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A Hope and A Future
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc. |
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A Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids Thank You
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Everyone who participates in the Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids Program  understands the power of this ministry to feed hungry children, but it's great to get confirmation from those who are on the front-line in service. I hope you'll enjoy reading this message from Kelly Sisco at Calvin Hunsinger School in Pinellas County to their partner, Palm Harbor UMC.
"I am the middle school social worker and the lucky person who gets to hand children their Pack-A-Sacks every Friday. I cannnot adequately convey in words the feelings I have about your kindness and generosity toward the students at my school. I have never worked with families in such extreme poverty. I wish you could see how the children light up when they see me with the cart of sacks ready to be handed to them.
Even though they have been told that they will get a sack every week, many students ask me throughout the week 'Miss, do I get my sack this week?' I had a student tell me just this past Thursday that he is happy to have his sack on the weekends because then he does not eat as much of what his mother prepares in order to save it for the rest of the family. I also had a student, whose family recently moved out of a homeless shelter, ask me if by him taking a sack each week, did someone else who needed it go without. I was able to reassure him that everyone who needs a sack gets one, which leads me to my final story...
This past Friday, the elementary school social worker told me there were a few new students that just transferred to our school who need Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids. I told her I would have to check with PHUMC about whether you could take on any more students as we were reaching our capacity ; then, I check my email and see the news that you are able to sponsor 7 more children. God has performed another miracle! Again, words cannot express my gratitude, but THANK YOU ALL! It means so much!"
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Coming Events
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July 4 - Cooperative Ministries Office closed for Independence Day Holiday
July 31, 6 pm - The Kind Mouse Productions Fundraiser for Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids at Postcard Inn, St. Pete Beach |
| Want to Help? |
Would you like to be a part of one of the programs or projects of Cooperative Ministries? Click on one of the links below to get involved in the way that's best for you!
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And Another Thank You |
Our gratitude goes to Gina and Stan Wilkins and The Kind Mouse Productions.
On June 1, the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach was the site of an evening of great food and fun with friends, but that's not all. Over $800 was raised for Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids at this exciting event.
Special thanks go to the following, who provided their time, in-kind gifts, and donations to make the evening such a success.
ADC PACE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES ADVANTACLEAN AMANDA GERTTULA AMY MUELLER BARBARA EISENMAN BILL MAYHEW, ESQ. BOUNCETEL CBS 60 MINUTES CVT COLORS OF CAMBODIA EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS HMARINE EMERALD CONTRACTORS JACKIE FOLEY JEREMY RITCHEA GAME POINT PRODUCTIONS JULIE LANGEVIN JOHN MARZULLI INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES TALKING DOG VIDEO LISA HENRY JEFF POWELL MUSIC LISA MATZNER MARK HAWKINS LAURIE AND DENNIS JOLICOUER MATT McKILLEN MARK VERNICK MARIA AND DEAN JACKMAN VERNICK FINANCIAL MISTY WELLS MINUTEMAN PRESS OF ST. PETERSBURG POSTCARD INN SHANE WEBB RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS) SUP PADDLE BOARD MOSCATO'S WILL AND MARIE SPATES KEN HAAS
The Kind Mouse Productions will hold another event on July 31, 6 pm at the Postcard Inn. We hope to see you there!
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Families Learn Together About Summer Fun and Safety | |
Parents and children learn more when they learn together. Add in a trip to the swimming pool, and the learning becomes even more fun!
This past month, parents in our Families Learning Together program improved their English language skills while learning about child safety in the summer. Topics ranged from avoiding lightning to keeping dangerous candy such as suckers away from young children. The families took a trip to a local swimming pool to practice water safety and learn how important it is that children in Florida learn to swim. Families who participated were encourage to enroll their children in swim classes.
While the parents gain the ability to speak and read English more quickly and support their children's education more fully because of the inter-generational activities, the children also benefit greatly. We received news that a family literacy participant, Montserrat, received the most improved student award in her kindergarten class. She is part of the Spanish/English immersion program at school and has worked with her mom and Ms Francys, one of our child enrichment specialists, to learn how to complete her homework in both languages.
If you would like to help tutor adults in English language and life skills, or be an aide for our child enrichment activities, please contact Kitty by email or phone (727) 442-6881 x5 to learn more. We have opportunities in Pinellas and Manatee counties for you to get involved!
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VPK Class Headed to Kindergarten
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 The strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" filled the room as the graduates of the Voluntary PreKindergarten class at the Children of the World Preschool entered to the applause of family and friends. After the children were seated and the noise died down, 5-year old Jacob Tran opened the ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
The children and their teachers have worked hard to prepare for this moment, and for the years to come. Each of the 18 students introduced himself/herself and told what he/she wanted to be as a grown-up. If they achieve their dreams, we will have the pleasure of watching several ballerinas dance, cheering as a couple of soccer players dominate the field, benefit from the expertise of a few doctors and enjoy the protection of many police officers and fire fighters. Best of all, the children spoke with confidence and skill, a big achievement after entering the preschool with little to no English vocabulary or language skills.
Congratulations, Children of the World Preschool Class of 2011 - We know you'll go far!
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Volunteer Spotlight |
Danny, an honor student from Countryside High School,  is in our volunteer spotlight for June. Since early February, Danny has been volunteering several afternoons a week in the Families Learning Together Literacy Program Office. He works with Director Jan Setzekorn on computer projects and data entry as well as assembling manuals and other materials used in the many English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program sites.
Danny knows full well the value of the ESOL program because of the success his mother experienced as a student. He stated that he is very proud of her.
He also said, "Volunteering gives students a way to give back to the community, while gaining real world experience." Click here for more. |
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Pinellas Food Pantries Promote Summer Meals for Kids
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This summer, our Collaborative Food Pantries in Pinellas County are taking part in a campaign with Florida Impact to get the word out about the Summer Food Service Program.
The program was created to ensure that children in lower-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to school lunch or breakfast.
Each pantry received 200 business cards printed in English and Spanish with the information in the graphic on the right. Families receiving food from the pantries will be encouraged to take these cards and visit the website or call the phone number to find the program site near them.
While Florida Impact's focus for this year's awareness campaign was in just a few pilot counties, parents in other counties can use the same website as a resource to find meal sites in their area. The 211 phone contact is only valid in Pinellas County.
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Back to School In Style
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In just a couple of months, children will be going back to school and we'll be starting a new year for our education programs. Would you like to help make the 2011-12 year a great one for our students and do a little Back-to-School shopping for yourself?
If so, we have just the thing for you. Make a donation of $5 or more to Cooperative Minis tries between July 1 and August 20, and you'll receive a Shopping Pass, good at Macy's stores throughout the US, for Macy's Shop For A Cause event.
On Saturday, August 27th, it's good to shop, because Pass Holders Receive:
· 25%* off all day on regular, sale & clearance items, including home - even save on many brands usually excluded.
· 10%* off all day on electrics/electronics, furniture, mattresses, and rugs/floor coverings.
· A Chance to win a $500 Gift Card.
*Some exclusions apply.
Make your donation by check and mail to our address below, or click here to make a donation by PayPal or credit card. Thank you for helping us go Back To School in style!
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|  As you can see, even though the school year has passed, we're not taking a break at Cooperative Ministries. Our staff, volunteers, and those we serve are ready to enjoy a great summer. We'll be back with you next month with some updates from our summer camps. In the meantime, we wish all of you a wonderful summer, too! Sincerely, Pamela Qualls, Executive Director
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| Info | United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc.
1625 Union Street
Clearwater, FL 33755-1363
(727) 442-6881
www.umcm.info
contact@umcm.info |
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