In addition to supporting local businesses, I feel we are also called to support people in need. I am pleased to spotlight a local charitable organization in each issue of the Office Express Press.
Charity Corner
Clark Park Coalition
A customer recently informed us of a great organization. Please read the following press release from the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Clark Park Coalition celebrates 15 years, completion of new outdoor ice rink. The end of 2006 saw the opening of a new $1 million outdoor ice rink in Clark Park. It is the only one of official competitive size in Detroit and is open 7 days a week.
Clark Park Coalition (CPC) feels “very fortunate” for the gift from Wayne County that afforded the rink’s rebuilding, according to executive director Anthony Benavides. The administrations of county executives Ed McNamara and Robert Ficano as well as County Commissioner Ilona Varga worked to have the funds allocated to the park.
CPC organized in 1991 in response to the planned closure of the rink and, after their initial winter season, “the kids kept coming,” remembers Benavides. They now also provide opportunities for hockey, softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, golf and tennis and have expanded beyond sports to include educational programs like tutoring and computer training. They also take children on field trips and provide free lunches over the summer. Approximately 1,000 children are reached by CPC’s programs each year.
On Jan. 23, CPC will celebrate the rink's grand opening and their 15th anniversary from 5-8 pm. Ficano will "cut the ribbon;" Varga, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Governor Granholm are other honorary guests expected at the event.
As for the ice rink, it is open Monday-Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from noon-6 p.m. The rink is for open skating until 6 p.m. and for drop-in hockey games until the rink closes. There are learn-to-skate-sessions on weekends for youth and adults. Skating is free for children; adults are charged $3 for open skate and $5 for hockey.
Source: Anthony Benavides, Clark Park Coalition
The coalition is always on the lookout for used hockey gear. If you have a local rink that you can post a flyer at or you wish to donate, click here.
Charity Corner
Detroit Institute of Arts (http://www.dia.org)
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you’ll notice that most of the time our Charity Corner articles are centered on organizations that help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, find cures for disease, or address some other social issue.
But this month, I invite you to think about one of the artistic jewels in our community. The Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) is recognized as one of the country’s premier art museums. The museum’s approximately 60,000 works of art comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera’s world-renowned Detroit Industry murals, the DIA’s collection reveals the scope and depth of human experience, imagination, and emotion.
Humans were created with the capacity to experience beauty; to share emotion; and to create works of art that express a range of emotions and attitudes. I know that art is often looked upon as an “extra.” It’s one of the first things to be cut when budgets get tight. And yet, it is one of the lasting ways in which the human race understands the world and communicates with generations of today and tomorrow.
If you haven’t been to the newly-renovated DIA, take the family for a visit soon. You’ll find something for everyone to enjoy!
http://www.dia.org/PressReleases/showpressreleases.asp?ID=417
Charity Corner: Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Many of us feel like it’s hard to make ends meet when our kids want a new Game Boy, or when we’re struggling to put enough money away for retirement.
But when I think of the thousands of people in Detroit for whom food is a luxury, then I am reminded how truly blessed we are.
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen was started in 1883 to help meet the needs for food among the poor of Detroit. During its 150-year history, the organization has continued to focus on services for the working poor (people who have partial employment) and those who are truly destitute. Here are just a few of the services they provide in our community:
- 2,000 hot meals per day at our two locations at an avg. cost of $ 1.17 per meal
- About 300,000 pounds of food distributed per month to families
- About 30,000 articles of clothing given to clients per month
- More than 500 pieces of furniture and appliances given to families each month
- Showers and a change of clothing for up to 30 homeless and poorly housed persons per day
- Jefferson House, a substance abuse treatment program servicing up to 12 indigent men
- A children's library and art therapy studio serving up to 800 children per month
- A 25,000 square foot urban farm project
I know that many of us do struggle financially. But no matter what our struggle, we have been blessed in abundance compared to the people who are served by this wonderful organization. I hope that in this season of gratitude you will find it in your heart to support them in some small way. If all of us pitch in, we can have a remarkable impact!
Learn more and donate at http://www.cskdetroit.org/index.cfm.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So I’d like to share a very personal story with you, and ask you to consider supporting this organization that does so much incredible work.
