Congratulations to the January 2014 Recipients of $500 worth in FREE Promotional Products!

Wagons Ho Ho Ho is a non-profit organization that was established in 2007 in Columbus Ohio to help families who are struggling to provide food and a better Christmas for their children. In 2013, there were more than 200 volunteers who got together in early December to package food items and build 400 red wagons - which were delivered to families in need during the holiday season. This is a great toy for the children that encourages family activities and exercise.

RMD Advertising, the major sponsor, donates the money that would otherwise be used for client gifts to provide food for the wagons. In 2007, a mere 25 wagons (and food) were purchased and distributed to needy families during the Holiday season. The goal in 2014 will be 800 wagons!

Additional donations and more volunteers are always needed. Wagons Ho Ho Ho has asked MARCO to provide T-shirts, which will create awareness. A shirt is a walking billboard that will provide an opportunity for everyone to ask about this organization.

To learn more or to donate, please visit their website.
www.wagonshohoho.org

OHAAT is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that helps low-income families establish functional homes and live healthy lives within them. Its current focus is a program called Beds for Kids, which provides children with beds, bedding, and supplemental items that encourage healthy bedtime habits. In order to qualify for the program, children must be 2 to 20 years old and reside in a household whose income is at or below the poverty level. Many of the children are transitioning out of shelters or other temporary housing; some are recovering from fires, floods, or bed bug infestations; and others have been sleeping without a bed their whole lives.

OHAAT has over 125 volunteers and only 1 part time employee. Last year they delivered beds to over 600 children, and their goal for 2014 is to reach 650 children. Every child in the program receives a bed and bedding that is specific to his or her age and gender. OHAAT has bulk purchasing and discount agreements with bed manufacturers, and the bedding is donated, sorted, and packaged by individuals and partner organizations. Children in the program also receive books and toothbrushes, and during deliveries, they get to pick out stuffed animals and handmade pillowcases.

To help spread awareness, OHAAT is looking to order baseball caps for their volunteers to inform the public about the organization. Providing children these items helps them to get the sleep they need to be healthier and better prepared to face every day's challenges. To donate, volunteer or just learn more about this amazing group, please log on to their website.
www.ohaat.org

Literacy for Life has been working for nearly 40 years to provide literacy services to help community members function more effectively. It is the only organization in the area that provides individualized, one-to-one and small group tutoring for adults in reading, writing and math skills as well as instruction in English for speakers of The program also supports learners pursuing high school completion through the General Educational Development (GED) Test or the External Diploma Program (EDP). Literacy for Life's offsite program provides classes taught by professional instructors with tutor support at area businesses, nonprofit agencies and public schools.

They serve approximately 500 people a year.
www.literacyforlife.org

The Healthcare Hospitality Network, Inc. (HHN) is a nationwide professional association of nearly 200 unique, nonprofit organizations that provide lodging and support services to patients, families and their loved ones who are receiving medical treatment far from their home communities.

The mission of HHN is to support homes that help and heal to be more effective in their service to patients and families.

Hospital hospitality houses (HHH) provide free or significantly reduced cost lodging to patients and their families while receiving medical care away from their home communities. Unlike a hotel, HHHs provide opportunities for those going through similar stressful situations to come together as a community where they can support one another. HHHs have shared kitchens, common living areas and private bedrooms just like a home, creating a warm and comfortable place far from home. HHHs help alleviate the financial burden often associated with medical crises and have shown to reduce stress on both the patient and family members.
www.hhnetwork.org