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"I got the job!!!!"
wrote Peter of Houston, Texas, to Career Gear Houston, a Gifts In Kind
community charity. "Without a penny to my name you accepted me and I was
in professional attire within minutes. Your assistance has lifted my self
esteem to another level. I walked into an interview with top managers of a
company, and I was able to close the deal on a new career with much needed
confidence." Peter is one of many
success stories for Career Gear Houston. In 2005, Career Gear Houston
helped more than 250 economically disadvantaged job-seeking men by
providing them with interview appropriate clothing and accessories. These
men received shirts, ties, shoes, and suits from our wonderful donor
Men's Wearhouse. In all, charities in
19 states and the District of Columbia received Men's Wearhouse products
last year. Organizations included those that provided relief and
assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina, hospice centers, work-training
programs, shelters, and transitional housing for families in
crisis. Once again, Peter's
story proves that things many of us take for granted can change the lives
of countless less-fortunate individuals. As a committed Gifts In Kind
donor, please always remember that your company's donations (like those of
Men's Wearhouse) have an incredible, positive impact on communities and
people in need. As the front cover of our 2005 Annual Report states, "Eliminating poverty is not a hopeless task at all. We just need to organize and mobilize the resources, will, and abundance of our society to serve the poor and needy." Together, Gifts In Kind and your company are creating a better world for so many people. Thanks for your continued support! Sincerely, Richard Wong, President and CEO Gifts In Kind International | ||
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During the past year,
more than 1.7 million children in Canada gained access to computer
technology thanks to IBM's Canada Technology Grant Program. IBM donated
ThinkCentres, Young Explorers programs, and ThinkPads to charities and
schools. The program serves
community and family service organizations, early learning programs, and
youth education/youth development efforts. In addition, adult services and
programs that support seniors and the disadvantaged also can participate.
More than 130 organizations in eight provinces received donations in
2005. The program had a
profound impact on schools. "Youth Without Shelter will be opening its new
stay in school program this fall," wrote Wendy Horton, executive director
of the organization. "The goal of the program is to provide a safe, stable
and supportive housing environment for homeless youth to enable them to
focus on achieving their educational goals. To accomplish this we will
provide the youth with the skills and tools necessary to complete high
school or gain additional post- secondary education. The computers from
IBM will allow us to create a computer lab for our residents-- something
that is a necessary tool for their success." "IBM's efforts go
beyond 'checkbook philanthropy' by providing technological assistance to
non-profits," said Richard Wong, president and CEO of Gifts In Kind
International. "As a global technology provider, IBM wants to ensure that
the benefits of the digital age reach an ever-increasing number of people
and focus on building educational opportunities for people in underserved
communities. Gifts In Kind International applauds IBM's efforts to help
bridge this gap, and we are proud to be partnered with a company that is a
leader in corporate philanthropy." Since 1996, IBM has
donated more than 25,000 new and 10,000 refurbished computers through
Gifts In Kind to charities and schools in more than 50 countries. This
work included setting up critical computer centers and communication
during the 911, Katrina, and Southeast Asia Tsunami
disasters. "Nonprofit
organizations perform some of the most vital work in thousands of
communities across the U.S.," said Paula Baker, vice president of global
community initiatives and vice president of IBM International Foundation.
"And yet, they often lack the basic technology resources required to
deliver better services and respond more rapidly and effectively. Our
long-term collaboration with Gifts In Kind International enables IBM to
deliver new technology and refurbished equipment donations to those
grassroots organizations most in need of these vitally important tools of
modern technology."
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Gifts In Kind
International is joining with leading national business associations to
form a coalition and develop a disaster preparedness
plan. The goal of the
"United in Preparedness" plan is to implement an efficient process through
which urgently needed product donations can be expediently distributed to
communities and victims stricken by disasters, manmade or natural. The
group wants to provide a proactive, well-organized effort rather than a
reactive, less-effective response, according to coalition
members. Organizations
attending the kick-off summit on June 28 at Gifts In Kind headquarters
included the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Association of
Home Appliance Manufacturers, International Sanitary Supply Association,
National Association of Home Builders, National Retail Federation,
National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Public Affairs
Council, Soap and Detergent Association, and SGMA
International. Hurricane Katrina and
other recent natural disasters demonstrated the urgent need for
preparation, collaboration, and communication," said Richard Wong,
president and CEO of Gifts In Kind. "The weather forecasts call for
another active hurricane season, this time possibly in even more populated
areas. Our country also is challenged by many other possible disasters,
such as tornadoes, wild fires, flooding, and earthquakes. Businesses and
charities need to join forces to be ready to help communities and people
in need when we experience another tragedy." The "United in
Preparedness" coalition will respond to disasters by:
For more information,
contact Ginny Royal at (703) 299-7550 or
vroyal@giftsinkind.org.
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Gifts In Kind
International's 2005 Annual Report is now available
on-line. The report includes
features on some of Gifts In Kind's committed corporate partners,
financial statements, a complete list of 2005 donors, letters from our
Board Chairman and President/CEO, and a summary of our Hurricane Katrina
efforts. "Last year was an
unprecedented time for Gifts In Kind in terms of organizational
realignment and need for our services," said Richard Wong, president and
CEO. "We thank our committed corporate partners for their incredible
support. Together, we distributed a record $850 million in new products to
community charities across the country and around the world, helping
millions of people in need." Printed copies of the
2005 Annual Report have been mailed to all donors. Additional copies can
be obtained by contacting Dennis Smith at
dsmith@giftsinkind.org.
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Thank You,
Gap! "Most of our students come from families that are new immigrants to this country and are struggling just to make ends meet. The children were thrilled to have something to hug and call their own. At lunchtime I saw them trying to feed their teddy bears, I saw boys and girls hugging and talking to them in the hallway, and reading to them in class...YOU REALLY MADE THEIR DAY AND MINE! Again thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Barbara Rosenblatt,
Parent Education, Miami-Dade County Public School, Miami,
Fla. | ||
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"As a key
philanthropic partner, Gifts In Kind provides HP with an efficient and
cost-effective method of fulfilling our product delivery commitments to
our major U.S. grant program recipients, as well as nonprofits and schools
in our local HP communities." Bess McDowell
Stephens, HP's vice president and global director of corporate
philanthropy. | ||
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CONTACT: Barbara Florence, Vice President of Donor Development Gifts In Kind
International email: bflorence@giftsinkind.org
phone: (703) 836-2121
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