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

Every year approximately 1,000 Omaha Nebraska youths who enter high school four years earlier, fail to graduate with their classmates. 1 out of 4.

The Hope Center for Kids was established in 1998 to serve the needs of Omaha inner city youth with year round programs in education, employment, faith, nutrition, wellness and recreation. Their latest program expansion has been the introduction of the "Hope Employment & Learning Academy" for older youth, 13 to 19 years of age. The goal is completion of high school, as well as a career development plan to acquire the skills needed to hold a part time entry level position while attending school.

To be considered for this select group, students need to apply and complete additional education courses in the area of Work Force Preparedness, Wellness and Nutrition, Basic Study Skills and Financial Literacy. They participate in mentoring relationships, attend lectures regarding high demand careers, and work on developing character and social skills. Strong goal-oriented habits are established, as well as organizational skills. This will set them on the path to a self-sustaining and successful career and life!

After 2 years, the students receive a small stipend upon completion of the requirements, an educational and employment plan for the future, and opportunities for job placement in the community. Other programs are offered for younger students to give them hope and direct them to the path for a successful future.

To learn more about how this amazing group is inspiring youth to take charge of their future, please see their website at www.hopecenterforkids.com

An estimated 6-8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. animal care and control facilities each year. Unfortunately 3-4 million of those animals are euthanized. Shelters are full and the cost for veterinary care and food often outweigh the funds available. One organization has found a way to help decrease the overpopulation - Mountain View Humane Spay and Neuter Clinics (MVH Spay/Neuter).

Based out of Roanoke VA, the clinics provide services to the general public, rescue organizations and local shelters. They run a low cost/high quality spay and neuter clinic, with licensed vets who are highly experienced and skilled in high-quality and high-volume surgical techniques. They rely solely on community support and grant funding to operate the clinics, which allows them to offer financial aid to those who meet their eligibility requirements. They help those who are struggling financially be responsible pet owners.

Many services are offered besides spaying or neutering. These include basic vaccines, microchips, heartworm tests, flea treatments, and e-collars. Free transportation is provided for pets that live outside the immediate service area in what they call the "Hip-To-Snip Trip" trucks. They meet the pet owners at a central location and transport the animals to MVH's Spay/Neuter Clinics for their surgery. After keeping watch for 24 hours, they return them safely to their owners, free of charge.

MVH Spay/Neuter clinic wrote to us requesting promotional products to create awareness for overpopulation. They want pet owners to know they have a choice, even if money is tight. If you are interested in helping out or learning more about this inspiring group, please click on their website at www.mountainviewhumane.org

Nearly 300,000 children in America go hungry, homeless, or must be rescued from terrible abusive situations each year. They arrive at a homeless shelter, spouses abused shelter, or crisis and foster homes with absolutely nothing of their own. 4 KID'S Charity (4(for) Kids In Difficult Situations) provides comfort and hope for these children in crisis, who often face a wide range of needs. Many are in abusive situations such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse or are poverty stricken. The children are given a bag with toys, books, school supplies, stuffed animals, and a security blanket to address kid's immediate needs and help with the trauma of being separated from all they know. This organization is run by all volunteers who want children to have an environment of dreams, hope, respect and understanding at every level.

4 KID'S partners with CASA, Community Action Stops Abuse, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping domestic violence and its intergenerational effects on children. CASA serves over 350 men, women and children a year who have had to leave their homes due to domestic violence. The children living at the CASA shelter during the Christmas holidays have received visits from Santa, who came with bags of toys for everyone. One child had cried when she and her mother came to the shelter for safety the week before Christmas. "How will Santa find me if I'm not at home?" she asked. 4 KID'S Charity and CASA will be partnering to help make Christmas special for many children in the Largo, FL area this year!
www.4kidscharity.org

Kids' Chance of South Carolina is a non-profit group that was created to provide scholarships and support for college and vocational education to dependents of South Carolina workers who have been fatally or catastrophically injured in a work-related accident. The organization was founded in 1993 by members of the workers' compensation community. Since that time, more than $800,000 in scholarships have been awarded to deserving students in South Carolina.

The hardships to children and families created by the death or serious disability of a parent often include financial ones, making it difficult for deserving young people to pursue their educational dreams.

Kids' Chance is looking for USB flash drives to provide to students heading off to college or technical schools. They may not own the equipment they need and would benefit from a portable drive or USB. They plan to imprint these with their logo to remind students that this group is 100% behind them in their journey to build a better future for themselves.
www.kidschancesc.org