promoting non profit communicationand awareness in our community

Care to LearnAssisting Children in PovertyPage 7

Creating an Ethical CultureCenter for Nonprofit CommunicationPage 14

Event Coverage10th Annual

Run/Walk for LifePage 19

Signature Chef AuctionPage 24

Sunshine RunPage 26

3

contents november 2012

staff advisory panelAmy MichaelPublisher

Julie RodriguezDirector of Operations

Phil DellasegaCreative Director

Tom MezzacapaGraphic Design

Kaitlyn SchwersEditor

Michelle DeWittGraphic Design/Web Maintenance

Gerry Catapang PT, DPT

Ken Childers

Peter Edwards CIA

Rebbecca Fenton COTA/L

Jeff Gossman

Becky Overend

Sharna Rittmaster

Beverly Roberts

Chris Shaefer

Ross Stoops

Cara Trask

Mary Valloni

11

19

26

901 E. St. Louis St. • Suite 104 • Springfield, MO 65806417.849.CARE • www.goicare.com

CARESCARES

3 Table of Contents

4 Membership DirectorySpringfield Cares members listing

5 Letters from the Editor and Publisher

7 Assisting Children in PovertyCare to Learn

9 2012 Nonprofit Communcation Conference Event CoverageCenter for Nonprofit Communication

11 Volunteer SpotlightTeri Sickmyre

13 Happy Bear Program Teaches Children Personal SafetyVictim Center

14 Creating an Ethical CultureCenter for Nonprofit Communication

16 Integrity Home Care

18 Calendar of EventsCharity Events for November

19 10th Annual Run/Walk for Life Event CoveragePregnancy Care Center

20 Welcome to Our DayBridges for Youth

21 Ozark Show Choir Celebrates 60th Birthday

24 Signature Chef Auction Event CoverageMarch of Dimes

26 Mercy Sunshine Run Event CoverageMercy Hospital

27 Christmas WishesAmbassadors for Children

29 GamesFun Stuff

Ambassadors For ChildrenAn Operating Agency of the Council ofChurches of the Ozarks500 W Battlefield, Suite BSpringfield, MO 65807417-708-0565 ext. 202suzzell@ccozarks.org

American Cancer Society (ACS)3322 S Campbell Ave # GSpringfield, MO 65807417-881-4668www.cancer.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)3372 W Battlefield StSpringfield, MO 65807417-889-9136

Breast Cancer Foundation ofthe Ozarks (BCFO)330 N Jefferson AveSpringfield, MO 65806417-862-3838www.bcfo.org

Bridges for Youth1039 W NicholsSpringfield, MO 65802417-864-4167www.bridgesforyouth.net

Children’s Miracle Network3525 S National Ave Suite 203Springfield, MO 65807417-269-5437www.coxhealth.com/cmn

Community Partnership330 N Jefferson Ave.Springfield, MO 65806417-888-2020http://www.commpartnership.org/

Court Appointed SpecialAdvocates (CASA)1111 S Glenstone AveSpringfield, MO 65804417-864-6202www.casaswmo.org

Female Leaders in Philanthropy (FLiP)320 N Jefferson AveSpringfield, MO 65806417-863-7700www.uwozarks.com/fl ip.asp

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch424 E Norton RdSpringfield, MO 65803417-864-6698www.ranchlife.org

GYN Cancers Alliance (GYNCA)3023 S Fort, Suite BSpringfield, MO 65807417-869-2220www.gynca.org

The Humane Society3161 W Norton RdSpringfield, MO 65803417-833-2526www.swh.org

Killuminati Foundationwww.killuminatiFoundation.org

Lost & Found Grief Center2840 E Chestnut Expressway, Suite CSpringfield, MO 65802417-865-9998www.lostandfoundozarks.com

March of Dimes1722 S Glenstone W110Springfield, MO 65804417-889-9397www.marchofdimes.com

Pregnancy Care Center1342 E Primrose StreetSpringfield, MO 65804-4224www.pccchoices.com

United Way of the Ozarks320 N Jefferson AveSpringfield, MO 65806417-863-7700www.uwozarks.com

The Victim Center819 N Boonville AveSpringfield, MO 65802417-863-7273www.thevictimcenter.org

Women Connect4GoodDrNancy@womenspeak.comTwitter.com/womenspkwww.Facebook.com/WomenSpkwww.Womenspeak.com/connect4good/

Youth of the Ozarks Thrift Store(YOTO)2140 S CampbellSpringfield, MO 65807417-890-7283www.thevictimcenter.org

The following persons or businesseshave sponsored our members:

Women Speak, William H Darr,Tom Slaight, ANPAC, Elliot & Robinson,Southwestern Womens Health, dvLaRueDesign and Development

Springfield CARES would like to introduce the following Members of the magazine.Members must have non-profit status and provide services to our community. If youare interested in becoming a member, please give us a call for more information!

