January Project / Non-Profit Corporation Status 2012

Happy and Blessed 2012 to you all!    The UpCountry Children's Giving Circle had a positive start in 2011,  if you read the last post you saw that 3 projects were funded and 2 are up and running with one more to begin in January.   The mission of the UpCountry Children's Giving Circle is to allow donors  to make monthly micro-donations (as small as $5.00 per month is great!).  We want to build philanthropy among young people and let anyone at any income level participate in the good feeling that comes from giving.   When pooled the micro donations will fund projects to support our at risk and disabled kids in Maui Community.  Our goal is to fund 8 - 10 projects a year.


Our January Project is providing ITunes funds to teachers and speech language pathologists who are using IPADs for their children with Autism. There are some very promising apps that encourage, develop and expand communication for children with Autism. A few select schools have purchased IPADs,  but due to the crazy limitations placed on DOE funds, the teachers and speech language pathologists must use their own money to create and purchase the apps from their own I Tunes accounts. If you received an ITunes gift card for Christmas that is just floating around your purse or desk,  I can put it to good use!  Mail it to me at our address below.  Here is a great article from the NYT that describes the apps that teachers are using: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/finding-good-apps-for-children-with-autism/

Your level of involvement can vary - it is totally up to you.  You may make your donation and get the fun from just reading the posts.  You may provide feedback on project ideas or  you may even take a roll in the operations. 


We are moving on our non-profit corporation status.  But this takes time!   I do not yet have a means for you to donate directly to the UpCountry Children's Giving Circle. But we are continuing to fund projects by either cash donations or by a donor writing a check or making a donation to a particular school or organization that is connected to our project.   If you donated during 2011,  you will be receiving a letter acknowledging your donation before the end of January. 
 
Thanks for reading our posts.  Please post a comment so I know you were here!  
Aloha,  Les 
UpCountry Children's Giving Circle
Lesley Alexander
52 Kuinehe Place
Pukalani 96768

2011 Project Updates

Here are the updates on our UpCountry Children's Giving Circle projects for 2011!  

October 2011  Project - Smoothie Project at King Kekaulike High School.  Teacher Mara Murphy has worked with her students to structure their business plan and intends to have the project operational by end of January 2012.  We may have been premature with our funding, but the money is there waiting for them to be in action .  No photos yet, but as soon as I can I will post them.  

Teacher Michelle Arnold and student harvesting cucumbers. 

November Project - Two areas of support needed for the Intensive Learning Program at Kalama Intermediate School -  2 students received new sports shoes so they could participate in PE. Both boys can excel on the playing field and these shoes gave them incentive to attend school and participate.   

Teacher Michelle Arnold and student with a hefty Zucchini!  

Principal Costales receives the bounty from the garden. 

 The remaining money was used to support the Program's garden.  It was a bumper harvest of cucumbers, zucchini and herbs.

December Project - King Kekaulike has one of the 3 Best Buddies Programs in the state.  Best Buddies is an international program that connects youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities with non-disabled friends. Below is a link to the Hawaii website.  Our Giving Center hosted the group in a Christmas Party held a few days before school got out.
See the photos below of the good times! 

http://www.bestbuddieshawaii.org/site/c.mjJUJ3MOIwE/b.4412013/k.BD07/Home.htm

State Director Michael McCormick in blue T Shirt at the bottom.  

Happy New Year to everyone! Thank you for your love and care.  Updates on our 2012 status coming soon.   Hugs, Lesley