Welfare Watch

March 5, 2009 - The Legislative Session is Over
Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

This Legislative Session will go down as one of the toughest in recent memory. Several huge initiatives were planned during this session, which possibly was more than this General Assembly could handle.

Juvenile Justice Code Rewrite, Residential Child Care Licensing Reform, Mental Health Reform, the Reorganization of the Department of Human Resources, and not to mention the budgetary crisis that the State and Nation faced, made the job of the Legislators much harder (and Lobbyist too.) The battles were often bitter with competing interests playing out on the House and Senate floors, behind closed doors, and in the halls of the the Capitol.

Several worthy initiatives were postponed until next year or even later. The Juvenile Justice Code Rewrite is huge and will take careful deliberation by the legislature to fully appreciate. Residential Child Care Licensing Reform was lost in the breakup of DHR and lack of support by DHR and the Governor's Office. Mental Health Reform was partially addressed with the Division being pulled out of DHR along with Developmental Disabilities. This breakup came without any additional funding to address it's major challenges. The budget begs the question of reform.

The budget was saved by the Federal Stimulus package which addressed many of the concerns faced by the Department of Education, Community Health and Human Resources. This package would have been even more effective at addressing critical needs if the Legislators had passed a Tobacco Tax and not given some additional tax cuts. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute makes a persuasive case why Georgia can not afford any more tax cut incentives.

Below are some of the highlights or lowlights:

FY10 - Budget -
Child Welfare Services were devastated with a $25 million cut. This represents nearly a 7% cut to their budget. Promises of the continuation of a 15:1 Child to Case Worker ratio is going to be difficult to maintain.
The Out of Home Budget of DHR has been cut by more than $22 million since the FY09 budget was first cut in September. This represents an 8.3% cut for the foster children who are in the custody of the State.
Spared from budget cuts were the rates for our Child Placing Agencies and Child Caring Institutions.
Cuts to the budget were made by lowering the utilization of RBWO and the savings reflected in using in home services.

Of interest to Out of Home Care Providers:
Restored - Child Placing Agency Rates for the lowest three levels of care - $2 million
Cut - Reflect savings to RBWO through lower utilization - $1.2 million
Cut - Reduce funds to higher utilization of in-home services - $4.7 million
Restored - 5% cut in DOE Education Funds to Residential Treatment Center - $120,000

Reorganization of the Department of Human Resources. - HB228 was legislation that saw passage this session concerning the reorganization of DHR. This legislation creates two new Departments, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The new Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities will oversee the mental health, addictive disease and developmentally disabilities programs currently housed in DHR.

The reorganization plan would place the Division of Public Health and the health regulation programs of DHR within the Department of Community Health. Most health care regulatory activities now in the Office of Regulatory Services will be moved to this new Division of Public Health. The licensing functions of the Office of Regulatory Services of Children's Residential Services will remain with DHR and will regulate only residential child care and community living arrangements.

In HB228 ORS were given vast new powers to issue warrants to secure entry into private agencies and to secure their records without the permission of the agency. These warrants must be secured from a judge for cause. Community Living Arrangements licensing will remain with DHR.

The remaining social services under DHR will become the Department of Human Services. Programs included in this department will include Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Child Support.

Other reports of legislation of interest to child welfare stakeholders, by clicking link.

Collin Raye Partners with Operation Kids to Raise Money for Children Facing Extraordinary Medical Expenses

Country music star Collin Raye and Operation Kids have teamed up to offer a free download of Collin’s new song, “She’s With Me,” to anyone who donates $5 or more to Operation Kids to help children facing extraordinary medical expenses through their website (http://operationkids.org/collinraye/).

After making the donation online, fans will be directed to click through to a special page where they will be able to download the track before it is available anywhere else. “She’s With Me” was recorded for Raye’s forthcoming album, Never Going Back (released April 28th on Time Life), and is an intensely personal, poignant song of unconditional love written by Raye for his severely neurologically ill granddaughter. This free download offer will run through May 10th.

Operation Kids is a non-profit organization that matches caring donors with qualified children’s charities and programs in the areas of health, education, safety and well-being. Operation Kids seeks to measurably improve the lives of children by identifying charities and programs most effectively addressing key issues.

Operation Kids will reward the metropolitan area that raises the most money during the campaign by contributing a portion of the proceeds to a local children’s health charity or program to help children in their own community.

“Operation Kids is an amazing charity in that they benefit SO MANY and in such different circumstances, not just limiting to one thing or another” says Raye. “And the lengths they go to to be accountable, assuring the donors of where the money goes and to whom,” he continues, “that in itself makes Operation Kids very special. Through them, so many children are helped. It’s a true honor and privilege to be associated with Operation Kids.”

“The song deeply touches everyone that hears it and from the beginning we wanted to work with Collin to bring Operation Kids some help for all their great work,” said Mike Jason, Time Life Senior Vice President Audio & Video Retail.

Collin Raye is one of country music’s most beloved stars, with four #1 Billboard country singles, 21 Top 10, four platinum albums, three AC hits, several CMA and ACM nominations and years of sold out tours. He will appear on the Today Show, the CBS Early Show and a number of other programs in early May to promote the release of Never Going Back. On his new album, Raye mixes up the laid back rock and folk of mid-seventies Southern California with country and rock n’ roll, creating a sophisticated and diverse album. Never Going Back evokes the spirit of the day when an artist could record an album and perform it just as it sounds in a smoky club or on a stadium stage. Recorded in Alabama’s historic Muscle Shoals, the album feels guided by the ghosts of the country, rock, blues and pop albums that the region cultivated throughout the 70s.

About Operation Kids

Operation Kids is a trademarked d.b.a. of the OK Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to more effective giving. We manage donations that serve the needs of the Whole Child – their education, health, safety and well-being. Founded in 1999, the mission of Operation Kids is to support a community of children’s issues through qualified and measurably effective charities and programs. The “OK Charity” designation means donors can give with confidence and expect accountability and results. 100% of all donations go directly to programs. More at www.operationkids.org.
Blog: http://operationkids.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/operationkids

About Time Life
Time Life and the Time Life logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies, used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc. Headquartered in Fairfax VA, Direct Holdings Americas Inc.'s history began in 1961 as Time Life a direct marketing division of Time Incorporated specializing in music and books. The business has been operated as a separate company since the mid-1970s when it relocated to Virginia, and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest direct marketers of audio and video products throughout North America, Europe and Australia. The Company has set the standard in the direct response industry by pioneering direct marketing techniques and building one of the most trusted and recognized brands in commerce. The Company now also sells its products through major traditional and non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via the Internet. The Company was sold in 2003 to private investors.

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Fayette Senior Services Seeking Volunteers to Serve on Advocacy Council

Fayette Senior Services, Inc. is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the Senior Advocacy Council of Fayette County. Under the auspices of Fayette Senior Services, members of the Council will serve as a positive voice for the senior community and will advocate for the common good and general welfare of Fayette County’s senior citizens. The Council will align itself with the mission of Fayette Senior Services, Inc. to promote the emotional, social, and physical well-being of older adults through a variety of life-enhancing programs and services that help seniors improve their quality of life and maintain their independence.

Applications are available at www.fayss.org or at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. For more information contact Susan Landais, Program and Operations Manager, at 770-461-0813 ext. 115.

Founded in 1978, Fayette Senior Services is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that offers older adults the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, recreation, and educational activities at its Life Enrichment Center. The agency also helps seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Referral Service, Information & Assistance, Transportation, In-Home/Personal Services, and Case Management.
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Belk Spring Charity Sale on May 2 Benefits Local Charities and Schools

Belk’s Spring Charity Sale on May 2, 2009, will once again benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market area. Belk’s previous Charity Sale, held November 15, 2008, raised more than $4.5 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event offers an excellent fundraising opportunity for participating organizations and a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event.

In return for a $5 donation, customers receive a ticket admitting them to the Charity Sale on May 2 from 6 to 10 a.m. and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent on purchases throughout the store. Customers also receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event, and Belk cardholders will receive double points for card purchases.

Participating local charities will sell the Charity Sale tickets in advance of the event and the proceeds from each $5 ticket will be retained by the charity. Beginning Friday, April 24, tickets may also be purchased at the store with all donations divided among the participating charities and schools. There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell, and no limit to the amount of money that can be raised. Belk provides tickets and collateral material at no cost to the participating nonprofit organizations.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.
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Chili's Teams Up With Special Olympics Georgia - You Win!

Chili’s proudly supports Special Olympics Georgia!

