Hello everyone,
Wow! It has been a busy and productive day! First, Stacey Inglis, Milton’s Finance Manager, informed me that we’ve received our first cash donation of $500 from one of our own MVP’s and fellow Committee Member, Carl Krauth and his wife. Thanks so much to the Krauth’s for their generous gift, which will go a long way in purchasing much needed items for the firehouses.
Next, the Crooked Creek resident that donated the 37″ TV last week, forwarded the Press Release and Wish List to their Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, who sent it out to all their residents. This generated an immediate donation of a stationary bike and treadmill, but they are also working on a neighborhood drop-off location and extra hands and trucks for D-Day. I’m sure with this kind of support, there is more to come from Crooked Creek!
Today, I met with Melissa Lagoo, Branch Manager of SunTrust Bank at Birmingham Crossroads, who recently joined our committee. We brainstormed for about an hour and came up with a multitude of ways in which she wants to help:
- They will post the Press Release & Wish List in the branch and the tellers will mention it to their customers. They are going to encourage Cash donations in the form of Visa Gift Cards, which customers can purchase at the branch and they will hold for us to pick up. These can then be used by the City to purchase items that remain on the list after April 27 when in-kind donations are ended.
- Melissa is going to spread the word during her business development meetings with local residents and business owners to solicit their support.
- She is working with the SunTrust Marketing Department to determine what type of in-kind donation they may be able to make. One thought was for office supplies, desk accessories, etc.
- As mentioned in an earlier update, Melissa is going to discuss the possibility of storage space with their leasing agent, but in the meantime has a small storeroom in her branch that can be used as a drop-off/holding area for small items donated by their customers.
I feel very strongly that we should express our personal thanks to our Corporate Donors, so please let me know when you receive something and I will put it in the update. These businesses deserve our recognition and patronage for their involvement. So, the next time you’re near Birmingham Crossroads, please stop in to visit the brand new SunTrust Bank and let them know that we appreciate their community mindedness and support. SunTrust Visa Gift Cards are available all year and make great gifts that “fit” everyone, so keep them in mind when thinking of wedding, birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Graduation gifts! They also have some Grand Opening Special Rates on CD’s which are only available at their branch, so check it out.
Finally, some very dear friends of mine informed me this afternoon that they want to make quite a sizeable contribution of NEW items as follows:
- 2 Microwave Ovens (this will give us 3 total, so Hickory Flat will also be getting one!)
- At least one Television (not sure of the size yet)
- 3 Paper Shredders (one for each station)
- Small Table Lamps for the bunk areas and captain’s rooms
- Exercise Equipment including bench and free weights
- 2 Sets of Dishes (service of 8 each)
And, they may have more items once they check their inventory against our Wish List!!!! Needless to say, I was touched and overwhelmed by their generosity. I will let you know what other items they will be adding.
Attached is an updated Wish List with today’s donations, including a place for Cash received at City Hall. Stacey will send me periodic updates as the Cash Fund grows, so if you receive Cash Contributions, please let me know and then forward them on to City Hall, along with the Cash Donation Checklist, as previously discussed. I will use Stacey’s figures as the “offical” count so we don’t get confused with duplicate entries.
Also, since we have received a variety of Exercise Equipment, I have made a separate list at the end of Page 2 to note the different types. As this is an important item for all 3 stations, I will coordinate with the City to determine when we have enough to consider this FILLED and they can determine where to place which equipment so that each station has something.
Whew, that was longer than I expected but as I mentioned at the outset, it was a busy day! Keep me posted on your progress!
Many thanks,
Jan
