We need your nominations

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 14, 2011 – Who said write-in ballots are only for politics? For the first time, Walmart is empowering Facebook users to write in – or nominate – local nonprofits to receive part of $1.5 million in grants this holiday season. Through its “12 Days of Giving” campaign, the company will accept submissions via Facebook with an eye for local organizations that are providing basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and baby supplies.

click here to learn how you can nominate Footsteps

Truly Giving for Christmas

Gifts Cards with a Purpose

So not sure what to do to make yourself feel better and to be happy?? My solution to that problem is so very simple, rewarding and is not going to “break the bank!!”

Reach out and help someone less fortunate than your self!

Make someone Happy, it feels so good!

Try it, you’ll like it!!

Maybe you can get your friends or co- workers to help…Maybe your family wants to “adopt” a child for Christmas? Did you know foster kids don’t have families to give to them at the Holidays and for that matter at any time ?

We are Footsteps to the Future: Our purpose is to provide tools of empowerment to guide, encourage and mentor young women in and “aging out” of foster care, helping them make positive choices to reach their highest human potential on the path they choose.

It is our intention to work towards providing them with safe, affordable housing, a place where they are able to transition into living independently and to become self-sufficient, productive members of the community.

“Every woman and every man too, must take responsibility in their hearts for all children. As the parental generation, every child is our child. To ignore the state of our children is to ignore the state of the world...”

I am asking you wonderful people who decide to help us out for the holidays to know the following:

• We are grateful for all help and everything people donate is tax deductible as we are a 501c3 tax exempt organization and we will send you a tax donation letter when we receive your donation.
• Over 85 % of all monies ever received go directly to the girls and the services we provide them... Our group is mostly volunteer with a few low paid independent contractors who provide life coaching , recruitment and mental health services
• We accept money, gift cards and direct gifts for the girls and their children for the Holidays.
• We have about 56 young women & about 37 children who we are getting gifts for this year, need gifts by Dec 5th

As the days are drawing closer to our Holiday party some people have suggested that they would like to ask their friends, groups and offices to get gift cards and have asked me to make some suggestions. Many of our young women need more than traditional Christmas gifts so I suggest gift cards from places like Wal-Mart and Target as there they can purchase cleaning supplies, food, diapers for their children and school supplies. Gas cards are also very helpful.

Thank you so much for thinking of Footsteps and our young women. If you want I can send you a few things about us you may want to share with your group. Thank you for your generosity!

Whatever you can do, we will be so grateful! And if you are not able to help at this time we will love you just the same!

Judi Woods

Founder and Executive Director

Footsteps to the Future, Inc

www.footstepstothefuture.org

judiwoods2@earthlink.net
16956 McGregor Blvd. Suite 2
Ft Myers, Fl 33908
239 281-7378

www.footstepstothefuture.org

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

Gearing up for National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month Has New Partner in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, November 08, 2011 - HandsOn Greater DC Cares and Concerned Black Men – National Organization have joined together to be the official lead partner in National Mentoring Month 2012 for Washington, D.C.

“It is wonderful that these organizations will be leading the National Mentoring Month efforts in our nation’s capital next January,” said MENTOR’s President and CEO Dr. Larry Wright. “When residents there want to respond to National Mentoring Month’s call for youth mentors, they will have a central place to go to find the quality mentoring opportunities that suit them best.”

HandsOn Greater DC Cares CEO Greg Roberts added, “HandsOn Greater DC Cares has partnered with a broad coalition of mentoring organizations in the greater D.C. region to recruit 500+ mentors, build each organization’s capacity and raise awareness for mentoring. Among the members of this mentoring coalition, Concerned Black Men – National Organization stands out as a leader in building partnerships for effective mentor recruitment, leading a collaborative effort to ensure that the mentor volunteer pool is reflective of the diverse community we live in. We’re glad to be a local partner for National Mentoring Month.”