With each flyer presented on Special Olympics Georgia Day,
Chili’s will donate
10% of the sales
you bring in to this organization.

Let us do the cooking and support Special Olympics Georgia at the same time!

Special Olympics Georgia Day is:

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
from
11am to 9pm

At: All Metro Atlanta Corporate
Locations (excluding Statesboro, Discover Mills and Airport restaurants)

For further information regarding this Give Back Day or the State Summer Games on May 29th - 31st, please contact Jennifer Daniell at 770-414-9390 ext 110.

Pepper in Some Fun!

PDF flyer

Wandering WiFi Donates Wireless Services and Support to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

-(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wandering WiFi, a leader in providing secure public and private wireless technology solutions, announced today it has donated equipment, installation, services and on-going technical support to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, ranked one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States. Children's has launched the service, offering Wandering WiFi’s wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) free to all visitors, patients and physicians in its office park and three Atlanta hospitals, serving over half a million patients a year.

Children’s practices family-centered care, offering family-friendly facilities, libraries and business centers. Ranked one of America’s top pediatric hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S. News & World Report, the organization staffs 510 beds and saw more than 550,000 patients in 2008. The Children’s Sibley Heart Center and the Children’s Orthopaedics Program were both ranked No. 5 nationwide, and physicians performed more than 38,000 surgical procedures between the three locations.

“The focus of our team goes beyond superior clinical care. At Children’s, we put energy into easing the pressure on visiting families to make the time they spend at our hospitals as comfortable as possible,” said Jim Atwood, director architecture and solution design, Children’s. “When you are committed to patient care, you really must consider the entire experience around that care. Parents and families are given 24-hour visitation throughout the hospital and typically use the time between visiting to catch up on communication with family, friends and work. By offering wireless access and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we hope to provide a higher level of satisfaction by giving them easy access to Wandering WiFi’s services and providing them with the opportunity to stay connected to others in their circle of support.”

Using the existing Cisco wireless network, Wandering WiFi implemented its HotSpot solution with SonicWALL’s content filtering appliance to provide the ideal combination of performance and protection. The solution offers Children’s customized branding options, usage controls, and bandwidth management, with 24/7/365 system monitoring.

“As a parent of three children, I support and regard the work Children’s Healthcare offers our own community and beyond. As a company, we wanted to help Children’s provide this extra level of service for their patients, visitors, doctors and staff to support its mission to care for the whole patient family,” said Alan Dabbiere, chairman of Wandering WiFi. “We specialize in mobile device and WLAN management software, so having the opportunity to use our expertise to help such a worthwhile organization is rewarding. As we continue to expand on this project, with Children’s and other pediatric hospitals nationwide, we hope to positively impact millions of families each year.”

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Gov. Perdue Declares Apr 19-25 Toastmasters Week in GA

In an effort to inform the public of the importance of public speaking skills, Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue declares April 19-25, 2009 as Toastmasters Week in Georgia. Toastmasters Week is proclaimed in an effort to inform the public of the importance of public speaking and the benefits of improving speaking skills.

The fear of public speaking is one of people's biggest fears. In today's job market, companies seek employees who possess good communications skills. For over 80 years, Toastmasters International has worked to help thousands overcome the fear of public speaking thus enabling these people to achieve their career and personal goals.

Toastmasters Week in Georgia culminates with the District 14 Spring Conference to be held April 24-25, 2009 at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center. The conference features the Georgia Champion Speaker contest, Toastmaster of the Year award, and the Communication and Leadership award presented to a non-Toastmaster who exemplifies outstanding communication and leadership skills. Further information about the Spring Conference may be found on the District 14’swebsite, www.gatoastmasters.org.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide, nonprofit organization teaching skills in public speaking and leadership. Georgia is the home of 260 individual Toastmasters clubs. To locate a club near you visit www.gatoastmasters.org. For information about Toastmasters International visit www.toastmasters.org

Photo L-R: Carol Lunsford, Public Relations Officer Division A District 14; Theresa Spralling, District 14 Toastmasters International Lieutenant Governor Education; Governor Perdue; Cindy Cannon, District 14 Governor Toastmasters International; Kene Iloenyosi, District 14 Toastmasters International Public Relations Officer

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2009 Georgia Planned Giving Council Greater Good Award will go to Emory Schwall

The Georgia Planned Giving Council (GPGC) will award Emory Schwall with the fifth annual GPGC Greater Good Award at a noon luncheon on Thursday, April 30th at the InterContinental Buckhead. Last year’s award winner, Zoe Hicks, will deliver the keynote speech at the luncheon. The Greater Good Award Program begins with an educational session on planned giving from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. presented by Larry Stelter of the Stelter Company.

The Greater Good Award will then be presented to Mr. Schwall during the noon luncheon program.

Phyllis Silverstein, President of the Georgia Planned Giving Council, remarked “The Georgia Planned Giving Council created the Greater Good Award to recognize exemplary career-long work by an individual on behalf of philanthropy in Georgia. It is a great pleasure for us to present the 2009 GPGC Greater Good Award to Emory Schwall. As one of our most respected attorneys in Georgia for over fifty years, Emory is known as an exceptional advocate for his clients and charitable organizations throughout the community."

Ty Tippett, Director of Planned Giving for the Shepherd Center Foundation, remarked “Emory
has donated countless hours of his personal time, as well as his considerable legal expertise, in making the consummation of philanthropic transactions for the benefit of charitable organizations in Georgia possible.”

SunTrust Bank is the luncheon sponsor for the Greater Good Award. The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is the award sponsor and will grant $2,000 to the charity selected by the Greater Good Award recipient, half of which will come from the Berman Greater Good Award Endowment established by past recipient, Steve Berman, and his wife Candy, and half from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Emory Schwall, a native Georgian, born in Moultrie, has lived in Atlanta since 1945. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology, Woodrow Wilson Law School and Emory University Law School. He has practiced law in Atlanta for over 50 years, is a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia representing the Insurance Commission, a certified Estate Planner, a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He has represented Hillside Truth Center International for years. He is a member of the Emory Law School Council, is Vice-President and a Director of Shepherd Center, Inc. and a Trustee of Shepherd Center Foundation, Inc.

He is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where he has served as a Deacon. He is a member and former President of Cherokee Town & Country Club. He has been active in numerous charitable and civic organizations, including the American Heart Association and Arthritis Foundation. He is on the Piedmont Hospital Foundation Gift Planning Council, President of Atlanta Medical Heritage, which operated the Academy of Medicine. Last year, under his guidance, Atlanta Medical Heritage donated the Academy of Medicine building (designated as a Historical Landmark) to the Georgia Tech Foundation in order to assure preservation of the building. He has served on the Board of Trustees of Georgia Women of Achievement.

He is on the Advisory Board of Presbyterian Homes and is a member of the Board of Governors 1 Alive Community Service Awards. He was married to the late Peggy McCready Schwall, who was active in numerous charities. They had three sons, two of whom live in Atlanta and one lives in Omaha. He has four grandsons.

The GPGC Greater Good Award is an annual award to recognize exemplary service among Georgia's charitable advisors. Nominees have served at least ten years in the field of planned giving and uphold superior standards in the field, increasing the quality and quantity of planned gifts to charities in Georgia. In choosing the winner, the selection committee cited Mr. Schwall’s work helping his clients meet their charitable goals and benefiting scores of Georgia charities in the process. Past award winners include Ben White in 2005, Henry Bowden in 2006, Stephen M. Berman in 2007 and Zoe Hicks in 2008.

The Georgia Planned Giving Council is the statewide affiliate of the National Committee on Planned Giving, now known as the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning. Its membership consists of non-profit professionals, professional advisors and others throughout Georgia committed to promoting planned giving to charitable organizations. For more information on the Greater Good Award and to register for the event, please visit www.gpgconline.org or contact the Georgia Planned Giving Council office at 770-433-4137 or info@gpgconline.org.
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Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) Makes it Easy for Supporters to Give Back Through Its '30 Ways in 30 Days' Campaign

/PRNewswire/ -- In support of National Volunteer Month, Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) is encouraging people to give back to their communities through the Charity's "30 Ways in 30 Days" Campaign. Starting in April, people can visit rmhc.org to get daily inspiration on ways to give back, reminding them that by volunteering they give families one of the biggest gifts of all - more time together while their children are being treated for serious illnesses.

"RMHC wouldn't be able to serve millions of children each year if it weren't for its strong network of volunteers," said Linda Dunham, chairperson of the Global Board of Trustees for RMHC. "More than 30,000 volunteers donate millions of hours, saving the Charity nearly $2 million annually. And, most importantly they enable us to help more than 10,000 families every day. This April, we're celebrating their contributions and making it easier than ever before for people to join our Friends of RMHC volunteer network and give the gift of time."

