Share In Their Future

Sponsor thinks outside the box to help children in need

Gloria, a CI sponsor and volunteer, is pictured here with two children supported through CI's Appalachian Division

 

Our sponsors are finding creative ways to help children in need and spread the word about our mission.

 

Gloria, a sponsor from Wisconsin, recently wrapped up a clothing and supplies drive she initiated and coordinated all on her own. She gathered just under 1000 pieces of clothing and shoes, plus countless hygiene items to benefit children at Southside, East Ridge, and Beaver Creek Elementary schools, which are all part of our Appalachian Division.

 

The gathering of these materials was no easy feat for just one volunteer. Gloria did some grassroots fundraising, with help from her husband Dennis and one other volunteer. They set up a booth at a local fair. Within just one day, the small team was able to raise $400!!

 

Gloria diversified her fundraising efforts. Each year, Harley Davidson hosts a customer appreciation lunch where they allow a non-profit to be highlighted. This time around that non-profit was Children, Incorporated! Gloria brought information about CI, put a poster up and explained to the audience what their donations would go towards. The group was very generous--totaling $382 in donations!

 

This effort wasn't just about collecting money. Gloria also bagged and labeled all of the clothing and supplies herself. She was met with challenges--not only was there simply a great volume to deal with, but she also tried valiantly to organize the clothing by size and gender. No doubt this is a task usually handled by a much larger team of volunteers--so kudos to you, Gloria!

 

How can one sponsor accomplish as much as Gloria has? "This is endearing to my heart so it's not like work for me," Gloria said of the project. "...our efforts [have been] very gratifying."

 

Thank you, Gloria--on behalf of Children, Incorporated, for helping so many children by giving your time and energy to this important cause. No doubt the young ones are incredibly grateful for your hard work!

 

As Margaret Mead once said, "Never underestimate the power of a small group of dedicated people to change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

A Community Giving Back

 Gloria Folz is on a mission.  A child sponsor through CI, Gloria decided to create awareness in her community of Oostburg, Wisconsin about children in need here in the U.S.  "I personally think that no matter what your view is on poverty and who you feel is responsible it's the children who suffer the most," said Gloria. "I'm helping these children because they're all so innocent.  I also believe that one person can make a difference, and we are all capable of trying on some scale."    With this heartfelt belief, Gloria has rallied her community, friends and family in a back-to-school clothing and shoe drive for unsponsored children in Kentucky.  Beyond clothing and shoes, they are also collecting hygiene items.  Once the drive is over at the end of the summer, Gloria and her friends will be delivering the items to  CI schools in Kentucky where 26 children have targeted by CI as having the greatest need.  We'd like to thank Gloria and her family, as well as the local businesses for their unwaivering efforts in collecting these much-needed items.

 

A donation jar at a local Cousin's SubsShop

 

A collection box at Jill's Drycleaners (who have offered a percentage off for those that make a donation).

Poker Challenge to Aid CI Children!

Will he do it again?  Barry Greenstein, a long-time CI supporter is ready!  Tune in to the Game Show Network's "High Stakes Poker" program on Sunday, March 22nd. Poker champion, Barry Greenstein has accepted a challenge from fellow poker players who have agreed to donate funds to Children, Incorporated if he utters the words "math is idiotic" during the televised tournament.   So, will he do it???   If it happens, proceeds will benefit our Back-2-School Fund that ensures children in the U.S. and overseas have what they need for a successful start to a new school year.

Ambassador of Poker Brings Hope to Children

In 2006 renowned poker player Mike Sexton won the World Series of Poker "Tournament of Champions" and claimed the 1 million dollar 1st place prize.  Mike decided to give half of his prize to charity, and Children, Incorporated was chosen as one of five organizations to receive $100,000!  Mike is a truly remarkable person, and we are so grateful to him for the wonderful assistance he has provided for over 100 children through sponsorship.  What is so meaningful is that these children are mostly older children who lost their sponsors at a pivotal time in their lives and their education.  It is often difficult to find sponsors for the older children on our program - particularly those in high school grades.  Mike's generosity, however, is making a difference by providing the assistance needed for these children to continue their education and plan for a brighter future.