"Concerned Black Men – National Organization (CBM) is proud to partner with HandsOn Greater DC Cares for National Mentoring Month. Concerned Black Men and HandsOn Greater DC Cares share the vision of ensuring that every child in the nation's capital has a responsible adult in his or her life,” said CBM Executive Director George Garrow. “Mentoring is an organizational priority for CBM, and we thank MENTOR and its partners for the opportunity to highlight this work."

The Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR created National Mentoring Month 11 years ago this coming January and in 2006 welcomed the Corporation for National and Community Service as a national partner. It is an annual, concentrated burst of national and local media activity combined with White House and Congressional involvement and extensive community outreach that serves as a vehicle for institutionalizing America’s commitment to long-term youth mentoring.

The goals of National Mentoring Month are to: 1) raise awareness of mentoring; 2) promote the rapid growth of mentoring in all of its forms, including workplace, school-based and faith-based mentoring; 3) advocate for federal and state mentoring support; and 4) recruit individuals to serve as mentors.

The theme for National Mentoring Month 2012 is Invest in the Future. Mentor a Child, and General Colin Powell will continue to be the national spokesperson for the initiative.

The successful implementation of National Mentoring Month in individual media markets depends on the support and participation of local media outlets, businesses, faith-based institutions, membership organizations, schools and nonprofits in the mentoring field. In each media market, a Local Lead Nonprofit Partner (LLNP) is responsible for coordinating a community's activities to take maximum advantage of National Mentoring Month.

Join Us on November 5th - Pre Holiday Art Show & Sale

Calling All Shoppers - Shop While You Donate to FTTF

Mark your calendars! It's a great time to shop for your holiday gifts!

FTTF fundraiser for the Belk Charity sale day at Gulf Coast Towne Center.

What: Belk Charity Sale Day

When: Sat. November 5th

6am to 10am

Where: Belk's Dept. Store
Gulf Coast Towne Center

They offer merchandise and gift items in women's apparel, jewelry, accessories, shoes, mens, childrens, home goods and more.

The Opportunity:

Belk's department stores holds a charity sale a couple times during the year to help local charities.

It is an exclusive event and prices are drastically marked down for holiday shopping!

Family, friends and associates may purchase $5 ticket(s) for the event. 100% of the $5 ticket donation goes directly to FTTF.

At checkout, ticket holders will receive an additional $5 off the sale price of an item they purchase.

Only one ticket per item is allowed. Shoppers may purchase multiple tickets to save an additional $5 off each item, on all of their purchases during the sale.

Net to the person who buys the ticket is $0, net to FTTF is $5. All tickets sold prior to the sale will go directly to FTTF.

During the sale, FTTF will be onsite to sell to Belk's customers. All local non-profits who will be there during the sale, will share in the ticket sale amount that day - so pre-purchase your tickets directly from FTTF if you can.

This is a wonderful opportunity to tap into the holiday gift season and raise funds for FTTF!

Contact Caroline to get your tickets at: Carolineravelo@aol.com

First Annual "In Her Shoes Event"

Don't miss the First Annual "In Her Shoes Event"

This Wednesday, September 14th
6 to 8:30 pm
Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt Suite 178

You can get your tickets at the door for $20 which will get you 2 glasses of wine or champagne and hot appetizers.

PLUS:

Purses from $5 to $35
Shoes from $5 to $30

Check out some of our silent auction items:

Furla Handbag retail value of $495
Stuart Weitzman Shoes retail value of $555
$250 Local Jeweler Gift Certificate
$100 Spa Gift Certificate
Golf for Four
.... and so much more!!!!

In Her Shoes Event, Naples, September 14th

Come join us for the First Annual "In Her Shoes" event in Naples on September 14th.

First, donate your gently used designer and brand name shoes & purses.

Then, gather up your girlfriends and come shop with us September 14th and pick up some designer shoes & purses for yourself at GREAT prices. Listen to some amazing live music, have a glass of wine, some hors d'oevres and help to make a difference for our Footsteps girls.

Donations being taken through September 10th.