The "30 Ways in 30 Days" campaign kicks off a new partnership with VolunteerMatch. Through the partnership, visitors to rmhc.org can now search for volunteer opportunities at local RMHC chapters, and chapters can use www.volunteermatch.org to recruit from VolunteerMatch's network of volunteers, the Web's largest of its kind. In addition, RMHC will shine the spotlight on volunteers through a new online community powered by Facebook Connect on the Charity's Web site that provides a forum for people to share their personal stories, read firsthand testimonials from current volunteers and be inspired by the "30 Ways in 30 Days" tips on how they can lend a helping hand this April and year round.

Some of the simple volunteer tips included in the "30 Ways in 30 Days" campaign include:

-- Prepare and serve a home-cooked meal for families staying at a local
Ronald McDonald House(R)
-- Help a local RMHC Chapter with a golf tournament, auction, gala or
fundraising event to raise awareness for the Charity
-- Stuff backpacks with school supplies for children visiting a local
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R)
-- Answer phones, greet visitors or do light office work at a local
Ronald McDonald House or Ronald McDonald Family Room(R)
-- Host a pizza party, ice cream social, or popcorn and movie night at a
local Ronald McDonald House
-- Donate at rmhc.org or drop off spare change in a RMHC Donation Box at
a local participating McDonald's(R) restaurant

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Fayette: Free Caregiver Conference – You Are Not Alone

One of the most difficult aspects of being a family caregiver is the feeling of isolation as you, and your loved one, struggle with a debilitating illness. One of the most comforting things a caregiver can hear is “you are not alone’ but quite often caregivers feel so overwhelmed that they don’t know where to turn for help.

To address these challenges, Fayette Senior Services will host a Caregivers Conference on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at their Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Attendees will hear from experts in the field of aging who will share valuable tips on how to ease the stress of caregiving. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for check-in followed by the conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to all registrants courtesy of Wesley Woods Newnan-Peachtree City.

To register, call 770-461-0813. You must pre-register for the event by April 15, 2009.

Guests will hear from a panel of distinguished experts including, Beverly Fochtman, CSA (Certified Senior Advisor) Home Instead Senior Care; Mary Lynn Kirby, J.D., Kirby, Palmer, Farrell, Nix; Albert Capogrossi, CR,CGR,CAPS,CGP, Concept Creators; Ann Garzia, Owner/Director, Sarah’s Adult Day Services; Nathalie White-Faulkner, Director of Marketing, Towne Club of Peachtree City; Ellen Werner, M.Ed./Owner, The Alzheimer’s Store; Mark L. Warner, AIA/Author, The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home and In Search of the Alzheimer's Wanderer; Linda, Pirog, M.Ed/Owner, Senior Helpers, Peachtree City; Mary Ann Neureiter, Owner, Cambridge House Adult Day Care Center; Mary Lou Vergara, M.Div., ARC Area Agency on Aging; Nell Robinson, Case Manager, Center for the Visually Impaired; Susan Landais, MS Gerontology, Program and Operations Manager, Fayette Senior Services, Inc.; and Suzanne Chrispen, LCSW, Case Management Supervisor, Fayette Senior Services, Inc.

The panel will address a wide variety of relevant topics that include: The importance of early diagnosis, tips on how to create a safe and user friendly environment for people with disabilities, information on community support for in-home services, community respite options through adult day care, senior housing options from independent to full support, how to care for yourself while you care for others, and spiritual perspectives on your caregiver journey.

Respite care will be available at Sarah Adult Day Care, 286 Highway 138 in Riverdale and at Cambridge House Enrichment Center, 2687 Highway 154 in Newnan. The cost for a full day of respite is just $20 and you may register for respite care when you register for the conference.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for Nursing Home Administrators and Social Workers for an administrative fee of $10.

For more information contact Susan Landais, Fayette Senior Services (www.fayss.org) 770-461-0813 ext. 115.
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Comprehensive Analysis of Georgia Nonprofit Sector

Georgians Give More on Average than Donors Nationally Charitable Activity Varies Widely Across the State

Note: This information was released three months ago. However, we just came across it and thought it was so interesting we had to share! We've always known that Georgians had a big hearts!

Collaboration between Georgia State University and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University has resulted in the most comprehensive analysis ever made of Georgia's nonprofit sector and the giving patterns of Georgians.

Funded by grants from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, and coordinated by Atlanta fund raising firm Alexander Haas, these two studies - Georgia Gives and Nonprofit Georgia - examined giving patterns throughout the state, as well as comparative analysis of giving in Atlanta and other urban, suburban and rural areas of the state.

"Georgians have always been generous, and these two studies provide evidence that the tradition continues today," said David H. King, president of Alexander Haas. "Individuals in Georgia gave an estimated $5.58 billion in 2007 to meet vital needs and improve the quality of life in our communities and rural areas throughout the state and gave more than the national averages," he said.

Among the key findings of Georgia Gives:

Georgia's total charitable giving by individuals, foundations and corporations in 2007 is estimated to be nearly $6.7 billion.

Individual donors statewide ($2,381) and in Atlanta ($2,492) gave more on average than donors nationally ($2,247) in 2007

60 percent of household donations in 2007 came from the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes 54 percent of the state's population.

86 percent of Atlantans reported making gifts to charity in 2007, compared with 70.2 percent nationally and 68 percent in the rest of the state.

55.5 percent of household donations in 2007 went to religious organizations, which is slightly lower than the national level of 61 percent.

The next largest share of Georgia household contributions (14 percent) was given to public-society benefit organizations such as United Way, compared to 10 percent of contributions nationally.

In 2007, corporate giving in Georgia is was estimated at $503 million.

"The Georgia Gives report shows that individuals, foundations and corporations all play a critical role in supporting Georgia's thriving nonprofit sector," said Patrick M. Rooney, interim executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. "Georgia's more than 1,400 independent, operating and community foundations gave an estimated total of $615.8 million to charity in 2006," he added.

Among the key findings of Nonprofit Georgia:

Georgia's Public Charities

7,119 public charities in Georgia filed with the IRS in 2005. Total revenues in these charities amounted to $24.7 billion, up 36 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars from 2000.
Fulton and DeKalb counties had a combined 2,429 charities.

There were 12 counties with no reporting charities, and over one-third of all Georgia counties had fewer than five.

The "urban-rural" divide in nonprofit resources is different than the "haves and have not" divide primarily because the lowest poverty rates in the state are in suburban counties. The 40 counties in Georgia with the highest poverty rates had an average $460 in public support per capita, while the 40 counties with the lowest poverty rates had $127. Similarly, the 40 counties with the highest poverty rates had an average $357 in government grants per capita, while the 40 with the lowest poverty rates had $41.

On various, commonly accepted measures of financial health, public charities in rural counties appeared to be somewhat healthier than those in urban counties. This suggests that although there are fewer nonprofit organizations and revenues in rural areas, the nonprofits that are operating there are sound, and are relatively good risks for philanthropic investment.

Georgia's Foundation Grant-Making

Georgia foundations are largely clustered around core urban areas in the state. While Fulton and DeKalb counties combined had 722, or 46 percent, of Georgia's foundations in 2005, 53 of Georgia's 159 counties-most of them rural-had no foundations.

The majority (more than 70 percent) of grant dollars from Georgia-based foundations remain in the state of Georgia.

Georgia foundations tend to give to the communities closest to their headquarters. The majority of grant dollars that go to rural counties originate in rural counties and the majority of grant dollars that go to urban counties originate in urban counties.

According to Dennis R. Young, Bernard B. and Eugenia A. Ramsey Professor of Private Enterprise, and Director of the Nonprofit Studies Program, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University: "Georgia's nonprofit sector has a powerful potential to transform the social and economic landscape of Georgia, but little is known about the capacity of the sector and the nature of its impact. Our Nonprofit Georgia study is intended to contribute to that understanding."

Complete information on the Georgia Gives study can be accessed on the web at www.georgiagives.com and more information on The Center on Philanthropy at www.philanthropy.iupui.edu.

Nonprofit Georgia study information can be accessed on the website of the Nonprofit Studies Program of Georgia State University at www.aysps.gsu.edu/nonprofit.
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Toastmasters International Presence in Georgia Expanding

Providing Communication and Leadership Training to Hundreds

With two hundred sixty-eight Toastmasters International clubs in fifty-four of her cities and towns Georgia is a separate district (District 14) within the Toastmasters International organization. Through the hard work of its Division and Area Governors, District 14 opened nineteen new clubs since July 1, 2008. This number is growing daily.

