Community Service InvestiGators
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CSI Mission: Investigate needs within our community and help meet those needs through fundraising, volunteering and contributions.
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Current List of Organizations that CSI supports:
1. Bald Ridge Lodge- http://www.baldridgelodge.org/
2. Chestatee Elementary School- http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/chestatee
3. Children's Center for Hope & Healing-
http://www.redandblack.com/marketplace/children-s-center-for-hope-and-healing/business_33632900.html
4. Family Haven- https://forsythcountyfamilyhaven.info
5. Forsyth County Humane Society- http://www.forsythpets.org/
6. Forsyth County Library- http://www.forsythpl.org/
7. Forsyth County Sheriff's Victims Advocate- http://www.forsythsheriff.org/information-2/domestic-violence/
8. Healthy Paws for a Cause- healthypawsforacause.com/
9. Jesse's House- http://www.jesseshouse.org/
10. Meals by Grace- www.mealsbygrace.org
11. Meals on Wheels- http://www.forsythforfamilies.com/tag/meals-on-wheels/
12. Special Olympics- www.soforsyth.org
13. Teen MOPS- http://www.creekside.net/teen-mops.html
14. The Place- http://www.theplaceofforsyth.org/tpof/Welcome.html
15. YMCA- http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/fcy/
16. About Face-USA- http://aboutface-usa.org/
17. Family Promise- www.fpforsyth.org/
2. Chestatee Elementary School- http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/chestatee
3. Children's Center for Hope & Healing-
http://www.redandblack.com/marketplace/children-s-center-for-hope-and-healing/business_33632900.html
4. Family Haven- https://forsythcountyfamilyhaven.info
5. Forsyth County Humane Society- http://www.forsythpets.org/
6. Forsyth County Library- http://www.forsythpl.org/
7. Forsyth County Sheriff's Victims Advocate- http://www.forsythsheriff.org/information-2/domestic-violence/
8. Healthy Paws for a Cause- healthypawsforacause.com/
9. Jesse's House- http://www.jesseshouse.org/
10. Meals by Grace- www.mealsbygrace.org
11. Meals on Wheels- http://www.forsythforfamilies.com/tag/meals-on-wheels/
12. Special Olympics- www.soforsyth.org
13. Teen MOPS- http://www.creekside.net/teen-mops.html
14. The Place- http://www.theplaceofforsyth.org/tpof/Welcome.html
15. YMCA- http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/fcy/
16. About Face-USA- http://aboutface-usa.org/
17. Family Promise- www.fpforsyth.org/
2020- News
DECEMBER NEWS
CSI ZOOM meeting will take place on December 8 at 10:00am. Please let Lisa Schiendler know if you plan to join us so she can send along the information needed for connecting. We’d love to see you or meet you if you’re new.
CSI is trying to be creative when it comes to helping those of need in our community. All the non-profits are experiencing fewer donations and with your help we can make a difference!
The monthly “Gator-aid” collections are working with donations coming to the luncheon and to drop off homes in the community. We’re adding a third way – you can send a check to me (to Lisa Schiendler, 8960 Athens Park Rd, Gainesville 30506) written out to FCWC-CSI or to the charity of the month. CSI will either purchase the items needed or give the charity the cash. Hopefully, this will offer everyone a way to help. These groups are so very appreciative of every little thing.
We’ve depleted most of our funds now and have come up with a plan to raise money and hopefully be fun for our members. Each month, we will send out a blast inviting members to participate in a very silent auction. A few items will be displayed with the value and opening bid. This time, members will each send in their best bid – and the highest bid wins! You’ll have three days to vote and the prize will be delivered to you.
Mary Negrilla has asked that I remind everyone of which plastic items Meals by Grace can use, no extra surprises, please.
1. foam 1 doz. egg cartons (not 18, not cardboard)
2. Laundry or fabric softener containers (rinsed out please)
3. clean plastic containers, with wide lids 16-18 oz size (think sour cream, not mayonnaise jars)
Volunteers will not be needed for The Place Holiday House this year – I know that many of you liked to join us for this event, but they are still in need of toys and bikes. CSI will be donating $500 to the event.
Gator-aid this month are stocking stuffers gifts for the Chestatee School “Bravo Bucks” store. The children collect these Bravo bucks for kindness to others, positive behavior, etc. and can be redeemed in the store. For these items check out clearance tables, the Dollar Stores and Five Below is a hit. Kids can spend just a few tickets or a bunch so it's nice to have a broad range. See the suggestions below.
Bronco Bucks suggestions
Stickers, sticker books, stamps
Stuffed animals (any size)
Games (5 below is great), mind teaser games
slime, play dough, stretch toys, Bubbles
balls: soccer, basketball, football, tennis, squeeze, bouncy, squish
anything emoji- erasers, spiral notebooks, binders, folders
pencils, pencil sharpeners, pencil pouches, pencil grip, erasers
Crayons, crayon eraser, scissors, marker
Jump rope, planes, lunch box
Children's masks (the ones that look like animal faces)
CSI is trying to be creative when it comes to helping those of need in our community. All the non-profits are experiencing fewer donations and with your help we can make a difference!
