The Friendship Tree Newsletter
4TH QUARTER
Happy New Year!
Last year as the economy dwindled the Friendship Tree continued to be strong and grow. We had our largest year of referrals. In 2009, we helped 211 families with furniture, household items, clothing and personal care items, in addition to all the other collection drives we held.
-The Shower of Hope 2009 raised $46,700 in baby items and monetary donations.
-We sponsored 151 Easter Lilies for the Elderly
-The Book Drive collected 1,400 books.
-The Back to School Supplies drive provided 196 bags of supplies and sponsored 140 children for free haircuts.
-The Orphan Outreach collected 1,129 pair of socks for children in Guatemala.
-96 Coats were distributed in the community.
-Our food drive distributed 61 complete Thanksgiving dinners and 3 Christmas dinners.
-Birthday Buddies gave 98 children a birthday gift and cake.
-Adopted 31 teens for Christmas
-Adopted 10 families for Christmas
-Adopted 22 school children for Christmas
-Put together 171 Elderly Holiday Gift Bags
Each year I am always amazed by the power of the Friendship Tree. Scott and I couldn't do it without our members, the community groups, churches and businesses who have partnered with us over the year to help make a difference in the community. We look forward to serving the community together with all of you in 2010.
We are excited to say that we have obtained warehouse space on the south side of Binghamton. The space is located in the back part of the Rite-Aid plaza on Conklin Ave. The space shares the loading dock with Rite-Aid. Once we have settled into the space, we will be designating one Saturday a month for sorting items. I will keep you posted as we move forward.
Orphan Outreach
Again, I would like to thank each and every member for donating to this cause. I would especially like to thank the following individual and groups for participating:
-Teresa Deskur who asked all her birthday guests to donate socks for the Orphan Outreach instead of gifts for her.
-Vestal High School - 3 Spanish classes - Mrs. Sandra Flesher
-Carousel Harmony Chorus
-Catholic Charities Four Seasons Club Members
-Conklin Rotary
We collected 1,129 pairs of socks. I look forward to our 2010 Orphan Outreach.
TWO TEENS THINK OF OTHERS BEFORE THEMSELVES.
Ashley and Katie celebrated their Sweet 16 Birthdays together at Flashbacks in Binghamton on Oct 11, 2009. They decided that they did not want any presents but would prefer that their guests bring school supplies for those kids less fortunate. They heard about The Friendship Tree through Youth Group at Vestal United Methodist Church and decided this was the perfect organization to make their donations to.
Katie and Ashley are both Sophomores at Vestal High School. Katie is active with the VHS Tennis Team, sings in the church choir, and dances. Ashley is active with the VHS Swim Team , VHS Mock Trial Team, and sings with the church choir.
Both girls were thrilled to be able to give back to their community.
Many of the items were given to the Step-Up Program through Broome-Tioga Workforce's Youth Unit.
Thanksgiving Dinners
The Friendship Tree went above and beyond to help families have a nice Thanksgiving dinner. With all your donated non-perishables, gift cards and monetary donations, we gave 61 full Thanksgiving dinners out to families. I would like to thank every individual, group, church and business who helped in this cause.
Holiday Giving
As I listed above the holiday giving this year was unbelievable. So many individuals, groups, schools and businesses gave of themselves to make the holiday merrier for someone else.
I would like to thank everyone who partnered with the Friendship Tree during the holidays to make a difference!
USAir
Ms. Stacey Raymond's 4th grade class at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Cub Scout Pack 155 from Chenango Bridge
Floyd Bell Elementary School Student Council
Windsor Middle School
Carousel Harmony Chorus
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
As the days got closer to Christmas we started receiving more request from families who weren't expecting to need help for Christmas. The requests came in after the cut off dates to get help elsewhere. A lot of these families just lost jobs and were expecting to have money for Christmas. We helped a few of these families, but had to turn away some of the last minute families who really needed our help. It broke my heart! In 2010 we will be adding one more holiday giving opportunity to our options to give. The opportunity will be called the SANTA CAUSE. This opportunity will allow members to make tax-deductible monetary donations to be used solely for the last minute Christmas requests we receive. The Friendship Tree doesn't want any child to go without presents on Christmas.
I would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped sort and bag all the items for the elderly gift bags. We always have a great time and get the job done fast!
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FUNDRAISING
Printer Cartridges
We accept used printer cartridges from every type of printer all year long. We receive $3.00 per cartridge. Your continued donations of these cartridges is greatly appreciated.
Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
The first Holiday Shopping Extravaganza was held on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Ballroom. This was a one-stop shopping event where you could purchase an exciting variety of items from over 30 vendors such as homemade soaps, personalized children's books, cookie platters, jewelry, candles, stamping items, fresh flower arrangements and many more. The donated raffle baskets and bake sale were a big success for The Friendship Tree and the winners of the raffle items were delighted as well. The real treat of the day was the Carousel Harmony Chorus groups that sang for everyone to get us in the Holiday spirit. Thank you to all the volunteers, vendors and shoppers for making this a successful fundraiser for the organization.
We are already looking forward to our Holiday Shopping Extravaganza for next year. The date has been set for November 21, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Ballroom. We will be booking vendors starting in July so watch for more information in future newsletters. Mark your calendars-you won't want to miss it. Trudy Lainhart
Vendors Setting up at the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Upcoming Projects/Programs for 2010:
Shower of Hope 2010
I am asking all our members to get involved in this project. You can be involved a little by just donating a jar of baby food or a lot by hosting a shower in your home with your family and friends to benefit the cause. There are many other ways to get involved as well. If you did not receive the (2) emails I sent regarding the Shower of Hope Kick-off Fundraising Dinner or the Shower of Hope Campaign, please visit our website www.friendshiptree.org to get more information or I can forward the emails to you. This is the largest project the Friendship Tree works on and your participation will help make it a success.
We have a wonderful guest speaker coming in from Michigan to speak at the dinner and many great items for the raffles and silent auction. I look forward to seeing all of you there! Come out and support the Friendship Tree and help our tiniest residents. They need our help! You must RSVP to attend the dinner. You will find the dinner invitation and RSVP on our website. Bring your husbands, they will have a great time also and it will be a fun night out!
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Special thank you to Olum's for referring their customers to the Friendship Tree to make donations of used furniture.
Special thank you to Jerry's Printing for their continued support and supplies of printed items.
Special thank you to the Ross Memorial Presbyterian Church for the continued use of their church for our meetings and other projects.
Most of all THANK YOU to all our members for making 2009 our best year ever!
If I didn't list something in this newsletter that was from the last quarter, please let me know.
I apologize in advance if I left anyone out of the newsletter that should have been recognized.
If I did, please let me know.
Feel free to share this newsletter with your family and friends.
Katie Legg
The Friendship Tree
Number of Members
597
Welcome to all our new members. We are glad you joined our network of friends.
REMINDER
We are now a 501c3 non-profit organization. If you need a tax receipt for your donation, please let me know.
SHARING THE FRIENDSHIP TREE
I always love the opportunity to share the Friendship Tree with the community. If you have a group or organization that you would like me to share the Friendship Tree with, please contact me by email or call 238-0322.
Ashley Hodges and Katie Kelly
