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
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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!
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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.
2019-News
Fred, Gabby, and Cissy visiting the Big Apple's famous Macy's displays for the Holidays!
DECEMBER 2019 NEWS
CSI The Villas 10:00 am- Tuesday December 10
Food banks are low all over the county right now and so CSI decided the best thing thing can we do this month is ask members to bring in non-perishable food items. So many family traditions center around food and so let’s help out!
Please bring your items to the December luncheon. Thank you! We’re already looking forward to The Place Holiday Program for needy children this year. Last year, it was a big success and our members really enjoyed the interaction with the parents helping them as they selected and wrapped gifts for their kids.
CSI sponsors this event at the “Snowflake” level, which means a $500 donation to be used as best needed. This is the third year that “The Place” has offered the Holiday program where qualifying families can select toys and other items with dignity. Our next meeting w1ll be held at 10:00 am at the Villas, Tuesday Dec. 10.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Have a wonderful holiday, Lisa
Food banks are low all over the county right now and so CSI decided the best thing thing can we do this month is ask members to bring in non-perishable food items. So many family traditions center around food and so let’s help out!
Please bring your items to the December luncheon. Thank you! We’re already looking forward to The Place Holiday Program for needy children this year. Last year, it was a big success and our members really enjoyed the interaction with the parents helping them as they selected and wrapped gifts for their kids.
CSI sponsors this event at the “Snowflake” level, which means a $500 donation to be used as best needed. This is the third year that “The Place” has offered the Holiday program where qualifying families can select toys and other items with dignity. Our next meeting w1ll be held at 10:00 am at the Villas, Tuesday Dec. 10.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Have a wonderful holiday, Lisa
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NOVEMBER 2019 NEWS
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The CSI gators are getting excited about the Holiday Bazaar! You’ll find some awesome gifts for the holidays! There will be scrumptious bakery items with your favorite cookies in a jar! New items will include Soup in a Jar and Cakes in a Mug -which are really nice gifts. There will be some holiday décor items and several raffles focusing on eating out or eating in themes. Please remember that 100% of the proceeds will go directly back into our community. The event will start at 10:00 go until the luncheon begins. We can accept checks (made payable to FCWC – CSI) or cash only. Each section will require a separate check or cash: the baked goods, the jars and mugs, the holiday décor and the raffle items. If you are not attending the luncheon, you may still participate in the Holiday Bazaar.
The Gator-aid for the Humane Society must be have been some kind of record! The table was overflowing! I know they were very excited about it all. Thank you!
This month, we will collecting for a new group called About Face-USA. This program serves homeless veterans and we will be helping with items that will fit into a backpack for them. (See items below) Carol LaBranch, the director will be at the luncheon and I’m sure she would love to meet you. Let’s help our vets!
Our meeting this month will be held at The Villas at 10:00 am on Tuesday Nov. 12. We’ll be reviewing staffing for the tables, set up, and last minute details to make the Holiday Bazaar awesome!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for, don’t we?
New underwear, undershirts, socks in all sizes for men and women. Winter gloves, knitted hats, caps, bandannas, scarves, winter coats and vests (slightly used ok) Dry food or snacks like granola and protein bars, dried fruit packets. Money donations will go to buy backpacks ad thermal sleeping bags (they are thin, but keep out the cold & wind and fit into their packs.
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OCTOBER 2019 NEWS
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Our plans for our first Holiday Bazaar are underway! The Bazaar will be held in November the hour before the luncheon. We will tempt you with tasty baked goods, holiday decor, and raffle items to make your holidays a little easier and brighter. And cookies in a jar will be back with some additional surprises. What fun! We hope you can join us for this new fundraising event. All items will be priced and checks or cash only will be accepted.
At the luncheon this month, CSI will be collecting for Jesse’s House! Karen Carroll, the past Director will be at the luncheon so please stop by and say hello!
There are a lot of things to choose from on the Jesse’s House wish list (see the list below). Looks like the girls are a little specific about some things, but teenagers can be like that! Whatever you can do will be appreciated.
