School Uniform Drive

Can you believe it's that time of year already? School will be back in session in just a few weeks, so we are starting up our annual school uniform drive. HOME's kids will receive backpacks and school supplies from the School District, but we are in need of the following new items (in all sizes) for both boys and girls:
- navy blue polo shirts
- dark colored jeans or khaki pants
- socks
- gift cards to purchase uniforms- i.e. Target, Wal Mart, Old Navy, Sears

If you would like to donate, please contact Aylich at (407) 932-0943 or avazquez@osceolahome.org Sphere: Related Content

HOME Free Yard Sale!

HOME's next free yard sale will be April 2.

Along with your donations of used goods we are requesting that you consider bringing a bag of diapers (size 3 & 4) to help our families in need.

All donations can be dropped off on April 1 between 9-4. Thanks!

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Matching Cotton Comforter and Sheet Set | Blanket America

Matching Cotton Comforter and Sheet Set | Blanket America

Have you been looking to redo the bedding in your home? When you purchase bedding from this website they will ship another set FREE to HOME. The sets look beautiful and it would be a wonderful way to give new clean sheets to the families at HOME. Sphere: Related Content

Back to School Drive

Back to school is just around the corner and HOME is once again collecting for our kids. However, since we did such a great job collecting items last year we still have some leftover so our list is a bit smaller this year. Even though the list is small the need is big! We are focusing more on the needs of our preschoolers this year and on some of those hard to come by items. If your group is interested in collecting items this year for HOME please call 407-932-0943 and speak with Shannon or Cara. See the list below for those items in most need for this school year (per child -- we collect for roughly 40 kids). We are also looking for gently used school uniforms, socks and shoes or gift cards to purchase these items.

Here is the list:
Areas of greatest need:
• Bottled liquid hand soap
• Flash Drives
• Diapers (all sizes)
• Wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Large boxes of tissues

Other items needed (list contains items and quantities for one K-12 student):
• 1 - book bag or back pack (full size, no wheels)
• 4 - composition notebooks
• 1 - large box of tissues
• 1 - large pink eraser
• 1 small blanket or small sheet, for rest/nap time
• 3 - packages of white copy paper
• 1 - dry erase marker
• 1 - pencil sharpener, with cover
• 1 - supply box (must fit in desk)
• 1 - package of construction paper
• 1 - small pencil box
• 1 - dozen blue or black pens
• 3 - packs of Post-it Notes
• Red or Green pen
• A packet of graph paper
• Scientific calculator
• Protractor
• Dividers
• 1 Ruler – metric and standard
• 3x5 index cards

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Early heads up!

Due to the July 4th holiday weekend, our next yard sale will be held on Saturday August 7th, with donation drop-offs on August 6th! Sphere: Related Content

Help needed for new children's life skills program!

With the receipt of the Disney grant that we announced last month, changes are coming to the life skills program for our kids here on campus. One of those changes involves improving our "kids apartment" to create special spaces for each age group- one for babies, one for pre-schoolers, and one for elementary school-age children. We are looking for donations of the following items to make this happen:

• Exersaucers/baby bouncers
• Gym mats/soft climbing shapes
  
• Pocket charts/activity walls
• Toddler bookshelf
• Classroom rugs
• Storage centers

If you're a teacher and are cleaning out your classroom, or just have a few of these items that you'd like to donate, please let us know! Sphere: Related Content

A Very Merry Unbirthday!

Saturday, May 15, was a day filled with fun and games as HOME celebrated its annual Unbirthday Party for the kids on campus!

The day started with some Bounce House fun donated by Peace United Methodist Church and then we had a great magic show put on by Mr. Tim Howard! The kids loved watching the show and were attentive for a full hour, something we don't get to see that often!

The kids were then treated to a pizza lunch followed by more fun and games by Mr. Howard.

To round out the day the kids had a very special cake delivered by the great folks over at Walt Disney World that was not only beautiful but also very very yummy!

The day ended with the each child opening gifts donated by those in the community and by Community Celebration Church and face-painting by Ms. Daisy and Ms. Amy!

We would like to thank all our sponsors, Walt Disney World Community Relations, Peace United Methodist Church, Mr. Tim Howard, Community of Faith United Methodist Church, and Community Celebration Church for making this such a special day for the kids at HOME! Sphere: Related Content

Free Yard Sale -- This Saturday!

When: April 3, 2010 @ 10 - 12 p.m.

Donation Drop Off: April 2, 2010 from 10-4 p.m.

Where: 924 Determination Way • Kissimmee, FL 34741

What: A community yard sale to provide free items such as clothing, furniture, baby items, books and more to those who may not be able to purchase these items.

Why: Because Helping Others Make the Effort is a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness in Osceola County. By providing these items, free of charge, we are providing a service to those who may be needing such items to get back on their feet.

Want We Need Now:

Do you have an old prom dress or Tux that is still in good shape? We've got a few kids who are in need of these items, and we'd love to give them a selection! Donations can be dropped off from 10-4 (and of course, bring anything else you'd like to donate as well!) Or visit our Wish List!

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Matching Funds for HOME

We are so excited that we have the opportunity to receive matching funds from the Feinstein Foundation. During the months of March and April every dollar that is raised by HOME has the potential to be matched by the foundation up to $40,000!

Here's a press release from the Feinstein Foundation:

For Immediate Release

2010 13th Annual $1 Million Giveaway To Fight Hunger

For the 13th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among anti hunger agencies nationwide using it as a spur to raise funds during March and April, 2010.