Each club, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational organization, can provide the following resources to their communities: Youth Leadership Programs where upper elementary, middle-school, and high school students are trained in communication (written and oral) and leadership skills; Speechcraft programs where the community at large can partake in communication training; and the Georgia Toastmaster Speakers Bureau which connects companies and organizations with public speakers knowledgeable in a wide range of topics including Leadership, Building Successful Teams, Creative Thinking and Innovation, Motivational and Inspirational, Coaching, Management Skills Training, and Time Management. A goal of District 14 Toastmasters is to bring its educational program to all parts of the state.

District 14 Toastmaster clubs consist of corporate clubs and community clubs. Corporate clubs are open to company employees. Community clubs are open to any member of the community age eighteen and over. Toastmasters International is the world’s largest educational organization devoted to the improvement of communication and leadership skills. The Toastmasters program is a unique self-paced program helping individuals develop communication and leadership skills in a mutually supportive environment. To find a club nearby visit www.gatoastmasters.org.
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Flooding in Fargo: World Vision Sending Supplies and Staff to Help Affected Families

/PRNewswire / -- Amid historic flooding in Fargo, North Dakota, Christian relief organization World Vision is dispatching an initial truckload of emergency supplies and sending staff to assess the needs of affected families.

"It's devastating for children and families to see their homes flooded and be forced to evacuate. But with this historic disaster happening on top of the economic downturn, people are going to be hurting even more," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's director for domestic disaster response.

"World Vision is especially concerned about children, lower-income families and families already struggling in this recession," said Freeman. "We will be working with local churches and community organizations to make sure the most vulnerable people don't fall through the cracks."

The agency's first shipment will leave Seattle on Tuesday and arrive at World Vision's Storehouse in the Twin Cities on Thursday. World Vision is shipping cleaning supplies that will help more than 150 families to combat dangerous black mold and other hazards once they are able to return to their homes. World Vision also plans to supply hygiene kits, paper towels, women's clothing and trash bags. For children who have been affected, the organization is providing soccer balls, board games, coloring books, baby clothing, backpacks, school supplies, stuffed animals and shoes.

The organization will work with its network of community and church partners to distribute the supplies to those who have been affected in and around Fargo.

"Recovery is going to take time, even after it's safe for these families to return," Freeman said. "Families that have had their homes heavily flooded will need to shovel out mud, wash down the walls, bleach everything, and possibly rip out drywall," she added.

Cash donations are needed to help with the response. The public can help by calling 1.888.56.CHILD or visiting www.worldvision.org and giving to the American Families Assistance Fund.

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Belk Spring Charity Sale on May 2 Benefits Local Charities and Schools

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Belk’s Spring Charity Sale on May 2, 2009, will once again benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market area. Belk’s previous Charity Sale, held November 15, 2008, raised more than $4.5 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event offers an excellent fundraising opportunity for participating organizations and a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event.

In return for a $5 donation, customers receive a ticket admitting them to the Charity Sale on May 2 from 6 to 10 a.m. and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent on purchases throughout the store. Customers also receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event, and Belk cardholders will receive double points for card purchases.

Participating local charities will sell the Charity Sale tickets in advance of the event and the proceeds from each $5 ticket will be retained by the charity. Beginning Friday, April 24, tickets may also be purchased at the store with all donations divided among the participating charities and schools. There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell, and no limit to the amount of money that can be raised. Belk provides tickets and collateral material at no cost to the participating nonprofit organizations.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.

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Fayette Care Clinic's Dancing with the Stars a Success

Recently, Fayette Care Clinic hosted its 4th annual fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars, at Glendalough Manor in Tyrone. The 172 “stars,” including community leaders, and supporters of the clinic, enjoyed a night of dining, dancing, and auction prizes donated by generous sponsors. The evening was a great success raising $30,000 for the clinic.

Glendalough Manor, as they have for four years, donated the food, drinks, and elegant rooms for the evening. A raffle was held for a stunning sapphire necklace donated by The Queen’s Jewels. Among the items auctioned were a heated massage bed from Relax the Back, vacations in Destin, Costa Rica, and Georgia mountains, a night at the Ritz Carlton, a dinner party prepared by Call Me Your Chef. There was also a silent auction.

Since 2005 Fayette Care Clinic has provided health and dental care, vision care, education, prevention and limited referrals to uninsured and working poor residents in Fayette County. These patients do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, and have a maximum household income of 200% above the federal poverty guideline. By most recent census, nearly 18% of Fayette county residents meet these criteria. Currently, the clinic serves 40 medical and 12 dental patients weekly. All health care providers, technical assistants, and reception staff are volunteers.

Fayette Care Clinic has partnered with Piedmont Fayette Community Hospital, OutPatient Imaging, and Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. Even so, new patients have a 2-3 week wait for a first appointment, and 12 months for new dental patients.

Appointment waiting times are increasing as the economic downturn continues and more residents join the ranks of the uninsured. Doctors, physician’s assistants, nurses, dentists, and dental assistants are needed. Contributions are being sought as Fayette Care Clinic attempts the necessary expansion to serve the growing needs in our community.

For more information on the Fayette Care Clinic, visit their website at www.FayetteCareClinic.com, or call the office, 770-487-4778.
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Town Hall Forum with Dr. Steve Hall

ExceptionalOps Proudly Presents a Town Hall Forum
Featuring Dr. Steve Hall
Director of the Dept. of Developmental Disabilities of GA DHR
Tuesday, April 14th from 7:00-9:00PM
First Christian Church, 294 Jenkins Road, Tyrone, GA

For directions go to: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Tyrone&state=GA&address=294+Jenkins+Road&zipcode=30290

This Forum will provide an overview of the two new federal Medicaid waivers and plans for implementing the changes in 2009:
· NOW: New Options Waiver for persons who live with family members or in their own home
· COMP: Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program for persons who need a full range of out-of-home services or intensive, in-home services who do not otherwise qualify for the NOW program
This seminar is designed to provide and clarify information for participants, families, and representatives about the “new” waivers which are designed to offer persons more control over how their service dollars are spent. The session will include overviews of both waivers and specific roles and responsibilities for participants, representatives, families, and support networks.

v If you have been following the efforts of Dr. Hall to revamp the Medicaid waiver program in GA

v If you have a loved one with a developmental disability who needs support services
v If you are on the short or long term Medicaid waiver waiting list
v If you are an educator who serves children with special needs
v If you are a provider of Medicaid waiver services or wish to become a service provider
v If you have a million questions about what to do next
v If you have questions or concerns about the transition process

Then this is the meeting for you! Come meet the expert, ask your questions and become part of the process of turning the tide for increased services for people with DD in GA.

For more information please contact ExOPS Executive Director Janet Smola 770 631-1035 or cell phone 770 639-9169Email: janetsmola@numail.org
ExOPS Mailing Address: 256 Commerce Drive, Suite 447, Peachtree City, GA 30269
ExOPS Office Location: 100 Governor’s Trace, Suite 107, Fayetteville, GA 30214
Website: http://www.ExceptionalOPS.com

Angel Food Ministries Continues to Serve and Hits March Peak

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Angel Food Ministries (www.angelfoodministries.com), an organization dedicated to providing affordable, high quality food to those in need, achieved its highest ever March distribution with 560,000 boxes distributed, and only second highest distribution numbers in its history, indicating further the growing need for affordable, quality food.

Angel Food Ministries provides boxes of food to more than 5000 communities in 39 states and feeds more than 320,000 families each year. Through Angel Food's benevolence funds, the organization has donated $560 thousand back into local communities and churches this month alone and more than $20 million since its inception.

Pastor Joe Wingo, CEO and founder, said, "Our March numbers humble us, as we see there is a great need being filled, yet we need to do more. We fear that those who are going hungry are multiplying with each day and down turn in the national employment figures.”

Pastor Wingo continued, "Angel Food Ministries has been under somewhat of a siege in the public eye for a few months, and we feel it every day. It is our greatest privilege to be able to continue filling a national need and helping families through the rough times. We appreciate the support and confidence that this distribution demonstrates; we feel for those who seek food relief through us, and praise God for giving us the abilities to minister to so many through this national epidemic."

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DHR Invites Public Comment on Babies Can't Wait Early Intervention Grant Application

The Babies Can't Wait (BCW) Program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, ages birth to three, and their families.

The Georgia Department of Human Resource (DHR) Division of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency for administration of the BCW system.

