who-we-help.php

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          <h1>Who We Help</h1>
          <p>Family Giving Tree has cultivated deep roots in the community. We work with more than 300 social service agencies and schools around the Bay Area. Among the folks we work with are homeless shelters, community centers, rehabilitation houses, schools and various nonprofit organizations. Each year, these folks help us fulfill the needs of children in low-income neighborhoods. They supply us with the names and wishes of the children they serve year-round. These are kids who would go without anything during the holidays and back-to-school season.</p>
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        <li><a href="#current">Current Agencies &amp; Schools</a></li>
        <li><a href="#reqs">Application Reqs.</a></li>
        <li><a href="#faq">Agency FAQs</a></li>
        <li><a href="#terms">Terms &amp; Conditions</a></li>
        <li><a href="#collect">Collecting Wishes</a></li>
        <li><a href="#impact">Making an Impact</a></li>
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        <h2>Current Agencies</h2>
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              <h6>Dorsa Elementary School</h6>
              <p>Dorsa Elementary School in San Jose is a part our community of Elves. They help distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies to their students that need them the most.</p>
              <a href="#impact" class="purple banner button">Learn More &raquo;</a>
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            <iframe width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=201967506944688961163.0004c6570f45ceb532d3e&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=m&amp;ll=37.631635,-122.217407&amp;spn=0.870062,1.919861&amp;z=9&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br />
            <p><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=201967506944688961163.0004c6570f45ceb532d3e&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=37.662081,-122.187195&amp;spn=0.869705,1.919861&amp;z=9&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Family Giving Tree Agencies</a> in a larger map</small></p>
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              <li>Achieve Academy</li>
              <li>Adelante Dual Language Academy</li>
              <li>Alexander Rose Elementary School</li>
              <li>Alum Rock Educational Foundation</li>
              <li>Anne Darling Elementary</li>
              <li>Bachrodt Charter Academy</li>
              <li>Bayview Elementary School</li>
              <li>Belle Haven School</li>
              <li>Blackford Elementary School</li>
              <li>Boynton High School</li>
              <li>Boys &amp; Girls Club of SV - Eastside Unit</li>
              <li>Boys &amp; Girls Club of SV - Southside Unit</li>
              <li>Brooktree Elementary</li>
              <li>Burnett Elementary School</li>
              <li>Camden Community Day School</li>
              <li>Carquinez Middle School</li>
              <li>Cesar Chavez Elementary</li>
              <li>Cherrywood Elementary</li>
              <li>Clyde Arbuckle Elementary</li>
              <li>Clyde Fisher Middle School</li>
              <li>Columbia Middle School</li>
              <li>Cox Academy Education for Change</li>
              <li>Crittenden Middle School</li>
              <li>Department of Alcohol &amp; Drug Services</li>
              <li>Discovery Charter School</li>
              <li>Donald J. Meyer Elementary</li>
              <li>Dorsa Elementary School</li>
              <li>Dover Elementary School</li>
              <li>Downer Elementary School</li>
              <li>Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock</li>
              <li>Downtown College Prep - San Jose</li>
              <li>Edith Landels Elementary         School</li>
              <li>EHC Life Builders - Boccardo FLC</li>
              <li>EHC Life Builders - Sobrato FLC</li>
              <li>Empire Gardens Elementary</li>
              <li>EMQ FamiliesFirst - Campbell</li>
              <li>Erikson School</li>
              <li>Ernesto Galarza Elementary</li>
              <li>Escuela Popular Charter        School</li>
              <li>Gardner Academy</li>
              <li>Garfield Elementary</li>
              <li>Harry Slonaker Elementary School</li>
              <li>Helms Middle School</li>
              <li>John J. Montgomery Elementary</li>
              <li>John Swett High School</li>
              <li>Kidango</li>
              <li>Lake Elementary School</li>
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        <h2>Become Part of Our Community of Elves</h2>
        <p>We’re always looking for Elves who want to help us meet the wishes of underserved children and ensure that they get the school supplies they need to succeed. Here’s what we need to know if you’re interested in joining our community as an agency partner:</p>
        