Mission: Springfield CARES and GOiCARE.com provide online and print media to thepublic to create awareness of charitable giving and healthy living in the area as wellas give acknowledgment to local businesses that give back to our community. It isour goal to promote local business, provide information and savings to consumersand support the work of the charities where we live.

Membership Directory

4

5

Helping you create the future you envision.

Penney, Murray & Associates

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Licensed to provide service in thefollowing states:

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Broker, investment and financial advisory services aremade available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may

not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

1342-E East KingsleySpringfield, Missouri 65804

(417) 881-9200

Ron PenneyCFP®, ChFC® Private Wealth Advisor

130179MR0112

Dear readers,

Hello again from Springfield CARES Magazine! I hope you all have had a great start

to the fall season. We have lots of exciting news and events to share with you once

again.

In this issue, you’ll find an article about Care to Learn, a new volunteer feature, event

coverage from March of Dimes’ Signature Chefs Auction, photos from October’s

Sunshine Run, and much more!

While you’re at it, check out the November calendar to see what events are coming up.

Some events to look forward to include the Killuminati Foundation’s Project Puppy on

Saturday, November 3, Sertoma’s Code 3 Dinner with Jack on Thursday, November 8,

and more.

As always, let us know if you have article ideas or if you have an event that you would

like to include on the calendar. Send CARES an email at info@goicare.com or find us on

Facebook by searching ‘Springfield Cares Magazine.’

Thank you for your continuous support!

Kaitlyn SchwersContributing Editor

Letter from the Editor

Letter from the PublisherHappy Thanksgiving to you all! As we approach the holiday I'm reminded to be ever

more thankful of the people I hold dear to me. Friends and family alike, from here to

California and everywhere in between. I was making a long drive the other day which

left me plenty of time for uninterrupted thought, and I began to think about all of the

people that make a positive impact on my life. I had to ask myself if I am making an

equally beneficial impact on theirs. Most of the time yes, I thought. However, there

is definitely room for improvement in showing those that love and support me just

how much they mean to me and the appreciation I feel for having them in my life.

Truly, we should all be thankful all the time for what we have, but Thanksgiving tome

is a reminder that we can all use to improve and enhance our relationships with those

we love.

Thank you for caring Springfield!

Kindly,

Amy MichaelPublisher

Sponsor | ANPAC

7

Care to Learn, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2008 after a local Springfield business-

man, Doug Pitt, heard some disappointing statistics on poverty in the Ozarks. More specifically,

he learned about children being in poverty. He was surprised to discover that some children were

impoverished because they lacked some of the most basic needs, like food or clothing.

Today, Care to Learn meets these issues by providing Ozarks children with funding and

resources—like food, school supplies, and clothes—to help them get out of poverty.

Executive director, Morey Mechlin, discusses Care to Learn’s main purpose, how Care

to Learn serves the Ozarks, how the community can help, and more.

What is the main goal of Care to Learn?

“Our main goal is to make sure that children

have the health, hunger and hygiene

resources they need to be successful in

school. When Doug Pitt founded Care to

Learn, he dedicated himself to making sure

that no child suffers physically or emotion-

ally due to lack of food, access to medical,

dental or mental health care, or hygiene

issues.”

Chapters of Care to Learn have been re-

cently formed inWillard, Clever, Fordland,

Logan-Rogersville, and Republic. Is it pos-

sible that Care to Learn will open more

chapters in the future?

“Clever and Fordland are our newest chapters

and they joined in the spring of 2012. Yes,

Care to Learn is in discussion with several communities. Because every Care to Learn Chapter is

self-sustaining, it is important to meet with the school district administration and community

members to make certain that they are committed to providing the administrative support and

fund-raising activities needed to meet the needs of their school children.”

What has been the overall community response for Care to Learn?

“The community response has been overwhelming. I believe that we live in the best part of the

country. Everyone understands that children need an education and that a child can't learn if they

are hungry or dressed inadequately or in need of hygiene items or health/dental care. We care

about our neighbors—and we don't mean someone who lives next door.To Care to Learn donors,

a neighbor can be someone they have never met who lives in a part of town they have never

visited.”

How can community members get involved with Care to Learn?

“In order to maintain the confidentiality of the students we serve, all of our work is done through

the schools. What we need are community members who are able to donate $10/month or

$100/month or $1000/month. Our pledge to them is that every penny is used to immediately help

students in need.”