The monthly “Gator-aid” collections are working with donations coming to the luncheon and to drop off homes in the community. We’re adding a third way – you can send a check to me (to Lisa Schiendler, 8960 Athens Park Rd, Gainesville 30506) written out to FCWC-CSI or to the charity of the month. CSI will either purchase the items needed or give the charity the cash. Hopefully, this will offer everyone a way to help. These groups are so very appreciative of every little thing.
We’ve depleted most of our funds now and have come up with a plan to raise money and hopefully be fun for our members. Each month, we will send out a blast inviting members to participate in a very silent auction. A few items will be displayed with the value and opening bid. This time, members will each send in their best bid – and the highest bid wins! You’ll have three days to vote and the prize will be delivered to you.
Mary Negrilla has asked that I remind everyone of which plastic items Meals by Grace can use, no extra surprises, please.
1. foam 1 doz. egg cartons (not 18, not cardboard)
2. Laundry or fabric softener containers (rinsed out please)
3. clean plastic containers, with wide lids 16-18 oz size (think sour cream, not mayonnaise jars)
Volunteers will not be needed for The Place Holiday House this year – I know that many of you liked to join us for this event, but they are still in need of toys and bikes. CSI will be donating $500 to the event.
Gator-aid this month are stocking stuffers gifts for the Chestatee School “Bravo Bucks” store. The children collect these Bravo bucks for kindness to others, positive behavior, etc. and can be redeemed in the store. For these items check out clearance tables, the Dollar Stores and Five Below is a hit. Kids can spend just a few tickets or a bunch so it's nice to have a broad range. See the suggestions below.
Bronco Bucks suggestions
Stickers, sticker books, stamps
Stuffed animals (any size)
Games (5 below is great), mind teaser games
slime, play dough, stretch toys, Bubbles
balls: soccer, basketball, football, tennis, squeeze, bouncy, squish
anything emoji- erasers, spiral notebooks, binders, folders
pencils, pencil sharpeners, pencil pouches, pencil grip, erasers
Crayons, crayon eraser, scissors, marker
Jump rope, planes, lunch box
Children's masks (the ones that look like animal faces)
NOVEMBER NEWS
CSI ZOOM meeting will take place on November 10 at 10:00am. Please let Lisa Schiendler know if you plan to join us so she can send along the information needed for connecting.
The collection for Chestatee School was a success! We collected 1000 snacks and backpack items at the luncheon and from the different member collection sites around the county. In addition, CSI purchased treats for the teachers. Teachers are in their classrooms with kids throughout the entire day. We hope they enjoy the wrapped cookies, chocolate candies and small cans of soda and know that everyone is grateful for the job they are doing.
As CSI spent down their account, $500 was allotted to The Place Home. This is a new facility for high school aged girls who are homeless and living on the street. The new “home” is located on Mary Alice Parkway and has four bedrooms and three baths and sits on over an acre of land. It’s currently large enough to place six girls and a house “mom”. There is space too in the basement to convert into 2 bedrooms for 4 more girls in the future. CSI wanted to use the money for something special that they needed, so I contacted Joni Smith from The Place. She proposed that we sponsor the laundry room! Our club name would be honored with a plaque in the room! Our funding will be used to outfit the room with flooring, baskets and supplies. CSI thought it would be fun to have a laundry saying as well and we were able to find a wall cling that states: "Laundry - sorting out life one load at a time." We’re thrilled to be able to do this for these girls and thank Joni for the opportunity.
Next month we will be collecting non-perishable food items for a local food bank. As Thanksgiving rolls around, we hope that everyone will have food on their table. You all can help! If you are attending the luncheon take it with you. If you are not attending, we would still like to you to consider dropping your donations off at any of the following member homes below. Call for directions and where to place your items. Thank you!
Marybeth Magallanes (off Matt Highway & Hendrix)
Linda Fitzwater (off 141 & Stoney Point)
Kathleen Rastetter (Windermere area)
Jan Sieghart (off 400 at Brown’s Bridge near new Walmart)
Johanna Morgan (off 16 near The Place)
Charlene Tagon-Magoon (off Browns Bridge Rd & Little Mill)
The collection for Chestatee School was a success! We collected 1000 snacks and backpack items at the luncheon and from the different member collection sites around the county. In addition, CSI purchased treats for the teachers. Teachers are in their classrooms with kids throughout the entire day. We hope they enjoy the wrapped cookies, chocolate candies and small cans of soda and know that everyone is grateful for the job they are doing.
