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We’ve all felt that tug at our hearts — maybe it’s a commercial showing a shivering dog in the snow or a child’s tearful plea. For me, it’s those sad puppy eyes that make me want to donate on the spot. For my husband, it’s anything related to veterans. We all have our causes, the ones that move us to give.
In fact, 69% of Americans donate to charity, according to NonprofitSource.com. Even more — 84% — say they prioritize giving to local organizations. While national nonprofits do important work, it’s local agencies like ACO that are on the frontlines, helping neighbors in need and creating real change right here at home.
But imagine for a moment — what would our community look like if ACO didn’t exist?
Would there be more families sleeping in cars, parked behind stores or tucked into public spaces? Would we see more moms and children on the sidewalk outside grocery stores, holding signs and asking for help? Would there be more people on street corners, cardboard signs in hand, simply trying to survive?
Without ACO, would our teachers be overwhelmed by the growing social needs of their students? Would police and first responders face an even greater burden? Would you still feel safe in your home, confident your children and grandchildren were safe playing outside?
Thankfully, because ACO does exist, many of these scenarios remain just "what ifs." ACO is here, working daily to prevent these situations from becoming the norm. Our staff and volunteers are keeping families in their homes, utilities connected, little bellies fed, and futures brighter.
Still, the need is growing — and ACO needs your help.
We’re in the middle of our annual GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE summer campaign. It’s your support that makes it possible for us to prevent homelessness, provide emergency assistance, keep homes cool during the hottest days, feed hungry children who are out of school, and offer job readiness programs to build financial stability. Your gifts provide more than food and shelter. It provides dignity. It provides hope.
But one month in, we’ve only reached 20% of our fundraising goal — and we depend on these funds to serve families through the end of the year. If you haven’t yet made a quick and easy online donation to the campaign, please do so. Any amount makes an impact. You make an impact.
One more thing...Yesterday as I was driving home from the ACO office, I stopped at an intersection and noticed a man on a bike with a large dog — not leashed, and hobbling on three legs — running beside him. It was 95 degrees, and the pavement was so hot! I took a closer look as he crossed the street: the man had a trailer hitched to his bike, filled with belongings. He looked like he might be homeless.
I couldn’t just drive on. I called Rhonda who was still at the office, asked her to grab some cold bottled water from our pantry and dog food, and we caught up with him a few blocks away. He was, indeed, homeless and temporarily sleeping on a friend’s couch while looking for work. We gave him the water and food for his dog, and more importantly, we gave him information about ACO’s food pantry and services. Rhonda handed him her card and told him how we could help. And, I was relieved to see that there was a place on the trailer for his dog to ride along!
We drove back to the office, and I smiled and said to her, “That’s ACO — changing lives, one man and one dog at a time.” So, I ask you again: What if there were no ACO?
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