We need foster & adoptive parents in Greene County! Find out how you can make a difference for abused & neglected children by opening your heart and home.

Our programs relieve the financial strain upon foster parents and the state provides compensation as well. This is a free event!


November 2, 2010 from 6-8pm
Schweitzer United Methodist Church
2747 E. Sunshine, Springfield, MO

Serving More Kids

We are serving 11% more foster children through our Kid's Clothes Closet than last year (which was a record setting year for us)! This makes sense, considering the number of foster children from Greene County has risen to over 900 this month.

Anyone can help & here are 2 main ways:

• Support our local Caseworkers by adopting one of them through our Adopt-a-Caseworker program. Your support helps ease their stress as they work with a very large caseload. Remember...these Caseworkers help the families, they don't "take" kids away. Children's Division does not have the legal authority to place a child in foster care, they simply manage the child's case after they are placed.
  

• Donate brand new children's winter clothing and new winter coats of all sizes to help keep our Kid's Clothes Closet restocked.
  

Although Greene County does have high rates of child abuse & neglect, we are not the highest in Missouri. According to 2009 data, Greene County ranks 4th in the state for the number of children in foster care (source: Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division 2009 Annual Report).

More 180 Film Fest Pics

Kelly Ennis, Leslie Boughton & Sondra Uzzell pose while cleaning up after the event









Volunteer Kelly Ennis strikes a pose with the table centerpieces!









The Child Care Resource & Referral staff are all smiles!






A couple volunteers help Richard Virnig (center) load the John Deere riding mower that was purchased at the Live Auction

180 Film Fest Photos!!

We had a blast putting on the 1st Annual 180 Film Festival!
Check out these photos of staff & volunteers:-)

(Sondra Uzzell & Anne Schubert at the Ambassadors for Children Reverse Auction Display)

Halloween Fun

Check out our dedicated Advisory Committee members (Connie Condict, Mary Casada & Karenanne Miller) putting together Halloween Goody bags for Greene County child protective caseworkers!

We included a "goulish" note to remind them of our programs & show some appreciation! This type of creative marketing will take place quarterly with the seasons/holidays. We are excited & the Caseworkers LOVE them!

Breaking Service Records!!

We are breaking service records again for the 2nd straight year!

• Over 350 foster children served through the Kid's Clothes Closet in 2010
  Winter Coats needed (brand new only)
  

• Over 110 Project Self-Esteem requests for foster children in 2010

180 Film Festival & Auction THIS Saturday!!

THIS Saturday, October 9th 5-8pm @ Remington's on Republic Road

Come one, come all to this fundraiser to benefit Ambassadors for Children and 7 other operating agencies of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks!

Featuring:

• Film Premieres (180 seconds each)
• People's Choice film award (you get to vote!)
  
• Food catered by HuHot Mongolian Grill (also including hot dogs, popcorn, cookies & drinks)
  
• Live Auction (John Deere riding mower, David Yurman bracelet, Puerta Vallarta Getaway & More!)
• Reverse Auction (you get to purchase items WE need to provide our services)
• Door Prizes
• Prizes for those who make Donations through the Reverse Auction
• Kid's Zone (crafts, face painting, childrens donation area)

4 Easy Ways to get tickets

1. Council of Churches office (Glenstone & Chestnut Expressway, behind El Maguey restaurant)
2. Lifeway Christian Store (by Shoe Carnival in the Primrose Marketplace)
3. Online at www.ccozarks.org
4. Purchase tickets at the door!