As CSI spent down their account, $500 was allotted to The Place Home. This is a new facility for high school aged girls who are homeless and living on the street. The new “home” is located on Mary Alice Parkway and has four bedrooms and three baths and sits on over an acre of land. It’s currently large enough to place six girls and a house “mom”. There is space too in the basement to convert into 2 bedrooms for 4 more girls in the future. CSI wanted to use the money for something special that they needed, so I contacted Joni Smith from The Place. She proposed that we sponsor the laundry room! Our club name would be honored with a plaque in the room! Our funding will be used to outfit the room with flooring, baskets and supplies. CSI thought it would be fun to have a laundry saying as well and we were able to find a wall cling that states: "Laundry - sorting out life one load at a time." We’re thrilled to be able to do this for these girls and thank Joni for the opportunity.
Next month we will be collecting non-perishable food items for a local food bank. As Thanksgiving rolls around, we hope that everyone will have food on their table. You all can help! If you are attending the luncheon take it with you. If you are not attending, we would still like to you to consider dropping your donations off at any of the following member homes below. Call for directions and where to place your items. Thank you!
Marybeth Magallanes (off Matt Highway & Hendrix)
Linda Fitzwater (off 141 & Stoney Point)
Kathleen Rastetter (Windermere area)
Jan Sieghart (off 400 at Brown’s Bridge near new Walmart)
Johanna Morgan (off 16 near The Place)
Charlene Tagon-Magoon (off Browns Bridge Rd & Little Mill)
OCTOBER NEWS
10:00 am Tuesday, October 13 - ZOOM meeting
Many changes are coming to CSI this fall as we have tried to find new ways to continue to help those in need in our community. One new plan is the way we collect “Gator-aid” (the luncheon donations). Our luncheons have opened up again and slowly moving forward, so we’ll start be asking the women attending the meeting this month to bring items for the girls at Jesse’s House and the boys at Bald Ridge Lodge. (The items are listed below.) The twist is that if you are NOT attending the luncheon and still want to help out, we have collection drop off sites where you can do this. They are scattered all around the county. Just call ahead and see how that site is working. Usually it will be a marked box on the front porch and you will not need to make face to face contact (unless you want to). Are you willing to be a drop off site? Let me know.
The idea came from Liz McLaughlin who posted a notice within her community for help Meals By Grace by collecting plastics. This worked out so well, she started asking for food! Her community wanted to help and do something for others and she provided a way to do that. She has shared a letter that she used and if you are interested in starting something like this in your community, let me know and I’ll forward her letter. This approach has awesome possibilities!
A CSI tradition for the last few years has been to purchase wreaths to place on Veteran’s grave sites at the Georgia National Cemetery. Some of our CSI members make the drive to help place and remove the wreaths. Some of you may have loved ones there. This year, a decision was made to use our CSI funding for more immediate community needs. We are reaching out to you, our members, to make you aware of this giving opportunity for the holiday season. Sadly, our Georgia National Cemetery (Canton, GA) struggles every year in getting enough donations to purchase wreaths to place on all of the Veterans’ gravesites – which is currently at 23,000+. The wreaths for ALL of our National Cemeteries, nationwide, are not Government sponsored. They are “donated” by private citizens through a wonderful organization called … Wreaths Across America. The following is the info you will need to make your donation(s):
· Call Wreaths Across America at: 1-877-385-9504 … Donations (credit cards accepted) can be made now through Nov. 25th (day before Thanksgiving Day) … which leaves plenty of time for you to participate and ensure the wreaths are allocated to the Georgia National Cemetery in time for the “2020 December/Holiday” season.
· When you place your call - please be sure to give the Cemetery Code #: GANCCA “and” Sponsor Group #: GA0023 … so your wreath contribution is sent “directly” to our Georgia National Cemetery.
· Wreaths are $15/each. But, for every “2” you buy at $15 each, your $30 will get an “extra/free” wreath sent to the cemetery … for a total of “3”.
Open your hearts to making this one of your “new” holiday traditions! It only takes a quick call, small amount of your time, to make a BIG difference. Do so with gratitude for those who were willing to sacrifice for this country and all who call her home of the free … because of the brave. Spread the word to your family and friends, so we can start a “domino effect” for “annual” donations to our Georgia National Cemetery to honor our Veterans’ gravesites. It will bring peace and comfort knowing no Veteran is forgotten. For more information, please contact Fran Ciszek directly. Thank you, in advance, for your donations!
Jesse’s House would like snacks, Target gift cards, entertainment items (DVD movies), craft sets and art supplies. They’re looking to keep busy.
Bald Ridge Lodge would like snacks, gallon zip lock bags, laundry pods, dishwasher detergent, garbage bags, and paper products. They’re working on their independent cooking and laundry skills.
Thank you!!!!! Everything will be appreciated!
