Community Outreach

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

2320 Pine Street St. Louis, MO 63103

February 4^th 9AM

Man's best friend needs your help! Stray Rescue of St. louis will have two shifts each day so the morning of 2/4 for us to help their facility. For each shift, all of our dogs get walked and apartments cleaned. With over 150 dogs, it takes many volunteers to accomplish this task and now that the weather is cooler, the more volunteers we have… the longer the walks the dogs receive which is a big plus for them.

Important items to remember -

Wear comfortable clothes/tennis shoes (no sandals, flip flops, etc)
Leave valuables at home or locked in the trunk of your car
Free parking is available on Pine Street in front of our building, or on the Pear Tree Inn surface lot (entrance on 23rd)

For more information on Stray Rescue of St. Louis please vist http://strayrescue.org/

KidSmart

The September 2011 meeting philanthropy effort is KidSmart, an organization that has provided $20 million dollars of free school supplies to more than 45,000 economically disadvantaged children in the St. Louis area. Donations from individuals and businesses help keep the shelves of KidSmart's Free Store stocked with everything from crayons, markers and glue to business surplus items such as binders, envelopes and promotional items. Community volunteers stock the shelves, manage the inventory and keep the free store running every day. The supplies are distributed through teachers who shop KidSmart's Free Store once a month. After shopping, these teachers distribute the materials directly into the hands of the students that need it most. Schools where 70% or more of the children are on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, a national poverty index, qualify to shop at KidSmart.

With the help of MPI St. Louis, KidSmart can paint a bright tomorrow for thousands of St. Louis children in need. Please bring your monetary donations and/or school supplies to the September 9th monthly luncheon at Busch Stadium.

Read more about KidSmart on their website: www.kidsmartstl.org

Lift For Life Academy

The March 2011 meeting philanthropy effort is Lift For Life Academy which opened in 2000 as the first independent charter middle school in St. Louis. When LFLA opened it often served as the school of last resort for students who had “fallen through the cracks” in public schools. Many read well below their grade level, some had learning disabilities not properly addressed, and some just didn’t see the point of going to school. Fast forward to today – statistics show the school’s non-traditional approach to learning reflects success!

LFLA is slowly adding high school classes with the ultimate goal of a 6^th through 12^th grade by Fall 2011. Due to the hard work and dedication of LFLA educators, daily attendance averages over 95 percent. By 8th grade, LFLA students’ average scale scores are better than St. Louis and Kansas City charter schools and St. Louis public schools. As for LFLA high school students, when compared to other area public high schools, LFLA students outperform all others in Algebra I, Math and Communication Arts.

It’s a great institution making a big difference in the lives of St. Louis area kids! Check out their website www.liftforlifeacademy.org.

Thankyou letter from Lift for Life

Soles4Souls®

The January 2011 meeting philanthropy effort is Soles4Souls®. They collects, recycles and reuses shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of individuals like you. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 13 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds) to people in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Those who graciously give (rather than destroy) unused inventory are assured their donations are distributed to people around the world living in desperate need. Donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org or www.clothes4souls.org for more information.

Thankyou letter from Sole4Souls

Heartland Humane Society of Missouri

The October 2010 meeting philanthropy effort is Heartland Humane Society of Missouri is a non-profit group of dedicated foster homes that gives abandoned, abused, and unwanted animals another chance for loving, permanent homes through their adoption program, following the no-kill philosophy. They help reduce pet overpopulation in the community through collaboration with veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and supportive individuals and organizations by providing affordable spay/neuter procedures and humane education. Heartland Humane Society of Missouri is funded by adoption fees, donations, fundraising events, grants, and tributes. For more information or to become a foster home, please visit www.heartlandhumanemo.homestead.com.

KidSmart

The September 2010 meeting philanthropy effort is KidSmart, a non-profit organization that helps area youth succeed by supplying them with basic school supplies like pencils, paper and crayons. All in-kind and monetary donations will be accepted at our September 17^th Educational Meeting. Follow the link from the SLAMPI home page (mpistlouis.org) to learn more about this great organization! h ttp://www.kidsmartstl.org.

Foundation for Children with Cancer

The April 2010 meeting philanthropy effort is the Foundation for Children with Cancer. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing support for children throughout their cancer treatment and provides financial support for the children and their families. One in every 330 Americans develops cancer before the age of 20. It can strike any individual at any given time with no warning, causing both emotional and financial difficulties for the victims as well as their loved ones. One in every four of these cases will not survive the fight. For the others, there is still a chance, and that is why the Foundation for Children with Cancer is here. The Foundation for Children with Cancer will gladly accept your monetary donations. For more information, please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org or call 314-843-9300.

The Women's Safe House

The March 2010 meeting philanthropy effort is The Women’s Safe House, who provides shelter and support services to battered women and their children while helping them make informed choices regarding their futures. Donations of clothes, toiletries, baby items, etc. will gladly be accepted. For more information on needed items, please visit http://twsh.org/wishlist.html.

St. Louis Area Foodbank

The February 2010 meeting philanthropy effort is the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Established in 1975, has grown to become the Bi-State region's largest non-profit 501(c)3 food distribution center dedicated to feeding those in need. Its mission is to feed hungry people by distributing food through their partner agencies, and educate the public about the nature of and solutions to the problems of hunger. St. Louis Area Foodbank gathers and distributes millions of pounds of food and personal care items each year thanks to the generous support of hundreds of food manufacturers, retailers, corporate and community food drives, and financial support received from foundations, corporations, businesses, and individuals. Please visit http://www.stlfoodbank.org/