For more information about Care to Learn, visit www.caretolearnfund.org.

assisting children in povertyby Kaitlyn Schwers

Kenny Rogers Christmas &Hits Tour @ the O’ReillyFamily Event CenterPresented by PFI WesternWear, Kenny Rogers will

be making a stop in Springfield, MO on

Wednesday, Dec. 5 for his Christmas & Hits Tour.

Tickets are on sale now at drurytickets.com for

$34-$59. A portion of the proceeds will benefit

Care to Learn.

New Year’s Eve @ theDoubleTree HotelNew Year’s Eve will feature a live band, dinner,

cocktails and specialty drinks, desserts, a midnight

ball drop and much more. The cost is $375/couple,

and the DoubleTree is inviting guests to spend the

evening at a special reduced rate.All proceeds ben-

efit Care to Learn.

Upcoming Eventsfrom Care to Learn

Doug Pitt, Founder

8

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9

The 2012 NonprofitCommunication Conferenceat Drury University was a tremendous success. More than 200people representing 55 nonprofit organizations throughoutsouthwest Missouri were in attendance.

Participants, exhibitors, and sponsors came together to shareideas and make important connections.The conference featuredsessions on social media, strategic planning, websites, boardcommunication, and other timely topics taught by industryexperts.

"It was a great day for nonprofits and our community," saidconference organizer Dan Prater. "It was inspiring to have somany people who do wonderful work, in the same place at the

same time."

Plans are already inplace for next year'sOctober conference.

npcomm.org

January 16, 2013 | Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks

| grant writing || fundraising |

| social entrepreneurship || working with foundations |

Nonpro�tsWeatheringthe Financial

Storm

The Center for Nonpro!t Communicationat Drury University presents:

Sponsored by the Slusher Foundation | for more info or to register: npcomm.org

Teri Sickmyre is a community leader in the field of

healthcare, but she’s also a volunteer. As a volun-

teer, she supports organizations such as March of

Dimes. In this feature,Teri talks about volunteering

for March of Dimes, why she volunteers, how it

benefits her both personally and professionally,

and more.

Where do you volunteer?

I serve on the board of directors for March of

Dimes, chairman of the trustees for the Women

Auxiliary Elks, and volunteer for Special Olympics

Games

Why do you choose to volunteer?

There are so many reasons to volunteer! I like help-

ing out a cause I believe in for their mission. I have

been blessed in my life with my family and with a

career that I can witness miracles everyday! I feel

it is my duty and pleasure to payback all I have

been given.

More specifically, what do you enjoymost about helping March of Dimes?

By Kaitlyn Schwers

I enjoy meeting other people who love children and share the dream that all

babies have the right to be born healthy and when they are not, we have the

knowledge and resources to help them achieve that goal.

What are you most passionate about in the community?

I love the community that I have been born and raised. Everyone may not see

eye to eye on politics, ball teams, but they always are on the same page when

it comes to helping another person in need.

How long have you been an active volunteer?

I have been involved with March of Dimes for several years, but have become

more committed in the last 4 years.

How does volunteering affect you personally and professionally?

Volunteering helps my personal life by learning to be less closed to issues and

become more open minded to what is important for me and my family.

Professionally, volunteering helps you to be a better team player by realizing we

are all here to do a job as a team, not one better than the other.

From your experience, what are some major benefits to gettinginvolved with the community through volunteering?

Too many to mention. I would encourage everyone to start small and build those

volunteering muscles. You will come out a happier healthier you!

What else do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?

My hobbies are my family and soon to be grandbaby! Anytime I can spend with

friends and family is the best hobby I can think of having.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your experi-ence as a volunteer?

I would encourage everyone to try to volunteer. It does not always require a huge

commitment, just the desire to do something for those who need us! I have

always said that I cannot believe that I do not have to pay to do this! I always

walk away feeling like the winner!

11

417-376-2238

Helping with Horsepower is an exciting new project for the boys at Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. Partnering with Mother Road Motorcycles, the boys will be rebuilding a 2006 Harley police cycle to a customized Harley David-son which will be raffled off in Spring of 2013. Watch our progress at www.ranchlife.org and

purchase your raffle tickets by calling the...

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Sponsor | Mr. & Mrs. William H. Darr

Although The Victim Center has an excellent reputationfor providing free-of-charge counseling services to men,women, and children who have been victimized byviolent acts of crime; additional resources are madereadily available to the community. For instance, theagency provides educational programs to helpschools teach children about personal safety.

One program, in particular, is the HappyBear Program, which is coined after thebear costume used to interact withteachers and children. In a recentinterview with the fun-loving HappyBear, it was clear that he enjoysteaching children ways to stay safe:

Interviewer:Please describe your role in theHappy Bear Program for theVictim Center.