Many changes are coming to CSI this fall as we have tried to find new ways to continue to help those in need in our community. One new plan is the way we collect “Gator-aid” (the luncheon donations). Our luncheons have opened up again and slowly moving forward, so we’ll start be asking the women attending the meeting this month to bring items for the girls at Jesse’s House and the boys at Bald Ridge Lodge. (The items are listed below.) The twist is that if you are NOT attending the luncheon and still want to help out, we have collection drop off sites where you can do this. They are scattered all around the county. Just call ahead and see how that site is working. Usually it will be a marked box on the front porch and you will not need to make face to face contact (unless you want to). Are you willing to be a drop off site? Let me know.
The idea came from Liz McLaughlin who posted a notice within her community for help Meals By Grace by collecting plastics. This worked out so well, she started asking for food! Her community wanted to help and do something for others and she provided a way to do that. She has shared a letter that she used and if you are interested in starting something like this in your community, let me know and I’ll forward her letter. This approach has awesome possibilities!
A CSI tradition for the last few years has been to purchase wreaths to place on Veteran’s grave sites at the Georgia National Cemetery. Some of our CSI members make the drive to help place and remove the wreaths. Some of you may have loved ones there. This year, a decision was made to use our CSI funding for more immediate community needs. We are reaching out to you, our members, to make you aware of this giving opportunity for the holiday season. Sadly, our Georgia National Cemetery (Canton, GA) struggles every year in getting enough donations to purchase wreaths to place on all of the Veterans’ gravesites – which is currently at 23,000+. The wreaths for ALL of our National Cemeteries, nationwide, are not Government sponsored. They are “donated” by private citizens through a wonderful organization called … Wreaths Across America. The following is the info you will need to make your donation(s):
· Call Wreaths Across America at: 1-877-385-9504 … Donations (credit cards accepted) can be made now through Nov. 25th (day before Thanksgiving Day) … which leaves plenty of time for you to participate and ensure the wreaths are allocated to the Georgia National Cemetery in time for the “2020 December/Holiday” season.
· When you place your call - please be sure to give the Cemetery Code #: GANCCA “and” Sponsor Group #: GA0023 … so your wreath contribution is sent “directly” to our Georgia National Cemetery.
· Wreaths are $15/each. But, for every “2” you buy at $15 each, your $30 will get an “extra/free” wreath sent to the cemetery … for a total of “3”.
Open your hearts to making this one of your “new” holiday traditions! It only takes a quick call, small amount of your time, to make a BIG difference. Do so with gratitude for those who were willing to sacrifice for this country and all who call her home of the free … because of the brave. Spread the word to your family and friends, so we can start a “domino effect” for “annual” donations to our Georgia National Cemetery to honor our Veterans’ gravesites. It will bring peace and comfort knowing no Veteran is forgotten. For more information, please contact Fran Ciszek directly. Thank you, in advance, for your donations!
Jesse’s House would like snacks, Target gift cards, entertainment items (DVD movies), craft sets and art supplies. They’re looking to keep busy.
Bald Ridge Lodge would like snacks, gallon zip lock bags, laundry pods, dishwasher detergent, garbage bags, and paper products. They’re working on their independent cooking and laundry skills.
Thank you!!!!! Everything will be appreciated!
SEPTEMBER NEWS
10:00 am Tuesday, September 8th - ZOOM
The months have been slowing creeping by and we still don’t seem to be making enough progress toward fighting off this virus. I understand why many of you are still hunkered down in your own bunkers just trying to feel safe. Some of us really need more contact with friends and family, and I understand this as well. We each do as feels comfortable for us. The need for food is still huge so please consider supporting groups like The Place of Forsyth and Meals by Grace. Both have ways to make donations online.
It’s hard to know the best way to go forward for our CSI group. CSI will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 am. Marybeth will set up the meeting and we’ll send out the meeting information. This will be a “Townhall” kind of meeting to share your ideas, what you feel comfortable doing and not doing and think of ways where we still can help those in our community. You are all invited. Please let me know if you would like to attend so we can get the information to you.
You still can collect those Boxtops though, and when you get your store receipts, scan them with the new BOXTOPS app and the money goes directly to Chestatee School. If you have clipped some, hold on to them and we’ll figure out a way to collect them. Thank you.
Be safe everyone.
The months have been slowing creeping by and we still don’t seem to be making enough progress toward fighting off this virus. I understand why many of you are still hunkered down in your own bunkers just trying to feel safe. Some of us really need more contact with friends and family, and I understand this as well. We each do as feels comfortable for us. The need for food is still huge so please consider supporting groups like The Place of Forsyth and Meals by Grace. Both have ways to make donations online.
It’s hard to know the best way to go forward for our CSI group. CSI will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 am. Marybeth will set up the meeting and we’ll send out the meeting information. This will be a “Townhall” kind of meeting to share your ideas, what you feel comfortable doing and not doing and think of ways where we still can help those in our community. You are all invited. Please let me know if you would like to attend so we can get the information to you.
