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“NATIONAL PHILANTHROPHY DAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2283 on Nov. 7, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPHY DAY
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HON. W. TODD AKIN
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Monday, November 7, 2005
Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, in anticipation of National Philanthropy Day, I rise to draw attention to the generosity of the American people and the organizations that work to give hope and help to so many in our country. National Philanthropy Day is recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on November 15.
More specifically, I rise today in recognition of the many Missourians who give selflessly of their time, talent and finances to assist neighbors in need as well as victims of poverty, natural disaster and conflict. I commend the good work of the volunteers and staff of non-profit organizations and the financial donors who underwrite their efforts.
According to a study by the U.S. Department of Labor and Purdue University, more than 30 percent of Missourians volunteered their time in 2003. The paid staff of charitable organizations should be commended highly for their good work. However, most would agree that they simply could not do what they do without the hearts, minds and hands of dedicated volunteers.
So, today, I recognize not only the organizations but the people who brighten the days of those in need. It was Theodore Roosevelt who charged all of our fellow citizens to ``Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.'' Many of my constituents in the St. Louis area are doing just that.
Following is a small sampling of the numerous charitable organizations doing great things in and around Missouri's Second Congressional District. Each of these charities has distinguished itself in a variety of ways and should be commended for its good work in the St. Louis area. Their sacrifice and compassion is building a better society for all, and we all are in their debt.
Boone Center, www.boonecenter.com. BCI is a St. Charles County non-
profit organization committed to providing employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Established in 1959 as a one-employee candle making shop, Boone Center now employs over 200 adults with disabilities.
Catholic Charities of St. Louis, www.ccstl.org. A federation of 12 agencies and more than 100 programs providing services to people in need including housing services, elder and child day care programs, substance abuse recovery, legal assistance, foster care, emergency shelter and community outreach programs just to name a few. Last year they provided direct services to more than 111,000 individuals.
Connections to Success, www.connectionstosuccess.org. An organization which defines itself as devoted to breaking the cycle of poverty one family at a time. Programs include; Dress for Success, Professional Women's Group, Wheels for Success, Wheels of Hope and a faith-based mentoring program.
Extra Hands for ALS, www.extrahands.org. Based in St. Louis, Extra Hands for ALS is a national voluntary service charity assisting people with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Extra Hands partners high school and college students with families affected with an ALS diagnosed individual to assist them in everyday tasks.
Joyce Meyer Ministries World Outreach, http://www.joycemeyer.org/
proiects/wo_sub/index.php. Provides humanitarian aid to the world's poor and in response to natural disaster such as the recent tsunami. Assistance includes personal items such as food, water, clothing, hygiene items, and items necessary for rebuilding communities such as boats, bicycles and sewing machines.
KidSmart, http://www.kidsmartstl.org/, KidSmart works to provide children and their classrooms with the basic tools for learning by transferring, at no cost, the community's surplus supplies and merchandise into the hands of teachers for school children in need.
Mercy Ministries, http://www.mercyministries.org/, Mercy Ministries is a full-time residential care ministry for young women who are struggling with life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, depression, abuse, and chemical dependency. Each girl stays free-of-
charge. She comes voluntarily and spends, on average, six months in the home as she deals with the underlying causes of her difficulties.
Mission Gate Prison Ministry, www.missiongateministrv.org, Provides residential guidance and counseling to 75 former alcoholics, drug users and convicts in both S1. Louis after -care and Fort Good Shepherd Ranch. They also provide evangelistic services in prisons and shelters and the Christmas Angel mission reaching thousands of prisoners' children with gifts, the gospel of Christ and church referral.
Pregnancy Resource Center, http://www.prcmo.net/index.php, The Pregnancy Resource Center provides support and counseling to pregnant women and girls including free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counseling, parenting education, mentoring programs for men and essential items for newborns. Women are also referred for prenatal care, which is often their first contact with a healthcare provider.
Service International, www.serviceinternational.org, Service International (SI) works in the U.S. and abroad, working to empower individuals and communities in crisis by providing leadership training, volunteer coordination, medical care, materials and supplies, and hands-on rebuilding. SI brings fresh hope and tangible help through sustained recovery, with the goal of honoring God and helping people.
Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, http://www.crisisnurserykids.com/, Works to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis through short-term care for young children, helping families resolve crisis, offering ongoing support and education to families, providing community outreach and awareness, and advocating for children and families.
Saint Patrick Center, www.stpatrickcenter.org, Saint Patrick Center has impacted the lives of more than 65,000 homeless persons and is recognized nationally for programs that help individuals and families move from homelessness to independence in measurable, costeffective ways. The Center serves 10,000 individuals and families annually.
These organizations could not function effectively without the support of individual donors and philanthropic grantmakers. Mother Teresa said, ``To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.'' Donors give staff and volunteers the financial tools that they need to do the charitable work to which they are committed.
Some of the key foundations fueling charitable organizations in St. Louis include: Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Boeing-McDonnell Foundation, The Crawford Taylor Foundation, Daughters of Charity Foundation, Deer Creek Foundation, Emerson Charitable Trust, Employees Community Fund of Boeing-St. Louis, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, Monsanto Fund, National Children's Cancer Society, Inc., and the St. Louis Cardinals Community Fund.
The charities and grantmakers mentioned in this statement are just examples of the thousands of American NGO's endeavoring to improve the lives of others both at home and abroad.
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to reflect on the hard work and dedication of so many who take to heart the words of Scripture, ``It is more blessed to give than to receive'' (Acts 20:35). It is with admiration and respect that I commend the charitable community for stepping in to provide aid to the most vulnerable among us.
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