Now a proud parent of a newborn son, Mike has also served as a "parent" to over 100 children he has sponsored since August 2006.  Below are images and reflections of gratitude from several of these older children who are now benefiting from his sponsorship:

"I hope you and your family are well.  I woud like to thank you for your priceless support and for having remembered by birthday.  I am aware of the big effort you make to help me out.  I am studying hard so that you can feel proud of me.  Your help encourages me to keep up with the good job.  I will never let you down.  I also want you to know that I am very proud of having such a nice person as my sponsor.  Never forget that I will always have you in my thoughts and prayers."  -16 yr. old Editha from Bolivia

"I immensely thank you very much for your love and concern towards me.  I am sure that I would have remained as a child laborer had you not taken me as your sponsored child.  It is certainly because of your unforgettable love and concern that I am able to receive an education."   -16 yr. old Anusha from India

"I am grateful and thankful to you for helping me and supporting me.  I get all facilities like good food, clothing, a good environment, books, uniforms, and special gifts.  Had you not supported me, I would not have had these benefits because my parents are very poor and cannot afford to keep me financially.  Please accept my hearty thanks for your kind help and concern."  -17 yr. old Swetha from India

"Thank you for sponsoring me.  Sponsorship has allowed me to have food, education, and other things.  Now I am healthier compared to some years back.  I thank God for making it possible to have meals.  I also thank you for playing a part in the side of my education." -16 yr. old Richard from Kenya

Finally, we would like to congratulate Mike Sexton on recently receiving the prestigious "Patriot Award" from the Paralyzed Veterans of America in recognition of his generosity and charitable work.  Mike's benevolence as one of our sponsors and as a donor to other organizations reminds us of the good work being done by the poker industry and high profile players all over the world.

Letter from a Former Sponsored Child

As a child, Leah was sponsored through Children, Incorporated.  Her sponsors provided her with the resources she needed to stay in school, and Leah now holds a university degree.  She recently signed up to be a sponsor herself, and she sent us this note with her initial correspondence:

Dear Children, Incorporated:

I have wanted to sponsor a child for a while, and I chose CI because, as you know, a CI sponsor made a big difference in my life as a child.  As I was growing up in the Appalachias, my parents always had a lot of love to give, but often struggled to provide the physical necessities for myself and my sister.  Neither of my parents had graduated high school, so they worked in factories and in the agricultural industry most of the time. 

The first time I received a voucher from my sponsor, it was like Christmas.  I was able to buy clothes that hadn't already been worn and faded, to replace my tattered shoes, and to get school supplies which allowed me to feel more confident in class, and able to excel rather than to blend into the background.  I was fortunate to be involved in a couple of other programs targeted toward at-risk youth as well.  The support and gifts from my sponsors (I think I remember having one in late elementary school, and a separate one in High School) helped to raise me up out of my less than fortunate circumstances.  Knowing that there were people who had never met me, and yet had an honest interest in my success gave me the motivation to finish high school (only the second in my extended family to do so) and recently to graduate from university. 

Now that I am in a stable financial situation, I hope that I can make a difference in some child's life myself.  I am so grateful to organizations such as CI, whose constant vigilance enables children to succeed in even the hardest circumstances.  Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Leah

Sponsors Donate Hearing Aid to Lebanese Student

All of CI's children are impoverished, and many struggle with additional burdens like health problems, disabilities, family turbulence, and violence within their communities.  It is these children who often benefit the most from the support and stability that sponsorship provides. 

Rafiq is an 18-year-old student in Lebanon.  His neighborhood is frequently rocked by armed conflicts and riots, and his school is sometimes closed for safety reasons.  Rafiq is extremely hard-of-hearing, and his disability has slowed his academic progress.  For two years, he has attended a school that enrolls only  students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and he is doing well--but because he did not receive adequate instruction in his early life, he is four grades behind the other students in his age group. 

Rafiq's future is brightening, however, thanks to his own strong work ethic and the unfailing support of his teachers.  His CI sponsors, Brian Hyde and Joe Fiorello, have also played a very important role in his life.  Since they began sponsoring Rafiq in 2006, they have helped to pay his school fees, and they have provided him with additional funds for clothing and other necessities. 

Most recently, Brian and Joe paid for a high-quality digital hearing aid for Rafiq, which will help him in school and greatly improve his chance of finding good employment after he graduates.  Brian and Joe arranged for Rafiq to receive the hearing aid at a special birthday celebration [pictured at left], and he thanked them with this letter:

 
"I was happy that I will participate in an art exhibition, I have prepared my drawing but n ow I don’t know if  we will do that or no.  I am sending you a copy of my drawing [pictured at right] and I hope you will like it. Thank you very much for your generous gift, I have got new fully digital hearing aid it was a wonderful surprise for me to have a new hearing aid as a birthday gift. I had a nice party on my birthday the lions club came to our school they brought cake and we have celebrated my birthday and another students birthdays also."