You still can collect those Boxtops though, and when you get your store receipts, scan them with the new BOXTOPS app and the money goes directly to Chestatee School. If you have clipped some, hold on to them and we’ll figure out a way to collect them. Thank you.
Be safe everyone.
AUGUST NEWS
Our community continues to need any kind of help we can donate in the way of food. The Place of Forsyth and Meals by Grace continue to offer food to an amazing number of people who need the help. Meals by Grace, for example, has provided over 98,000 meals in the last 4 months. Anything you can do would be appreciated. The easiest way is to make a donation is to go online to their websites:
www.mealsbygrace.org www.theplaceofforsyth.org.
Both sites offer ways to support them. Egg cartons, laundry jugs, and small 16 oz- 20 oz containers are also needed by Meals by Grace and you can drop them off at their site in the Ingle’s shopping Center - 432 A Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040 on Tues-Friday 9am-4pm.
I am hoping that we will soon be able to start the CSI collections again by next month. CSI meetings are usually on hiatus over the summer and hopefully we will be able to restart the group in September as well. I don’t think the Senior living residences will be ready to accommodate us but Zoom is always a possibility. We might have to get creative!
Until then, please stay safe and look out for one another.
Thank you to Mary O’Neil for creating Gabby with mask!
www.mealsbygrace.org www.theplaceofforsyth.org.
Both sites offer ways to support them. Egg cartons, laundry jugs, and small 16 oz- 20 oz containers are also needed by Meals by Grace and you can drop them off at their site in the Ingle’s shopping Center - 432 A Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040 on Tues-Friday 9am-4pm.
I am hoping that we will soon be able to start the CSI collections again by next month. CSI meetings are usually on hiatus over the summer and hopefully we will be able to restart the group in September as well. I don’t think the Senior living residences will be ready to accommodate us but Zoom is always a possibility. We might have to get creative!
Until then, please stay safe and look out for one another.
Thank you to Mary O’Neil for creating Gabby with mask!
JULY NEWS
What an ordeal this has been for all of us! I have a sense this is winding down now and hope that we can begin to do what we all enjoy doing soon.
This month, I shared the annual CSI report to show you what we did this year with your help and support. Gator aid is listed (which is all the stuff we ask you to bring into the luncheons) and it was a lot! I have grouped items together, even though they may have gone to different groups (ex. snacks went to Chestatee as well as to the Homeless Vets backpack project). Your cash/gift card donations alone totaled $2,141. Our fundraising efforts along with the May Lunch initiative totaled $4,985.24. The advertising revenue that went the local charities was $1,205. CSI gifted 13 groups with $6,955. And we volunteered over 121 hours within the community.
A great year for CSI and the Forsyth County Women Club! Thank you, thank you!
You are an awesome group of women who I am so happy to be a part of!
We do not have formal CSI meetings during the summer – hopefully we can resume as usual in September.
This month, I shared the annual CSI report to show you what we did this year with your help and support. Gator aid is listed (which is all the stuff we ask you to bring into the luncheons) and it was a lot! I have grouped items together, even though they may have gone to different groups (ex. snacks went to Chestatee as well as to the Homeless Vets backpack project). Your cash/gift card donations alone totaled $2,141. Our fundraising efforts along with the May Lunch initiative totaled $4,985.24. The advertising revenue that went the local charities was $1,205. CSI gifted 13 groups with $6,955. And we volunteered over 121 hours within the community.
A great year for CSI and the Forsyth County Women Club! Thank you, thank you!
You are an awesome group of women who I am so happy to be a part of!
We do not have formal CSI meetings during the summer – hopefully we can resume as usual in September.
JUNE NEWS
What a wonderful response to the CSI “luncheon initiative” by donating your May luncheon fees to help local groups purchase food! Thank you! Thank you! Some of you chose to make an online donation ($550) and others of you sent in checks written to the groups or to CSI ($1564.) Together the Club donated $2114!
The choice to purchase food donation or give money was easy. The Place not only purchases food, but also works with restaurants, vendors and farmers in the area. Cash donations make it easier for them to make choices. I delivered checks to The Place on a “matching fund” day and that doubled the contribution! Checks have been delivered to Jesse’s House. I’ll finish up the collection this week (May 15th) and deliver the other half of the funds to Meals by Grace. It was awesome to see those checks coming in the mail everyday….and yes, together we did make a difference! Thank you, Susanne Hauck, for this suggestion!
We also picked up two advertisers this month – Jesse’s House and The Place each received a check for $75.00. Some of you may not know that the advertisers now choose one of our five charities and write a check directly to them (which equals the cost of their ad). A win-win for everyone! Thank you, Rebekah, for this new way to use the advertiser funds.
Speaking of advertisers: Tom Burgess, owner of Christian Brothers Auto, did a really kind thing for The Place. Cars are occasionally donated to The Place, and may not be in the best of shape. Tom took a car that needed a lot of work and fixed it up so that it could be offered to a family. What a kind thing that was and shows how much they care about our community.
