Social Work Club and the Adopt a Family Project

Eastern Connecticut State University has some pretty amazing clubs who do some awesome things for the community. For example, the Social Work Club has been working on the Adopt a Family Project for the second year in a row. Chaneil Beckford, President of the Social Work Club, gives a description of what the
Adopt a Family Project is. 

Social Work Club Adopt a family Project

Last Year the former Social Work club President Judy-ann McDuffus thought it would be helpful to offer our services and time by giving back to the community by adopting a family. Last year was the first time our club got involved with Windham Area Inter Faith Ministries Adopt a family project, intended to help low income families experience and enjoy a Christmas.

We had over ten fundraisers and did over 121 hours of fundraising and we were able to make over $800 in which used to help five local families. We asked for donations and held several bakes sales to allocate the money, we were able to purchase thirty gifts for the five families including; toys, blankets, infant clothing, scarf and Wal-Mart gift cards for food.

This year we would like to continue to extend our assistance to other families and work towards helping them to also enjoy Christmas with our dedication and effort. It was truly a rewarding experience the first time we helped families that we felt pleased to help again this year.

We have already begun the bake sale fundraisers and we have been requesting other forms of donations, we intend to deliver the gift to the families on December 6^th 2013.
This year we hope to not only provide these families with gifts we would like to provide them with hope, that there still are people willing and motivated to make a difference in their lives.

-Chaneil Beckford

Social Work Club President

Club Members wrapping the gifts for delivery

To learn more about the Windham Area Inter Faith Ministries (WAIM) and their Adopt a Family Program, you can visit their website at: http://waimct.org/programs-draft/seasonal-programs/adopt-a-family.

Make sure you stop by the bake sale fundraisers that the Social Work club is holding this semester to donate or just to say hi and check out what their club is all about!

Eastern CT State University's Repertory Dance Troup's

 

Birthday Card Extravaganza!!!

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October 2013--Over the course of two practice times last week, the Eastern Repertory Dance Troup made 137 birthday cards. Each of the cards will be going to a homeless teenager in Connecticut. One card a time, the Troup teem members used bright colored markers to decorate ordinary, plain white paper with balloons, hearts and streamers. Inside the cards were kind words and uplifting messages to encourage the teens.


Carlie Bermani-McCann, a member of the Troup, decribes enthusiastically how the idea came about. "When we saw this idea on dosomething.org we knew this is something we could do as a family to help make these kids' birthdays special." She describe the Troup as "a close knit family of dancers who care about others and try to give back as much as possible."

These birthday cards will be sent to three different teen shelters in Connecticut.

Thank you Eastern Repertory Dance Team for sharing your story with us!

How to Choose the Right Nonprofit to Support

Choosing the right kind of nonprofit to give a donation to can be a little overwhelming. You want your money to go to good use. There are many great programs, services, and leaders out there, but there are also scams and, unfortunately, nonprofits that mismanage their money. 

So, to help you wade through the murky waters of giving a meaningful donation, here are some useful tips and the websites where we found them!

1. Clarify your beliefs and preferences (http://bit.ly/13TzfQQ)

• Do this before you open your checkbook, volunteer your time, or look at that letter from a charity

• Think about what matters most to you. The environment? Education? Hunger? Animal welfare? Helping sick children? Economic development?

• Think about where you want to make an impact. In your neighborhood? Region? The nation? Internationally?

• Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one.

2. Make sure the charity is legitimate (http://nbcnews.to/1bpGcuK)

• The Internal Revenue Service maintains a list of all organizations registered as charities. Also check with your state’s attorney general or charities bureau, which is responsible for policing charities within the state and can provide a wealth of information about them. Don’t know your state’s charity regulator? Go towww.nasconet.org, a national association of state charity officers, to find yours. 

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions (http://nbcnews.to/1bpGcuK)

• Charities are required to provide information about their programs and expenses. Start with these questions: How will my gift be spent? How many people did you help last year? In what way? If you don’t get adequate answers, don’t give anything. 

4. You Don't Have To Give A Lot at Once (http://onforb.es/17kkOE6)

• If you believe in a cause, you don’t have to limit your giving to the dollars you can spare right now. Consider getting into the charitable habit by making small regular donations throughout the year, just as you make regular contributions to your 401(k) or other saving accounts.

5. Make sure mission aligns with your vision. (http://bit.ly/13TzfQQ)

• Look at a charity's description on GuideStar, on its Web site, in its literature, or on Charting Impact.