Hand Up Auction Held

Luke at the Hand Up Gala October 2011

Blanket Drive is Underway

Alcoa employees are collecting blankets and delivering them this week.  We had a friend from Community Shares pull the names from the Hand Up Gala auction today, which was the kickoff of the blanket drive.  Those who won an auction item will be receiving their thank you gift certificates in the first part of next week.  We can accept blankets on any weekday, and every other Saturday.  Call for more details or schedule a time to drop off the blankets.  Our goal is to collect 5,000 blankets this winter. Thank you for your support, and those tired and weary who will benefit from your donation thank you. 

Brian
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Five Days Left to Participate in the Auction

Blanket Drive Underway for Winter 2012

Photos from the Hand Up Gala for 2011 on Friday October 21, 2011 at the Bishop Cosgrove Center

The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless partnered with the Bishop Cosgrove Center to host a fantastic meal for homeless people.  We have to thank Chefs Mark and John for donating their time, and the Renaissance hotel for allowing their chefs to participate.  We also need to thank

Lyndhurst Florist

Gaines Florist

Cloud Florist

12th St. Florist

and the generous gift from

Monica's Florists

for donating the flower centerpieces for the event.  They brought a great deal of class to the Gala. 

This event kicks off our 2012 blanket drive.  We want to collect 5,000 blankets this winter for homeless people including those resistant to shelter living outside.  As part of these events, we have had over 30 organizations donate gift certificates and tickets to local arts, cultural institutions.  There are restaurant gift certificates, nights of stay at bed and breakfast and hotels, or other local businesses.  Recent additions including a basket of goods from Trader Joes, tickets to Hale Farm or the Western Reserve Historical Society, a cap signed by Byron Scott of the CAVS, and 2 tickets to COSI in Columbus.   There are still five days left to enter the auction.  The drawing is next week, and anyone donating $45 will be entered in the drawing.  For every $45 you donate we will put one ticket into the hopper for the drawing.  All proceeds from the auction are split between NEOCH and the Bishop Cosgrove Center.  We hope that you can participate with an on-line donation or send a donation to NEOCH with the word Hand Up Gala in the memo line. 

Brian

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Still Time to Donate

Over 30 local Businesses Have Donated Items to the 2011 Auction

The Hand Up Gala opening event took place Friday October 21, 2011 at lunch time.  You may have seen the event featured on WEWS Channel 5.  Above are the two chefs from the Renaissance Hotel, Mark Lyons (left) and  John Aldewereld who prepared a fantastic meal of spinach quiche, stuffed chicken with roasted garlic, rice with sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, and dutch apple pie.  We were able to serve 215 hungry individuals, and we want to thank City Councilperson Mamie Mitchell and Laurie and Morris from Congressman Kucinich's office for helping.  Board members and staff of Catholic Charities as well as the NEOCH all helped to serve and seat people.  There will be more pictures on our website soon. 

We are not doing the drawing for this event until November 7, and so you have a couple of weeks to get your donation in to participate in the auction.  You can donate online at www.neoch.org or by sending in a donation of $45 to NEOCH indicating the Hand Up Gala in the memo line.  For every $45 donated, we will enter your name into the auction to win some of the great prizes.  Just to name a few of the auction items:  tickets to Hale Farm, Lake Erie Captains and Akron Aeros tickets, a gift basket from Trader Joes and $150 gift certificate to the Pine Lakes Lodge Bed and Breakfast.  Get your donation in now to help NEOCH with our winter blanket drive!!!

Thanks to the committee who put this together including Holly, Larry, Luke, Dorothy, Nicole, Dominica, Michelle and Colleen. 

