With the loss of previous funding, we have an ambitious goal this year is to raise $200,000.  To date, we have been fortunate to receive $74,865 toward this goal.  With your help, we can be successful and meet our mission of transforming lives.  Please send in your envelope today, or make a donation online to change a life!

 

 

What does Christmas in July mean?

• It means that a single mother has a place to get food for her children when her paycheck isn't enough this month to cover both the increased utility payment and the bigger food bill because her children are home for the summer.

• It means that a couple who have faced a medical crisis don't have to choose between paying their rent or keeping the lights on.

• It means that the man who didn't expect to still be unemployed after so many months can get assistance with his mortgage payment to assist him in regaining financial stability for his family.

Fill the Bus this year August 8 - 14

 Since 2003, ACO has partnered with the Allen ISD Transportation Department, and the Allen-Fairview Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses to collect school supplies for Allen ISD students who cannot afford the supplies needed to start school.  Buses will be parked throughout the community during the week of August 8-14.  Please help us "Fill the Bus" by dropping off items.  Buses will be at the following local businesses from 9:00am - 3:00pm throughout Allen on the following dates:

Monday, August 8

Comerica Bank - 805 McDermott Dr.

Tuesday, August 9

Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club - 465 scenic Ranch Rd.

Wednesday, August 10

Stacy Furniture - 111 Central Expressway N.

Legacy Texas Bank/Atrium/Barton Black - 406 W. McDermott Dr.

Thursday, August 11

Experian - 701 Experian Pkwy.

Allen Senior  Center - 451 St. Mary Drive

Friday, August 12

Chick-Fil-A, Twin Creek Village & Staples - 812 W. McDermott Dr.

Saturday, August 13

Super Wal Mart - Exchange/Hwy 75

Sunday, August 14

First United Methodist Church Allen - 601 S. Greenville Ave.

All Week Long - A bus will be parked Monday through Friday at the Allen ISD Administration Building at 610 E. Bethany Dr.

Drop boxes can be found at the following locations:

• Allen-Fairview Chamber of Commerce - 210 W. McDermott Dr.
• Allen Community Outreach - 801 E. Main Street
• Allen Premium Outlets - 820 W. Stacy Rd. (in the management office)
• Keller Williams Realty - 1002 Raintree Cr., #100
• Hill Orthodontics - Watters Rd./Hwy 121

Did you know that ACO fills the pantries of over 600 of our friends and neighbors each month? Just in the month of June, the Food Pantry provided 19,411 pounds of food to hungry families.  These families consisted of 313 adults, 297 children, and 32 seniors.

Currently, the ACO Food Pantry is in desperate need of food.  Many shelves are bare, and it's generous donations from our community that help keep food items in stock so that families don't go hungry.  The volunteers that give their time have realized the noticeably empty shelves, and the families have very limited choices on the food to feed their families.   What can you do to help?  Please consider the following:

• Host a local neighborhood food drive
• Children can run a lemonade stand and ask for donations of food in exchange for a cool refreshing drink
• Home based businesses can offer a discount in exchange for food donations
• Your service group, church group, sports team or other affiliations can help us spread the word about the need
• Pick up a few extra groceries when you do your own shopping

Here is a list of the critical needs at this time:

• Canned tomato products - sauce, paste, whole, diced, and Rotel
• Spaghetti sauce and noodles
• Rice mixes
• Potato mixes (mashed potatoes)
• Taco shells or kits
• Salsa
• Canned chicken and Spam
• Canned pineapples and oranges (we have plenty of pears and applesauce!)
• Chicken flavored Ramen noodles
• Boxes of saltine or other crackers
• Canned beef or vegetable broth (we have chicken broth)
• Canned baked beans, navy beans, refried, and pinto beans
• All types of condiments; mayo, mustard, ketchup, bbq sauce, salt, pepper, oil, jellies and jams
• Any type of meal in a box (hamburger helper)

There is no donation amount too small, and however you can help is truly appreciated!

Two months from now will be the mark of a first-time fabulous fundraising event to benefit ACO to be held at the new TopGolf facility in Allen.  What a perfect place to play some competitive golf, to just see how you can hit a ball, or to just join in the fun and entertaining atmosphere that is TopGolf.  There truly is something for everyone!

Mark your calendar now for Friday, September 16 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm! 

Registration is now open for the event, and sponsorships are available.  Don't miss being a part of the ACO Golf Classic held at TopGolf Allen!

 Many times, the most expensive items at the grocery store are the ones that you need for your household that aren't even food.  How many times have you done your weekly shopping to come home and find you have bought food for a few meals, but the bulk of the expense was for paper good, cleaning items, and personal care items?   At ACO, we help to improve someone's situation by providing them with the essentials at no cost so that they can spend their income on other vital living needs such as rent and utilities.  By helping us fill our Care & Share Closet, you are making a positive, direct impact.  We are grateful for your donations!  Here is a list of items that are currently running low or are completely out of stock in the Care & Share Closet:

• Toilet tissue
• Paper towels
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Dishwashing liquid
• Detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Size 4, 5 & 6 diapers
• Men/Women deodorant
• Razors
• Feminine napkins/tampons 

Thank you for your contributions:

A big "thank you" to Leading Cast Rhythms & Fitness at the Village at Allen for making ACO the beneficiary of a Zumba fitness class.  On the morning of July 4, the money that those energetic folks paid that went to workout was all donated to ACO.  More than $400 was given to ACO, and participants enjoyed a fun, energetic kick-off to the 4th of July!  Give them a call at 214-383-1982 or visit their website at Rhythmsandfitness.com

Thank you too to Barney Schwartz, CEO of Preferred Guardian Group.  At the Allen-Fairview Chamber of Commerce's "Tuesday Morning Live" meeting, he challenged the group to donate to ACO's Christmas in July Campaign, and he would match their contributions.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness Barney!  You can learn more about Preferred Guardian Group by visiting their website at www.preferredguardian.com

Keep up to date on Facebook!

ACO knows that your email in-box fills up very quickly, and we work to not inundate you with more information than you want!  We invite you to join our Facebook page so that you can get the information in a way that you want, and not miss out on the great things happening on a daily basis! 

Join our Facebook page today and you won't miss out!