Just thought we ought to think about getting started this year! With the way the economy is, I figured it might help to allow a longer stretch of time for donations. I'm fairly sure Mama is going to offer up her paypal account for donations again, and of course you can always drop off cash to me, Jeff or Mama.

We're looking for families - last year we went through social services to locate people to sponsor - but as always, I'd like to put it out there to all Minions. If you know someone who'll have a hard time come Christmas, please don't hesitate to nominate someone by sending me a PM.

Just a thought. Why not have a Kick Off Breakfast at Patty's Place or somewhere? People could drop in and drop off their donations (and have breakfast if they please). A Saturday or Sunday would probably work best for most.

I recall either the first or second year, we met at Phoenix Coffee and people could stop by and drop stuff off... that worked pretty well.

Good idea, TD!

Yep, at the Phoenix. Though it wasn't really a kick off. At that point we had several families identified and a wish list for each, and people were dropping off the items they had chosen to gift. Well, and the cash donations.

I like the idea though! I am always up to going to the Phoenix. Was there last Saturday morning actually. Love their quiche and salad breakfasts!

Looking foward to being an active participant, this year.

We need a separate Minion Award for Holly, Mama and everyone who keep this idea going year after year!

See you at the Phoenix!

Maybe you can let them know what we have in mind so that they can provide space ahead of time.

Tarkus wrote:We need a separate Minion Award for Holly, Mama and everyone who keep this idea going year after year!

I second that!

TomsDad wrote:

Tarkus wrote:We need a separate Minion Award for Holly, Mama and everyone who keep this idea going year after year!

I second that!

Parking spots for Holly, a center donation drop box and Mama's vehicles (includes long school bus spot).

Nice to be in solidary with you on at least one issue TomsDad! (Not that this issue should have an opposing side.)

Jeff, could you sticky this please? Thanks!

Holly:
Let me know if you and mama would like a hand when it comes to shopping again this year. Would be happy to help.
Semper Fi

We could grow this! I grew up in a town that has a Christmas charity that is so successful that, last year in a bad economy, they asked people to stop donations and remember other charities as they had far exceeded their budget for this year (they work a year ahead).

Their premise? Christmas, of course, and they come up missing for 10 months out of the year so people don't get sick of their name.

If you would like to see what we could become and how this other group was founded go to http://www.ArcticLeague.com

The cartoon is well worth your time.

I'm not the organizer type but if we want to grow this along the lines of the Arctic League, sign me up for Christmas Morning deliveries.

4mrbam - I was just going to post to say that I hope you join us again!

Tomsdad - I would love, love, LOVE to deliver gifts to families personally, but that hasn't really panned out for us as a group.

We've never done Christmas morning deliveries because most years, the families we provide presents for are "anonymous." Meaning that the source who gives us the wish lists holds the identifying info. Last year minion member "thekid" had his sister send me 3 families who needed help (sis works for Ontario County social services) and I had no idea who the families actually were, just that they were receiving other help and needed assistance.

Prior to this, we sponsored families who were cleared through the CAP Elves program, but that organization is now gone here in Ontario County due to grant issues.

I do think it would be beneficial for us, as a group, to meet and discuss how we'd like to grow the program.

Last year I joined a task force in Canandaigua on behalf of the minions, that brought together all the area churches, the Salvation Army and several small holiday providers who were wanting to streamline operations and make sure that families that were being helped were being honest. (Apparently in past years, some families would receive help from more than one organization.) Everyone was very concerned about CAP closing its doors, because that would mean that the other organizations would have an influx of new families, those who had been previously served through CAP.

It was also discussed that the majority of those families were in Geneva.

This is getting long, but basically there existed rather large differences in how each agency distributed gifts and decided how much was spent on each family. At that time, we decided to not consolidate our efforts with the other organizations, because it would really limit how we ran our own program.

Specifically, the restrictions the other organizations put on the gifts were more than we wanted. Most did either a food basket, or a single outfit of clothes and one toy per child. The minions spend, on average, at least $200 per family, some years $300 per, depending on the amount of the donations we receive. We don't just buy clothes and toys, but also things like bowls, silverware, bedding and last year, even a lamp!

How about we set a date this month to meet at the Phoenix one morning, not only for people to stop and drop by donations, but also to get together and discuss how we pick families and what we buy?

I absolutely love organizing this each year and have no problem at all continuing to do it - but I do want to make sure that everyone who wants to be involved, can be and if others want to do things a different way - like delivering presents personally on Christmas - I would love to discuss it!

How is next Saturday morning at 10 at the Phoenix for everyone?

Just realized that there is a definite lack of Mama in this thread and I'm going to PM her now.

http://www.the-minions.org/?p=68

Phoenix at 10:00 is good for me.

Link for what we bought last year. We sponsored Michael, a little boy nominated by minion Chesler39, and two families given to us by Ontario County social services. If you click on "Slideshow" you can see which family got what.

Barring any issues I will be there.
Semper Fi

Mama Loca wrote:Phoenix at 10:00 is good for me.

Date.

TomsDad Moma and I bought http://www.teambluegill.net. We can use that or set up a new domain. Jeff did the art.

Bluegill Consulting & the Undefeated Bluegills are mostly creatures of the ether.

Count Jeff and me in.

TomsDad, thanks for posting that link to the Arctic League. I'm very impressed, very cool and inspiring story!

Jeff, you're more than welcome!

Count me in for Saturday. If anyone is interested I might be able to arrange a meeting with the Arctic League folks to see how they manage such an organization . . . something to think about.

See ya Saturday!

Thanks to all of you for you continuing efforts for the Minion Christmas Drive.

I'll be in Stockbridge this weekend. See my sisters new house and do some leaf peeping...

As soon as the link is available. I'm ready to make my annual contribution to this great community effort..

Marybeth, it's in Mama's siggy.

I believe at the present time, there is one $100 pledge, and a $25 donation.

Phoenix Cafe ...................



-Aj

AJ, if you are saying that the Phoenix Cafe is a hole in the wall and there is no room to meet there, judging by your picture, I agree. Never been there so I have to go by your picture.