DHR has developed a new federal grant application for Babies Can't Wait that will be effective July 1, 2009 upon approval.

BCW invites interested persons to participate in a 60-day public review period that will run from March 20, 2009 - May 20, 2009. The public may review the grant application online (http://health.state.ga.us) or at Babies Can't Wait offices throughout the state and comment in three ways:

(1) Written comments will be received from March 20, 2009 - April 21, 2009: Babies Can't Wait 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 11-203 Atlanta, GA 30303-3186);
(2) Email comments will be received from March 20, 2009 - April 21, 2009: pturner@dhr.state.ga.us
(3) Facsimile comments will be received from March 20, 2009 - April 21, 2009: State BCW Office Fax: (404-657-2763)

Written, email, and facsimile comments will be received March 20, 2009 - April 21, 2009 and should be sent to: Phyllis Turner, Acting Part C Coordinator 2 Peachtree Street NW, #11-203 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
Email: pturner@dhr.state.ga.us
Facsimile: (404) 657-2763

More information about Georgia’s BCW early intervention program is available at http://health.state.ga.us/programs/bcw. A list of BC Wearly intervention programs throughout the state where the grant may be reviewed is available at: http://www.health.state.ga.us/pdfs/familyhealth/csncoordinator.pdf
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2nd Annual Drop Dead Gorgeous Event Raises Awareness on the Importance of Atlanta's Voiceless Victims

/PRNewswire/ -- The 2nd annual Drop Dead Gorgeous event, campaign of the 501c3c organization, Meet Justice, Inc., engaged the fashion and entertainment industries to combat child sex trafficking. The gala experienced its most successful moment to date on March 3 at 103 West in Buckhead, Georgia. A portion of the $18,000 in net proceeds from the event, chaired by Susan Muscari and Bronni Karatassos, will benefit Wellspring Living, Maya Angelou Teen Center of the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, and the Child Exploitation Unit of the Atlanta Police Department.

The chic 2009 crowd attracted Atlanta's cultural influencers including: Hannibal Navies, Tutan Reyes, Amanda Bearse, Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Walter Young, Deena Beasley, Lydia Mondavi, and Pano and Georgia Karatassos. Bre Scullark, DDG spokesmodel and contestant of America's Next Top Model, led the runway's stunning collections by Nina Gleyzer Couture, Waller + Fogle of Savannah College of Art & Design, T. Boutique, and jewelry by Jen Boaz Designs.

Kristen White, Miss Black USA, led the live auction which included an exclusive Napa Valley get-a-away to the Mondavi family winery, 29Spa and Neiman Marcus luncheon, private dinner for 8 at Kyma cooked by renowned chef Pano Karatassos, a tour of Spain's finest wineries courtesy of Big Boat Wine Company, and original artwork by Gillian Horsley accompanied by a signed copy of Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name "The Long Walk Home."

"This evening would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers and contributors," stated event chair, Susan Muscari. "Without them we would not be able to demonstrate to the community how imperative it is for everyone to work together cohesively to address an issue that affects our community."

100 volunteers donated their time to ensure the patrons had a remarkable experience. Other contributors include Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, PASTE Magazine, Four Seasons Atlanta, The Hamby Corporation, The Stone Ridge Group, Spellbound Wine, Peroni, Absolut Vodka, Buckhead Beef, Richie Arpino Salon, 29Spa, Neiman Marcus Atlanta, Wendy Babchin Designer Group, 1-800-Flowers Atlanta, Prestige Limo, Henri's Bakery, Blue Sky Agency, Elle Aesthetics, House of Music Entertainment, Element Model Management, Effective Media Group, Bronni Karatassos, Gillian Horsley, John Fleming, April McCollum, Lisa Allen, Josh Baker, and Valerie Hamilton.

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Unlock the Waiting Lists Action Alert

I have great news…The House and Senate agreed to restore the 135 MRWP slots back into the FY09 budget!

Go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html for a fact sheet and more information...

Our focus now shifts to the FY2010 budget covering services that will be available from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. There are a few issues at play this year that are important for you to understand. Please help me forward this action alert.

THE BAD NEWS

Because Georgia's economy is following national trends, on March 3rd Governor Perdue lowered his FY2010 Budget revenue estimate by $1.6 billion. Having less money to work with, the Senate and House will have to cut the overall budget by a substantial amount. They are now reviewing a revised budget offered by the Governor. Instead of naming specific programs to cut, the Governor simply included a $3M cut to Developmental Disability programs in DHR and then left it up to legislators.

Go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html to see a summary of cuts.

THE GOOD NEWS

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama and will offer over $600M of relief for Medicaid services. This relief is offered through an enhancement of Georgia’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) from 65.1% to 74.82%. This increased FMAP simply means that before the ARRA, it used to take around 35 cents to get a dollar of disability services in Georgia, and now it only takes only ONE QUARTER to get a dollars worth of supports!

THE BOTTOM LINE: GEORGIA NOW HAS A CHOICE!

Georgia can use this enhanced Medicaid match from the ARRA to invest in services for people with disabilities - OR - they agree with the Governor and make cuts to disability supports while withdrawing or borrowing much needed state money to send to other Governmental programs. This makes no sense when we have over 7,000 people with disabilities waiting for much needed help!!

Please ask your legislator not to move $42,743,523 out of DHR’s Developmental Disability program accounts and over $450 million from DCH’s Medicaid accounts until they expand disability supports to Unlock Georgia’s Waiting Lists for services. THERE ARE OVER 7,000 people waiting who are depending on their decision!

We are asking them to:

· Add funds for 2,000 MRWP services in the DHR budget
· Add funds for 630 ICWP slots in the DCH budget
· Add funds for $6M in Family Supports in the DHR budget
· Restore funds for 135 vacant MRWP services
· Add funds for a 3% rate increase for disability providers in the DHR and DCH budgets
· Protect the funds for 150 MRWP services and 100 ICWP slots for the Money Follows the Person programs in the DHR and DCH budgets

Go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html to ACT NOW!

Go to the Georgia Budget and Policy Insitute website for analysis on current legislation being considered that could reduces state revenue even further. http://www.gbpi.org

Dave Blanchard
www.unlockthewaitinglists.com

Fayette FACTOR meets March 23rd

"Continue to do more with less until you can do everything with nothing."

As the budget woes continue, The Governor, State Department Heads and Legislators are making tough decisions that are impacting every citizen in Georgia. Today, Commissioner B.J. Walker presented her FY2010 budget to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources. Line by line, she explained the impact on Georgia's citizens and how the Department was going to mitigate the impact of the cuts on Georgia's most vulnerable. (See message below for the rest of this message from Welfare Watch)

March 23@Fayette Family YMCA FACTOR Collaborative monthly meeting. 11:30 lunch (please RSVP) Meeting starts at noon.

Focus of the meeting:

How Have the State Budget Cuts Effected our County’s Agencies

We will hear from our state social service agencies-DFCS; Health Dept.; Dept of Juvenile Justice; Fayette Counseling/McIntosh Trail

Our goal for this meeting is to hear these agencies “greatest areas of concern” stemming from budget cuts and brainstorming together- determine collaborative efforts or partnerships that could address these identified areas of concern.

Please make every effort to attend. Granted we all are feeling the results of our country’s economic turmoil - however, unlike the non-profits, our state agencies do not have the fundraising opportunities. Even though they are able to solicit donations for projects - it takes programs and people (state budgeted items) to implement those projects. Keeping our state agencies around and strengthened is important to all of us! Collaboratively we - Strengthen Families and Strengthen Fayette

Becky Smith
Executive Director/FACTOR
404-291-1602 (office cell)
www.fayettefactor.org
www.encorefayette.org
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Local Students work to Raise Money to Build Library in Africa

Sponsors Coffee-Houses to Support the Cause

Four years ago 14 families from Umuaka, Nigeria living in metropolitan Atlanta started raising money to build a library in their town so residents and young students especially could have a community facility to help support their education and increase literacy rates. This year a local youth organization challenged its members to choose and implement a community service project.

A youth member aware of the acute need for literacy in Umuaka, Nigeria suggested that her group raise money to help fund a project to build and equip a community library. It is a large town of 10 villages, 10 elementary schools and two high schools that has no community library. Consequently, illiteracy is a major problem in the region.

Fayette County High School senior, Ogechi Oparah, visited the town in 2004 and attended classes at the girls high school; says of the education system, “There is so much that needs to be done, and so much that can be done for the residents in Umuaka. I think as youth, it is our job to help encourage change for our generation, and building literacy is one way for us to do it.” She added, “Teens are often given a bad rap, however there are many youth in the Fayette community involved in very positive activities and I want our elders to see the capability and power of young people with a mission”.

