News from the Heart

Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services Newsletter

February, 2014
HOLIDAYS 2013 

The holidays are a special time at CRS and 2013 was no exception.  We are so grateful for all of the support we received for each of our holiday programs including, Adopt-A-Family, Santa's Workshop, Be a Santa to a Senior, Family Baskets, and Elves for Teens, as well as contributions to the Salvation Army Kettles at Giant Eagle, Walmart, Drug Mart and Walgreens. Donations from families, businesses, church groups, individuals, and schools helped us serve 131 families and seniors (172 Adults and 255 Children) in Avon and Avon Lake with Christmas gifts and holiday food.  

 

All of our holiday programs are 100% reliant on the generous donations we receive from the community.  Thank you to each and everyone who helped us make this holiday season a special time for a neighbor in need.

25th ANNUAL CHARITY BALL SPONSORS

 

Please join us in acknowledging our 2014 Charity Ball Sponsors for our 25th Year Silver Anniversary.  

 

Diamond Sponsors

Applied Specialties, Inc.

Medical Mutual

NRG Enery 

PolyOne Corporation 

 

Emerald Sponsors

Century Link

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Peter & Company Jewelers

 

Ruby Sponsors

Commerce Benefits Group

Joyce Buick GMC 

Heidelberg Distributing

McDonald Hopkins LLC

The PRESS

 

Sapphire Sponsors

Avon/Avon Lake Rotary Club

Bead Warehouse 

Infinity Health & Fitness 

Kiwanis Club of Avon Lake

The Learwood Square Company LLC

Mike Bass Ford/Bass Mazda

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

 

Pearl Sponsors

Animal Clinic Northview

Busch Funeral & Crematory Services  

Buffalo Wild Wings 

Kopf Builders  

Paul L. Schwartz DDS, Inc.

Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook &

     Batista Co.

 

In-Kind Sponsors

Avon Lake Printing & Signs

Custom Engraving & Randall's Team     

     Shop 

Mike Kral Design

Sissons Flowers & Gifts

Suntan Supply

 

* Please visit our website at www.aalcrs.org to see a full list of the many businesses and individuals who donated items for the live and silent auctions.

U.S. Bank Supports Our CRS Clients

Thank you to U.S. Bank for facilitating a "Budgeting Basics" workshop on Thursday, February 13th for our clients who need some additional help managing their household budgets.

The workshop is part of our 2014 Personal Development Program (PDP) series. CRS offers PDPs throughout the year to help our clients become more self-sufficient. Target topics include financial literacy, career development, personal health and wellness, and organization/goal-setting.

Clients must sign up in advance for the program, which will be at 1:00 pm at the Avon Lake Public Library (Parke Room). Please call the office at 933-5639 for more information or to register.
CHARITY BALL PHOTOS

Thank you to Karen Menyhart Photography for taking the awesome portraits and "just for fun" photobooth photos at the Charity Ball.  To see all of Karen's photos please visit  the Client Preview Galleries at
 www.karenmenyhartphotography.com. 

Thanks to Stacy Jantz for taking pictures of the our guests throughout the evening.  To see Stacy's photos and for other Charity Ball news and updates go to www.crscharityball.shutterfly.com.

MARCH AWAY HUNGER
Avon Lake's Community Council is busy making plans for its 3rd annual "March Away Hunger" food drive to benefit CRS.

Throughout the month of March, donations of non-perishable food and toiletries can be dropped off at a number of sites around Avon and Avon Lake. Be watching for information about those sites as the month gets closer.

If you're interested in hosting a collection box, please call Susan at the CRS office and we'll give you more details. Thank you! 

CRS PANTRY NEEDS 

 

Our pantry is as busy as ever, and we are running low on two things. If you have any spare cans of fruit or toilet paper, we would greatly appreciate your donation. 

 

Donations may be dropped off at our office Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  

COMMUNITY LUNCH BUNCH

 

Avon Lake Presbyterian Church hosts a free Community Lunch Bunch the third Thursday of each month. All are welcome. Bring a friend and come join the group from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on February 20th at ALPC, 32340 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake. All ages will be treated to a homemade lunch. No registration is required. For more information, please call the church office at 933-6240. 