Brian
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Hand Up Gala Press Release

A Unique Special Event that Homeless People Get to Enjoy

For More Information, Call: 
Brian Davis from NEOCH at (216)432-0540.
Nicole Evans from Bishop Cosgrove Center at (216) 781-8262

For Immediate Release: September 29, 2011

Two Charities Join for Second Year to Provide Fantastic Meal for Homeless People

We are pleased to invite you to the second annual “Hand-up Gala” dinner on Friday, October 21st, sponsored jointly by the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and Catholic Charities’ Bishop Cosgrove Center’s day shelter program.  This opportunity for a meal of fine dining will be in lieu of an annual fundraiser for the Coalition and the Bishop Cosgrove Center.  Serving begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Cosgrove, located at 1736 Superior Ave. (entrance is in the back of the building). We hope to see you there! Over the last two months, the number of families and women who become homeless has skyrocketed locally.  This has caused a closing during the day of the entry shelter in Cleveland, and a 20% increase in the number of people seeking food at the Bishop Cosgrove Center.  As we prepare for the winter in Cleveland, two local non-profits are collaborating on a joint fundraiser this fall.  Catholic Charities and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless will again collaborate on the second “Hand Up” Gala on October 21, 2011 to provide an amazing meal to homeless people prepared by Chef  John Aldewereld of San Souci Restaurant at the Renaissance Hotel.

This special meal will benefit both charities as they prepare for another difficult Cleveland winter.  Bishop Cosgrove Center will use their funds to assist the transportation needs of homeless people in Cleveland.  With the purchase of bus tickets, the Bishop Cosgrove Center will hope to get people to jobs, housing interviews or doctor visits.   The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless will use the proceeds from this fundraiser to prepare for the winter and kickoff our blanket and winter apparel drive.  None of the proceeds from this benefit go toward the cost of the meal.  The fine dining luncheon is the kickoff event for this winter, and is held in place of the traditional dinner and silent auction.  “For everyone that donates to our cause at least $45 their name will be entered in a drawing for some fabulous prizes, and the population we serve gets to enjoy a four star luncheon with all the amenities cooked by a gourmet chef,” said NEOCH community organizer Brian Davis.

We are asking for $45, and donations can be made directly on the NEOCH website at www.neoch.org/handupgala.htm. Everyone who buys a ticket will be entered into a drawing to win prizes such as restaurant meals, stays at lodges or hotels, and tickets to local arts and culture groups as a thank you for the donation.  Some of the auction items include tickets to the Beck Center, Cleveland Public Theatre tickets, Doubletree hotel stays, a signed Cleveland Brown’s football, tickets to the Nautica Queen and the Midwest League Champion Lake Erie Captains, along with many other items.  All proceeds support the advocacy organization, NEOCH, as well as the Bishop Cosgrove Center and their daily meal and social service programming.   

Executive Sous Chef John Aldewereld has a four star meal planned, and we will create a wonderful ambiance for this once-in-a-lifetime meal featuring table cloths, china, and floral centerpieces.  There will be a jazz ensemble, and we have a number of elected officials who will serve and act as hosts for the event.  We will serve 200 low income, homeless, and hungry individuals.


Brian
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Hand Up Gala Update

Donate Today!!!

The Hand Up Gala now has 32 items that we will use to auction off this fall.  Any one who donates $45 will be entered into the auction and we will draw prizes on November 4, 2011 and send as a thank you to those who donate.  The event is a kickoff for our winter fundraising, and will feature a fantastic meal and fine dining atmosphere.  There is a flyer on the auction page that you could print out and send with your donation to this unique event.  We also have a copy of the above flyer available on the Hand Up Gala website.  We would love your support for this important event for both organizations. 

For every $45 donated, the Bishop Cosgrove Center will be able to buy 8 bus tickets for a homeless individual to get to a job interview or a meeting with a landlord.

For every $90 donated to the Hand Up Gala for NEOCH, we will be able to collect and distribute 4 of the nice indoor/outdoor blankets to keep people dry and safe this winter. 

Brian
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More on the Hand Up Gala

Hand Up Not a Hand Out

Plans are moving forward on the Hand Up Gala 2011.  There are some fantastic auction items for everyone who donates.  We have a number of celebrities signed up to volunteer for the event including Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell, State Senator Shirley Smith, State Representative Nickie Antonio and Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell will be helping to seat people and serve homeless people at the event.  This will mark the kickoff of our winter preparation.  The Bishop Cosgrove Center will use the proceeds from this event to help the transportation needs of homeless people.  We hope that you will support this important event.  We will have table cloths, center pieces, and a four star meal prepared by John Aldewereld of the Renaissance Hotel Sans Souci Restaurant.   It will be a fantastic event for people who do not often get to enjoy a four star meal with music and a relaxing atmosphere.