Ogechi, a member of the Association of Village PRIDE, Inc. presented her idea to fellow students who joined in on the project. Together, the students from four different local high schools have set a goal to raise $10,000 by August, 2009. The students have scheduled four local coffeehouse events to raise awareness about the literacy needs in Africa and to raise money for the project. The first coffeehouse will be held on March 28, 2009 from 7-9:00 pm at the Fayette Family YMCA. Tickets are available at the Fayetteville Public Library.

This literacy project is youth driven and youth coordinated. The coffeehouse will feature local youth talent performing in drama, poetry readings, voice, instrumental music, dance, and more. The youth are also soliciting donations from local businesses to be used in a silent auction. The admission to the coffeehouse is $5.00 with a new or used book or $7.00 without a book.

The students are soliciting individual and group donations. Depending on the amount of the donations, donors’ names will be placed on group plaques and individual plaques to be displayed in the library once it is completed. Students are seeking help from local businesses, youth leadership and volunteer organizations, churches and other faith-based organizations. They have developed a website where interested people can get additional information or donate. Students also set up different groups on how to get involved through social networks sites.
Contributions for this project are tax-deductible because of the non-profit nature of the sponsoring organization, Association of Village PRIDE, Inc.

For information on school representatives, how to perform at the coffeehouse, how to volunteer, or how to donate you can send an email to community.literacyproject@gmail.com or visit the website at www.communityliteracyproject.webs.com.
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Fayette Senior Services to Host “Mayors For Meals Day” on March 18

Fayette Senior Services announced today that it will be hosting Mayors For Meals Day as a part of the March for Meals national campaign initiated by Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), which seeks to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community. Fayette County Mayors Harold Logsdon (Peachtree City), Ken Steele (Fayetteville) and Don Rehwaldt (Tyrone) will be participating in the event to show their support for the community’s homebound seniors. Fayette Senior Services delivers more than 40,000 meals annually to help seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent. The meals are delivered by a team of volunteer drivers who are often the only social contact a homebound senior receives each week.

The mayors will attend a brief training session beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Fayette Senior Services located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Afterward, each mayor will accompany one of Fayette Senior Services’ regular volunteer drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in their respective communities.

Debbie Britt, Executive Director for Fayette Senior Services emphasized, “We are excited about having Mayors Logsdon, Steele and Rehwaldt participate in our event. Mayor Laggis (Woolsey) and Mayor Butler (Brooks) had previous commitments, but we look forward to having them with us next year. Britt adds, “The Fayette County mayors, along with the Board of Commissioners, have been long-time advocates of the Meals On Wheels program to ensure that no senior goes hungry in Fayette County. The national Mayors For Meals Day is an excellent way for our elected officials to meet the citizens who benefit from their support.”

In a show of solidarity, members of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners and Wal-Mart Community Involvement Coordinators, Theresa Thaxton (Fayetteville) and Fredia Jones (Peachtree City), will also be participating in the event. The Meals On Wheels Association (MOWAA) and Wal-Mart Foundation recently awarded a $9,845 grant to Fayette Senior Services’ Meals On Wheels program to alleviate some of the financial challenges as a result of state budget cuts and the current economic crisis. Britt states, “We want to recognize Wal-Mart for their community partnership and provide an opportunity through Mayors For Meals to observe the meaningful difference that Wal-Mart’s support has made in the lives of Fayette County seniors.”

Fayette Senior Services provides meals to nearly 175 homebound seniors throughout Fayette County. The average client receives 260 meals per year. The annual cost per client is approximately $1,380, not including the cost for holiday meals or doctor-ordered nutrition supplements.

Also in conjunction with the March For Meals campaign, Fayette Senior Services is hosting the first annual March For Meals Charity Run/Walk on Saturday, March 21 at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville First Baptist Church. Applications are available at www.fayss.org. Citizens can also support Meals On Wheels (MOW) by sending charitable donations to Fayette Senior Services, 4 Center Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214. For information about becoming a MOW volunteer driver call 770-461-0813 ext.105.

Founded in 1978, Fayette Senior Services (www.fayss.org) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that offers older adults the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, recreation, and educational activities at its Life Enrichment Center. The agency also helps seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Referral Service, Information & Assistance, Transportation, In-Home/Personal Services, and Case Management.

The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods.

Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability and health and wellness. In 2007, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
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Adaptive Egg Hunt - A Community Disability Awareness Event

For kids with Disabilities, come and experience an egg hunt just for you.
For all kids, experience an egg hunt with a special challenge.

When: Saturday, March 28, 10AM to Noon
Where: Fayette Family YMCA Soccer Field, Huiet Road, Fayetteville (Behind the Playpark)

For more information, or if you need specific accommodations or modifications, please contact Raissa Chandler, Navigator Team, at hmhconsultants@hotmail.com.

Our “Peeps” Sponsors: Fayette County Navigator Team, Exceptional OPS, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Fayette Family YMCA, Braelinn Elementary's Kindness Kids Club, Fayette FACTOR partners, and the Line Creek Civitans

Still accepting donations of gently used plastic eggs, mismatched (but clean) socks, and old tshirts. “Peeps” Sponsorships and "Peep Squad" volunteer opportunities available.

4-H Foundation Receives $25,000 State Farm Service-Learning Grant

Each year, the Georgia 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Team tries to award 50 computers to Georgia students who apply for them. Thanks to a State Farm service-learning grant, the computers this year will include modems, printers and speakers.

Through the Need-A-Computer program, the 4-H technology team has awarded more than 400 refurbished computers over the past 11 years, delivering them each December.

“I love to watch kids’ faces light up” when they get a computer, said Nicole Batten, who judges the applications. Batten is tech support engineer for Intuit, an Athens, Ga., company that designs money-management software like TurboTax and Quicken.

The $25,000 State Farm grant will help the Georgia 4-H Foundation improve access to higher education for Georgia students, too. It will allow the technology team to purchase a mobile lab and hold free Internet education classes statewide. The classes will teach students how to effectively use technology and about Internet and social networking safety and cyber bullying.

“Georgia is a high-need area with 91 of our 159 counties declared in persistent poverty,” said Cheryl Varnadoe, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H specialist who leads the technology team. “We feel that this grant opportunity will allow many youth and families a new start to reaching their dreams for the future.”

Students who own a computer and learn basic computer technology have the tools to reach higher education, she said.

“Over 60 percent of today’s jobs require knowledge of technology operations,” she said. “Working with underserved youth … will help close the achievement gap for many youth.”

The Georgia 4-H Foundation was one of 73 applicants from across the United States and Canada chosen to receive a State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grant. More than 500 organizations applied.

The youth advisory board is made up of 30 students who award and oversee the grants to organizations. Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 and are evaluated by how well they utilize service-learning to address driver safety, environmental responsibility, financial literacy, access to higher education and disaster preparedness.

Georgia 4-H delivers programs that provide educational and life skills opportunities to more than 200,000 students each year. For more information, visit www.georgia4h.org.

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

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University of Georgia Coach Mark Richt to Speak at Christian City's Night of Hope

University of Georgia Coach Mark Richt will be the guest speaker at a semi-formal dinner banquet on Thursday, March 5th at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.

All proceeds from this wonderful evening will benefit the Children’s Village at Christian City. Christian City is a nondenominational nonprofit organization that has been caring for abandoned and abused children in a residential setting since opening the first cottage in 1965. With the help of community support, over 1,000 children have lived at Christian City and have received the benefits of a safe, loving home environment.

Come enjoy an elegant dinner, hear inspiring words from one of the greatest coaches in Georgia’s history, and help give children in need hope for a better future.

A sponsor reception with Coach Richt begins at 6pm followed by dinner at 7pm. Individual tickets as well as table sponsorships are still available. For more information please call 770-703-2636 or access www.christiancity.org.
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Carithers Reaches Out to Help Teens Find "The Ideal Dress"

The Ideal Dress is an outreach that Alicia Carithers started through her Senior Bible class at Landmark Christian School. Alicia’s Senior Bible Project was inspired by an existing organization that serves teenage girls in the community. The outreach is for girls who are unable to purchase a dress for prom because of financial reasons. Alicia has been collecting dresses and accessories like shoes, jewelry, and purses. The Ideal Dress is located an unused Landmark classroom, which was renovated to serve as a dress shop boutique.

