published by the American Bar Association.
Mary Leigh Blek began her work in gun violence prevention in 1995 and worked along with Charlie to form the national Million Mom March which merged with the Brady Campaign in the early 2000s. As President Emeritus of the Million Mom March, she worked in DC as the chapters merged into a powerful grassroots component of the Brady. Her educational background at UCLA School of Nursing and public health graduate studies provided the background for her focus on reforming California and the country’s gun policy. The Bleks have been honored by many national and local organizations. Mary Leigh has spoken before the United Nations, given Congressional hearing testimony and was invited to speak in Rome and Belgium.
Meet the organization’s new president: Sandy Wilder is the dynamic leader who will take over the Presidency of Brady Orange County on May 1st. We will have the opportunity to meet her at this meeting.
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