ALNC Veterans Day Ceremony
Flowers for Heroes, NFP receives 501c3 Status
After months of anticipation, Flowers for Heroes has finally received our 501(c)(3) status! Now that we are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity, we hope to increase the amount of good our organization can do for our Gold Star Families.
Flowers for Heroes hopes to gain more exposure now that we have our 501 through generous media supporters and public service announcements. We are looking into the best places to focus these advertisements and are really excited to spread much needed awareness for our struggling Gold Star Families.
Gaining this 501 status will now allow us to search and select potential sponsors who have the same determination to make a difference in the lives of the families of our fallen soldiers. We have already begun applying for various grants and meeting with possible sponsors. Russ made his journey out west in the beginning of December and met with a few potential sponsors and we are excited to hear back from them.
We are hoping these sponsors that will help us to keep on track with our Fallen Hero Flower Placements in 2010. We currently have four of these events planned for this year but this could change if we can find the financial resources to keep expanding our reach to more National Cemeteries. Please visit the “National Cemeteries” section to learn more about our 2010 Fallen Hero Flower Placements.
Filed under General | Comments OffVisit to Las Vegas
I was so excited when we got our official 501c3 designation from the IRS. It came at the right time because I was so worried that I could not continue to personally fund our efforts anymore!
As soon as we obtained our 501c3 designation, I decided to expand our efforts West. So I decided to spend time with one of our Flowers for Heroes Board of Directors Members, Myra Peterson-Love. I traveled to Las Vegas to spend time at her home and office to prioritize our efforts for 2010. In addition, I wanted to meet with potential sponsors. I had the opportunity to present Flowers for Heroes to several influential people in Las Vegas. I was met with positive feedback about what we have accomplished since our launch in June and got commitments to take the next step. Overall, I felt that my trip was productive and very successful.
I look forward to returning for the beginning of the New Year and traveling to California to meet with additional potential sponsors that are being lined up. We need money to keep our dream alive to help Gold Star Families and I am ready to go for it.
Russ Phillip Jr.
Filed under General | Comments OffWalneck’s Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet
This past Sunday the Flowers for Heroes spent time with the biker crowd at the Walneck’s Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet in St. Charles, IL. It was a pain getting everything setup in the morning seeing as the show started at 8am and it was about 150 F outside but we always make the best of everything. Midge and Jerry spent all morning walking around mingling with motorcycle enthusiasts and checking out some cool Harley stuff. Midge had some fun walking around and taking pictures of the most “interesting” people in the crowd.
We met some really cool biker guys and gals who loved to hear what Flowers for Heroes is doing. We passed out flyers and bracelets and were even putting FFH pins on a handful of people. This was good event but next time we need to remember to bring chairs. Jerry forgot to pack them when we loaded the supplies so by noon we thought our legs were going to cramp up. WAY TO GO JERRY!
Thanks for everyone who stopped by our table at this event! We look forward to seeing you at more of these shows as we appear at more and more in 2010.
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