Happy Bear:I assist the Education Coordina-tor, Melinda Vacey, with greet-ing children as she enters theclassroom. Children greet mewith smiles, giggles, laughter, andhugs. This serves as a helpful icebreaker to encourage children tolisten to the program. During thepresentation, Melinda asks childrento give a show of hands for volun-teers interested in pretending to actas the teacher in the classroom, while Ipretend to be the student. This is themoment when I embarrass myself bypretending to try on a bathing suit! The goalof this portion of the program is to educatechildren about good touches verses bad touches. I tellchildren that they have the right to protect their own body.

Interviewer:What rules of safety are important to discusswith children?

Happy Bear:

Personal Safety Step #1Children need to remember that it is okay to say

“NO.”

Personal Safety Step #2Never trust strangers or get in a vehicle with

a stranger, friend, or family memberwithout the permission of a parent/legalguardian. The program teaches childrento recognize that strangers appear tobe nice, normal everyday individualsthat look like Grandma or Uncle Joe.The program gives examples of howto refuse this kindness when strang-ers offer children candy or a ridehome from school, and then itexplains the reasons why childrenshould never trust a stranger regard-less of how nice they appear.

Personal Safety Step #3No Secrets! Children do not need tokeep secrets, especially when some-one has touched them inappropriately.

Interviewer:Can you tell me the places in the com-

munity that the Happy Bear Program ispresented?

Happy Bear:The Happy Bear Program is available free-of-

charge to organizations in the community suchas schools, summer camps, church groups, YMCA,

Girls and Boys Clubs, etc.

Interviewer:What grade or age group is appropriate for the HappyBear Program?

Happy Bear:Pre-school through Kindergarten (Age groups include 4and 5-year-olds.)

For additional information about the programs and servicesat The Victim Center, please review our website at

www.thevictimcenter.org or contact us at 417. 863. 7273.

“Children do have the right todefend their personal safety.”

— Happy Bear

Happy Bear ProgramTeaches Children Personal Safety

14

creatingan

ethicalculture

What happens whengood organizations

do bad?Over the past few decades several scandals in thenonprofit industry have brought about an elevatedinterest in the ethics of organizations. Abuse ofpower, lack of oversight, and financial misman-agement in nonprofits have caused the public todemand better oversight of these organizations.

Well-known national groups such as the American RedCross, the Catholic Church, and the UnitedWay have beenentangled in scandals, which have been widely reportedin themedia. SouthwestMissouri has had its share of non-profits scandals, too. In 2008, the director of the SpringfieldAssociation for the Blind was charged with embezzlingmore than $25,000 from the organization. In 2009, formerSpringfieldMunicipal Court employee Rhonda Batemanwassentenced to 10 years in state prison for stealing moneyfrom the court.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organi-zations have a special placein society. They are given

high respect and special advantages tohelp them in their role of benefitingthose in need. As public servants, theorganizations are totallydependent on the public'strust.

by Dan PraterThe Center for Nonprofit

Communicationat Drury Universitydprater@drury.edu

15

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations have a special place in society. They are

given high respect and special advantages to help them in their role of ben-

efiting those in need. As public servants, the organizations are totally

dependent on the public's trust. Without it, they cannot gain donations or

volunteers, which enables them to accomplish their missions. People who

donate to these organizations have faith their dollars will be managedwith

honesty and used for its intended purpose. When an organization violates

this trust, a "Gresham's Law"may go into effect, causing donors to withhold

donations to all nonprofits because of the actions of one nonprofit.

Surveys demonstrate most people have a favorable view of nonprofit organ-

izations, and rightly so. Most groups are staffed by dedicated people who

exhibit high levels of professionalism.

However, as more organizations behave unethically, this opinion may

change. In a recent report, The National Nonprofit Ethics Survey revealed

two disturbing findings:

1. Conduct (among nonprofits) that violates the law or an organiza-

tion’s standards is on the rise.

2. Financial fraud is higher in nonprofit organizations than it is in

business or government.

Nonprofit organizations can earn the public's trust by demonstrating three

things: integrity, transparency, and accountability

IntegrityIntegrity is described in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as "a firm adher-

ence to a code of especially moral values: incorruptibility." It has to do with

the connection between what you say and what you actually do - the con-

tinuity between appearance and reality.

I know of a leader who used to speak publicly about her organization's suc-

cesses. It was later discovered the statistics she had quoted were inaccurate,

grossly exaggerated. This is an example of lacking integrity. It is also an

example of how leaders set the tone for the entire organization. If the

leader is willing to tell "white lies" to bring in more donations, it becomes

likely other employees in the organization will see this as an acceptable way

of doing business.

