Thursday, May 23, 2013

12th Annual VAC Spring Into Action: The Reveal

May 21, 2013 ~ A few months back I was approached by Shawn Barnes and Lin Teasley about a new campaign for Voluntary Action Center in Columbia, MO. As I listened to their idea and vision I was impressed and excited. I told them to "Count me in!" and I would be happy to help! I was the first person they had really talked to about this and after hearing some of the names of other people they would ask I knew this would be an awesome campaign!

I got to go to LG Patterson's studio (those of you in Columbia, MO are probably very familiar with LG's photos and if you aren't, all I can say is AWESOME! He is great to work with and I love his creative style!) and get suited up! We did a few different things to find the perfect shot! First up I had shoulder pads on with a red guitar and totally rocked some major air on that baby! Next up was the football helmet with a trumpet! I totally felt like Lucile Ball while acting like I knew how to play the dang thing! Totally cracking up! Then lastly we did just the helmet with a big ol' tiger roar and this is what you got! I love the picture because it's just me and my crazy fun self! Great job LG!

So, you have told me a lot about the campaign and what fun it was to take pictures but what the heck are you doing now? one might ask....

The campaign is a calendar of dedicated community members that highlight 12 of the services that the Voluntary Action Center provides through out our community. (They provide more than 12 services but they wanted to just focus on these services for this campaign)This is a very fun campaign to help raise funds for these services that are so important to so many.

So what can you do to help?

Let me tell you.... this is the exciting part! From now until August 15, 2013 you have an opportunity to vote for your favorite month (you know.... Mrs. November) by going to the following Voluntary Action Center website http://www.vacmo.org/covervote/ and scroll down to see the various pictures and description of the services they represent in this calendar. Then you have a "Buy Now" icon and just above it you type in your choice (example: Michele Spry)! Each $1.00 that you give equals 1 vote. So if you donate $20 you would give that person 20 votes or $100 would equal 100 votes. (hint, hint) 

The person with the most "votes" will win a second photo (different then the pictures you see) on the cover of the calendar! I don't know about you but I would love to see another photo from my photo shoot! 

Alright folks.... on a serious note.... I really would love your vote but the truth is that we are all in this together to try and help raise funds for Voluntary Action Center in Columbia, MO and help those that need it most. I will list the calendar in order and you choose which one you like best (please see Mrs. November and then stare at it until it's burned into your brain and repeat after me.... Michele Spry..... Michele Spry...... Michele Spry...... Ok now please click on the following link http://www.vacmo.org/covervote/ , scroll down until you see "Buy Now" and in the blank line above type the following.... Michele Spry and "Buy Now", enter the amount of money you would like to donate (which will equal the number of votes Mrs. November will receive) and then tell your friends to read this very informational blog post! 

Thanks y'all! 

Bob Burchard - Mr. January
Bob Burchard is a winner on and off the court. “People need to vote for me because I don’t like to lose!” he said. As the director of athletics and men’s basketball coach at Columbia College, Bob coaches his teams to victory, and as a friend of VAC, he represents the prescription assistance program.
Through this program, VAC provides help and hope in Boone County by covering the costs of clients’ medications. “Access to prescriptions and medical equipment is vital to healthy living,” said Bob. “VAC provides an incredible service and resource for our community!”

Kat Cunningham - Ms. February
Kat Cunningham, president of Moresource Inc., says that her life goal, like VAC’s goal, is “to help individuals, children, and families in need.” Sometimes the first way to help people is to provide them with the basics. When someone is low on shampoo, toilet paper, toothpaste, or soap, VAC can provide a hygiene pack — everything needed to get squeaky clean.  
Kat is proud to represent this service, and she’s eager for your vote. “Every person in our community has the ability to give, whether of their time or treasure!” said Kat. “So, what say you, Kat got your vote?”

 Don Stamper - Mr. March
Don Stamper, lobbyist at Stamper Consulting, is a car enthusiast. “If it has four wheels and moves, I like it,” he said. But in order to move, cars need gas! Don represents VAC’s gas assistance program, which provides gasoline for those traveling to doctor’s appointments or work. 
“In many cases, VAC is the link to elevating people out of crisis,” Don said. “My hope is to support VAC so they can continue to support those in need.”

Paul Land - Mr. April
Paul Land, owner of Plaza Commercial Realty, has made a living helping businesses find the perfect place to call home, and he knows the importance of homes for families as well.
“Housing is critical and basic. Without housing, you can’t do greater tasks in life,” said Paul, who represents VAC’s rental assistance program. This program works to prevent eviction by helping those who have gotten behind on rent or need financial assistance to move to a new location.
“It’s great to be a part of a team in the inaugural year and for a great cause,” Paul said of his participation in this calendar campaign.

