Thursday, July 13, 2006

USA Cares Snapshot - 7.13.06

USA Cares
As a 501(c)(3) organization that began in March of 2003, USA Cares has answered the call for assistance from over 2,730 military members or their families across America and provided or located over $1,516,977 of support, all in the form of grants.

USA Cares is funded through the generous contributions from corporations, organizations and individuals and continues to sustain a 94 percent plus ratio of mission dollars.

USA Cares in Action (as of 7.13.06):
Assisted 2,730 military members or families in 50 states and 7 other territories
188 cases pending
Assisted 919 national guard/reserve with $643,712 in support
Homeownership Preservation Foundation Support: $218,055.92 - 58 homes saved - 28 states
Average 38.0 new calls a week
238 outreach contacts nationwide
67 media contacts nationwide

Largest donations received:
$1M CA Community Foundation (Anonymous Donor, Dec 05)
$400,000 Homeownership Preservation Foundation (Nov 05)
$15,000 Fred Hartley Foundation (Feb 04, Feb 05)
$25,400 Private donor
$25,000 Distillery Industry (Feb 05)
$25,000 Pioneer Services & Associates (Nov 05)
$25,000 National Veteran’s Service Fund (Nov 05)
$15,000 Prilosec (American Freedom Foundation, Nov 05)
$15,000 Fred L Hartley Family Foundation (Sept 05)

Major needs provided:
Mortgage Repair 31.9%
Housing 18.9%
Utilities 13.6%
Food 10.5%

New Information:
I Care Too! was mentioned in USA Today! The campaign has seen a jump in orders since then.

Key Points:
Primarily a volunteer organization
All branches of services are supported

Awards or Recognition:
Neilson Media gifted USA Cares $10,000 in media presentation and USA Cares first official alliance was formed (June 2006)
USA Cares, its staff, and its volunteers recognized on the Commonwealth of Kentucky Senate Floor in a Senate Motion filed by Senator Elizabeth Tori (March 2006)
Volunteer personally recognized by the President of the United States with Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Jan 2006)
Governor of Kentucky (Volunteer Org 2005)
Association of the United States Army (Special Project Award)
Radcliff Chamber of Commerce (Community Service Award-Stradley)
Republic Bank “We Care” 2005 Award Winner (Small business-Bedrock)

Special Projects:
Operation Brave Boxer (Spring 06)
Collect boxers and undershirts for soldiers at Walter Reed.
I Care Too! (Winter 06 and on-going)
Goal: to sell 165,000 t-shirts and post pictures on website
Benefit: Outreach, Public Awareness and Strengthening of USA Cares by raising money to cover all operational costs
Operation Slugger (Spring 05)
13 tons of sporting equipment to Iraq/Kuwait/Afghanistan
Partners: Louisville Slugger/DHL/ AUSA/Republic Bank/APL Shipping
Fort Knox AUSA Award Streamer (2005)
Operation Lapwrap (Summer 05)
1,100 handmade quilts to wounded Soldiers
Delivered to Walter Reed & Fort Sam Houston
Partner: Operation First Response
Operation Southern Care (Fall 05)
Tractor trailer of clothing sent to Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans
Partners: Hardin Transport/Helen’s Flowers/ Hardin County NAACP