‘Tis (Almost) The Season

TIS (almost) THE SEASON!!! A letter from Shannon Nisbet at Family Service Association is attached. PLEASE consider helping in any way you can, even if you can just send a little money. Just try to imagine a family of children that will see no Christmas at all!! Because of our efforts last year Family Service was able to fill EVERY SINGLE family request. For those of you that did not participate, please consider it this year. This is such a rewarding gesture at Christmas. Visit Family Service Association at www.family-service.org

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Help for the Holidays!

The downturn in the economy has impacted all of us, but it has been especially cruel on the poorest and most vulnerable.  This year, more than any other in the history of our Adopt-a-Family program, we need your help. As you know, for over 106 years Family Service Association has worked to make a difference in our community and as part of that mission, we have sponsored the annual holiday Adopt-A-Family program for the past 17 years.  This heartwarming program has brightened the season for many families.  Their extremely limited financial resources prevent them from providing gifts, or even a special meal for their family is out of the question.  More than 80% of those we serve have incomes below the poverty level.  Through the generosity of hundreds of volunteers, last year Family Service Association was able to help make the holidays a little brighter for children, families and seniors.

We thank you for your past support of the Adopt-A-Family program.  Last year alone the sprit of giving shown by you and others helped 3,000 people experience a happy holiday.  We will have more than 800 families request help this year.  We hope that you’ll choose to work with us again to provide this much-needed service to the community.

You can help by adopting one or more families. They need household items, warm clothing, food, and toys. Volunteers can select from hundreds of families to ensure you get the one that best meets your individual needs. You may choose to deliver the items or we can arrange delivery for you. If you are pressed for time you may make a tax deductible contribution and we will do the shopping for you. If you would like to participate, please contact me at 299-2400, or you may e-mail me at sgnisbet@family-service.org.  Please accept our deepest thanks for your past support and generosity.  Your participation will let the true meaning of the season shine in our community.

Sincerely,

Shannon G. Nisbet

Shannon G. Nisbet

Vice President

Development & Donor Relation

Aggie Wives and Graduates Club annual Games Party

You don’t have to be an Aggie to attend a fun event called Games Party
on Thursday, March 12th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. It is the annual
fundraiser for the Aggie Wives & Graduates Club and the money goes
towards scholarships.

Please contact Carmen Ramirez for more information.

Win a Wild Ride to save Wildlife!

The 19th annual “Win a Wild Ride to save Wildlife” Gala will be held by Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation on April 9, 2009 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. A $250 ticket not only buys you food and drinks provided by some of SA’s best restaurants, it also buys you a 1-in-350 chance of winning a brand new 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport!  Event only tickets cost $40. Help Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation meet their goal of raising $160,000. Visit www.wildlife-rescue.org or email amyh@wildlife-rescue.org for more details.

Items Needed at Shelter

As the economy worsens, the numbers at the Battered Women and Childrens’ Shelter are increasing. We have had record numbers this year. Currently they have a real shortage of personal hygiene items.

If anyone has extra bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, deodorant, etc., I will be happy to deliver these items to the shelter for you. They can be the small bottles from hotel rooms or just extra supplies that you buy at the grocery store. Alternatively, you could always write a check to “Family Violence Prevention Services” and they will purchase the items they need. Please let me know if you can help. Thanks.

Carmen M. Ramirez, Attorney/Realtor
Phyllis Browning Company
Cell: (210) 912-1625
E-mail: cramirez@phyllisbrowning.com

Children in Shelters and Foster Homes Need Christmas Gifts

Kathy Hill, 210 215-3253 or Mary Lou Stelzig-Rendon, 210 337-3304.

We are very concerned we will not have gifts for all the children under Child Protective Services’ care this Christmas. We found out late yesterday that one of our largest donors (national corporation/organization) has been so hard hit by economic problems they will not be able to help this year.

The last two years we’ve had over 9,000 children under CPS care during the holidays. We expect at least that many again this year.

