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CHRISTMAS IS HERE.....
As you're reading this, the "CRS Elves" are busy getting ready to pass out coats, boots, food boxes, "family baskets" and toys at their Santa's Workshop. We are just thrilled with the positive feedback we've received on the big change we made to our holiday program this year. Thank you to all the donors who helped stock the shop, and for trusting us to know the best way to provide holiday services to those in need in our community.
Change can be intimidating, and transitioning from our longstanding Adopt-A-Family program to the new way of doing things was a little nerve-wracking during the planning phases. Now that the time is here, we couldn't be happier with the outcome!
We'll provide you with more specific updates next month. For now, we better get busy helping to make the holidays a little brighter for our CRS clients! Merry Christmas to all of you, and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
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A NOTE OF THANKSGIVING THANKS
On behalf of the Board, staff, and clients at CRS, we'd like to thank everyone who helped make our Thanksgiving food distribution possible.
This year, we distributed 96 Thanksgiving meals to families in need in the Avon and Avon Lake communities. This would not have been possible without a long list of community partners, including:
The Lorain County Community Action Agency for their financial support, 1-888-OHIO-COMP and Holy Spirit Church for the turkeys, the Avon/Avon Lake Rotary Club for their donation of potatoes and apples, the Kiwanis Club of Avon Lake for their shopping trip to Walmart, our local Avon Walmart store for further support and discounts, the Heritage Boosters, Erieview, Eastview and Avon Local Schools PTA and Booster groups for the Market Day pies, Howard Hanna Real Estate for some full turkey dinners and the Avon Lake Early Childhood PTA for the pumpkin pie kits.
There were also many other community members and organizations who hosted food drives for us this month, and made those donations just in time for the holidays. Special thanks to the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, Holy Spirit Church, Calvary Baptist Church, the Avon and Avon Lake School Districts, Jack and Jill Preschool and Towne Center.
With such an amazing outpouring of community support already this season, I'm sure to be forgetting some of you who stopped in with donations. Please know that we appreciate each and every one of you for continuing to support our CRS clients, and for giving us lots to be grateful for this year. We are all very fortunate to live in such a caring community!
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ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
It's not too late to make a gift to the 2014 Annual Fund Campaign. Donations can be mailed to 33501-L Lake Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012, or online on our website, www.aalcrs.org. We rely heavily on community support to maintain our existing programs, and appreciate all of you who've made a donation already this year.
For more information, or with any questions, please contact Susan Poole at 933-5639 ext. 202. Thank you!
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THANKS FOR RINGING!
CRS has the best volunteers! Thank you to everyone who has helped ring the bell for the Salvation Army this year. There are still a few spots available, so check out our website at www.aalcrs.org if you're interested in helping out. We ring at the Giant Eagle in Avon Lake and the Walmart in Avon, through December 24th. Thanks! |
"KICK HUNGER" CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY LOCAL KARATE CENTER
The Jeff Ellis Karate Center in Avon Lake is hosting a special promotion this month to benefit CRS and the needy families in our area.
Their "Belt in a Bag" benefit includes a 3 week starter course for only $10.00 for ages 5 through adult. All proceeds will benefit our pantry. They are also asking for donations of two cans or boxes of non-perishable food to be made when the "belt in the bag" purchase is made.
The center is located at 720 Avon Belden Road in Avon Lake, 930-2530. Check out their website for more information, www.jeffelliskarate.com.
This is an excellent opportunity to give karate a try, while giving back to your community at the same time. We're really grateful for their support, and hope to see many of you signing up for this benefit. The offer expires 12/31/14, so make that phone call today!
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CHARITY BALL NEWS
In honor of all of our community partners, we are excited to announce that the theme of this year's Charity Ball is "You Are the Key to Our Heart."
On Saturday, January 31, 2015, we will showcase the ways in which CRS has made a difference in the lives of so many, as well as pay tribute to the many volunteers, organizations and businesses that have been the KEY to our success! We hope you will join us for this highly anticipated event to show your support for our neighbors in need.
Here's how you can get involved:
* Become a corporate sponsor
* Donate an item to our silent auction
* Purchase an ad in the program book
* Purchase tickets and attend the Charity Ball (invitations will be mailed in December.)
The Charity Ball is our biggest fundraiser, and we've set our goals high for this year's event. In 2014, we raised over $75,000, with almost 350 guests in attendance. You won't want to miss this special event featuring a sit-down dinner, open bar, dancing, raffles, live and silent auctions and many other ways to support CRS!
With your help, we can unlock the door to another record-breaking year!
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COMMUNITY LUNCH BUNCH
Avon Lake Presbyterian Church invites you to a Free Community "Lunch Bunch" on the third Thursday of each month. This month it will be held on December 18th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Let them treat you to a homemade lunch!
Everyone is welcome and please feel free to bring a friend. The church is located at 32340 Electric Blvd. (Near Jaycox). No need for registration. For more information, call the church office at 933-6240.
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COMMUNITY DONATIONS
CRS has truly been blessed this month with many donations of non-perishable items for our food pantry.
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations: Avon Lake Presbyterian Church, Avon Lake Youth Baseball Federation, Lake Shore Women's Club, Avon Lake High School Student Council, Tailgators in Avon Lake, and Sarah Circle (Avon Lake Presbyterian Church).
This is in addition to the many individuals who bring donations to the CRS office on a daily basis. We are so very grateful for all of the donations that help keep our food pantry well stocked and that help us continue our mission of People Helping People!
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