The Ideal Dress seeks to give girls the chance to attend their school’s prom. There has been a great response from the High School counselors in the community. With your help we can give the girls in our community the opportunity to enjoy their prom night and the events leading up to it.

So far Alicia has collected over 100 dresses surpassing the initial goal of 75. Girls who will receive these dresses are appointed by their school counselor to verify they are in financial need or they are a part of the foster care system. When Girls come in for their personal appointment they will be able to have a complete dress shopping experience; looking through the dresses and accessories, and then trying them on . The Ideal Dress provides girls the fun of shopping for that special prom dress.

All of the items at the Ideal Dress are for the girls to have free of charge. People from the community have also graciously offered their skills and talents by providing free hair and makeup on the day of their prom. A local florist has also offered free boutonniere coupons for some of the girls.

The Ideal Dress could still use your donations. If you would like to make a donation the following items are still needed: clean, in style, and lightly used short or long formal dresses, formal shoes, jewelry, purses, and any other accessories that would complete a prom night. Florists or drycleaners who would like to donate their services will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions you can contact Alicia Carithers at theidealdress@gmail.com.

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Cards for Kyara

The University of West Georgia will host “Cards for Kyara,” a benefit show and sale in Gallery Two of the Humanities Building.

Local artists and UWG students have created dozens of artist trading cards that are miniature works of art sized 2.5 by 3.5 inches. The cards are on view in the gallery through March 6 and will be sold for $5 each at a reception on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funds raised through the sale of the cards will benefit Kyara Dzenis, a four-year-old Newnan resident who is recovering from gastric transposition surgery in a Michigan hospital.

Kyara drank a chemical that scarred her esophagus at the age of two. When her esophagus did not heal and swallowing became difficult, the family traveled to Michigan where doctors replaced the damaged esophagus with one created from stomach tissue.

Due to complications, Kyara is still in the hospital four months later with family members staying at a Ronald McDonald House. Friend of the family and UWG student Claire Hyde coordinated the event.

For information about Kyara and her family, go http://www.kyara-carepage.blogspot.com. For information on the exhibit, call 678-472-6932.

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Tornado Victimes Can Replace Damaged Food Stamp Supplies

Anyone who lost food supplies obtained with Georgia food stamps as a result of severe weather on February 19 can get replacement provisions by visiting their local Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office.

Citizens in Hancock, Jasper, Thomas and Warren counties who currently receive food stamps may have lost supplies due to long power outages or other damage caused by Thursday’s severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. They may contact their local DFCS office and sign an affidavit stating their food loss was storm-related to have their benefits replaced.

Here is DFCS contact information for the affected counties:

· Hancock DFCS office – 220 Broad Street in Sparta; telephone: (706) 444-1203
· Jasper DFCS office – 226 Funderburg Drive in Monticello; telephone: (706) 468-6461
· Thomas DFCS office – 438 Smith Avenue in Thomasville; telephone: (229) 225-4005
· Warren DFCS office – 224 North Legion Drive in Warrenton; telephone: (706) 465-3326

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Volunteers Help “Makeover” City of Morrow Homes

"Bus driver, move that bus!” is a popular statement heard on a well-known home makeover television show. When the family hears the statement, they know the house has magically changed for the better. Some Morrow homes will be receiving a little “makeover magic” with the help of volunteers from Boston College during the week of Sunday, March 1, 2009 through Friday, March 6, 2009. The students are being hosted by the City of Morrow and the Morrow Business and Tourism Association.

During this first week in March, the volunteers will be working with the City of Morrow’s Code Enforcement Officer Marti Tracy on helping repair residents’ homes and yards. The homes chosen for the “makeover” have the greatest need for the help from Officer Tracy and the volunteers. While the volunteers are working on the homes, the families will have the opportunity to be treated like a V.I.P. at the Red Roof Inn in Morrow. Once the renovations are complete, the family will be brought back to their house for the “big reveal.”

The volunteers will also be participating in evening activities with members of the community. One of the evening activities will be “History Night,” and the volunteers will be taken on a tour of Morrow’s history with local historians. Other evening activities will include programs where the volunteers will have a chance to get to know each other. During their final evening in Morrow, the volunteers will be part of a celebration for International Women’s Day, which will be Thursday, March 5 at the Morrow Tourist Center. The celebration will be honoring the volunteers as well as The Conner's Honors program, where Conner's Florist will honor a special volunteer in the community.

The volunteers are visiting through a program called Volunteers for Communities. VfC is a program of the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (Southeast RCAP) based in Roanoke, Virginia. The program trains communities throughout the Southeast to host volunteers and to help build community leadership. If you are interested in this program for your community, please contact VfC at (276) 699-1493.

The Volunteers for Communities program a unique project which matches college student volunteers with communities in need of assistance with water and wastewater system improvements or economic development projects. These volunteers assist in a variety of ways such as painting houses and other buildings, digging trenches and laying pipes, and rehabilitating and weatherizing houses.

For more information about the Volunteers for Communities program, please contact Michael Sakowitz Twomey, President & Executive Director of the Morrow Business and Tourism Association, at 678-614-3824 or mtwomey@cityofmorrow.com. For more information about Southeast RCAP and VfC, visit http://www.southeastrcap.org/.
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Angel Food Ministries Reaches February Distribution Milestone

/PRNewswire/ -- Angel Food Ministries ended its February distribution call-in with the highest numbers ever achieved for a February, and 63% over the same month last year. It also turns out to be the 6th biggest distribution month ever. The numbers, up 20% over January 2009, indicate a growing concern for affordable, quality food. AFM sends boxes of food to 500 communities in 39 states, and feeds more than 300 thousand families each year. Through AFM's benevolence funds, it donated $530 thousand back into local communities and churches this month and over $19 million since it began.

Pastor Joe Wingo, CEO and founder, said, "We are both proud and saddened, at the same time. Proud to have the faith of so many people, proud to be able to help so many people get proper nutrition and proteins into their diets, but saddened that the need is so vast and growing."

Pastor Wingo continued, "At the same time we are feeding so many, we also know that the news of events last week at our offices have raised concerns that Angel Food Ministries' mission may be hampered; these order totals show that the needs people are facing as a result of the economy far exceeds the best efforts to stop us from reaching out, and we will always put food on the tables of everyone who asks for it."

Angel Food Ministries (www.angelfoodministries.com) is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing financial support in the form of food relief to communities throughout the United States. Established in 1994 to provide relief for struggling families in the Monroe, GA area, Angel Food Ministries today serves hundreds of thousands of families across 39 states. Since inception, Angel Food Ministries has fed more than 20 million Americans. In 2008, AFM provided $120 million in direct food assistance to American families.

Angel Food offers a medium-sized box of food for $30 that contains top quality food staples from every food group, including chicken or beef, milk, eggs, vegetables, and other nutritious items. One box of food feeds a family of four for about one week, or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The menu varies each month, and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60.

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Tyler Perry Donates $110K to Covenant House Keeping Atlanta Teens off the Street

/PRNewswire/ -- Covenant House Georgia announced today that writer/director/producer Tyler Perry has donated $110,000 and a brand new 15-passenger van to the Atlanta-based homeless shelter. The funds will contribute to operating costs and the complete renovation of its Crisis Shelter for homeless adolescents in Atlanta.

"God bless Mr. Perry for this incredible gift to our kids," said Kevin Ryan, President of Covenant House. "The van will be used to rescue young people from the hopelessness of the street. His generous donation will provide immediate help to kids in crisis as well as the long-term support that will transform their lives."

"A donation of this caliber from Mr. Perry is the beginning of exponential growth for services at Covenant House Georgia," says Covenant House Georgia CEO Maxine Shoulders Brandon. "When we are able to reach more homeless youth on the streets and provide more services to the kids in our care, there will be fewer homeless that sleep under the bridge and on the streets. At Covenant House we give our youth the tools of self-sufficiency, not a handout."

Tyler Perry is no stranger to homelessness. The successful director, playwright, best-selling author and actor experienced periods of homelessness and hunger before finding success. He now focuses his philanthropic efforts to charities benefiting those who are homeless and hungry including Feeding America, the Atlanta Food Bank and Perry Place -- a 20-home community Tyler built for survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Covenant House Georgia (CHGA), opened in August 2000 in downtown Atlanta and is the newest addition to Covenant House -- the largest privately funded childcare agency in the United States providing shelter and services to homeless and runaway youth. CHGA has a Crisis Shelter, Rights of Passage Transitional Living program and Community Service Center offering GED classes, life-skills training, case management and job assistance.

