AdvoCats Kick off Annual Membership Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2007     Media Contacts: Lynn Johnson, (817) 917-9993, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Suzi Prokell, (817) 598-1556, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     Aledo Children’s AdvoCats Kicks off Annual Membership Drive   ALEDO, TX – The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats has kicked off its 6th annual membership drive.  Held every March, the month-long membership drive aims to educate the community about the AdvoCats’ mission while also expanding its membership base.  This year the AdvoCats are hoping for a significant increase in membership to help meet the continuing increase in children’s needs. “This community has always given outstanding support to our organization.  They truly believe that no child should be deprived of basic needs,” said Ann Simmons, membership chair.  “However, with the projected rise in children’s needs for the third straight year, we are especially hoping for an increase in membership to ensure that we can continue to meet all the requests for help.”   As the Aledo area has grown, so has the number of children who need the support and services the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats provide. The requests for help have consistently risen each year. This year the AdvoCats estimate more than a 35% increase in the Children’s Fund expenditures alone.   “Last year we added the Run, Walk or Crawl for our Kids 5K fundraiser to our annual golf tournament to raise additional funds in order to meet the increased needs in our community. We now need two fundraisers instead of one and that involves more people,” said Lynn Johnson, AdvoCats president. “The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats is a non-exclusive organization and all women with a heart for helping children in need are encouraged to join.”      The Membership Drive will culminate with an “AdvoCats Membership Celebration” that will provide a fun opportunity to meet AdvoCat members and learn what opportunities are available to help.  The celebration will feature a Fashion Show from the Clothes Closet for entertainment.  The event is tentatively scheduled for April 10th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the new Agape location on Jearl Street.  All members of the community are invited.  For more information, please visit www.aledoadvocats.com <http://www.aledoadvocats.com/>  on the Internet or call (817) 341-1651.   The AdvoCats have been active in our community since 2001, when a group of women gathered to form an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need within the Aledo ISD.  What started out as an informal gathering of women chatting in their living rooms has evolved into a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $250,000 – all of which has been given back to the community. Unlike other organizations, the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats do not require volunteer service hours. Members have the option to contribute only through their yearly membership dues by checking a box on the membership form.   The AdvoCats maintain close ties with school counselors and places like the Center of Hope to learn about specific needs within our community, and then develops programs and fundraisers to address those needs.  AdvoCats fundraisers support:   The Children’s Fund - Over the last 12 months, the AdvoCats have donated more than $65,000 to children and families for such things as clothing, medical expenses, living expenses, wheelchairs, dental care, counseling and more.  In 2006, the Children’s Fund also purchased school supplies for more than 200 Aledo ISD students.   The Angel Project – Over the last five years, the AdvoCats have donated nearly $60,000 of clothing and toy holiday gifts.  In 2006, nearly 300 children received gifts through the Angel Project.   The Clothes Closet - A resale shop and free clothing resource for qualifying children and families.  Clothing for The Clothes Closet comes from donations and the shop is run entirely by volunteers.  The Clothes Closet is open Tuesday-Thursday and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is located at 9901 East Bankhead Highway, Suite B, next to the Center of Hope.  Telephone is (817) 441-2707.   Scholarships - In 2006, the AdvoCats donated $6,000 in college scholarships to graduating Aledo High School seniors.   Additionally, the AdvoCats have supported the Center of Hope, victims of Hurricane Katrina, the construction of Bearcat Park and the East Parker County Library.  The AdvoCats also support a local drug and awareness program, and this year facilitated the creation of a local Teen Court.     The AdvoCats’ continue to have a widespread presence in the community and their work has impressed local businesses and prompted their support.  XTO Energy generously provided the AdvoCats’ resale shop free space for the next three years.  Dozens of businesses have sponsored AdvoCat fundraisers, which have also been supported by organizations such as the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department, Aledo City Council and more.   The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats is constantly expanding to incorporate additional programs to better the lives of all children in the Aledo ISD area. AdvoCats is an all-volunteer charity organization that boasts a membership of more than 150 women.  Dues are $100 annually, $75 for AISD employees and $75 for members aged 55 and older.   About the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats is a non-profit organization of women committed to raising charitable funds to help fulfill and aid unmet needs of children and their families in the Aledo area.  100% of fundraiser money is used towards charitable efforts such as medical expenses, clothing, living expenses, school activities, dental care, school supplies, counseling and more.  For more information, please visit www.aledoadvocats.com <http://www.aledoadvocats.com/>  on the Internet.   # # #

 

< Prev		Next >