Organize a fundraising event
- Individual adults, children and youths as well as community organizations, businesses, schools and individual classrooms have found remarkable ways of raising funds and gathering educational supplies to the benefit of the children HCEF serves. Many businesses have Charity Days or Jeans Days. Many businesses will match their employees' contributions. Some businesses have engaged their customers in the fund raising.
Weston Lyon threw himself a "30th Birthday Charity Bash." In lieu of gifts, he asked guests to make donations to HCEF. A raffle – with 2 tickets for the Steelers vs. Raiders game as the prize – raised additional funds in support of HCEF's work, and Weston made a generous donation of his own – this in honor of his guests.
- Is there a special project you or an organization with which you are affiliated would like to organize on HCEF's behalf? We invite you to click on the sidebar button link to our Project Proposal Form or to call us at 412-562-0154. We are eager to know what you have in mind and to work with you as necessary.
- Fund raisers and projects initiated by individual children, classrooms, entire schools and youth organizations are specially recognized on our honor roll of Winnie's All-Stars: Kids Helping Kids.
- Because of a thriving relationship with Scholastic, Inc. and Barnes & Noble Books, we have a steady supply of brand new books for all ages and need no donations of books whether new or used.. We recommend the collection of NEW and UNUSED art, music, and basic classroom supplies. These are quickly used up and are very much appreciated by the HCEF Learning Center staffs.
Contribute as an individual
- Make a personal contribution to HCEF and invite colleagues and friends to match your gift.
- Designate a contribution through United Way Contributor's Choice #963315.
- Donate to HCEF through Pittsburgh Gives. Enter "Homeless Children's Education Fund" or simply "HCEF" in the Organization Name box, upper right on the Pittsburgh Gives home page.
- Encourage the business for which you work to serve as a corporate sponsor of our annual Champions for Children Benefit.
- Participate in the Gear for Grades drive from July through the first week of August each year by purchasing ballpoint and felt pens, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, 3-hole notebook paper, rulers, and glue sticks and dropping them off at any Citizens Bank office. The HCEF office accepts only new LARGE sized backpacks for older kids and those only from July through the first week of August..
Build community awareness
- Heighten your own understanding of the issues. See HCEF's answers to frequently asked questions about the day-to-day lives of children who are homeless and explore the informative on-line resources we recommend.
- Talk with these children.
- Encourage the middle school your child or children attend or your church youth group to follow the example of the Department of Education for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Each year during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (mid-November), the Diocese sponsors an essay and poster contest on children's homelessness. Winning and honorable mention entries are posted on this website by mid-December..
- See Winnie's All-Stars for examples of the thoughtful ways in which children and youths are raising awareness and funds for HCEF.
Attend or initiate special events benefiting HCEF
Donate needed supplies directly to a homeless housing agency near you
- Most of them have websites, and links to these and to a map showing their locations are available on our resources page.
Encourage friends and associates to visit this website. Awareness and understanding of the challenges faced daily by children caught up in homelessness is a first step to understanding their plight and their challenges.
Don't hesitate to call the HCEF office with any questions or for more information.
412-562-0154
(8/14/10)
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