[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 146 (Monday, November 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2283]]
                       NATIONAL PHILANTHROPHY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 7, 2005

  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, in anticipation of National Philanthropy Day, 
I rise to draw attention to the generosity of the American people and 
the organizations that work to give hope and help to so many in our 
country. National Philanthropy Day is recognized by the Association of 
Fundraising Professionals on November 15.
  More specifically, I rise today in recognition of the many 
Missourians who give selflessly of their time, talent and finances to 
assist neighbors in need as well as victims of poverty, natural 
disaster and conflict. I commend the good work of the volunteers and 
staff of non-profit organizations and the financial donors who 
underwrite their efforts.
  According to a study by the U.S. Department of Labor and Purdue 
University, more than 30 percent of Missourians volunteered their time 
in 2003. The paid staff of charitable organizations should be commended 
highly for their good work. However, most would agree that they simply 
could not do what they do without the hearts, minds and hands of 
dedicated volunteers.
  So, today, I recognize not only the organizations but the people who 
brighten the days of those in need. It was Theodore Roosevelt who 
charged all of our fellow citizens to ``Do what you can, with what you 
have, where you are.'' Many of my constituents in the St. Louis area 
are doing just that.
  Following is a small sampling of the numerous charitable 
organizations doing great things in and around Missouri's Second 
Congressional District. Each of these charities has distinguished 
itself in a variety of ways and should be commended for its good work 
in the St. Louis area. Their sacrifice and compassion is building a 
better society for all, and we all are in their debt.
  Boone Center, www.boonecenter.com. BCI is a St. Charles County non-
profit organization committed to providing employment opportunities for 
adults with disabilities. Established in 1959 as a one-employee candle 
making shop, Boone Center now employs over 200 adults with 
disabilities.
  Catholic Charities of St. Louis, www.ccstl.org. A federation of 12 
agencies and more than 100 programs providing services to people in 
need including housing services, elder and child day care programs, 
substance abuse recovery, legal assistance, foster care, emergency 
shelter and community outreach programs just to name a few. Last year 
they provided direct services to more than 111,000 individuals.
  Connections to Success, www.connectionstosuccess.org. An organization 
which defines itself as devoted to breaking the cycle of poverty one 
family at a time. Programs include; Dress for Success, Professional 
Women's Group, Wheels for Success, Wheels of Hope and a faith-based 
mentoring program.
  Extra Hands for ALS, www.extrahands.org. Based in St. Louis, Extra 
Hands for ALS is a national voluntary service charity assisting people 
with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Extra Hands partners high 
school and college students with families affected with an ALS 
diagnosed individual to assist them in everyday tasks.
  Joyce Meyer Ministries World Outreach, http://www.joycemeyer.org/
proiects/wo_sub/index.php. Provides humanitarian aid to the world's 
poor and in response to natural disaster such as the recent tsunami. 
Assistance includes personal items such as food, water, clothing, 
hygiene items, and items necessary for rebuilding communities such as 
boats, bicycles and sewing machines.
  KidSmart, http://www.kidsmartstl.org/, KidSmart works to provide 
children and their classrooms with the basic tools for learning by 
transferring, at no cost, the community's surplus supplies and 
merchandise into the hands of teachers for school children in need.
  Mercy Ministries, http://www.mercyministries.org/, Mercy Ministries 
is a full-time residential care ministry for young women who are 
struggling with life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, 
depression, abuse, and chemical dependency. Each girl stays free-of-
charge. She comes voluntarily and spends, on average, six months in the 
home as she deals with the underlying causes of her difficulties.
  Mission Gate Prison Ministry, www.missiongateministrv.org, Provides 
residential guidance and counseling to 75 former alcoholics, drug users 
and convicts in both S1. Louis after -care and Fort Good Shepherd 
Ranch. They also provide evangelistic services in prisons and shelters 
and the Christmas Angel mission reaching thousands of prisoners' 
children with gifts, the gospel of Christ and church referral.
  Pregnancy Resource Center, http://www.prcmo.net/index.php, The 
Pregnancy Resource Center provides support and counseling to pregnant 
women and girls including free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, 
counseling, parenting education, mentoring programs for men and 
essential items for newborns. Women are also referred for prenatal 
care, which is often their first contact with a healthcare provider.
  Service International, www.serviceinternational.org, Service 
International (SI) works in the U.S. and abroad, working to empower 
individuals and communities in crisis by providing leadership training, 
volunteer coordination, medical care, materials and supplies, and 
hands-on rebuilding. SI brings fresh hope and tangible help through 
sustained recovery, with the goal of honoring God and helping people.
  Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, http://www.crisisnurserykids.com/, Works 
to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing emergency intervention, 
respite care and support to families in crisis through short-term care 
for young children, helping families resolve crisis, offering ongoing 
support and education to families, providing community outreach and 
awareness, and advocating for children and families.
  Saint Patrick Center, www.stpatrickcenter.org, Saint Patrick Center 
has impacted the lives of more than 65,000 homeless persons and is 
recognized nationally for programs that help individuals and families 
move from homelessness to independence in measurable, costeffective 
ways. The Center serves 10,000 individuals and families annually.
  These organizations could not function effectively without the 
support of individual donors and philanthropic grantmakers. Mother 
Teresa said, ``To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in 
it.'' Donors give staff and volunteers the financial tools that they 
need to do the charitable work to which they are committed.
  Some of the key foundations fueling charitable organizations in St. 
Louis include: Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Boeing-McDonnell Foundation, 
The Crawford Taylor Foundation, Daughters of Charity Foundation, Deer 
Creek Foundation, Emerson Charitable Trust, Employees Community Fund of 
Boeing-St. Louis, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Lutheran Foundation of 
St. Louis, Monsanto Fund, National Children's Cancer Society, Inc., and 
the St. Louis Cardinals Community Fund.
  The charities and grantmakers mentioned in this statement are just 
examples of the thousands of American NGO's endeavoring to improve the 
lives of others both at home and abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to reflect on the hard work and 
dedication of so many who take to heart the words of Scripture, ``It is 
more blessed to give than to receive'' (Acts 20:35). It is with 
admiration and respect that I commend the charitable community for 
stepping in to provide aid to the most vulnerable among us.

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