Community Service
Schools Struggle In Down Economy
It is the start of a new school year and many schools are struggling to meet students' needs. CPAs Helping Schools is designing a plan to respond to the needs of area schools and students in grades K-12.
School Uniforms Needed
If you know of a school that has uniforms to spare please let us know. The CPAs Helping Schools Committee (CHS) collects the new/used uniforms and distributes them to area schools in need. If you have children's winter coats or sweaters that you would like to donate please let us know about that also. Members of CHS volunteer at many local schools and oftentimes see children who would greatly benefit from additional winter outerwear. Clothing donations can be dropped off at the Houston CPA Society offices and schools will arrange for pick up.
Be Mentor or Tutor
Schools always need mentors and tutors on campus. The schools like mentors, men or women, who can donate an hour a day, an hour a week, or some time on a Saturday. A mentor will enjoy helping a child grasp a concept and can plant a seed of hope just by showing up on a regular basis. In short, the most valuable asset that you can give to a child is your time and your sincere enthusiasm for wanting them to succeed. If you don’t have the time at this point in your career to volunteer then please consider sending a donation to the CHS Committee so that we can continue to help with their education needs.
Grant Funding
CPAs Helping Schools funds educational programs at schools in the Society's 13-county membership area through a formal Grant Application process. September is the first month of the school year the committee will be reviewing Grant Applications from schools with a specific need. If you know of a school that can benefit from a funded educational project, please have them contact CHS Staff Liaison Carol Spencer at the Houston CPA Society (713.622.7733 x32; cspencer@houstoncpa.org) for a Grant Application. A maximum of $3,000 per school, per school year can be distributed following the committee's Grant Application review and approval process.
Contributions Welcome!
CHS programs depend on Houston CPA Society members checking off the dues statement donation that adds $10 to membership dues. We are lucky in that the dues statement sent out by the Texas Society includes a place for funds to be donated to the Houston CPA Society's CPAs Helping Schools Committee. To those of you who have donated with your 2009-2010 dues, THANK YOU! If your firm paid your dues, or if you forgot to include the donation, you can send a contribution, marked for CPAs Helping Schools, anytime during the year to the Houston CPA Society offices.
We Love Volunteers
Thanks to all of the volunteers who have been a part of CPAs Helping Schools since its inception in 1992. We encourage you to make time, once again, to work with your local school in some fashion. If you do, please let us know so we can keep you informed on CHS news and opportunities. With your support, the CHS Committee will be able to continue fostering tomorrow's leaders.
Golf Classic Early Commitments
Put 20th Annual Event On Course
(l) Houston CPA Society President Kathy Ploch and (r)Annual Golf Classic Chair Bill McGinnis welcome Sean Berry, Houston Astros hitting coach (not present for the photo shoot), Hunter Pence, Astros' hot-shot right fielder, and Wish Child Andre, a vivacious nine-year-old baseball fan from Sugar Land, as Celebrity Hosts of the 20th Annual 2009 Houston CPA ♦ Make-A-Wish Golf Classic. Mark your calendar for Monday, October 26, 2009 and watch for more exciting news about the upcoming event at Sweetwater Country Club. For information about sponsorships and player fees, contact Elyse Turla at the Society office (713.622.7733 x29; eturla@houstoncpa.org).
As an additional benefit for its loyal sponsors, the Annual Golf Classic Committee features all sponsorsships on the formal printed brochure. This year, the brochure is being produced in house, so new sponsors immediately appear on this widely distributed invitation to join in the fun. In addition, the committee would like to recognize these "early leaders," and sponsor commitments by thanking them here:
2009 Houston CPA Golf Classic
Benefiting Make A Wish
Sponsors (as of August 24, 2009)
Partner Sponsors ($6,000)
Continental Airlines
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Larry Reimert
Associate Sponsors ($3,000)
HCC Insurance Holdings
T.F. Hudgins, Inc.
Patron Sponsors ($1,500)
Axia Resources
Encore Bank
Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.
Houston CPA Society
McGinnis Family
Sirius Solutions
State Tax Advisors
Pin Flags ($500)
Goodman Financial Corporation
Horn Solutions Inc.
Loria Associates Inc.
O’Connor & Associates
Richard Pitre, PhD, CPA
Paula Ruth Public Relations
Paul and Linda Vanek
Individual Foursomes ($1,000)
Accretive Solutions
Amegy Bank
Mark D. Lee
Cash Donations
Brady, Chapman, Holland & Assoc.
Sharon Nail
Seefeld Lawson Moehler LLP
Beverage Sponsors
Coca Cola Bottling
Silver Eagle Distributors
Lunch Courtesy of
John Henry Catering
Hole-in-One Cars
David Taylor Cadillac-Buick-GMC
Media Sponsor
What is the 20/20 Member Challenge? CLICK HERE for details
Back To School 2009
Since 1986,the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) – a coalition of 44 local churches - has helped disadvantaged Pre-K through 8th Grade students through the Back To School program. Members of the Society's Community Services Committee, along with friends and family, participated in the "Sort and Set-up" held Saturday, August 1, 2009 and "Distribution" on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Three "bagging" stations were set up for volunteers to "walk the line" holding out their drawstring plastic bags so grade appropriate supplies could be dropped in. As each stack of bags was systematically eliminated, signaling another grade finished, the room erupted with great exultation, grateful another grade was finished and it was time to take a break!
( l to r) Kathy Long (BP America Inc.), Elyse Turla (Houston CPA Society), Tonja Rodriguez (Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.), Linda Heinemann (Weatherford US, LP), and Fernando Orona (Fernando M Orona CPA).
Clare Bruce, Resource Development Coordinator for CCSC, submitted the following report and issued a big thank you to volunteers:
Our goal was surpassed: 6,036 students enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade received a new, comprehensive package of school supplies, a voucher for new uniforms/shoes, and gently used clothing and shoes. Because of this service, children are better prepared for the first day of school and achieving academic success!
3,929 of these children were served through our community event:
- 48% were female; 52% male.
- 97% of clients served were Hispanic; 2% African American; and one percent of other ethnicities.
- The program was offered to clients living in 31 zip codes. The top five zip codes served were located in Gulfton, east of Downtown, and the near northeast side (77081, 77011, 77023, 77020 and 77026). Approximately 56% of all registered clients live in these combined areas.
- 95% of clients who pre-registered in May attended the event.
There was an unprecedented volunteer turnout: approximately 750 volunteers contributed to Back To School 2009, from the Registration phase through Event Clean Up!
2,107 of these children were served through special community partnerships:
- 511 students from the Community of the Streets Outreach at Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church which specializes in serving homeless individuals/families.
- 521 students at Atherton Elementary School located in 77020. 97% of students enrolled at this campus participate in the free/reduced lunch program.
- 402 students at Gordon Elementary School located in 77401. 97% of students enrolled at this campus participate in the free/reduced lunch program.
- 360 students at Scott Elementary School, located in 77026. 99% of students enrolled at this campus participate in the free/reduced lunch program.
- 313 students at Nat Q. Henderson Elementary School, located in 77020. 99% of students enrolled at this campus participate in the free/reduced lunch program.
Thank you to all the great volunteers who helped serve so many children in need. Your support made an amazing difference in the lives of these children……
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