We still have a long way to go to get through this. But it DOES feel good to do little things to help. Our very short street has 8 young children (under the age of 9) and I find that they love the coloring/puzzle sections from the newspaper. It also seemed a good time to give away a ton of children’s books that I had in the attic. The kids are loving them! In return, they come by with drawings, thank you notes and cookies. A special time for all.
The choice to purchase food donation or give money was easy. The Place not only purchases food, but also works with restaurants, vendors and farmers in the area. Cash donations make it easier for them to make choices. I delivered checks to The Place on a “matching fund” day and that doubled the contribution! Checks have been delivered to Jesse’s House. I’ll finish up the collection this week (May 15th) and deliver the other half of the funds to Meals by Grace. It was awesome to see those checks coming in the mail everyday….and yes, together we did make a difference! Thank you, Susanne Hauck, for this suggestion!
We also picked up two advertisers this month – Jesse’s House and The Place each received a check for $75.00. Some of you may not know that the advertisers now choose one of our five charities and write a check directly to them (which equals the cost of their ad). A win-win for everyone! Thank you, Rebekah, for this new way to use the advertiser funds.
Speaking of advertisers: Tom Burgess, owner of Christian Brothers Auto, did a really kind thing for The Place. Cars are occasionally donated to The Place, and may not be in the best of shape. Tom took a car that needed a lot of work and fixed it up so that it could be offered to a family. What a kind thing that was and shows how much they care about our community.
We still have a long way to go to get through this. But it DOES feel good to do little things to help. Our very short street has 8 young children (under the age of 9) and I find that they love the coloring/puzzle sections from the newspaper. It also seemed a good time to give away a ton of children’s books that I had in the attic. The kids are loving them! In return, they come by with drawings, thank you notes and cookies. A special time for all.
MAY NEWS
Thank goodness the weather has been warm and pleasant lately! Too many rainy days can put me on edge but the sun zaps it away quickly. I love being out in the yard and with all that terrible rain, my yard has become lush and green and I’m seeing plants I haven’t seen for years popping up! Lots of trimming away of the old growth as the new sprouts shoot up. The wild azaleas are blooming like crazy in the Corp property in front of us, making it a sea of pink. Spring has come and brings forth it’s potential.
So hang in there ladies, we’ll pull through this! I’ve found that rather than calling or texting to check up on a friend, thT good old FaceTime can make it a lot more fun! I recently had a “coffee date” with my friend Gail Rockburne at an assigned time and we had some great conversation and lots of laughs! Try it! Who cares if you’re still in your pajamas?
I’ve learned NEVER to go to the Public’s Tues/Wed senior early shopping. 85 were lined up at 7:00 just to get in! At 10:00 the store was empty and guess what? They were restocking the shelves! My Public’s has learned to parcel them out throughout the day so everyone has a chance to get that one needed item.
I get nearly daily postings from many of the non-profit groups we support. They all need support, since many of the fundraisers and functions that raise money on their behalf have been cancelled. Bald Ridge Lodge, Jesse’s House, Meals by Grace and The Place could all use your support. Below is a clip from The Place and what they have been doing this week – pretty awesome and as always, organized and efficient. All have websites where you can make a donation if you choose to.
This week we experienced a record breaking day and distributed food to 127 households in ONE day and 362 for the WEEK! Thankfully, we recently restructured our distribution model and fortunately we were in a good stride when the day came.
The thrift store (our main source of income) has been transformed into a large food pantry and assembly line and we set up a drive through in the store parking lot.
From 3/16 - 3/31, we have distributed almost $90,000 of food thanks to the great support The Place has received from the community and supporters like you.
You know what to do to get through this. Let’s hope we’ll all meet again next month!!
So hang in there ladies, we’ll pull through this! I’ve found that rather than calling or texting to check up on a friend, thT good old FaceTime can make it a lot more fun! I recently had a “coffee date” with my friend Gail Rockburne at an assigned time and we had some great conversation and lots of laughs! Try it! Who cares if you’re still in your pajamas?
I’ve learned NEVER to go to the Public’s Tues/Wed senior early shopping. 85 were lined up at 7:00 just to get in! At 10:00 the store was empty and guess what? They were restocking the shelves! My Public’s has learned to parcel them out throughout the day so everyone has a chance to get that one needed item.
I get nearly daily postings from many of the non-profit groups we support. They all need support, since many of the fundraisers and functions that raise money on their behalf have been cancelled. Bald Ridge Lodge, Jesse’s House, Meals by Grace and The Place could all use your support. Below is a clip from The Place and what they have been doing this week – pretty awesome and as always, organized and efficient. All have websites where you can make a donation if you choose to.
This week we experienced a record breaking day and distributed food to 127 households in ONE day and 362 for the WEEK! Thankfully, we recently restructured our distribution model and fortunately we were in a good stride when the day came.
