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Introducing Laurel House's
Holiday Giving Campaign
 
(With 5 Simple, Easy, No-Shopping Required Gift Ideas for everyone ... yes, even that impossible to buy for person!)
Greetings!

Every holiday season, we are overwhelmed at the generosity of the community as you give us an abundance of toys and gifts for the women - and especially the children - in Laurel House's shelter. 
 
We know the economy continues to be very tough on everyone.   
 
We also know that, because of the lingering recession, you want your donation and your gifts to family and friends to matter, to make a difference. 
 
So we've put aside the toys and material things to put together 5 simple and unique ways that you, your family, your school or community group can help families at Laurel House during the holiday season and well into 2010. 
 
We hope you'll join with us, because we know that together in today's tough times, we can make a difference.
 
Warmly,
 
Beth E. Sturman
Executive Director

Gift Idea #1

Sponsor a Day in the Children's Program
The shelter is usually filled with children, and we also have children living in our transitional housing apartments. We have calculated that our Children's Program costs approximately $180 a day.
 
If you need a special gift for the person who has everything ... sponsor a day in the Children's Program in their name. Just send us a check and let us know the date you want to fund.
  
If you are unable to fund an entire day, you can sponsor half a day with $90, or a quarter of a day with $45. The donation you provide will pay for needed supplies for the children's playroom at the Shelter, fund a trained Children's Advocate to work with the moms and kids in our Transitional Housing Program, and help make it possible for a Laurel House staff member or volunteer to supervise the children in our Shelter to give their mothers a small, but much appreciated, break. 
 
We will be happy to acknowledge your gift directly to the person you are donating in honor of, or, if you prefer, we will send you an acknowledgment card so that you can present it to your friend or family member
 
This is a special way to recognize loved ones' birthdays and anniversaries and other significant occasions throughout the year or to remember someone special in your heart. 
 

  Gift Idea #2
 Give a  Grocery Cart 
(of Food!)
  
 When you are at the supermarket  buying everything you need for the perfect holiday dinner, put a grocery store gift card in your cart.
 
You just helped a woman in our transitional housing program buy fresh produce for her family!
 

 Gift Idea # 3
Give a Gas Gift Card
 
 When you fill up your tank, buy a gas gift card for the same amount. You just helped a woman get to a class, drop her kids off at day care, or go to a job interview.
 

Gift Idea # 4
Give a Good Night's Sleep 
 
Want a fun way to get kids involved in the spirit of giving? Host a sleepover with several of your child's friends and ask each person bring either a new pillow or a new twin sized blanket to donate to the shelter.
 
(We can provide the stuffed animals and teddy bears to the kids in our shelter ... we've got plenty to go around!)
 ~ ~ 
 
Need a unique hostess gift or a thank-you for someone whose home you stayed at over the holidays?  Make a donation to Laurel House's shelter in their honor. (We can even provide a custom card for you to present to your recipient.)
 
You just helped a woman and her kids have a safe good night's sleep  during their first night at the Laurel House shelter.
 

 
Gift Idea # 5
Give the Gift of Clean  
 
As you are packing up fragile holiday decorations, put aside a few unused rolls of paper towels. With 27 people in the shelter, cleaning is a must! There is a great need for paper towels and cleaning products all year round.

We hope these ideas inspired you to think a little differently about your holiday giving this year and ways to help Laurel House all year round!

As always, thank you so much for your support! 
Make Your Gift
 in any of these convenient ways
 
mail  your donation to:
 
Laurel House Holiday Giving
P.O. Box 764
Norristown, PA 19404  
 
click here
to give online.
 
call us  
610-277-1860  
 
For groups interested in collecting or donating items (grocery/gas gift cards,pillows, blankets, cleaning items) or organizing a holiday drive,  ask for Patty Mark, Office Manager or email her at pgoloff@laurel-house.org.
  
 
To make your credit card donation over the phone, or to arrange for your (or your gift recipient's) Sponsor A Day in the Children's Program, call Melissa Firman at ext. 102 or email mfirman@laurel-house.org  
  
Thank you for your generous
support of Laurel House this holiday season and all year round!
  
Laurel House is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization as defined under the Internal Revenue Service code section 501(c)3. Tax exemption entity 23-2172743.
 
The official registration and financial information of Laurel House may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999.
 
Registration does not imply endorsement.