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SERVING CHILDREN |
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SERVING CHILDREN |
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Time to Think About School Again! Could it be that time again already? We at Focus on the Children are in the process of gathering school supplies and back packs for our Annual Back-to-School program. The program has served hundreds of children throughout Livingston County. If you would like to contribute to this program, please send your check to Focus on the Children, PO Box 31, Caledonia, NY 14423. No donation is too small but if you are looking to sponsor a book bag filled with supplies, here is a list of items included in the bags (Primary- P, Elementary E, Middle School MS, High School HS):
If you, your church, or business would like to collect for the program, please contact our offices or you may drop off items at our booth during the Avon Corn Festival on August 9th. All school supplies must be received by August 18th! Please provide only NEW items. Each child will also receive a gift card to PayLess Shoe Store. Call or e-mail us with your questions: 538-4366, focuschild@aol.com Have a happy, safe summer!
9 August 2008
Focus on the Children wants you. If you have always wanted to do more for the children in your community, now is your chance. FOTC has several activities coming up which require the efforts of volunteers in various ways.
If you would be interesting in giving your time and skills to any of these events, please call our offices: 585-538-4366 or e-mail us at focuschild@aol.com Leave a message for Crissa or Betsy. |
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Thank you very much for your past support of the BTS and other programs of Focus on the Children. FOTC continues to assist families with children in Livingston County. Some of our families face shut off notices or eviction while others may require something as simple as a pack of diapers. Each family / child we serve is treated with dignity and with the knowledge that they may be at the end of their rope and patience by the time we hear from them. Case Manager, Crissa Feenstra diffuses the situation and decides how best our resources may help this family. We also have had the pleasure of sending children on school trips this Spring and provide the a single mom with the necessary items to help give her daughter a memorable birthday. Once again, thank you for your support! You are the reason we are able to continue to do this work that we love so well. Sincerely,
FOTC receives support in part from:
Community Service Block Grant, The United Way, Ronald McDonald House
Charities, The Presbytery of Genesee Valley, CooperVision, The John W.
Randall Advised Fund, and many other clubs, individuals, churches, and
businesses. |
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Focus on the Children was founded in 1993 by Robert B. Jones, former CEO of Jones Chemicals with the assistance of Merl Galusha, then Pastor of the UP Stone Church of Caledonia. The agency follows the same mission today as set forth by Mr. Jones in 1993: to serve the needs of children in Livingston County that cannot be met by any other agency or program. Our full time Case Manager, Crissa Feenstra may choose to provide a grant to assist a child which will be sent to a service provider by our Treasurer, Merl Galusha. Ways we hear about a child in need: 1. Self referrals / family 2. Other agencies / programs 3. School nurses, counselors 4. Doctors and other health professionals in the county Sometimes FOTC does not need to make a financial grant on a clients behalf. We also inform our families of the various programs and resources available in the county or state. We provide advocacy and assistance to help families get back on their feet and stay on their feet. FOTC hosts two special programs that Mr. Jones initiated. Our Back-to-School program provides back packs filled with school supplies and gift certificates for new shoes. Our Christmas Program gathers presents for over 400 children each year. These programs are organized by the many volunteers of the agency. FOTC receives funding in part from: The Presbytery of Genesee Valley, United Way, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Community Service Block Grant, CooperVision, and many other individuals, churches, and businesses. THANK YOU!
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Founder: Robert B. Jones Case-Manager: Crissa Feenstra |
PO Box
31 Caledonia, NY 14423 (585) 538-4366 |
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When you donate with PayPal,
you will see a "Memo" section where you can input if your
donation is a memorial to someone recently deceased or if you want
your donation to go towards a specific program such as the "Back
to School" or the "Christmas Program". |
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Elizabeth Sherwood President
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website maintained by
Many items needed for school are relatively inexpensive
but some are difficult for our families to afford especially if they have
more than one school-aged child. Most Middle School and High School
students are required to have binders for each class. Teachers are
beginning to request 3" binders which cost significantly more. From
time to time we provide graphing calculators to students which may cost as
much as $80.