The thrift store (our main source of income) has been transformed into a large food pantry and assembly line and we set up a drive through in the store parking lot.
From 3/16 - 3/31, we have distributed almost $90,000 of food thanks to the great support The Place has received from the community and supporters like you.
You know what to do to get through this. Let’s hope we’ll all meet again next month!!
APRIL NEWS
We’re all concerned about the coronavirus. Our host at the Villas, are protective about the health of their residents and do not want any visitors at this time. I can certainly respect that. There will be NO CSI meeting this month. In May, we will revisit holding a meeting in another location so we can wind up the year.
As of today, we will be going forward with the Spring Raffle planned for the hour before the luncheon. In the event that luncheon may be cancelled, we will simply move it to the next luncheon. Easy to do.
Please keep collecting those THREE specific items for Meals by Grace – pint size plastic containers with a lid, laundry/softener jugs, foam egg containers. Nothing else please – no milk jugs, orange juice containers, cardboard egg cartons, other plastic things, etc, etc. Mary sometimes has to throw full trash bags of stuff not related to the above items.
We are also collecting Box Tops for Education. Some of you may see that some of the coupons are digitized and require a scan to read. Download the app and scan your register receipt and the amount will go directly to the school you have set up on the app. Go to: www.boxtops4education.com for more information. No more clipping for some Box Tops! Should make our lives and those at Chestatee easier.
At this point, we will not be having a Gator-Aid collection for April.
Be safe now!
As of today, we will be going forward with the Spring Raffle planned for the hour before the luncheon. In the event that luncheon may be cancelled, we will simply move it to the next luncheon. Easy to do.
Please keep collecting those THREE specific items for Meals by Grace – pint size plastic containers with a lid, laundry/softener jugs, foam egg containers. Nothing else please – no milk jugs, orange juice containers, cardboard egg cartons, other plastic things, etc, etc. Mary sometimes has to throw full trash bags of stuff not related to the above items.
We are also collecting Box Tops for Education. Some of you may see that some of the coupons are digitized and require a scan to read. Download the app and scan your register receipt and the amount will go directly to the school you have set up on the app. Go to: www.boxtops4education.com for more information. No more clipping for some Box Tops! Should make our lives and those at Chestatee easier.
At this point, we will not be having a Gator-Aid collection for April.
Be safe now!
MARCH NEWS
SI – March 10, 2020 The Villas 10:00 a.m.
Hunger is a terrible thing and shocking to think just how many children in our county are hungry. Meals by Grace shelves are empty. We can’t fix it, but we can try to do what we can….and so the next three Gator-Aid collections will be food related.
This month, we will be collecting food for “Blessings in a Backpack” a national 501 program that provides food to elementary and middle school children who otherwise would go hungry on the weekend. High schoolers make up the team that sorts the food, packs the cars, puts it into bags for each school. Adult volunteers drive it to the various school locations. The names of the kids are not known to the program and the food is slipped into their backpacks by the school staff so the kids are not embarrassed. The local chapter targets 316 children (some from Chestatee) with a wait list of 85. They simply don’t have the funds to take on more. We can help! CSI is donating a check for $500 so the director can purchase what she needs. The collection list is below. No large super-size cans, please…remember they need to fit discreetly into a backpack – 2 breakfast items, 2 dinner, 2 snacks, a fruit, etc. If you don’t have time to shop, a cash donation would be very welcome or a check written to Blessings in a Backpackof Forsyth County.
The following month (April) Meals by Grace and in May – Meals on wheels.
Our next meeting will be held at the Villas at 10:00 am March 10th. We would love to have you join us – just give me a call or send along an email and let me know. Everyone is welcome.
Soup, Chef Boyardee cans, Granola or fruit bars, Oatmeal (individual packets),
Shelf-stable pudding, microwave popcorn, easy mac/Mac and Cheese, Canned meat, fruit snacks, fruit or applesauce cups, cheese crackers, dried fruit, Pirate booty, pretzels, cheez-its or Goldfish (individual) PLEASE NO NUT PRODUCTS
Hunger is a terrible thing and shocking to think just how many children in our county are hungry. Meals by Grace shelves are empty. We can’t fix it, but we can try to do what we can….and so the next three Gator-Aid collections will be food related.
This month, we will be collecting food for “Blessings in a Backpack” a national 501 program that provides food to elementary and middle school children who otherwise would go hungry on the weekend. High schoolers make up the team that sorts the food, packs the cars, puts it into bags for each school. Adult volunteers drive it to the various school locations. The names of the kids are not known to the program and the food is slipped into their backpacks by the school staff so the kids are not embarrassed. The local chapter targets 316 children (some from Chestatee) with a wait list of 85. They simply don’t have the funds to take on more. We can help! CSI is donating a check for $500 so the director can purchase what she needs. The collection list is below. No large super-size cans, please…remember they need to fit discreetly into a backpack – 2 breakfast items, 2 dinner, 2 snacks, a fruit, etc. If you don’t have time to shop, a cash donation would be very welcome or a check written to Blessings in a Backpackof Forsyth County.