Every statistic and every story reported by your organization must be true

and accurate. Embellishment may lead to an increase in donations, but it

almost always leads to a decrease in trust.

TransparencyOne of the best things nonprofit organizations can do to instill public con-

fidence in their work is to do good, and thenwelcome inspection and scruti-

ny by others of their methods.

The National Council of Nonprofits recommends that nonprofits create

transparency by:

1. Being honest in solicitation materials and truth-

ful and clear in communications with donors

about how their gifts will be or have been used;

2. Being transparent about who is accountable for

the nonprofit’s expenditures; adopting expense

policies;

3. Publishing financial information on a nonprofit’s

website, such as a copy of the organization’s

application for tax-exemption, IRS Form 990,

audited financial statements and annual reports

4. Adopting internal controls, to ensure account-

ability.

AccountabilityAccountability is not simply compliance with the law. It

relates directly to public trust.

Every nonprofit should examine the promise vs. perform-

ance. In other words, are you really doing what you said

you would do? Are people healthier, safer, and happier

because your organization exists? Can you prove it?

As Peter Druker said, "You can't manage what you can't

measure."

Doing good is no longer good enough. Nonprofits must

be serious about measuring and evaluating their work,

and proving they are doingwhat they said they would do.

Accountability means holding yourself (and allowing oth-

ers to hold you) to a high standard of performance.

To truly understand your organization's performance, and

to be accountable to others for this work, you must set in

place processes of constant evaluation.

Boards and staffs must demonstrate that their pro-

grams/services are effective at accomplishing their mission

and run prudently and honestly.

Organizations that fail to consistently measure and eval-

uate their work are probably unsure if their services are

effective, or maybe they do know and are afraid to dis-

cover the truth.

As nonprofit organizations build a culture of integrity,

transparency, and accountability, they will continue to

have the trust and support of their communities.

Harvard report:http://www.hks.harvard.edu/hauser/PDF_XLS/workingpapers/workingpaper_35.pdf

Ethics Survey:http://www.ethics.org/files/u5/ERC_s_National_Nonprofit_Ethics_Survey.pdf

Harvard report on accountability: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6387.html

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c a l e n d a r o f

If you have a charitable event you would like to add, please email us at events@goicare.com

November: Discovery Center is a great family orientated attraction. With 11 different galleries and over 200 different hands on exhibits! Adults $9, Seniors $8, Children 3-15 $7. 2 and under are free.

November 4, 4:00PM:Springfield Ballet, Inc. - Springfield Ballet is excited to announce its first ever FREE Boys Movement Workshop, to be taught by Darrell V. Hyche, II. Event held at the Creamery Arts Center from 4-5pm on the 4th, . This workshop, open to males ages 7 and up. There is no fee, but space is limited, so please call (417) 862-1343 to register.

November 8, 6:00PM:Discovery Center - The entire family can help support Discovery Center's mission. Enjoy the Center with the whole family, learn some holiday science, enjoy refreshments and bid on some great family items. Plus have an opportunity to bid on 4 tickets to the sold out concert of ONE DIRECTION at Kansas City's Sprint Center on Friday, July 19th 6:30pm. $10 per person.

November 8, 6:30PM:Code 3 Sertoma's Dinner with Jack at 319 W. Walnut "Downtown Event Center" Doors open at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets at www.dinnerwithjack.org Tickets are $150/person. Ticket price includes Steak dinner prepared by Chef James Clary, Code 3 Sertoma collector bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel whiskey. An auction will be among the entertainment for the evening.

November 9:The Salvation Army is now signing-up volunteer bell ringers for the upcoming 2012 Tree of Lights Christmas Campaign. Hundreds of volunteer bell ringers will be needed in Greene, Christian, Taney & Stone counties from

November 9th until December 24th. For more information visit: usc.salvationarmy.org

November 10, 9:00AM: Farmers Market of the Ozarks - Chili Cook-Off: from 9am-12 Get your chili on at the Market Chili Cook-Off Contest. Both chefs and market vendors can enter their best chili to be voted on. In addition, we will hold a canned food drive to benefit Harvest on Wheels and the Ozarks Food Harvest.

November 11, 1:00PM:Discovery Center - A day devoted to honoring those who are defending Liberty and Freedom. This day we honor our family, friends, neighbors and all who have served. Discovery Center thanks you & your family for your service by offering a discount with military ID.