Our meeting this month will be held at the Villas at Canterfield at 10:00 am October 8th Agendas are mailed the weekend before, so please let me know if you plan to attend either by phone or email. We’d love to have you join us! It’s a lovely space and the staff there is very accommodating and lovely to work with.
Any kind of gift card, individual packs of Ritz crackers & Pringles, creamy peanut butter, jelly, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, fruit snacks, Pirates Booty Popcorn, Cereal (Special K, Honey nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch) as well as cleaning supplies: disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, lysol spray, downy fabric softener, paper towels, strong flex kitchen drawstring bags (like Glad Force-flex)
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SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWS |
Box Tops For Education is undergoing a change. No more clipping! In order to continue to support the schools, you must download the BOX TOPS app and sign up to support Chestatee Elementary (or other school of your choice). Then just scan the receipt and it will go to the school directly. Go to btfe.com for more information. In the meantime, you can still find Box Tops can at the CSI table.
I’m passing along a few tips that came from our speaker last month: those unneeded suitcases or carry-ons can be taken to The Place and Joni will make sure they are given to SAFFT (the local foster care center), Bald Ridge Lodge or Jesse’s House. Many children arrive with just the clothes on their backs without a way to transport their belongings. And did you know…all those old, worn out, torn clothes or underwear that you couldn’t donate can be placed in a bag, labeled “RECYCLE,” and taken to The Place where it will be recycled for money per pound. So no more throwing stuff in the garbage…it still has use!!
Please join us for our meeting on Tuesday, Sept 19th at 10:00 am at our new location at The Villas at Canterfield. It‘s located on Highway 9 across from Troncalli Subaru. It is the first building on the right and parking is in the big parking lot to the left. Please call or send an email if you can attend or need directions. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics Forsyth Annual FALL Games Date: Friday, September 27th, 2019 Location: Forsyth Central High School Track & FieldTime: 8 AM (estimated check-in) to 1 PM (includes lunch) Want to Join us?
The Humane Society is the “gator-aid” target this month. They’re in need of: Clumping Cat Litter, Puppy Pads, Kitten Food-Canned, Puppy and Kitten Formula, Copy paper, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Hand Sanitizer (refill jugs), Fleece Blankets, Cattoys, pens, SharpieMarkers, Fabuloso, Clorox Disinfectant Wipes,Trashbags( allsizes), Sandwich Bags, Odoban Cleaner, Pill Pocket, Printer Ink HP902, Lysol Disinfectant Spray
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AUGUST 2019 NEWS
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What happened to the summer??? Already it’s time to think back to school, and this time for the kiddos at Chestatee Elementary. A lot of the students don’t bring their own snacks and so we are collecting for them.
If you have extra hotel toiletries from visits this summer, Chestatee can put those to good use as well! If you would like to help, please bring them along to the luncheon this month.
CSI has a new meeting location! Starting in September, we will be meeting at the Villas at Canterfield located at 815 Atlanta Highway across the street is Troncalli Subaru. Our meeting room is located in the first building on the right in the Independent living center. Plenty of parking. It’s a lovely space and we’re very welcomed.
Healthy Snacks for Chestatee: Pretzels, gold fish, graham crackers, teddy grahams, Cheese its, Ritz Bits with cheese and fruit snacks. We need to stay away from peanut products due to allergies – thank you!
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JULY 2019 NEWS
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I was very excited to hear that Joni Smith, the President and CEO of The Place, will be our guest speaker this month! Joni is such a dedicated person and her presentation will amaze you with all this group does for our community. CSI has worked with the Place many times by volunteering and supporting their activities with donations. This month, we will be helping them collect items for their Back to School Backpack program. Specific needs are listed below.
Just a reminder to please keep saving your BOX TOPS for Chestatee Elementary. Meals by Grace continues to need your empty detergent bottles, egg cartons and large plastic containers. Just bring them to the luncheons and Mary Negrilla will pick them up.
CSI will not be having any formal meeting this month. See you in September!