Vicky Riback Wilson - Ms. May
Vicky and VAC go way back. Her mother, Hazel Riback, was one of the founders! Vicky represents VAC’s uniform program. A new job can bring hope and a fresh start. But when new jobs call for new uniforms, the expenses may be too high for many families. VAC provides vouchers to cover those uniform costs. “We talk a lot about the importance of having a job, sometimes forgetting that there are unanticipated barriers and expenses,” Vicky said. “I am proud to support a service that helps remove at least one of those barriers so that people can become and remain employed.”

Joe Moseley - Mr. June
Joe Moseley, Vice President of Public Affairs at Shelter Insurance, is proud to represent VAC’s Air Conditioner Exchange and Summer Fan Program. “Heat and humidity are significant problems for members of our community who can least tolerate them and can least afford to address those problems,” Joe said.
Through the programs Joe represents, local low-income families and individuals can receive new fans for free and can exchange old or broken AC units for new, more efficient ones. Talk about cool.

 Mayor Bob McDavid - Mr. July
Ho ho ho! Columbia’s Mayor is representing VAC’s Christmas in July event! VAC puts on this Christmas-themed picnic — complete with a visit from Santa — for local families. It serves as a reminder that Santa may be seasonal, but local needs are not.
“This event has been held at my church for many years and is a fun activity for families to attend during the heat of the summer,” said Mayor McDavid. “Donations of church members and local businesses make it all possible. It is also an important fundraiser for VAC.”
“Your vote for me will be a vote for all of those who believe in the miracle of Santa Claus. Let’s enable VAC to raise record funds needed to provide services to low-income families.”

Dr. Chris Belcher - Mr. August
 Dr. Chris Belcher, Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, knows all about what students need for a great education. “I’ve been an educator for more than 30 years.  I have witnessed the impact of limited resources on children and families,” Chris said. That’s why he’s representing the school supplies program, which provides the items students need to be excited and prepared for each new year. From crayons to calculators, this program has them covered.

Teresa Rouse Maledy - Ms. September
Teresa Maledy, President and CEO of the Central Missouri Region Commerce Bank, is proud to represent VAC’s Warm-Up Columbia, an annual drive that ensures that local families and individuals will have the coats, blankets, and other items they need to stay toasty each winter.
Since 2007, Commerce Bank has partnered with VAC and served as a collection channel for the warm items collected for this drive. “Many Commerce Bank employees and customers contribute each year, and we are really proud we help make a difference in our community,” Teresa said. “I’ll admit I’m a bit competitive, so I do hope that folks will vote for me and the Warm-Up Columbia campaign!”

 Cathy Scroggs - Ms. October
Cathy Scroggs, MU Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, doesn’t take diapering teddy bears lightly, which is why she’s serious about representing VAC’s diaper and formula service. “People don’t know how much it costs to diaper a baby, much less feed them!” Cathy said. (She would know. She’s done it twice.)
Cathy, who serves on VAC’s board of directors, shares VAC’s hope that every local child will stay happy and healthy. Why vote for her? “I want to make a ton of money for the families we serve,” she said. “That’s why this campaign is really important.”

 Michele Spry - Ms. November
Michele Spry represents VAC’s Youth Enrichment Fund, which enables kids to participate in sports, the arts, and other activities that provide them with invaluable life skills and lessons. Through this fund, VAC assists low-income families with fees for sport programs, camps, college applications and tests, summer school, fine arts classes, and more. These opportunities change lives and brighten futures.
As president of Midway Electric, Michele knows all about leadership, and she knows that it starts from a young age. “I believe we need to take time to invest in our youth as they will one day be our future leaders when given opportunities to do something they enjoy,” she said.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of this campaign, and my hopes are to bring a larger awareness of the Youth Enrichment Fund to our community. Through this program we are able to provide opportunities to our youth that might not otherwise be able to afford it.”

Chris Kellogg - Mr. December
You already know Chris Kellogg as one-half of KPLA’s Chris & Monica in the Morning, and now you also know him as a supporter of Voluntary Action Center’s Christmas Program. Through this program, low-income families, elderly, or disabled people submit a list of needed holiday items, and generous folks in the county are matched with them as sponsors to provide these items.
“Christmas is my favorite holiday,” Chris says. “With a family of four kids, you can’t help but feel like a kid yourself. It’s important to me personally, but also for KPLA — as each year, we become ‘The Christmas Station,’ playing continuous Christmas music.”

Thank you for taking time to read my blog and thank you for any amount you are willing to donate for this campaign. Together we can make a difference in the lives of others... one dollar at a time.


The Mission of Voluntary Action Center
To help low-income individuals and families bridge the gaps between crisis and stability and improve quality of life in Boone County.

The Vision Statement of Voluntary Action Center
 VAC will be valued as the essential agency providing connections and resources for health, employment, education, and housing for low-income residents of Boone County. VAC will be regarded as the agency providing the most value for clients, volunteers, and donors.

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