Please accept our sincere thanks for your donation to the Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps Memorial Fund in the amount of $500.00.

This donation has been duly recorded in memory of Nelson Deschamps. The family will be notified of your generosity.

Yours truly,

Carol Mitchel
Secretary

We would like to acknowledge that without your generosity and consideration, the customers of SHELTER N.O.W. would not only be without permanent housing, they would also be without hope. It is your kindness that empowers our customers and encourages our staff to continue this difficult mission.

Sincerely,

William Tuthill
Director of Justice and Residential Programs Shelter NOW

Thank you again for your kindness and generosity in enabling us to serve our less fortunate residents.

Sincerely

Mark Williams
Human Services Director

James H. Naylor School 639 Franklin Avenue Hartford, CT 06114
Culinary Arts Academy 415 Granby Street Hartford, CT 06112
Batchelder School 757 New Britain Avenue Hartford, CT 06106
Opportunity High School 875 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT 06105
Global Communication Academy 150 Tower Avenue Hartford, CT 06112
Alfred E. Burr School 400 Wethersfield Avenue Hartford, CT 06114
Milner Core Knowledge Academy 104 Vine Street Hartford, CT 06112
Martin L. King School 25 Ridgefield Street Hartford, CT 06112
YMCA of Norwalk 370 West Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850
Soroptimist International Of Willimantic 452 Storrs Road Mansfield, CT 06250
Hartford Public High School 55 Forest Street Hartford, CT 06105
Annie Fisher School 280 Plainfield Street Hartford, CT 06112
Joseph J. Bellizzi School 215 South Street Hartford, CT 06114
Classical Magnet 85 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06112
Parkville Community 1755 Park Street Hartford, CT 06106
America’s Choice @ SAND 1750 Main Street Hartford, CT 06120
Fred D. Wish 350 Barbour Street Hartford, CT 06120
Sara J. Rawson 260 Holcomb Street Hartford, CT 06112

Photo Credit:
Craig Houghton
Nutmeg Muse Photography
926 Moss Farms Rd
Cheshire, CT 06410
http://www.nutmegmusephotography.com

On behalf of the Hartford Chapter 168 of Star Touring and Riding Association I am writing to thank you for your support in 2009. Due to your generosity, you have helped us to meet our goal in hosting the food drop which will benefit over 400 families from Family Life Education Inc. of Hartford, CT.

Chapter members and guests will distribute food and personal care goods for needy families on October 17, 2009 at 1200 Park St. (Save-A-Lot parking lot), Hartford Connecticut. Our chapter members committed to raising funds to commission a tractor-trailer truck from Feed the Children. This will be our second food drop event in Hartford or last being in May of 2006.

This event would not have been possible without the help of many supporters like you.

Thanks so much for your support in this effort.

Sincerely,

Wally Savage.
President
Hartford Chapter 168
STAR Touring and Riding Association.

I am writing you on the half of the AHM Youth and Family Services Board of Directors and our staff. Your most recent contribution of $300 for our general AHM programs is accepted with the greatest of appreciation. Your fantastic ongoing support comes at a time of so much uncertainty in the lives of the local families we serve, and it is reassuring to know that there are still organizations such as yours who are determined to continue supporting a community cause, such as AHM. I am very pleased to share that in spite of all the negative economic news of this past year our organization has not missed a beat in service to the community. We did this through our core group of a dozen primary services and nearly forty other small and major activities that took place last year.

There are many reasons why we are able to remain as strong and viable local organization when families needed us most. The single greatest reason is directly connected to the amazing support that AHM receives from the local philanthropic community. Certainly, Charities of Hope has quickly become a very important part of our local annual fund drives, and we are so very thankful for the support.

All the best to you and your families for a safe, healthy, and happy upcoming holiday season!

Sincerely,

Joel Rosenberg
Executive Director
AHM Youth and Family Services

The Great Boot Giveaway

Local Nonprofit donates gently used pairs of boots and shoes to people in need.

Charities of Hope and StepRite partner to help the people in need at Middletown Icon O’Rourke’s Diner.

Hartford, CT – The Great Boot Giveaway will provide a mix of new and used pairs of shoes to the homeless and individuals in Connecticut. On Saturday October 24, at 8am -11 am O’Rourke’s Diner, the shiny historic eatery in the heart of downtown Middletown opens it’s front facade to Charities of Hope and the community who will be attending to receive the shoes.

Charities of Hope, which provides monetary donations to local and national organizations through the collection of clothing and shoes, sees demand increasing especially now as the state grapples with its own struggling economy. According to The 2009 Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness conducted by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, homelessness in state remains at an unacceptably high level. Thirty-two percent (32%) of families were working at the time of their homelessness. Seventy-eight (78%) of families reported having some source of income. Sixty percent (60%) of adults in families had a 12th grade education or higher.

Suburban homelessness saw a dramatic increase from 2008, especially for families and children and families, both up 33%. Despite currently working, having income and education, and experiencing relatively few mental health and substance use factors contributing to their homelessness, a third of the state’s families had to leave their place of residence to rent problems.

“One of the most important aspects of the great boot drive is that it shows what can really happen when nonprofits and well matched for-profit companies can do in a partnership.” said John Caruso, Founder of Charities of Hope. “We are seeing an amazing example of the types of collaborative efforts that our state will need to face the ever-increasing threat of homelessness during these challenging economic times.”

As concluded in the report most of the homeless are single and also aging.

StepRite a Therapeutic Shoes and Insert company based in Avon currently provides services such as free screenings to those that are aging throughout CT to Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Churches and Outreach Programs.

“The Great Boot Giveaway campaign and the new partnership with Charities of Hope is a natural match for StepRite.” notes Elizabeth Gonzales, Certified Pedorthist from StepRite. “This synergistic effort helps StepRite to be able to provide therapeutic relief for a population that may not be able to afford these health benefits any other way.”

There will be Charities of Hope donation bins on-site so the local community is also invited to donate their ‘gently worn’ shoes or clothing for people in need. O’Rourkes Diner is located at 728 Main St, Middletown, CT.

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About Charities of Hope

Charities of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving back to the community, non-profits, and to causes and charities that help those who need it most. The purpose of the charity is to provide monetary donations to local and national organizations through the collection of clothing and shoes. Many non-profits struggle for donations, grants, and charitable contributions and these organizations have needed to find other sources to sustain. Charities of Hope strives to help so that these organizations can survive and continue to provide much needed services. www.charitiesofhope.org.

About StepRite

StepRite is a progressive durable medical equipment business that specializes in Therapeutic Shoes and Inserts. StepRite currently provides services throughout Connecticut to Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Churches and Outreach Programs. StepRite participates in most insurance including Medicaid and the Connecticut State-Administered General Assistance, (SAGA). StepRite provides a free “Safe Shoe Screening” at area churches and outreach centers to help the community understand the importance of proper fitting footwear. The program is headed by Elizabeth Gonzales, Certified Pedorthist. Elizabeth has been in the foot care industry for over 11 years. www.stepriteusa.com.

The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation consists of members who are concerned about the complexity of issues surrounding this fatal brain disease. Our mission is to support families and loved ones touched by CJD. The Foundation’s philosophy is to be proactive by establishing collaborations and linkages, communicating with family members, researchers, physicians and political representatives and informing the broader community about CJD.

The Foundation is increasingly called on to help more and more families which means our resources are constantly being stretched. We need your help to be able to continue to meet the needs of those affected by CJD. Your tax deductible gift will enable us to continue our work.

http://www.cjdfoundation.org/