Backpacks Full of Love:
Washable markers, 5 subject spiral notebooks, college ruled
Index cards, flash drives or $$$ money to help with other items
as needed by Title 1 schools
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JUNE 2019 NEWS |
This month, we will be collecting for the for the boys at Bald Ridge Lodge. The Lodge has been going through a recent expansion, and remodeling and the kitchen also needs some work. The boys came up with a “wish list” which includes things like grill utensils, a digital meat thermometer, steamer, cookie sheets, tortilla warmer, etc. It is a varied list and to make sure they will get exactly what they want and how many, we thought it best to ask for cash donations or checks to be written out to them “Bald Ridge Lodge.” CSI will also make a cash donation. Thank you! Gotta love getting those boys into the kitchen!!
In May, CSI assembled 60 food bags for the children of families supported by the Meals by Grace program. We purchased the remaining food needed, (after your TREMENDOUS HELP), and then stocked the bags with enough food for breakfast, lunch and snacks for one week (for additional items) and other were expenses around $350. After bagging up the food, we relaxed with lunch at Marie’s Italian Deli. What a great way to end our year! Your help in this drive was very appreciated.
The last Jewelry/Accessories fundraiser was very successful and $3144, was raised with some of the leftovers still in consignment. This raises the total fundraiser amount to over $10,000 this year! Thank you for your support!
We’ve been able to use this money to: purchase clothing ($271) for the Chestatee Closet, give $300 to Healthy Paws for a Cause, sponsor 15 wreaths ($300) for the Wreaths Across America program, be a “Snowman” Sponsor ($500) for the Place Holiday Program, donate $100 each to the YMCA and the Place as targeted charities at our Auction, and provide $1000 to the Place summer Educational fund. Still more money will be targeted for various projects at our May meeting. Some money will be set aside until new fundraiser ideas are in place for the next year.
CSI will not be holding formal meetings during the summer months of June, July and August, however we will be collecting donations throughout the summer months. If you would like to be on our CSI email list to hear about summer opportunities and activities, please let me know. You never know when something worthwhile comes along and will want to be a part of it. Have a great summer!
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MAY 2019 NEWS |
Our Gator-aid this month will go to Meals on Wheels. Look for the donation box on the table. You may wish to write a check directly to: “Forsyth County Senior Services.” Our plan is to collect enough to fund one senior for the year!
As this year closes, it is a good time to reflect on what we have been able to accomplish this year with these monthly donations. I have no idea what kind of dollar amount this translates to, but it sizeable and it does make a difference. THANK YOU!!
1. Chestatee School: 943 healthy snacks, 30# of toiletries, 197 “stocking stuffers” for the Bravo Bucks store and 77 books.
2. The Place: a truckload of food: TWICE!
3. Family Haven: 387 pairs of socks, 29 backpacks, 6 bottles of Gator-aid, 161 toilet paper rolls, 58 pkg, paper towels, 25 cleaning items and 15# of toiletries.
4. Food for Thought: We filled more than 40 orange bags of food!
5. Healthy Paws for a Cause: much needed cleaning and office supplies and cash donations.
6. Bald Ridge Lodge: $310 in gift cards & a ton of food for their food pantry.
7. Meals by Grace – helped feed 60 kids one week during the summer.
We also have a lot of fun with our volunteering this year – Special Olympics, the Place Holiday program, a gift-wrapping project to support Isabell’s Book Club, the Bags of Love program, removed wreaths at the Veteran’s National Cemetery, collected at the Cumming Fairgrounds, and year four of the reading program at Chestatee Elementary.
Our “last” monthly meeting of the year will be held at the Columns at 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 14th. This meeting will wrap up the year and discuss fundraising ideas for the following year. There will be no formal meetings held in June, July and August, but the Gator-aid collections WILL continue at the luncheons!
This month we will be meeting at the Meals by Grace food bank center at 9:30 am on Wednesday, May 15, at 432-A Canton Rd., Cumming 30040 location. We will be assembling the food collected last month for the Bags of Love program. These bags will provide a child with 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 healthy snacks for the week. Afterwards, CSI members will be meeting at Marie’s Italian Deli for brunch. Want to join us? If you’re new to the Club, this is a great way to get to know our group. Give me a call or send an email. Everyone is welcome to take part.
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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.