November 15, 5:00PM:Springfield Ballet, Inc. - Stop by for the 2nd annual A Night for The Nutcracker! Springfield Ballet has partnered with Parlor 88 (on east Sunshine) for an evening with friends or coworkers of holiday cocktails & table-tizers PLUS a chance to take home one of our fabulous themed holiday baskets just in time for the gift-giving season! All proceeds benefit Springfield Ballet's The Nutcracker. (age 21 & up only)

November 17, 9:00AM:American Cancer Society - Half the museum will be closed to the public in preparation for the Festival of Trees fund-raising event. Come and explore Discovery Center's "Greener Side" a LEED certified green building for half the price! No discounts apply for the day. Admission for this day is adults $6.00, Children age 3-15 - $4.00, Seniors $5.00.

November 17, 9:00AM:Join the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Registration for this family-friendly event is free and all participants are encouraged to raise money to help save kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases. The walk is held at the Jordan Valley Park 635 E. Trafficway, Springfield MO. For more information and to register please visit www.givethankswalk.org.

November 17, 6:30PM:Discovery Center - 27th Annual Festival of Trees Benefit - Experience the Magic. Tickets available now! Tickets are $100 per person and include great food by Nicola's, music, fun and friends. Complimentary beer provided with love from Mother's Brewery. Holiday Attire. For more information or to be involved call Charlotte McCoy, 417-862-9910 Ext. 713.

November 18, 3:00PM:Springfield Ballet, Inc. - The Nutcracker Children’s Workshop Course at the Creamery Arts Center from 3:30-5pm. Enrollment is limited to 5-15 boys and girls in each age group, please call (417)862-1343 to register.

November 26, 10:00AM:Council of Churches of the Ozarks - Crosslines Holiday Applications for Assistance in Greene County for Christ-mas & Toystore Families and seniors over 60 can apply for Thanksgiving & Christmas Food Baskets plus the Crosslines Holiday Toystore November 26 – December 1 (10am to 3pm) Evening Hours November 29 (10am to 7pm) Saturday Hours December 1 (10am to 3pm).

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18

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19

As I awoke today, thoughts of kids and all the encounters from theprevious day flooded my mind. Always one of the first ones there, the12-year-old girl greets all the staff by name as she comes in the door.She comes up to me and makes certain I know that she is wearing nomake-up today. I had told her a few days ago that she didn't need makeup at her age, only the beauty God had already given her. The 10-year-old boy at the snack bar counter is also a daily fixture and is delightedto see we have the popular spider in the jar candy for sale. Nasty if youask me, but I knew the kids would get a kick out of it.

The expectantly thrilled look on kids faces as they arrive at Bridges afterschool is something I wish everyone could see. Once inside, the line islong to sign-in, so they spend their time having fragmented discussionsabout everything from spending the night together to who can be thefunniest without getting into trouble.A 13-year-old boy signs in his little6-year-old brother and protects him as though he were a fragile crystalvase. The same young man asks if he can help pour the drinks for snacktime today. He loves to help.

In the very back of the center, a 9-year-old girl sits reading a book.Although it’s noisy in the center, she somehow can close it out andexperience the book as though she is in another world. It's devotiontime and 44 kids find a seat at the booths, futons, and tables. Thedevotion is about David and Goliath, and we happen to have a youngman who is 6 foot 3. I have him stand in front of the kids and tell thekids that Goliath was 3 feet taller. All this to saythat, our faith in God can take down giants.

Prayer time is a moving time atBridges. The kids reallypray what is on theirheart. There aresome things that usa d u l t s

consider kind of silly for them to pray about, but face it, God tells us tocast all our cares on him. A little 8-year-old guy prays for his new pet, acrab, and a 9-year-old girl prays for a great birthday party. Two girlssitting next to each other from different families pray for their Grandmawho has cancer. An 8-year-old boy asks for us to pray for his hurt knee.Several kids pray for the uncle of one of our young ladies who is in thehospital. A boy asks us to pray for another young man from school whowas hit on his bike. A 7-year-old boy implores us to pray that he gets tosee his mom this weekend.

It's a beautiful day, so we go outside to enjoy our new play set that wasjust finished at this Bridges. Everyone grabs a snack and a drink as theygo out the door. The snacks are on the counter and one 5-year-old hasto climb on the stool to get her snack. As she gets down, she is precari-ously holding her two cookies and Kool-Aid, heading for a picnic tableto enjoy her treat.

I have barely gotten outside and a 9-year-old girl blocks my path. She isgrinning from ear to ear and will not let me pass without me firsthearing her say the memory verse for the day. There are footballs flying,kids coming down the slide, and loud activity all around, and a game oftag has already organized around me. An 11-year-boy and his twofriends are trying to make 50-60 foot shots with the basketball. Amaz-ingly the 11-year-old boy makes quite a few, and his buddies hardly any.He has found something he is better at than anyone else, and that’spretty cool. Several kids are under the play set playing with the littleblocks of lumber that were left over from the play set. You know, youcan build stuff with those.