Four years ago, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. One of her top priorities was to find accurate, in-depth information specific to her specific type of breast cancer. She found that Susan G. Komen for the Cure was an organization that could be counted on for this type of information. My wife especially liked their web site, using it before and after her treatment. Even today, four years later, she often searches their web site for updates and new information.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, they have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill the promise of ending breast cancer forever, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in women. Nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. There are almost 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. You probably know someone whose life has been changed by this disease.
The period of diagnosis and treatment was one of the most traumatic times in our 18-year marriage. We had young kids. I needed my wife. This organization helped us get through a very difficult period. Please support Susan G. Komen for the Cure during breast cancer awareness month. They make a difference. http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
(PS…Yes, I still need my wife, and I’m grateful every day that she’s with us!)
Michigan Education Assocation (MEA)
Every time I turn on the news, I hear something about education in Michigan. Usually it’s the depressing stuff…saying that our kids are not learning enough science and math, or funding is being cut, or equally negative news.
I believe good education is critical for the success of our state in the next generation. As we try to diversify our economy and move into additional areas besides manufacturing, we are going to need a well-educated workforce that work in a broad array of fields. As an employer, I know what kind of skills I’m seeking as I hire new employees. So that’s why I’d like to share information about this organization with you.
The Michigan Education Association (MEA) is an organization that fights hard to ensure our schools have adequate funding, excellent curriculums, and dedicated teachers who are producing high-quality students.
The organization has been in existence since 1852. It represents the best interests of students and teachers to the governing bodies in Lansing as it seeks to affect legislation that impacts our educational system.
I encourage you to visit www.mea.org to learn more about this organization and how you can support their efforts. Our success tomorrow depends on the students of today!
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Almost everyone has seen some part of the Jerry Lewis telethon to benefit MDA, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It has become an icon of the Labor Day Weekend. Last year, the telethon raised over $54 million dollars. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of every dollar MDA spends goes directly to research, health care services and education. The rest goes to fund raising and administration. The organization is actually quite amazing.
Did you know that $650 sends one child to MDA summer camp? Did you know that $2,000 assists one person with the purchase of a wheelchair, leg braces or communication device? Did you know $85 pays for one minute of research? Did you know that $500 assists one person with repairs to a wheelchair? Did you know that if you support MDA's online auction, children and adults with neuromuscular diseases in the Metro Detroit area will benefit from their unparalleled service excellence?
Office Express has supported MDA for the last three years by matching pledges during a specific time period of the telethon. We will be doing so again this year, and we hope our customers will pledge with us. When we know the specific time, we’ll share it. In the meantime, you can make your pledge right now via email, and we will match it.
If you are interested, you can also purchase sponsorships and auction items. Check it out at http://www.cmarket.com/catalog/landingPage.do?vhost=mdadetroittelethon
Society of St. Vincent dePaul
When we Detroit folks hear the name St. Vincent dePaul, we think of the clothing drives which are done at many churches. But did you ever think about what they do with all that stuff after they collect it? The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides the Southeastern Michigan Area with more goods and services than any other charity…. all at little or no cost.
Clean your supply closet
In talking with the people at St. Vincent DePaul, we came up with this idea that could be a win/win for everyone. In visiting many of you over the last 20 years, I know we all have at least a couple of shelves in our supply cabinets that are holding something we haven’t used for years and we don’t just want to throw it away. Now is the perfect time to box that stuff up and call us to pick it up. After Office Express picks up your valuable gems, we will send them to St. Vincent DePaul and they will return a donation slip back to you for the items you donated.
Request a Pick Up
How they help!
The Society serves over 90,000 people annually and has an administrative cost of just 16%. This means that eighty-four cents of every dollar that they take in goes to help thousands of people in need.
Last year:
Vincentians provided more than $2 million in food, clothing, and furniture to those in need. Over 600 underprivileged children attended summer camp. Over 2,000 vehicles were donated to the Society.
St. Vincent relies heavily on personal donations. They collect and sell everything, including clothing, household items, furniture, and vehicles. All of these items are either given to those in need, or sold, to provide funds to support their many services.
For more information, for donations or to help someone in need, please visit http://www.svdpdet.org/