Last year Covenant House Georgia served over 2,000 kids providing access to immediate shelter, food, clothing, counseling, educational and vocational services. Since coming to Atlanta, Covenant House Georgia has changed the lives of close to 10,000 youth.

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Federal and State Policy Updates; Action Requested

Dear Nonprofit Colleagues,

The purpose of this email is to provide three key federal and state policy updates and to request your action on one important item. House Ways and Means releases the list of oversight hearings for 111th Congress Data needed urgently to articulate the economy’s impact on nonprofits and steer proposed assistance plans. House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) released a list of oversight-related hearings before the Subcommittee on Oversight this session. The Oversight Subcommittee is expected to examine how the economic downturn has affected nonprofit organizations and explore options to assist charities and foundations during the recession. It will also evaluate overall efforts of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to monitor tax-exempt organizations. Other subcommittee hearings are slated to examine vulnerable populations and poverty, unemployment, and health care. No hearing dates have been released.

ACTION ITEM – Your help is urgently needed!

As the Georgia Center for Nonprofits works on a state and federal level to ensure that the interests of our state’s sector are pursued and protected, we lack quantitative data to articulate the magnitude of need and impact on our state’s nonprofits and their capacity to produce community impact in the midst of this economic crisis.We need your organization to spend a few moments to provide critical data that will quantify the scope of impact that your nonprofit is experiencing as a result of the economy. Here is what your participation will help us work on:
Adequate representation in the House Ways and Means oversight hearings for 111th Congress examining the economy’s impact on nonprofits and foundations.

Proposed legislative study committee to look at the Georgia provisions in the stimulus package along with the data in the survey PRIOR to making any further appropriation cuts impacting nonprofits and to guide nonprofit investments arising from federal stimulus appropriations.
Guidance for strategic responses and initiatives from various corporate and foundation donor communities.

Media communication to educate the public about nonprofit resource needs

We understand your time is precious but now more than ever, the nonprofit community needs to work together to provide a powerful voice to our elected officials as they struggle with the tough budget, spending, and policy decisions that lie ahead. This is why we need each and every one of you to complete by February 20th the "Economic Trends and the State of the Nonprofit Sector" survey. Please fill the survey out by February 20th and forward the link to nonprofits in your network.

POLICY UPDATES

Federal Stimulus Package & Georgia Proposals: Conferees reach compromise; possible floor consideration as early as todayLawmakers reached an agreement yesterday on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (H.R.1) after the price tag of the package was scaled-back to $789 billion. Trimming school construction spending and leaving out some large tax cuts were components of the compromise to appease Senate Republican moderates. The compromise plan would allow funding for a $54 billion state fiscal stabilization fund, up from $39 billion in the Senate-passed bill, and $87 billion in Medicaid assistance. Full details of the package have not yet been released, but both the House and Senate are working to clear procedural hurdles to bring the conference report up for floor consideration as early as today. Source: BNA Daily Tax Report, Tax Analysts, Congress Daily AM & PM, Congressional Quarterly, Roll Call, The Hill Georgia’s Proposals for the Package:Check out the Senate’s version of the stimulus bill with the specific Georgia proposals.

Georgia's Revenue Figures Down 14.8 Percent for January The biggest news today was the release by the Governor of January's revenue figures. As you know, Lawmakers are struggling with addressing the Budget needs of Georgia in the declining revenues. Governor Perdue announced that "net revenue collections for the month of January 2009 (FY 2009) totaled $1,575,265,000 compared to $1,837,297,000 for January 2009 (FY 2008), a decrease of $262,032,000 or 14.3 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY 2009 compared to FY 2008 is 4.8 percent."Read about in the Gold Dome.

Other noteworthy GA nonprofit policy updates - HB 358 – Rep. Martin (R-Alpharetta) produced this amendment for O.C.G.A. § 48-8-3 to extend the periods of exemption from State sales and use taxes for use of prepared food and beverages which are donated to a qualified nonprofit for hunger relief purposes and use of prepared food and beverages donated for disaster relief purposes. In each of these exemptions, both will now sunset on June 30, 2011 (rather than the current sunset of June 30, 2009). - HB 359 – Rep. Martin (R-Alpharetta) also authored an amendment to O.C.G.A. § 48-8-3(57.1)(A) for exemptions from sales and use taxes for qualified food banks who purchase eligible foods and beverages. Currently, this exemption would sunset on June 30, 2010; this extends the sunset to June 30, 2012.

Warmly,
Karen Beavor
President & CEO

Coweta's Dancing Stars & Kids Day America Events Benefit Community Welcome House

COWETA'S DANCING STARS

Thursday April 23, 2009 at 7:00pm at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts 1523 Lower Fayetteville Rd, Newnan, GA COWETA'S DANCING STARS. Event proceeds benefit Community Welcome House a safe-haven for women and children victims of domestic violence. General Admission is $10.00 preferred seating is $20.00. A sponsor for this event will select preferred seating and access to Meet the Stars in the VIP Event after the show for beverages and hors d' oevres. Contact Judi Alvey at judi_alvey@cable.comcast.net for sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.communitywelcomehouse.org to view the stars, vote for your favorite star, and purchase tickets on line. Click on Coweta's Dancing Stars.

KIDS DAY AMERICA:DEDICATED TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS (Rain or Shine)

Saturday, April 25, 2009, communities world wide will be participating in "Kids Day America". In our community the event is being held at South Metro Ministries 3935 Highway 34 E., Sharpsburg, Georgia.

The host for this event is Dr. Matthew P. Davis and Staff of Crossroads Chiropractic. This event is free to the public. Fingerprinting/photo ID Kits donated by the Coweta Sheriffs Dept, Fire Safety though Coweta Fire Dept, Dental ID, Spinal Screenings, Handouts on Children's Health Related Issues. Free Food from Local restaurants, prize drawings and give aways every 15 minutes. Moon Walk, Inflatable Slide, Games for the Kids, McGruff the Crime Dog, Chick-Fil-A Cow, The Laparilla-Cinco de Mayo Frog, Fire Truck, Police Car, and Fire House. For information on this great event for working together for a healthier future for our kids visit www.sharpsburgchiropractor.com and click on Kids Day America. or call 770-252-1848.
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Founders Club Proudly Supports the St. Joseph's/Candler Mammography Fund

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Founders Club will donate $5 from the sale of its new Believe golf clubs to the Mammography Fund at St. Joseph's/Candler.

"The Mammography Fund is a great service to the community. Early detection is crucial in the fight against cancer," Jeff Andrews, CEO of Founders Club, said.

The Believe set retails for $399 and will be sold at Edwin Watts Golf stores and specialty golf retail stores across the United States.

"St. Joseph's/Candler is very proud to be selected as the national recipient for this generous donation," said Paul P. Hinchey, president & CEO of St. Joseph's/Candler. "As one of only 10 NCI-selected National Community Cancer Center Programs (NCCCP) pilot sites in the country, our Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion works hard to erase cultural, economic and other access barriers to oncology services. The funds generated from the sale of these golf clubs will go a long way in helping us fulfill that mission," Hinchey adds.

The Mammography Fund covers the cost of mammograms for women with little or no insurance. They are identified through SJ/C programs, the Mary Telfair Women's Hospital's network of services or the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.

From 2007 to 2008 the number of patients who used the fund increased 208 percent.

With the economy souring and more people losing insurance, the fund is becoming even more important.

Founder's Club, headquartered in Savannah, is already selling the clubs in Canada and donating to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Believe set comes with a bag and a full compliment of 11 clubs. This easy-to-hit set is designed to offer the latest game improvement technology to help improve your game and improve your golf experience.

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St. Christopher’s Philoptochos Society Offers Greek Delicacies for Easter

The Philoptochos Society of St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church will hold its annual Greek Appetizers and Baklava Sale in time for Easter entertaining. Offered are Spanakopites (filo pastry filled with spinach, feta and onions) and Tiropites (filo pastry filled with cheeses and herbs) for $10.00 per dozen and Baklava (filo and nut filled sweet pastry) for $18.00 per dozen. The pites are already prepared and frozen for baking at a later time.

Order deadline is March 18th and pickup dates are April 3rd from 3 -6 pm and April 4th from 9am – 12 pm at St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church, located at 313 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for charities such as Fayette County DFACS, Fayette Samaritans, St. John the Wonderworker Loaves and Fishes program in Atlanta, International Orthodox Christian Charities, St. Basils Academy in Garrison NY and the Children’s Medical Fund.

To order, please visit the website at www.saintchristopherhoc.org or contact helenngeorge@comcast.net or call 770-486-6580.
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