Shop Rat Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Peter said that I should share with you all a project that I work with, and our regional club supports. It is called Secret Santa Foundation, Inc. and we match sponsors with needy children in our area. We just gave out the toys to the families today. We found sponsors for 2,620 kids. Each child is allowed to ask for three toys, at a value of no more than $25 per toy. Most sponsors buy more than that. This year about thirty sponsors bought their child/children a bike to make their Christmas one they will never forget. Every year our region raises money to donate to local charities and Secret Santa received $200 this year to help us with the cost of diesel fuel (the Ryder trucks to haul and store the toys are donated for four days) and postage to mail the toy forms to the parents because we have to pay for stamps. We get most services donated. And we have an all volunteer staff that works all year. I am a working board member and have been for eleven years with this group. I am very proud of what we and the sponsors do each year to make Christmas a happy time for these children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Susan...no one needs my permission to post on this website as it does not belong to me. It is owned by all of the members of the AACA. Thought your club's project to be a good example of what a Region, Chapter, or, Club can generate through hard work.Regards,Peter J. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted December 6, 2004 Author Share Posted December 6, 2004 I just thought it wise to make sure it was "on subject" enough to be here. Our region has been very supportive over the years of this and many other charities. This year, so far, we have donated to Secret Santa, Hospice House and Breast Cancer Awareness/Reaseach. Sadly, we have lost several members to cancer over the years. One was only 46 when she left us due to what started as colon cancer that kept spreading to different areas of her body. I am getting ready to send out letters to our members to try to get the okay for a donation for the library roof fund. This time of year many of our members are heading for Fla. for the winter or don't come to meetings due to slick roads. So letters are the best way to get permission for donations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Bookreader Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Shoprat: This is a very good idea to send a letter to your club members about the Library roof. It is much appreciated when the membership contributes in any way to our wonderful AACA Library and Research Center. The Library is a separate organization, a tax deductible 501 ©3 and belongs to us all. It is a thrill when we read articles such as in the present Automobile Quarterly Book that acknowledges the AACA Library and our librarian, Kim Miller for assistance and material collecting for the various authors. We are proud of that. Thank you for your support and we acknowledge your help with the Secret Santa organization.Our AACA library is assisting a children with special needs program in North Carolina, organized by one of our AACA members; so we receive and yet we all give as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted December 6, 2004 Author Share Posted December 6, 2004 Bookreader: The leters are stamped and ready to go out today. I think it is a good idea that you mentioned that the library and research center is a 501©3 organization. The people that are able to send donations at least can declare it on their taxes if they want or need to. I agree with previous posts that should not be the deciding factor in giving, but we all like to shave a little off of the taxes when we have given money to worthy causes.Secret Santa is also a 501©3 organization. And we also have some kids that have special needs. We serve children ages birth to and including 13. There are exceptions for older kids with mental disabilities. We even have a man that is 79, but his mental age is 7. He gets a sponsor every year. The same couple call in and request to get him now that they know about him. All any sponsor knows about their child is the first name, age and ID number. The parent(s) never know who sponsored their child. So it really is a "Secret Santa" who gives the toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppaquet Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 It is my great pleasure to say that the Deep South Region in Mobile sponsors at least two children on the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. We've done this for the past 10 years and some of those years we were able to sponsor 4. We also do one car show per year in which the proceeds are donated to our local Cerebral Palsy Association. Just gives you a case of the warm fuzzies no matter what time of year it is! Patt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted December 6, 2004 Author Share Posted December 6, 2004 Yes, it sure does give you a case of the "warm fuzzies" to help worthwhile groups, especially when it comes to kids in need. They don't get to choose stuff that does or does not happen for them and to them. It is up to the adults to make their world a better place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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