Who gets the gifts in 2007?

The Invitation Letter to Organizations/Agencies: (mailed early in October) , 2007.
(See this letter in WORD format, click here.)

Director or Assistance Coordinator,
 

In anticipation of the Christmas season, the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church would like to invite your organization to participate in our Giving Tree gift program this year. 

In light of the struggling Michigan economy, the people of St. Francis want to share what we have with our neighbors who are less fortunate by collecting gifts that will help meet their basic needs at Christmastime. 

Your organization may be involved by following these steps: 

1. CONTACT Susanna Brown (222-0057  or 904-3301) by Friday, October 19, 2007, to determine the number of gift requests that you will submit and to confirm the date to pick-up your agency’s gifts. 

2. GIFT LABELS Prepared & SUBMITTED by Monday, November 5, 2007,  by inserting your clients’ gift wishes in the format in our WORD file provided at this link: address-size-sticker labels that can be sent via mail, email, or hand delivery to: 
                St. Francis Parish, Attention: Giving Tree, 2150 Frieze Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. 
                 E-mail: 

Please follow the SAMPLE GIFT LABEL format.  You may submit them on standard 8 ½ x 11 white paper so that St. Francis can photocopy them onto label paper or by email and we will print them out to photocopy.  Please use our WORD file or contact Susanna Brown if you have any questions. 

3. PICK-UP the GIFTS on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, from St. Francis Parish Office. We are located in Ann Arbor on Stadium Blvd., between Washtenaw & Packard across the street from Tappan Middle School. Drive around the block to the back of the church to find our office at 2150 Frieze Avenue. 

We look forward to working with you on behalf of your clients who are in need of assistance.  Please designate one contact person from your organization who will work directly with us.  Listed below are items to remember as you prepare your gift requests: 
1) Only one gift idea per label!  Please try to be creative and personal with your clients' needs. 
2) If your gift idea is a gift certificate, DO NOT name a dollar amount. 
3) It seems everyone in Michigan is coping with less during these trying economic times.  We ask that gift ideas be focused more on your clients’ “needs” and/or “reasonable wants” or the requests may be returned unfulfilled. 
4) If your labels do not fit the above description, we may need to send them back to you to do over.   We thank you, in advance, for your help.
5) Our volunteers enjoy gift-wrapping the presents.  Please contact us if you have any concerns regarding gift-wrapping your presents. 

If you’d like to learn more about our Giving Tree Program, go to our website at: www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/givingtree.htm or contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely, 
Susanna Brown (222-0057,   904-3301)  .
Scott Wright, Parish Social Ministry Director  .

P.S. - This invitation letter is sent  to many organizations/agencies like some fo these: Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County; Child Care Network; Community Action Network (includs both, Hikone Community & Green Baxter Court); Community Support & Treatment Services; Father Pat Jackson House; HIV AIDs Resource Center (H.A.R.C.);  Hope Clinic, Inc.; Interfaith Hospitality Network; Michigan Ability Partners-Wish Project; Perry Nursery School; Problem Pregnancy Help; Project Transition; Safe House; St. Louis Center.