We Love Our Supporters

Last night, we hosted a reception for our donors who live in the Richmond, Virginia area.  CI supporter Bill Hall graciously donated the use of his home, and Dominion donated refreshments and valet services. 

We truly enjoyed meeting so many of our local supporters.  You all do amazing things for our children, and we love to talk to you about your experiences with CI.  Thank you so much to everyone who came to last night's event--and to all our supporters everywhere. 

A Sponsor's Inspirational Letter

Dian Griesel has been a devoted and generous sponsor for many years.  When she heard that one of her sponsored children was struggling in school, she sent him this wonderful letter:

"Dear Cameron,

I heard from Mrs. Miles that you are smart, good in math, and crazy about tinkering on cars. She told me that you would make a great auto mechanic. She also told me you’ve been struggling a bit with reading.

I want to share a story with you.

 My younger brother, Greg, is an auto mechanic. He learned his skills at a local vocational school starting in the 11^th grade. Then he went on to intern at a local garage. Next, he spent a few years in the Army, where he learned to work on tanks and other large land vehicles. He is also qualified to work on high-voltage equipment. He recently went back for more training after several years in the workforce to get a good understanding of how complicated electrical systems work. Now, he has a great job as a mechanic, works with lots of other fun mechanics, owns a home, and has a lovely wife and two daughters.

 Today, for fun, he is rebuilding from scratch a 1988 Ford Mustang with a 500+ horse power engine! The car is beautiful. I saw it over the holidays. What I could not believe was that he pulled out, separated, and polished every single piece of the engine—“for better speed!” he smiled.

School was not an easy ride for my brother. He had tutors and got tested for hearing issues. He got all kinds of testing, in fact. Ultimately, the tests indicated that he was dyslexic. When he looks at letters, they appear mixed up and out of order. So, school wasn’t fun for him. In fact, it was a major struggle.

Reading was never easy for Greg. But he stuck it out. If he hadn’t, he would likely be nowhere today. And he’ll tell you that himself, if you ever want to speak to him.

When he wanted to quit school—and there were many, many times when he wanted to—he visualized the kind of car he wanted to soup up and transform into a killer hot rod. At the time, it was a Nova. He persevered and managed to buy a Nova for cheap and had it painted at the local auto body shop for free in exchange for helping to detail cars. He built the engine himself. He ended up driving his Nova in the time trial races at Riverhead Raceway for kicks. And it was something that he did 100% ALL BY HIMSELF.

He was proud of his accomplishment, and we were all proud of him. We all knew it was never easy for him to get through school like it is for some of us. But he pulled through, kept his vision, and now he’s taken apart and rebuilt several cars that he uses for racing.

Don’t quit on your talent and dreams, Cameron. Believe me: you have a skill that will be extremely valuable if you choose to enhance it and build upon it by staying in school and learning a trade. The bottom line is this: when my car won’t start and I have to go to a meeting, the most valuable person in the world is the one who can fix my car!

I support you 100%. Finish school and get accepted to that vocational training program offered when you are a senior in high school. Learn to be a good mechanic. Stick it out and make your grandmother, teachers, and everyone else around you extra proud. Most of all, you will make yourself proud for working hard when quitting seemed like the easier option.

Stay in touch with me.

Lots of love,

Dian"

A Visit to the Tecpan Primary School

Frank and Rosario of New Mexico recently visited the children they sponsor at the Tecpan Primary School in Guatemala.  Upon returning, they shared with us these beautiful photographs from their trip:

Bolivian Student Headed for Medical School

Mercedes, who was on the CI sponsorship program for 8 years, is about to begin medical school at the public university in Sucre, Bolivia!  More than 1200 students sat for the medical college entrance exam, and only 289 passed and were granted admission.  Mercedes is one of those talented 289.   During a visit with Marcela Molina, our regional coordinator for Bolivia, Mercedes expressed deep gratitude for the support she received from her CI sponsor.  He enabled her to attend primary and secondary school by supplying funds for her clothing and school supplies.   Then, when he died last year, he left her with a final gift: enough money to pay her medical school tuition through the completion of her degree.