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                <h6><strong> Tell us who you are</strong></h6>
                <p>Send the following information to us at 606 Valley Way, Milpitas CA 95035 or email agencies@familygivingtree.org:</p>
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                    <li>A copy of your organization’s 501c(3)</li>
                    <li>A brochure or literature about your program and the specific needs of your clients</li>
                    <li>Complete contact information (Name, Title, Phone #, Email Address)</li>
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                <h6><strong>Show us what you do</strong></h6>
                <p>We may arrange for a volunteer to visit your organization to conduct an “Agency Interview”. We will use this time to get further details about your organization, learn about how our gifts will benefit your clients and speak with you about the services we provide.  This interview has been deemed by our Board of Directors as a mandatory requirement for all agencies once approved.</p>
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                <h6><strong>Make it official</strong></h6>
                <p>Once we review your application information (step 1), we will make a decision based on available space in our program. If approved, you will be asked to submit a registration form online.  A link to this online form will be emailed to you and should be submitted by May (for the Back to School Drive) or August (for the Holiday Wish Drive). You must read and agree to our Terms and Conditions before submitting this document, so please read over the application materials thoroughly.</p>
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                <h6><strong>Submit your wishes</strong></h6>
                <p>Once your organization has been approved and entered into our database as a partnering agency or school, we will send you detailed instructions about how to collect and submit appropriate wishes for your clients. For agencies registered to receive gifts through our Holiday Wish Drive, entered wishes will then be printed on cards with the name, age, gender and wish of the children you serve. Host companies display these cards, donors take the card and fulfill the wish and we collect them at our warehouse. Any agency NOT on the waiting list can expect the pick up date assignment to fall between August 10th and August 20th for the Back to School Drive or December 19th and December 21st for the Holiday Wish Drive.</p>
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        <h2>Agency FAQs</h2>
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            <h6>1. Does my agency qualify for the Holiday program?</h6>
            <p>The Family Giving Tree offers its Holiday Wish and Back to School Drives to Non-Profit organizations and schools throughout the Bay Area.  If your organization assists very needy children and you have obtained your 501(c)3, you may qualify.</p>  
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            <h6>2. How can my organization apply to receive gifts?</h6>
            <p>A complete outline of the steps you need to take can be found here (link to application process).  We will need a copy of your 501(c)3, general information about your organization and complete contact information to get started. Once approved, you will be invited to register for our Holiday Wish Drive or Back to School Drive.</p>
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            <h6>3. Once I register, what is the next step?</h6>
            <p>After you have completed the application process and registered your organization, agencies and schools receiving backpacks through our Back to School Drive are not required to provide anything else.  Agencies registered to receive gifts through our Holiday Wish Drive will receive instructions on how to "enter wishes." You must collect your client’s wishes and enter them into an online form before we can print them out for our donors.  These wishes are specific to your organization and must be appropriate and acceptable for printing onto wish cards.</p>
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            <h6>4. Do I have to pay for these gift requests?</h6>
            <p>We DO NOT charge our registered organizations or recipients a fee to receive gifts or backpacks. We may, however, charge a penalty for agencies that enter their Holiday Wish Drive wishes late.</p>
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            <h6>5. When can I pick up the gifts or backpacks?</h6>
            <p>Your agency will be assigned a specific pick up date shortly after you've registered and entered your wishes. We will email you the details, so please make sure the contact information you list on your registration form is correct. While the date you are scheduled to pick up may change from year to year, the "pick up period" remains the same.  All agencies and schools registered for the Back to School Drive will be assigned a pick up date between August 10th and August 20th. All agencies registered for the Holiday Wish Drive will be assigned a pick up date between December 19th and December 22nd.  We cannot make ANY exception to this, so please do not plan on receiving your donations outside of these dates. Donations cannot be picked up earlier than your scheduled date and time; as they simply will not be ready.</p>
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            <h5>6. I can't make it to the warehouse to get my gifts or backpacks, what should I do?</h5>
            <p>We do not have the staff to deliver gifts or backpacks to your organization during in August or December.  If you cannot come to the warehouse to pick up your donations, please make other arrangements to have them picked up.  Donations left in the warehouse after the program ends will be given to organizations that are able to help those in need.</p>
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          <h2>Holiday Wish Drive specific questions </h2>
          