The day comes to an end with numerous conversations withparents as they come and pick up their kids. All in a day’swork after school at the 4 Bridges for Youth Centers. Yourdonations can help make it possible for tomorrow’s stories.

Give at: www.bridgesforyouth.netOffice: 417-864-4167

kids that Goliath was 3 feet taller. All this to saythat, our faith in God can take down giants.

Prayer time is a moving time atBridges. The kids reallypray what is on theirheart. There aresome things that usa d u l t s

pretty cool. Seblocks of lumcan build stuf

The dpawd

G

Welcome to our

Day at Bridges for YouthWelcome to our

Day at Bridges for Youth

20 Sponsor | Mr. & Mrs. William H. Darr

21

The Ozark Showcase Chorus (OSC), a 503c organizationbased in Springfield, will be celebrating their 60th anniver-sary of being an official SweetAdelines International chorus (SAI)member with their show “DiamondShowcase.” The “Diamond Showcase”will be performed at the MissouriState University Plaster Student UnionTheatre on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.with special guest, ZING!, an interna-tional champion quartet.

General admission to the “DiamondShowcase” is $15. Part of the proceedswill benefit Care to Learn, a nonprofitthat supports children in need. Admis-sion for students is free. For tickets, goto www.ozarkshowcase.org or call417-890-6212.

SAI is a nonprofit organization formusic education. It was founded in1945 and is located in Tulsa, OK. Thisorganization is one of the largestsinging organizations for women withchapters in most of the U.S. andaround the world.

The Springfield chapter, OSC, consists of 30 women and isled by director Jeff Veteto. The choir performs in a

cappella, four-part harmony in barber-shop style. The choir’s primary missionis to preserve the art of barbershopsinging. OSC performs for the commu-nity, churches, and

businesses. In the past, proceeds fromtheir annual shows have been donatedto the Breast Cancer Foundation of theOzarks, Children’s Miracle Network,Hospice of SW Missouri, and Convoy ofHope.

OSC also encourages new members.Women who are interested can comeobserve choir practices on Tuesdaysfrom 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at theMontclair Retirement Community. Anaudition process is required, butwomen do not need to have priormusical knowledge to join.

Visit www.ozarkshowcase.org to hear the chorus sing andto view their video demo. Find the chorus on Facebook by

searching Ozark Showcase Chapter.

Pho

to:b

yLi

llyPh

oto

gra

ph

y

Ozark Showcase ChorusCelebrates Anniversary

with “Diamond Showcase” this November

Upcoming Events

December 14, 2012Performance at MercyHospitalfor St. Jude’s Christmas Party

January. 25–26, 2013Region 25 Quartet RetreatAddison, Texas

February 26, 2013Coaching with Joe Connellyat the Montclair

March 14–17, 2013Region 25 CompetitionRichardson, Texas

To learn more about theinternational organization, SAI, visit

www.sweetadelineintl.org.

60th

by: Kaitlyn Schwers

Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud to offer State of Missouri Youth

Opportunities Program (YOP) Tax Credits to our contributors. If

you are liable for Missouri taxes (individuals & corporations) you

could take advantage of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ status as a YOP

approved organization. Missouri Department of Economic

Development awards YOP Tax credits to qualified organizations

that broaden and strengthen

opportunities for positive

development and participa-

tion in community life for

youth, and to discourage

such persons from engaging

in criminal and violent

behavior.

Big Brothers Big Sisters contributors receive 50% of their

monetary contribution in tax credits to offset their Missouri state

tax liability, with up to a 5 year carry forward. The benefit also

provides great impact as the contributor’s tax credits redirect

his/her tax dollars back into our community. Big Brothers Big

Sisters has $50,534 in credits which will leverage $101,068 in

contributions to support our mission of providing children with

positive adult role models.

Donation toBigBrothers $100 $500 $1,000 $2,500 $5,000Big Sisters of the Ozarks

Federal tax deduction -28 -140 -280 -700 -1400(assuming 28% tax bracket)

Missouri income tax savings -6 -30 -60 -150 -300(assuming 6% tax bracket)

Additional Missouri income -50 -250 -500 -1250 -2500taxsavingsfromYOPTaxCredit

Donor’s tax savings $84 $420 $840 $2,100 $4,200

Donor’s Out-of-Pocket Costs* $16 $80 $160 $400 $800

*Note: Consult your tax advisor for furtherguidance on how these rules apply to you individually.

