2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 February 10, 2007, 07:23:47 PM Well...after figuring things out for 2006...we get another monkey wrench thrown into the works for 2007.For the uninitiated, Cat Jam represents people and cars. For the event there is also money exchanged for things like food, t-shirts, etc. After the event we save some money to help begin the next year's show, and 100% of the rest of the money is donated to various local charities. In 2006 we decided to give $100 to the local car club where we (usually) have a huge cruise-in on Saturday night. The rest of the money was split 50/50 with Tod Children's Hospital and Angels for Animals, a local animal shelter. They each received $250 in 2006.So now for some rather bad news. Our local hospitals have fallen on hard times throughout the past year or so. This past week the main local organization, Forum Health, decided to move all children's hospital services from its current location (Tod Children's Hospital on the north side of Youngstown) to a new hospital that is currently being built in Boardman, a few miles south of the mall and the Chili's show. Essentially Tod Children's Hospital will be dissolved by the time we have our show. There is no current timetable for when the new hospital will be open (projected for fall '07). What sucks worse is that, at the current location, there is a Ronald McDonald House adjacent to Tod's. Its future is still unresolved now as well. They may move or dissolve.The point is...we could collect money for Tod's...but there won't BE a Tod's to donate to, at least not this year.So we need to start discussing where the proceeds will go this year. We will still donate to the car club (max. $100) and Angels for Animals. I am totally open for other suggestions.One thing that I ask to please keep in mind is that we could really use the money locally. I have no aversion to making a lump donation to a national organization or charity. But I'd like to see it pumped back into local organizations first. The Youngstown Rescue Mission, for one, always needs help. Also, my aunt and uncle do volunteer work for a local soup kitchen that feeds low income and homeless people; they can always use some funds. $250 could really make a difference locally.Please post your thoughts below. Thank you very much for reading this and for helping to make Cat Jam what it is. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #1 – February 10, 2007, 08:55:51 PM Ideas:Ronald McDonald House (if it's still there)Boys and Girls Club of AmericaBig Brothers and Big SistersHabitat For HumanityFordGotta think on it a bit longer to come up with others. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #2 – February 11, 2007, 11:43:58 AM Not sure whats in the area, but what about a volunteer fire dept. or something along that way? Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #3 – February 12, 2007, 08:31:42 AM I suggest Shriner's Hospitals for ChildrenQuoteShriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico providing specialized care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. All services are provided at no charge.Eligibility for care is not based on financial need or relationship to a Shriner.There is a location in Erie, PA and one in Cincinnati, OHThey are particularly close to my heart because when I was 5 they discovered a problem with my hip joint. The ball of the hip had stopped growing causing my leg to stop growing. My right leg was a few inches shorter than my left because of it. I had surgery on my 6th birthday to fix it. My hip started growing healthy cells and continued to grow and it 'caught up' with my other leg, so they were both the same length.My parents could not have afforded to have the surgery done on me if it hadn't been for Shriner's doing it for free. My parents did try to pay them for the surgery, but they wouldn't accept money for it, however, they would accept it as a donation if my parents wished to do so. They donated $500 to the hospital, which was about all they could afford. They'd have never been able to pay for a 3 month hospital stay with surgery, along with all of the follow up visits and the $500 definitely didn't cover it.We later found out that if they had not done the surgery, or if it hadn't worked, they would have had to amputate my leg at the hip. After the surgery, I had to go back for check ups every few months for the first few years, then about every 6 months, then finally once every year. After I turned 16, they finally said I didn't have to come back anymore, they knew the surgery had worked.Shriner's Hospital for ChildrenQuoteFor over 80 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children have provided some of the best medical care in the world, totally free of charge, to more than 800,000 children with orthopaedic problems, severe burns and spinal cord injuries. FactsIn 2005, Shriners Hospitals approved 37,755 new patient applications, attended to the needs of 123,385 patients and provided the following free of charge:•228,261 radiology procedures•305,455 outpatient, outreach and telemedicine visits•67,735 orthotic and prosthetic devices applied•24,627 surgical procedures•227,857 occupational therapy treatmentsFiguresShriners Hospitals' total budget for 2006 is $649 million, of which $616 million is targeted for operating expenses (including $33 million for research) and $33 million for buildings and equipment expenditures.During the 84-year history of the Shriners Hospitals, approximately $7.6 billion has been spent to operate Shriners Hospitals, and over $1.73 billion has been spent on construction and renovation. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #4 – February 12, 2007, 08:51:18 PM Quote from: LittleAngel1198;129040I suggest Shriner's Hospitals for ChildrenThere is a location in Erie, PA and one in Cincinnati, OHShriner's Hospital for ChildrenGuys and Gals, this one is going to be hard to beat! Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #5 – March 22, 2007, 02:29:25 PM I think we have a winner, Karen. Thank you SO MUCH for the information and the insight. I didn't know that about you.Alrighty, I think we can just make this as a 'definite'. We'll send the check out after the show, and Karen, we can put some of your personal thoughts in the letter with the check, I think that would mean a lot.So...just to reiterate, our Cat Jam 2007 donation organizations:Angels for Animals - http://www.angelsforanimals.orgShriner's Hospital for Children - http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/About/Valley Kruisers - Youngstown, OHWe'll be helping kids, kitties and cars. Thanks everyone! Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #6 – June 07, 2007, 02:26:09 PM WOW, I don't know how I missed your last post Eric. Anyway, that's cool! I love to see how much everyone puts into helping others with this whole show and donations. There aren't many 'clubs' out there who are as dedicated as all of you. It's great! Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #7 – June 07, 2007, 06:08:51 PM I think Shriner's is a fantastic idea! My cousin wouldn't be walking (or probably even be alive today) if it weren't for Shriner's. She had multiple physical birth defects. And my aunt was always graciously assisted by Shriner's with my cousin's medical care for many, many surgeries over the years. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #8 – July 02, 2007, 03:12:31 PM Just an update...I have made the arragements for us at the Chili's show. This year, the money that the Valley Cruzers collect at Chili's is going to a local organization called Touched By Nathan. It's dedicated to helping families with fragile babies, or to families whose baby has passed away. I got to speak with a few representatives and it's awesome what they do. I've been told by the Valley Cruzer guys that our $100 check to VC is basically going to get put right back into the pot for the Touched By Nathan money. So technically we'll be donating...however, if you can (and this isn't a hint or suggestion, just an observation), please consider throwing a few dollars in the pot at the Chili's show. It's a wonderful organization.Also, the Valley Cruzers go out of their way to put on a hell of a car show every week. They receive very little money to do this...it's basically out-of-pocket. The best way we can help them out is to buy their T-shirts. Again, if you can, please consider purchasing one to help these guys out.If we have the funds, I'd like to save maybe $50 for the local soup kitchen where my aunt works. Believe it or not, that little bit of money can do a LOT there. Hopefully everyone is okay with this...Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I REALLY appreciate the help. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #9 – July 02, 2007, 03:46:36 PM Just a idea, I'm in a hurry but what about the dave tomas foundation for kids that need a home. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #10 – July 02, 2007, 03:50:02 PM Mike, we're done with picking organizations. Quote Selected
2007 Cat Jam Donation Organizations - Part 2 Reply #11 – July 02, 2007, 03:54:36 PM Sorry Eric, Im in a hurry and didn't have time to read. Figured I'd try though. Quote Selected
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