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Allen Community Outreach Newsletter |
Connecting to Our Community
August 2011 | |
Greetings!
ACO recently received a generous online donation. In the space provided for a note to ACO, this is what was written:
"You graciously helped us last year with a hand up in helping pay our mortgage one month, with career counseling, and with food and personal products when we needed it. We cannot thank you enough for helping us get back on track financially. What a blessing you have been in our great time of need."
Transforming lives is the reason ACO exists. Our mission and our goal is to help those in their time of need. We know first hand that this need can and does happen to people from all walks of life. It is very likely that you know someone that has turned to us for help. Maybe you yourself have needed a helping hand to get through a financial difficulty. As the donor above mentioned, ACO gives a "hand up". All of this is possible through our community's continued support. Attending special events, making a cash donation, or making in-kind donations of household supplies and/or food are some of the many ways that ACO meets its mission every day. Thank you!
~The ACO Board of Directors and Staff |
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Allen Police Explorers at Sonic
Saturday, August 20, 10am-5pm
Be sure to go to the Sonic on W. McDermott this Saturday, Aug 20 and visit with the Allen Police Explorers Unit #2000. They will be the car hops for the day, and have graciously offered to donate all of their tips for the day to Allen Community Outreach.
Law Enforcement Exploring is a program for young men and women who have completed the 8th grade and are at least 14 years of age, but have not reached their 21st birthday. Unlike programs that target troubled youth who need help, this program identifies youths who are stable and want to help others. The Allen Police Department Explorer Post 2000 provides the opportunity for young adults to explore the law enforcement career, the criminal justice system, and to promote the development of adolescent youth.
They receive training in effecting traffic stops, building searches, accident investigations, hostage negotiations, in-progress calls, crime scene, crime prevention, arrest, search and seizure. Explorers use their training to compete against other Explorer Posts in competitions held several times a year. The Allen Police Explorers have earned several top awards in these competitions. Explorers also participate in community service programs and assist the police department during special events.
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It's a Gold Rush!
August 25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
The price of gold is at an all time high. Why not make the most of this and join the ACO Resale Shop for a Gold Party!
Bring in gold or silver jewelery that you no longer wear and walk out with cash in hand! You will receive 100% of the current gold/silver value minus 20% donation to ACO. Participants may receive a tax receipt for the 20% value.
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Care & Share Closet
The Care & Share closet benefits greatly throughout the school year from elementary schools rotating donated items, but because of the summer break, Care & Share needs are still high. Many clients are coming to ACO hoping for help with household goods for the month, only to find empty shelves. If you can, please help the Care & Share closet with the following items:
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwashing liquid
- Toilet tissue
- Paper towels
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Tooth brushes
- Tooth paste
- Cleaning products of all kinds
- Diapers in sizes 4, 5 & 6
- Baby wipes
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"Get Up & Give" Day Matching Funds to make your donation even better!
On Thursday, September 15, from 7am-7pm, ACO will be participating in "Get Up & Give" Day. Every gift of $25 or more made to ACO through the Donor Bridge website will receive matching funds. It's a chance to make your donation go even further.
More information to come, but mark your calendar now for September 15 to go to www.donorbridgetx.org and donated to ACO.
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Why you should tweet with us on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook
It's about communication. Sometimes it's just for fun, sometimes it's about a need, and sometimes it's important for you to know what's going on in your community. But no matter the reason why, ACO knows that you don't want daily updates coming to your email inbox and respects your need to control the information coming to you. We strive to not inundate your inbox!
The ACO Facebook page and Twitter feed are great ways for ACO to quickly let you know up to the minute information. But you will miss out on many great things going on if you aren't our "friend" or our "follower", so please click on the social media logos above and "like" us today. It's the best way to be in-the-know with ACO!
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Blood Drive
September 10, 10:00am-5:00pm
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) has launched a nation-wide campaign called 'Muslims for Life' in honor of the victims of 9/11. Under this campaign AMC will hold blood drives across the U.S. in all our mosques and prayer centers, as well as in collaboration with other Churches, Synagogues and community organizations at their locations. The goal is to collect 10,000 units of blood during the month of September .