For many of these children the gift they receive through our drive will be their only Christmas present. Approximately 80 of our cases involve parents with drug or alcohol problems, and 65% of our children come from homes with incomes below the poverty level. Most have always had hand-me-downs, never anything new. Many have never received a Christmas or birthday gift.

We make sure all our children have a gift, but concentrate on those that are placed with grandparents or other relatives that are struggling to provide the essentials. Children who are placed in area group homes or shelters, and those in foster homes usually receive gifts from those sources. However, our caseworkers always make sure no child on their caseload goes without a Christmas gift. We have children from infants through teens with the largest concentration in the elementary school range.

Some of the teens want to be surprised with and actual gift, but many would just as soon have a gift card that allows them to pick for themselves.

I’ve talked to teens that have grown up in the CPS system that still have gifts they received many years ago. They’ve held onto toys and other items they outgrew long ago because they were tangible proof someone cared.

Donors can claim gifts as charitable donations because they are accepted by our nonprofit, 501( c ) 3 group, Dare to Love.

We will be happy to pick up gifts and welcome an opportunity to tell you more about our program.

Thank you for your concern for San Antonio’s children.

Kathy Hill
Community Initiatives Specialist, CPS
3635 S. E. Military Drive (278-5/081-K0)
San Antonio TX 78223
(210) 337-3425, FAX (210) 304-7735
Cell: 210 215-3253

A message from Amy Walton – Concert for the Cure

Name: Amy Walton
Email: amy@concertforthecuresa.org
Website:www.concertforthecuresa.org

My name is Amy Walton; I was at the AFP awards on Nov 21 to receive the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award. The cause that I founded, Concert for the Cure, has our 4th annual benefit concert coming up on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Sunset Station.

Concert for the Cure is unique because the entire production is put together by students from Trinity University, as is a 501(c)(3) organization called the Concert for the Cure Foundation. The event features Texas music bands, including a Trinity alumnus this year! We are also working with student organizations at every other college and university in town to increase awareness and support for our upcoming January event. It is our goal to establish Concert for the Cure as an annual tradition for the San Antonio youth to come together and get involved in and excited about philanthropy.

We would greatly appreciate any support or donation your foundation could countribute! I’d be happy to send you our sponsorship packet and any additional information if you are interested. Please feel free to contact me with questions at (210) 279-5122 or by email at Amy@ConcertfortheCureSA.org.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Amy Walton
Founder
Concert for the Cure Foundation

University of the Incarnate Word: A letter from Mimi Weber

I would encourage those of you who are interested in healthcare to think about supporting the School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Incarnate Word. This was the first accredited school of nursing west of the Mississippi and has been educating nurses for San Antonio and South Texas for more than 75 years.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1881, Incarnate Word is the 4th largest private university in Texas today. The School of Nursing and Health Professions is raising much needed funds to renovate and expand its building so that it may better address the critical nursing shortage by increasing enrollment.

Call (210) 829-6071 to learn more or help with your gift.

Mimi Weber

Agents You Should Get to Know – Brenda Johnston

Real estate professionals you should get to know – and the organizations they passionately serve.

Brenda Johnston

Director of Relocation
210-408-4030
Board member and chairperson for
the marketing committee: theFund,
San Antonio’s United Art’s Fund

Agents You Should Get to Know – Liz Chiego

Real estate professionals you should get to know – and the organizations they passionately serve.

Liz Chiego

ABR, ASR, CRS, GRI, SRES
www.chiego.com
Mobile: 210-771-0067
McNay Art Museum
Master’s Leadership-San Antonio
SA Youth Centers
SAYC Youth Build
VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Agents You Should Get to Know – Ann Van Pelt

Real estate professionals you should get to know – and the organizations they passionately serve.

Ann Van Pelt
www.finestSAhomes.com
Mobile: 210-844-7001
Landa Gardens Conservancy
SA Public Library Foundation
SA Symphony
Trinity University Theater Program
Masters in Leadership San Antonio
Blue Star Contemporary Art
Southwest Foundation for Biomedical
Research