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            <h5>7. Is there a limit to how much the wish can cost?</h5>
            <p>Yes. We typically require all wishes to cost no more than $30. If we receive wishes that are priced over this limit, we may edit the wish before printing it on a wish card.</p>
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            <h5>8. What type of wish would be considered "unacceptable"?</h5>
            <p>Items such as brand name products, weapons or designer items are unacceptable.  We cannot allow wishes such as "iPods", "Nike" shoes, "501 Jeans" or "Nintendo" games to be printed onto wish cards.  Please take great care when entering your wishes, and make sure each wish is age appropriate and gender appropriate. The more specific the requests, the more likely we will be able to get exactly what the child wishes for. For advice on entering wishes, check out our resource about collecting great wishes (link to collecting great wishes page).</p>
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            <h5>9. Can I submit wishes after the deadline?</h5>
            <p>Once you submit wishes to us, we have a limited time to edit, print and send them out.  We are committed to getting the wish cards out to our donors and host companies by the second week of November. For this reason, we cannot extended the deadline, but we need to know that you have not dropped out if the program, so please let us know if you cannot make the deadline for entering wishes. A penalty fee may be added for late wishes.</p>
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            <h5>10. Are these wishes guaranteed to be fulfilled?</h5>
            <p>If you submit your wishes by the posted deadline, we can guarantee that you will receive your requested number of gifts. We cannot guarantee that you will receive exactly what was asked for, but no child that you have signed up will do without.  If you miss the deadline for entering wishes, you will be placed on the "waiting list" and may incur a penalty fee. We cannot guarantee gifts to agencies on the waiting list, so please do not delay!</p>
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            <h5>11. I've been put on the "waiting list", what does that mean?</h5>
            <p>This means that you have not completed the application/wish entering process by the posted deadline.  Because we are not able to receive, edit and print your wishes in time to send to our donors, we cannot guarantee your gifts. You will be contacted with more information.</p>
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            <h5>12. Will the gifts come wrapped or unwrapped?</h5>
            <p>This is entirely up to you. We have over 6,000 volunteers working at our warehouse each year.  They are more than willing to wrap your gifts. However, if you prefer to receive your gifts unwrapped, please make sure you indicate your choice when registering.</p>
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            <h5>13. My agency or school is closed during the Back to School Drive or Holiday Wish Drive, can I still participate?</h5>
            <p>Yes.  Some agencies shut down for the summer and holiday season.  We understand this, however we cannot get your donations to you any earlier than your scheduled pickup time.  This means you may have to put forth an extra effort to get these wishes to your clients.  We've had agencies open their doors for one night to hold a Holiday party for their clients, some have gathered at their local community center and other agencies have gone above and beyond to deliver each gift or backpack to their clients home.  If you know ahead of time that these items will not get to your clients in time for the school or the holidays, please start making alternate arrangements now.  Rally some volunteers to help you distribute, these children are worth it!</p>
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        <h2>Terms &amp; Conditions</h2>
        
        <h5>501 c (3) Status</h5>
        <p>a. Our Board of Directors has deemed it necessary to verify your 501-c (3) status. This assures us that the services we provide will reach the neediest children in our community. Proof of your status may be mailed or faxed to our office, and must be received before participating.  Government run agencies are exempt from this requirement.</p>
        
        <h5>Gift Pick Up Information</h5>
        <p>a. Your agency will be assigned a specific pick up date after you've entered your wishes.  We will email you the details, so please make sure the contact information you list on your registration form is correct.  While the date you are scheduled to pick up may change from year to year, the "pick up period" remains the same; between December 19th and December 23rd.  No exceptions, so please do not plan on receiving your gifts before 12/19.  Once your date is scheduled, you may choose to pick up your gifts later, but gifts cannot be picked up any earlier; as they simply will not be ready.</p>

        <p>b. Some agencies close for the Holiday season.  We understand this. However, <strong>we cannot get your gifts to you any earlier than your scheduled pickup time</strong>. If you know ahead of time that these gifts will not get to your clients in time for the Holidays, please start making alternate arrangements now.  Rally some volunteers to help you distribute, <strong>these children are worth it!</strong></p>

        <p>c. Your pickup date will be determined based on when you complete your wish list.  Earlier completed entry equals earlier pickup date!</p>

