Thanks for Giving!
It is the time of year that we rightly give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. For me, I count my faith, family, friends, health, and work as just some of the things for which I give thanks.
As we approach Thanksgiving, CSL would like to thank you, our loyal supporters and friends, for everything you've done to make this historic anniversary year a special one.
Let's count a few ways you've helped CSL strengthen our local communities:
As of October 31, 2016, at least 3,102 donations have been made to CSL. Furthermore, many of the donations, like a food drive collection, happened at a church or business where dozens of folks contributed. I think it's a safe bet to say at least 5,000 people have supported CSL in different ways so far this year.
137 organizations hosted collection barrels at their sites as part of our "100 Barrels in 100 Days for 100 Years" campaign. Their efforts yielded tens of thousands of food items, school supplies/tennis shoes, and personal hygiene items.
Giving members of First Presbyterian Church in Independence assembled welcome kits for families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Kits included linens, bedding, cleaning supplies, and other items as part of our "Make a House a Home" campaign.
Sleepyhead Beds provided brand new beds to kids in our area that were living in a shelter or on the street and moving into their own home for the first time.
Tennies for Kids volunteers raised more than $20,000 this year to put 2,500 pairs of shoes on the feet of kids in the Blue Springs, Fort Osage, Grain Valley, Independence, and Oak Grove School Districts.
1916 Club donors made a monthly gift to CSL to ensure high-quality services are available all year long.
Bess Wallace Truman Legacy Society donors made provisions in their estate plans to support CSL in perpetuity.
Ophelia's Restaurant on the Independence Square held a birthday party for CSL on the day of our 100th birthday, June 16, 2016, and provided, at no charge to CSL, food and drink to supporters who bought tickets.
The Bauer KC, in the Crossroads District, gave CSL free space at First Fridays in August to display our I See You Project in front of more than 3,000 people.
Royals pitcher Chris Young, his wife, Liz, and their kids (in partnership with Royals Charities) provided brand-new backpacks, new school outfits, and tennis shoes to 150 kids. This was part of our larger Back to School initiative that, thanks to your support, helped 2,500 kids start the school year off right.
Countless elected officials in our municipal, county, state, and federal governments took time to make proclamations recognizing CSL's 100th anniversary.
Nearly 600 guests will help wrap-up our Centennial celebrations on November 12, at our Centennial Gala.
With little to no effort, I could expand this list ten-fold, and maybe even a hundred-fold. In my seven years at CSL, I've always said that the generosity of our neighbors never, ever ceases to amaze me. For all you've done to support people in our community, thank you.
We have one final push to get us through the end of the year, and that's making sure we can help our neighbors with Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts and meals. Learn how to help at www.cslcares.org/christmas.
From our CSL family to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