The following month (April) Meals by Grace and in May – Meals on wheels.
Our next meeting will be held at the Villas at 10:00 am March 10th. We would love to have you join us – just give me a call or send along an email and let me know. Everyone is welcome.
Soup, Chef Boyardee cans, Granola or fruit bars, Oatmeal (individual packets),
Shelf-stable pudding, microwave popcorn, easy mac/Mac and Cheese, Canned meat, fruit snacks, fruit or applesauce cups, cheese crackers, dried fruit, Pirate booty, pretzels, cheez-its or Goldfish (individual) PLEASE NO NUT PRODUCTS
FEBRUARY NEWS
CSI – February 11, 2020 10:00 am The Villas at Canterfield
I have to share a little story with you. As I opened up a new book I had picked up at the library to read, a book mark fell out. On it had a simple phrase: “One act of kindness won’t change the world, but it may change one person’s world.” As I read that I realized how true that is. Even the small contributions that CSI makes to various charities hopefully will impact someone’s life and make it a little better. And maybe if we all practiced little acts of kindness in our lives not only would we feel happier, but make someone else feel happier, too.
Our meeting this month will be held at The Villas at Canterfield at 10:00 am. Please call email me if you plan to attend or need directions. New members are always welcome and we’d love to have you join us.
At the time of printing, a decision had not been made as to the group we are targeting for Gator-aid. E-blast to follow.
P.S. This month we will be collecting new bras - any size, shape or style for Family Promise! You gotta love it!
I have to share a little story with you. As I opened up a new book I had picked up at the library to read, a book mark fell out. On it had a simple phrase: “One act of kindness won’t change the world, but it may change one person’s world.” As I read that I realized how true that is. Even the small contributions that CSI makes to various charities hopefully will impact someone’s life and make it a little better. And maybe if we all practiced little acts of kindness in our lives not only would we feel happier, but make someone else feel happier, too.
Our meeting this month will be held at The Villas at Canterfield at 10:00 am. Please call email me if you plan to attend or need directions. New members are always welcome and we’d love to have you join us.
At the time of printing, a decision had not been made as to the group we are targeting for Gator-aid. E-blast to follow.
P.S. This month we will be collecting new bras - any size, shape or style for Family Promise! You gotta love it!
JANUARY NEWS
CSI - Tuesday January 7th, 2020 10:00 am The Villas
Happy New Year! How wonderful it is to begin the year thinking of ways to best support our community. We can make a difference to many local groups this year and we’re excited to make that happen again. With your support we have been able to do so much more. Thank you for a wonderful year!
At the January luncheon, we’re collecting fun stuff for the kids at Chestatee School’s Bravo Bucks store. The children collect these Bravo bucks for kindness to others, positive behavior, and getting caught doing something nice! The bucks can be redeemed in the store. See some suggestions below.
The BOX TOPS can will be on the table again this month – so please bring in your BOX TOPs labels that you can find on items you use every day. These items may seem small and insignificant, but add up quickly for extra money for the school library.
Our next meeting will be held on January 7th at 10:00 am at the Villa’s. Everyone is welcome to join us. Call for information or directions.
Small gifts like yo-yos, hand held calming toys, books, school supplies, pencil sets, stress balls, fun toys, etc - let your imagination run wild! Please no food or candy.
Happy New Year! How wonderful it is to begin the year thinking of ways to best support our community. We can make a difference to many local groups this year and we’re excited to make that happen again. With your support we have been able to do so much more. Thank you for a wonderful year!
At the January luncheon, we’re collecting fun stuff for the kids at Chestatee School’s Bravo Bucks store. The children collect these Bravo bucks for kindness to others, positive behavior, and getting caught doing something nice! The bucks can be redeemed in the store. See some suggestions below.
The BOX TOPS can will be on the table again this month – so please bring in your BOX TOPs labels that you can find on items you use every day. These items may seem small and insignificant, but add up quickly for extra money for the school library.
Our next meeting will be held on January 7th at 10:00 am at the Villa’s. Everyone is welcome to join us. Call for information or directions.
Small gifts like yo-yos, hand held calming toys, books, school supplies, pencil sets, stress balls, fun toys, etc - let your imagination run wild! Please no food or candy.
Past Events
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CSi Volunteers at The Place Fund Raiser.
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CSI members with school Counselor Kerry Bryant (second from left) and Principal Polly Tennies (standing on right)
Jim Yarborough is the director here and the rest are some of the seniors who agreed to have their picture taken. Fun!
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Chestatee Elementary School Receptionist
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Items collected on St. Patrick's Day
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Would you like more information about CSI? You can email CSI at CommunityServiceInvestigators2@gmail.com or send your comments or questions below.