Agencies should simply inform potential donors (and their local churches, schools and businesses) that the more donations made to them - from March 1st to April 30th– the more of the Feinstein money they will get! Many agencies featuring this in their mailings and telephone solicitations in past years have increased their donations two or three times their usual returns!

Only donations or pledges received from March 1st to April 30th, from use of the Feinstein challenge, should be counted. These donations can include cash, checks and food items (valued at $1.00 per item or pound) or pledges, as long as they were obtained ONLY from use of our challenge.

Participating agencies should send in the enclosed reporting sheet, showing how much they raised from March 1st to April 30th, 2010 from use of our challenge, with copies of any publicity they received about it and their mailing piece(s) featuring our challenge, plus a copy of their federal tax-exemption (501C3) or proof of affiliation with a tax-exempt organization – all sent by regular mail in one envelope postmarked May 1st to May 12th, 2010 only, to: The Feinstein Foundation, 37 Alhambra Circle, Cranston, RI 02905. Nothing else is required. Please keep a record of what you raised from our challenge, and from whom, should verification be requested!

Our million dollars will be divided proportionately among all agencies complying with the above, with a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $40,000 to any one agency. Checks will be mailed by August 1st, 2010.

Feinstein’s past 12 annual $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised a record $1 Billion for over 2000 agencies nationwide. Agencies should tell their donors that their donation toward this campaign makes them partners in the most successful effort to fight hunger of all times. That is something to take pride in!

A full report of the results of this 2010 Challenge will be posted on our website in July.

With an opportunity like this, why not take time today to donate to Helping Others Make the Effort and get double the bang for your buck in March and April. Click here to donate now!

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Community Presbyterian Hosts Yard Sale

HOME is so excited to receive $2503.06 from Community Presbyterian Church's Ohana group. The small group raised the funds by participating in Celebration's Community Wide Yard Sale and gave the proceeds of their sale to HOME. According to the group this is the most they have raised from the sale. Their donation will sponsor a family for three months!

Thank you so much to Community Press for all their hard work, in fact, in just a few weeks members of the group will be back on campus for their annual garden party with the HOME families! Sphere: Related Content

Attention Coupon Cutters!

Do you like to cut coupons? Want to support HOME at the same time? Now there is an easy way to do both! Just head on over to Commonkindness.com get yourself an account and search "Helping Others Make the Effort" in the charity box and click to support us. You may also be able to find HOME by going to our profile listed here on Common Kindness. Then you can go to the coupon page and clip as many coupons as you want, and the proceeds go back to HOME.

It's a great way for you to save money, and for HOME to receive a little in return! Happy Bargain Hunting! Sphere: Related Content

Super Saver Saturday a success!

Our first Super Saver Saturdays went great! We had nearly 100 people show up to take advantage of the free donations provided by wonderful people in the community! And, we are going to do it again! Our next Super Saver Saturday will be Sept. 12, 2009!

Here's how it works:
1. Donations are dropped off the Friday before, Sept, 11, 2009, between the hours of 10-4, or the day of, to the HOME campus. These can be any items (clothes, furniture, books, etc.)

2. Volunteers will sort the donations on Saturday morning early, and place them in an easy browsing set-up.

3. Families in need of items can come and "shop" until 1 p.m. at no cost to them!

4. Any unclaimed items will be delivered to the Salvation Army, who uses their funds to support emergency shelter in central Florida.

If you would like to participate please contact mdowney@osceolahome.org. Sphere: Related Content

A Very Merry UnBirthday!

Jammies the clown, parachutes, bounce houses and presents — not the typical Saturday on the HOME campus, but a fun one!

On Saturday, July 18, HOME hosted its annual Unbirthday party for the kids living on campus and in the scattered site program. Over twenty-five children, 10 parents, and a slew of volunteers met at 10 a.m. to celebrate the birthdays of all the children through-out the year in one big bash!

The morning started out with kids meeting Jammie, the clown. Jammie did magic tricks, made silly jokes, and told cute stories. The kids then split up by age group for games. There were bounce houses and water balloon tosses, a shoe toss, and even a parachute! The kids spent time in the fresh air playing with each other and working up an appetite for cake!
After games the kids had a scavenger hunt where they looked for their name. Once they found their name card, they turned it in to pick up their birthday present! Each child received a gift of $10-15 value for their "unbirthday" present.

Following gifts, the volunteers brought out a huge, delicious cake and it was served with juice and ice cream sandwiches. After cake and ice cream the kids played on the bounce houses, received balloon animals, and got their face painted by Jammies.
It was a great event and it couldn't have been possible without the help of the community. Each child received a gift, had a great time, and knew that they were cared about.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Unbirthday Party! We can't wait to do it again next year! Sphere: Related Content

Super Saver Saturdays!

HOME is very excited to begin our new donation program starting Aug. 1, 2009 at 10 a.m. Super Saver Saturdays will be similar to our free yard sale day but will occur each month on the First Saturday.

Here's how it works:

1. Donations are dropped off the Friday before or the day of to the HOME campus. These can be any items (clothes, furniture, books, etc.)
2. Volunteers will sort the donations on Saturday morning early, and place them in an easy browsing set-up.
3. Families in need of items can come and "shop" until 1 p.m. at no cost to them!
4. Any unclaimed items will be delivered to the Salvation Army, who uses their funds to support emergency shelter in central Florida.

This new system is a perfect set-up for HOME, since we have very limited storage space. However, it still gives families the opportunity to receive help from the community! If you would like to participate please contact mdowney@osceolahome.org. Sphere: Related Content