Congratulations to the August 2013 Recipients of $500 worth in FREE Promotional Products!

Courtney's house was founded in 2008 by Tina Frundt, a survivor of domestic sex trafficking. This non-profit organization searches for children forced into prostitution on the streets, in brothels, strip clubs, private homes and hotels. Children are then rescued and moved to a safe environment where they are reunited with their families, who can both heal and recover. Volunteers help in training community officials, police, FBI, and school employees on prevention tactics. They also create awareness of the reality of sex trafficking in neighborhoods across America.

Children who are targeted for prostitution include runaways, throwaways, victims of physical or sexual abuse, users of psychotropic drugs, illegally trafficked kids, members of sexual minority groups, and kids who cross borders in search of drugs and other illicit fare. Pimps often approach children in malls and are attractive, friendly and outgoing. They try to befriend innocent children.

Courtney's house has a holistic approach to healing. They work with each child on an individual basis and hold counseling sessions as well as therapy group meetings. Teens receive care and guidance on recovering from trauma, as well as educational and life skills training, along with fun and therapeutic activities.

Each survivor has access to influential mentors and academic tutors. Survivors parents also have plenty of options for support. Since 2008 over 500 children have been saved. Unfortunately, an estimated 200,000 incidents of sexual exploitation of minors will occur in the US this year alone! Help create awareness and support this amazing group!
www.courtneyshouse.org/

Operation Not Alone, Inc. is an organization that provides service men and women with a unique and heartwarming care package. Every soldier will receive a handmade fleece blanket specific to his or her branch of service in the military! Included in the care package is also additional supplies needed during deployment, as well as cards and letters from all types of community members. Operation Not Alone, Inc. guarantees that all of the packages are safe, clean and supportive. Their goal is to make sure that no one feels alone during deployment and that each and every solider realizes how much they are appreciated! No soldier will be forgotten and our nation's bravest will feel our continuous gratitude.

Operation Not Alone was founded by Susan Fochs & Emily Orr and inspired by Susan's father, who is 100% disabled Marine Veteran. Susan has watched him overcome obstacles and succeed through his limitations and she wants to give returning soldiers the same gift of hope! The organization plans to use their gift from MARCO for T-shirts to help in advertising their non-profit organization. They intend to sell the T-shirts to raise money for supplies needed for the care packages, and to create awareness for the need to help our soldiers.
orre53.wix.com/operation-not-alone

Healthcare Hospitality Network, Inc. (HHN) is a nationwide professional association of nearly 200 unique non-profits organizations that provide lodging and support services to patients, families, and their loved ones.

HHN's mission is to support the staff working in these homes to be even more effective in their service to patients and families. Hospital hospitality houses provide free or significantly reduced cost lodging to patients and their families while receiving medical care away from their home communities. People not only receive lodging, they receive guidance from other family members, house staff, and patients who provide the emotional support needed. This program helps to alleviate the financial burden associated with medical crises and as a result, reduces stress in the patient and/or family members.

HHN provides a toll-free patient and family referral number to help individuals locate a home in their area, as well as an annual conference for hospitality house staff and volunteers, and for anyone interested in hospitality housing.
www.nahhh.org

Prevent Blindness Texas is a nonprofit voluntary health agency that was established in 1956. Their mission is to prevent blindness, preserve sight, as well as enhance and extend the quality of vision. They offer vision screenings, eye health and safety education programs, and referrals for eye exams and eyeglasses to qualifying clients. More than 300 volunteers have been trained to conduct vision screenings across the state.

In 2012, 36,570 children and 6,293 adults received vision screenings. Last year, PBT assisted 327 children with vouchers for free eye exams and eyeglasses. In addition, PBT provided 2,402 free eye exams & 5,664 pairs of eyeglasses to qualifying adults.

These programs are funded through foundation grants and special events. To learn more about this amazing group, to donate, or to volunteer, please visit www.preventblindnesstexas.org.

Many opportunities exist to participate in a variety of fundraising events, such as their upcoming "Eye Stroll for Vision" in Houston on 9/21/2013, "Light the Night for Sight" 5K Family Fun Walk in Dallas/Fort Worth on 10/18/2013 or "Light the Night for Sight" Holiday 5K Walk in San Antonio on 12/6/2013.
www.preventblindnesstexas.org