RECORD CHARITABLE GIVING IN 2007

The Indiana University Center on Philanthropy in its annual Giving USA reports a record high of $306.39 Billion in charitable donations in 2007, an increase of 3.9% over 2006. This estimated $306.39 Billion is an increase of 88% since 1997 when charitable giving totaled $163 Billion. Donations accounted for 2.2% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Think of the impact were we all to tithe and have that figure multipled 4.5 times?

It is heartening to note that donations to educational organizations like Head Start rose 6.4% to $43.32 Billion, while contributions to human services charities grew 8.4% to $29.64 Billion. We are always heartened to see this annual growth and understand that we Americans are the most generous people on Earth.

Foor information on giving to the Campaign for Children by Head Start of Rockland, please contact Peter Flierl, Director of Philanthropy & Communications at 845-358-2234 ext 43 or e-mail Peter at peterjflierl@gmail.com. You can also request information on making a bequest to Head Start of Rockland and on other forms of legacy giving.

GUIDE TO YOUR TEEN

A new video series, Guide to Your Teen, from from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America® will air on Comcast's Video On Demand. Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services is working with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to deliver educational programming to help parents connect with their teens.

Comcast's commitment to helping the Partnership educate and empower parents to have frequent, open conversations with their kids about making healthy choices, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol, is now available at the touch of a button. Comcast customers can view the newly created VOD Series titled Guide to Your Teen to learn why "normal" teen behavior can appear to be anything but normal to parents, find tips and tools to help parents navigate the teen years, and explore the science behind teenage brain development. The series can be accessed by choosing "Top Picks" and then "Guide to Your Teen." The series is running June 12-26.

Comcast is promoting the series via its cable systems, which can be seen by customers who receive Comcast Central (VRN). This new interactive channel allows viewers to press one button using their remote control when they are watching a "What's On" segment and go to "On Demand Top Picks," where the series will reside.

To learn more about ON DEMAND visit: http://www.comcast.com/ondemandsa
Don't have Comcast video on demand? Visit A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain at www.drugfree.org/teenbrain, an engaging, interactive website that helps parents understand new and relevant information about how the brain develops - it is just one of many easy-to-use tools the Partnership is developing for parents and caregivers as part of our new Parents Resource Center.

PARTNERS IN CARING - FOOD BANK

The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley recently awarded Head Start of Rockland a grant of $1,000 for its Food Bank program for children and families attending Nyack Head Start. The awrd is given as part of the Partners in Caring program of the Wakefern Food Corporation in conjunction with 23 Shop Rite and 2 Price Rite stores in a nine-county region of the Hudson Valley. Awards support programs for food pantries, soup kitchens, after school and day programs. We appreciate their continuing generous support.

UNITED WAY - YOU'RE THE TOP!

Ouida Dawson and I had the privilege of representing Head Start at You’re the Top!, the United Way of Rockland Recognition Breakfast held at Good Samaritan Hospital. The highlight of the morning was a talk by Pamela Floyd, an English teacher at Rockland Community College and a recipient of services from the Association for Visually Impaired. Pamela is virtually blind and an imposing figure at over six feet tall. Her talk brought back memories of my own study of American and English literature. She is a reminder that any challenge is an opportunity for growth. It is either in Japanese or Chinese that the word for opportunity and disaster are the same. She concluded with a message from James Joyce in Finnegan’s Wake about the power and impact of casual kindness of strangers.

Among the innumerable awards presented were the largest corporate donor won by Orange & Rockland’s 1,100 employees with total giving of $275,000 for an average gift of $250. There were 19 top corporate campaigns, each of which raised $10,000 or more. For Head Start, this would require 100% participation and an average gift of $66.66 or $1.28 a week. If each staff member were to do without a single cup of coffee each week, Head Start could reach that level of giving.

The top nonprofit campaign was won by Meals on Wheels of Rockland, while the highest percentage increase at 30% was won by HSBC. If any of you have participated in team sports, you know you like to win. I hope we will challenge ourselves this Fall and strive to increase our level of giving and our percentage of participation. For example, a 35% increase would make us a contender, if not a winner. If you gave $10 last time around, this is just a $13.50 gift. We can do this!

Among the tips we picked up from those who did well this year were:

* An internal slogan contest for our United Way campaign.
* A breakfast to kick off our drive.
* One-on-One contact by campaign leaders, your colleagues.
* Meetings at each site on the campaign.
* Presentations by other United Way member agencies to our staff.

We are hoping to put together a team to lead our United Way Campaign this Fall. If you’d like to help, please e-mail pflierl@headstartofrockland.org or give me a call at 845-358-2234 or 203-273-5168. Thank you for your support. And do send some suggestions for our slogan!

JOB OPENINGS - PROFESSIONALS

Head Start of Rockland, Inc.
85 Depew Avenue
Nyack, New York 10960
845-358-2234
Attn: Human Resources
info@headstartofrockland.org

Head Start of Rockland, Inc., a large preschool program with several locations throughout Rockland County, has several openings. Please forward resumes to the above address or email.
Teacher(s) New York State Certified and/or CDA
Teacher Assistant CDA/AA/NYS Certification
Speech Therapists
Nurse RN
Home Visitor
Positions are full time with great benefits, follow school calendar.
Substitutes - Teachers, Assistants, Cook

RAFFLE WINNERS

We are pleased to announce results of our raffle at the Blackbear Saloon on May 20th in Nyack. Our winners are: Eleanor Conway, Carmen Freeman, Susan Gruenwald, and Sarah Hayes. Special thanks to Kristin Ozanian and Justin Gatoliato for their support of the event.

If you would like to volunteer to help with fundraising for Head Start programs and services, our Campaign for Children, please call Peter Flierl at 845-358-2234 ext 43 or e-mail pflierl@headstartofrockland.org.

Special thanks to Maryann Perunna, Ouida Dawson, and Mary Hurler for their support at the event, particularly Maryann's solicitation of raffle purchases. An artist!