        <p>d. If you are unable to come to the warehouse to pick up your gifts, please make other arrangements to have them picked up.  Gifts left in the warehouse after the program ends will be given to other charities. </p>

        <h5>Gift Appropriateness</h5>
        <p>a. Gifts should cost no more than $30.  This is a strict requirement; if we receive wishes that are priced over this limit, we will edit the wish before printing it on a wish card.  Some children belong to the same household, so equality of gift value is important.</p>

        <p>b. Items such as brand name products, expensive electronics, weapons or designer items cannot be accepted.  This includes wishes such as "iPods", “Nike shoes”, “pocket knives”, "501 Jeans" or "Nintendo/XBOX" games.</p>

        <p>c. Please take great care when entering your wishes, and make sure each wish is age and gender appropriate.  For example, cards cannot be printed for a 16-year-old girl  asking for a "Tonka Truck."  The more specific the request, the more likely the child will get exactly what he/she wishes for.</p>

        <p>d. Please check for gift availability before entering.  If our donors cannot find the gift, it will be hard to fulfill the child’s wish.</p>

        <p>e. Once again, please be specific with the wishes. Wish lists requesting 50 of the same item will be returned for proper completion.</p>
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        <h2>Collecting Great Wishes </h2>

        <p>As you begin the gift selection process with your recipients, remember that the key to ensuring that donors purchase the exact gifts that each child wants is two-fold:</p>
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            <li>Make sure the gift request is as specific as possible</li>
            <li>Make sure to follow proper gift selection guidelines</li>
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        <p>In general, the more specific and appropriate the wish requests, the better the gifts returned. For example, donors are more likely to buy:</p>
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            <li>Craft kit to make necklaces</li>
            <li>Clifford backpack</li>
            <li>Batman underwear, size 5</li>
            <li>Science kit with slides</li>
            <li>See more below</li>
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        <p>Examples of gifts donors are less likely to buy:</p>
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            <li>Video games</li>
            <li>Weapons</li>
            <li>Name-brand items</li>
            <li>Gift Certificates</li>
            <li>Bicycles</li>
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        <p>Several tips and guidelines to keep in mind:</p>
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            <li>For clothing, please include the <strong>correct size</strong> requirements. This applies to shoes, slippers, roller skates, jackets, hats, etc.</li>
            <li>The maximum dollar limit per gift is <strong>$30</strong>. This eliminates most video games, name-brand clothing, bicycles, etc.</li>
            <li>Use good judgement if the child requests a certain movie. R-rated and age-inappropriate titles will not be considered.</li>
            <li>If any gift requests are received not following these guidelines, you will be asked to update your request(s) with appropriate information or an acceptable selection.</li>
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              <li style=" display:inline;margin-right:25px;"><a href="forms/wish_collect.pdf"><span class="glyph [general]">9</span> Wish Collect Form</a></li>
              <li style=" display:inline;"><a href="forms/secondchoicelist.pdf"><span class="glyph [general]">[</span> Second Choice List</a></li>
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        <h2>A Valuable Gift to the Universe</h2>
        <h6>Dorsa Elementary School </h6>
        
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        <p>Dorsa Elementary School in San Jose is one of the folks in our community of Elves. They help distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies to the students that need them the most. According to Devorah Duncan, principal of Dorsa Elementary, 95% of the student population qualify as coming from low-income families. As she puts it:</p>
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          <p style="font-style:italic;">“Their education is their ticket out of poverty.” </p>
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        <p>Devorah says that some families have to choose between buying food and backpacks. But with the donated backpacks and school supplies, they’re able to see that the kids get their needs met at home and at school. In the end, it makes them better prepared to learn.</p>
        
        <p>Kids were happy to get their backpacks, rulers, folders and other school supplies. As one kid says:</p>
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          <p style="font-style:italic;">“If I didn’t have (a folder), I’d lose my homework.”</p>
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        <p>Devorah says that these backpacks help ratchet up these kids education and that the donations are their tools for success. As she puts it: </p>
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          <p style="font-style:italic;">“There is no better gift to the universe than to promote children becoming hard working and valuable people in our society.”</p>
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        <p>That’s the best compliment we could ever hope for. Well, that and the smiles from the children that receive those backpacks. As one kid told us:</p>
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          <p style="font-style:italic;">“Thank you, I love you.” </p>
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