ACO is hosting a location for a blood drive on Saturday, September 10 from 10am-5pm. The blood collected by Carter Blood Care will all go to same place - to help those who need it. It takes about 20 minutes and sign up sheets are available at ACO, or by contacting Stacy Cooper at 972-727-9131 or [email protected]. |
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ACO Golf Classic with TopGolf
September 16, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Cost of registration is $125 per player. You will receive 3 hours of unlimited TopGolf, unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks, and admission to the party area with fun chance drawing prizes. And thanks to one of our great sponsors, Andrews Distributing, the beer will be provided at no cost to those attending. Many thanks to Andrews Distributing!
This event is great for golfers and non-golfers alike - TopGolf has made it fun for everyone! And because this is one of ACO's special events this fall, all funds raised will support the programs provided to children and their families that need our help.
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2nd Annual Fall Fest Saturday, October 22 8:00am-10:00am Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Fall Fest Run. Once again Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Allen is the title sponsor for the event.
This year, the run will include a 1-Mile, a 5K and the addition of a 10K course through the Town of Fairview. The race will begin and end at the Village at Fairview by the Fountain, located by Purple Cow restaurant. Stay and enjoy the Town of Fairview's Sounds of Freedom Veteran's Celebration.
New this year:
- Free Childcare will be provided at a Real Bookstore, with teachers from the Goddard School providing supervised activities
- Certified Running Coach Liz Stubbs can provide online training programs to get you race ready
- Purple Cow will open early for breakfast. For $10 per person, you will get a delicious breakfast buffet
For full event information, please visit the ACO website at www.acocares.org Look under the "Special Event tab" for Fall Fest. |
New!! Text Campaign
We are high tech and high touch!
You've seen it before in times of natural disasters - text a keyword to a 5 digit number, and you make a donation that is charged to your cell phone bill. It's a quick, easy way to make a difference.
Now ACO is bringing to you a way to use the same technology to make a donation that will benefit the mission of ACO, but will also benefit other non-profits in Allen, Fairview and Lucas that will partner with us, and will also benefit the donor. Different campaigns will be run on a regular basis with a new discount coupon worth at least $20 in value for each campaign.
Interested in knowing more about the text campaign? Because this will require more frequent contact, we want to give you the option to receive more information. Here is how you can be in the loop of this exciting opportunity...
- At the bottom of this newsletter, click on "Update profile/email"
- If your email is correct, click "Submit"
- You will receive a email in which you will click "Update your profile"
- This pulls up a list of options for email lists to join. Check the box for "Text Campaign" and save your changes
Update your profile today so you don't miss out!
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Christmas in July Update
A heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone that donated to the ACO Christmas in July campaign. We needed your support this year more than ever, and you stepped up to the call for help.
As of August 15, ACO had received donations of almost $120,000, a 19% increase over last year. All donations, no matter the amount, positively impact children and families right here, and on behalf of those you helped, thank you! We also welcome our new Five Star Santas for 2011:
- Joe and Debbie Bush
- Matt and Sharon Duncan
- Joyce Gorman and Family
- Brad and Rebecca Hempkins
- Jake and Krystal Herrington
- Luis and Kristi Planas
- Chris and Jeanie Schulmeister
- Kevin and Kara Sutton
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Allen Community Outreach
801 E. Main St.
Allen, TX 75002
www.acocares.org
972-727-9131 - Phone
972-727-1995 Fax
ACO will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
*Closed daily for lunch from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Resale Shop Hours
Monday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Donations accepted Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Treasure Chest - Bargains on Boyd Dr.
Open 1st and 3rd Friday and Saturday each month
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
301 W. Boyd Dr. at Allen Dr. across from post office
ACO Food Pantry Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Every other Saturday of each month
Donations accepted Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. *The Food Pantry has a receiving dock located at the back of the building for ease in delivery.
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