25TH ANNUAL CHARITY BALL A HUGE SUCCESS! 

 

On Saturday, January 25, 2014 the
CRS Silver Anniversary Charity Ball
was held. This year's event broke records in both attendance and funds raised! Thanks to a generous group of corporate sponsors, donations from local businesses, organizations and community members, and the 345 people who were in attendance, this year's event raised approximately $73,000! Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of those who showed support this year.

 

In addition, the evening would not have been possible without the help of our Board of Directors, dedicated staff and the following members of the Charity Ball committee:

Michele Adams, Tammy Bertrand, Lora Bohn, Melissa Bubolz,  CeCe Carlson, Lisa Crumling, Patty Forte, Joanna Gallagher, Elizabeth Gedeon, Nikki Kovacs, Liz McNaghten, Sue Mueller, Kathy O'Neill, Susan Packer, Angela Pipa, Amy Schmidt, Alyssa Soloff and Ann Stonecipher.

 

The Charity Ball is the biggest fund raiser for CRS.  100% of the proceeds go directly toward supporting the CRS mission of diminishing the effects of poverty for our neighbors in Avon and Avon Lake. 
GRANTS RECEIVED IN 2013 
 
In reflecting back over the last year, we'd like to send a special thank you out to the following groups who provided grant support to us in 2013. We couldn't do what we do without their generosity:

The Alyce J. and Ann J. Metka Foundation

 

Anonymous

 

The City of Avon

 

The City of Avon Lake

 

Avon Lake Municipal Utilities

 

BJ's Charitable Foundation

 

The Community Foundation of  

Lorain County

 

Community West Foundation

 

The Eagle Run Committee

 

Lorain County Community Action Agency

 

The Nordson Corporation Foundation

 

The Salvation Army

 

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio

 

The Walmart Foundation  

CAVS TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

We were fortunate to partner with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a special fundraising project in honor of our 25th Anniversary at our Charity Ball. For each donation of $100, you can receive 4 lower bowl tickets to see one of the following games:

Sunday, February 23rd at 6:00 PM 
Cavs vs. Washington Wizards  
or 
Friday, February 28th at 7:30 PM
 Cavs vs. Utah Jazz
  
We ONLY have a few packages of tickets remaining. If you are interested in purchasing these tickets, please contact Pam or Melissa during regular office hours, Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM  at 933-5639. 
  
This is a first-come, first-served offer!  Thank you to the Cleveland Cavaliers!

COMMUNITY DONATIONS 

 

CRS has truly been blessed with many donations of non-perishable items for our food pantry. Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for their donations:

Sherwin Williams in Avon Lake, Eastview Elementary School Student Council, Suntan Supply, Redwood Elementary School, Another 4-H Club, Avon Lake Jazzercise, Nakon Foundation, AL Browns Backers, Holy Spirit Church, The Champions at Redwood Elementary School, Masonic Mid Century Lodge #725, LOL Avenbury Lakes Women's Club, KinderCare Avon, Avon Girl Scout Troup #1139, Home Instead Senior Care, Troy Intermediate School Girl Scouts, St. Mary's PTO, Erieview K-Kids, Bellsorella LLC, Good Neighbor Thrift Store, Avon Lake CVS, Holy Spirit Church, Avon Heritage Boosters, Avon Lake High School Special Education Classes, Furrer & Associates, Calvary Baptist Church, ALHS Student Council, Avon PTA, Girl Scout Troop #50832, Erieview Elementary School, St. Joseph School, Commerce Benefits Group, St. Mary Holy Name Society, Avon Lake United Church of Christ, Jack & Jill Preschool, Avon Lake Towne Center, Westview PTA Mercy PCP, and 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!
Save The Date For CRS Events: 

Homeruns for Hunger:   

TBD

 

SOUPer Bowl Food Drive:   

Friday, August 29, 2014

 

Erie Shore Wellness 5K Run:  

Labor Day, September 1, 2014
Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services

 

Our Mission: Community Resource Services is a responsive, community-based organization whose mission is to diminish the effects of poverty in Avon and Avon Lake. We provide basic needs assistance and individualized resource and referral services in a compassionate and confidential manner.

CRS Website