Big Brothers Big SistersOffers YOP Tax Credits

of the Ozarks

If interested in learning more about ourYOP Tax Credits, please contact:

Chief Development OfficerSophie Pierpoint

417.889. 9136 x109spierpoint@bigbro.com

24

October 18th, 2012

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, presented by Farm-

ers Insurance, is a dinner auction that pays tribute to the culinary

excellence of local Chefs and restaurants while

raising money to give babies a healthy start in

life. Chefs donated their time and talents to

prepare a gourmet sampling reception of their

unique specialities. Participants included: Tower

Club, University Plaza Hotel & Convention

Center, Fire & Ice, Twilight Grille, the Rebecca

Grille, Bambu Vietnamese Cuisine,

RyMac's Rub and Pub, Brown Egg,

and Gigi's Cupcakes.

Signature Chef Auction

photos: Carla Sandwell

Sunshine Run

Who Benefits: Sunshine Run 2012

The Sunshine Run has been part of Mercyfor 33 years. Launched in 1979, theSunshine Run was one of the area’s firstmajor running events. It has expanded overthe years to include three events: 10Kwalk/run, 5K walk/run and the 1-Mile walk.The purpose of the event goes beyondrace-day activities, to a mission of increasingcommunity awareness and support forphysical fitness and wellness. Proceeds fromthe Sunshine Run benefit the Mercy BurnCenter, the Breast Cancer Foundation of theOzarks, Springfield Public Schools, Spring-field Catholic Schools, Willard Schools,Mercy School of Nursing, Mercy Laboratory

Scholarship Fund and Medical Explorers.

mercy.net

Top Finishers:

female: 31, Springfield, MoHeather B: time: 1:09:57; pace: 00:11:08

male: 34, Springfield, MoKris Gamble: time:1:10:56; pace: 00:11:26

photos:JamesHanson

26

Christmas WishesIn December 2010, a couple weeks before Christmas,I received a frantic phone call from one of my colleagues atChildren’s Division. There were 100 foster children who wouldnot be receiving Christmas gifts and my colleague wondered ifAmbassadors for Children could help. Through the generosityof several donors, we answered that call and a new specializedChristmas effort for foster children was born.

Three years later (and on a much larger scale), Ambassadors forChildren continues to coordinate Christmas gifts for local foster childrenin need. We also coordinate gifts for children in our community at imme-diate risk of foster care placement. Our goal is to ensure every abusedand neglected child has a reason to smile on Christmas morning. This ismade possible through a strong and long standing partnership withGreene County Children’s Division.

We receive Christmas referrals directly from local Child Protective ServicesCaseworkers, which include children’s special preferences, clothing sizes,and wish list items. We then match each child with a local donor, who

blesses them with gifts. We are pleased once again to partner withCrosslines Toystore, KTTS Christmas Crusade, and Murney

Associates Realtors to assist with gifts. In addition, wework with many other donors who “adopt” a youth infoster care for Christmas on an individual basis.

After gifts are collected, Ambassadors for Childrenorganizes a Gift Wrapping Party, which gives com-

munity volunteers the opportunity tohelp wrap the gifts. To know that

you have personally purchasedand/or wrapped a gift that afoster child will open onChristmas morning is over-whelming.

Greene County currently hasapproximately 900 children infoster care, with many morelocal children at immediate riskof foster care placement. Manyof these children live in residen-tial centers, group homes, or

with extended family mem-bers who are unable to

provide gifts.

For these children, who have experiencedmore trauma in their young lives than mostof us will in a lifetime, a few gifts can trulybring hope, worth, dignity and joy. Lastyear, we coordinated nearly 3,000 gifts forover 530 local abused and neglectedchildren. With your help, we are thrilled tomake their Christmas Wishes come trueagain in 2012!

How you can Help:1. Sign-up to “Adopt” a Youth in FosterCare for Christmas (ages 13-21). We providethe wish list, you provide up to 5 gifts orgift value of $100, whichever comes first.

2. Make a special year-end donation to help support this and our other programs for local foster children.

3. Volunteer at our 3rd Annual Gift Wrap-ping Party: Monday, December 17th from9am-5pm (2 hour shifts). Volunteer Regis-tration is required.

4. Donate wrapping supplies (ribbon, gifttags, tape, wrapping paper)

*Contact us at 417-708-0565 or suzzell@ccozarks.org to sign-up or donate today!Monetary Donations can be made payable toAmbassadors for Children (or CCO-AFC) and mailed to:

500 W. Battlefield, Suite B., Springfield, MO 65807.

Sponsor:Mr. & Mrs. William H. Darr

29

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