Brian

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Hand Up Gala Coming Soon

A Great Kickoff for the Winter: October 21, 2011

The Second Annual Hand Up Gala is well under way, and should be awesome with all that we learned last year.  The dinner will take place on October 21, 2011 with a fine dining lunch for 200 homeless and hungry individuals.  We are partnering with the Bishop Cosgrove Center again this year.  This fundraiser is intended to raise support in the community for our efforts to provide blankets and winter gear to homeless people this winter. The Bishop Cosgrove Center is going to use the funds raised from this event to provide transportation assistance to homeless people.

Everyone who donates more than $45 to this event is entered into a drawing for some wonderful gifts provided by area businesses as a thank you for your support.  These wonderful businesses have provided gifts that we will auction off in early November. 

Akron Symphony

Boston Mills/Brandywine

Christopher Norris Photographers

Cinemark Theaters

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Cinemas

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

ClevelandMuseum of Natural History

Cleveland Public Theatre

Costco

Doubletree Hotel--Lakeside Ave

Lake County Captains

Lake Erie Nature and Science Center

Loganberry Books

The Melting Pot

The Nautica Queen

Petitti Garden Centers
Pine Lake Lodge Bed and Breakfast Resort

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Trolley Tours of Cleveland

You can donate directly from our website by just clicking on the "Donate Now" button on any page.   Mark Hand Up Gala in the purpose line for your donation, and you will be entered in the drawing.  We will be sending out invitations next week.  We hope that you will support this event.

Brian
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Updates from the Coalition

 

Upcoming Dates and Updated Information

The latest advocacy newsletter from the Coalition is available and was sent electronically to our members. If you would like a copy, you just need to become a paid member of NEOCH here.  We have made updates to the NEOCH website recently including an update of the 15 items available to auction for anyone who donates to the Hand Up Gala will have their name entered in a random drawing. The Hand Up Gala is set for October 21 with a kickoff luncheon for those who frequent the shelters and meal programs. 

NEOCH staff met with County Council member Julian Rogers yesterday to discuss regulating the shelters.  He agreed that there needs to be some kind or regulation in law, and was willing to put his name on the website that if presented with a law, he would support it.  This means that the Homeless Congress has gathered six members of the Cuyahoga County Council who have publicly proclaimed their support.  We hope to have a piece of legislation to discuss in the fall.  We have talked to two or three other members, but did not get a firm commitment.  

Finally, on the NEOCH website, we have updated the list of homeless liaisons for each school district in Cuyahoga County.  This resource page is available to children who are struggling with the housing, and need help to maintain their school participation.  It is federal and state law that children and youth who become homeless do not have to have their education disrupted, but who do you go to in order to get help with transportation?   This page gives the 2011 to 2012 liaisons for every school district in the County.  All of the charter and private schools must have a liaison, but we do not have the means to list all those contacts.  Contact your school administrator if you or your children need help maintaining your a stable educational environment during a period of homelessness.  If you have problems, feel free to call NEOCH at 216/432-0540. 

Brian
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Hand Up Gala 2011

Fund Raiser to Kick Off Winter Activities

The Bishop Cosgrove Center and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless introduce the second annual Hand Up Gala 2011 on October 21, 2011. NEOCH is partnering with Catholic Charities to host the Hand Up Gala 2011 in order to improve the lives of men and women in Cleveland with additional help getting people to jobs and winter supplies such as blankets and winter clothing. We will kick off these activities with a gourmet meal prepared by a Celebrity Chef in an event we call the Hand Up Gala. We hope to build on the successful 2010 event, and raise support for the two social service organizations in Cleveland. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless is using this Gala to kick off our winter 2011-12 events and Cosgrove is using the proceeds to assist homeless people with their transportation needs.

The Hand Up Gala this year will again be prepared by a local celebrity Executive Sous Chef John Aldewereld of the Sans Souci Restaurant, and none of the proceeds go to preparing the dinner. Last year, we served 185 people who were able to enjoy music and a wonderful meal prepared by San Souci Chef John Aldewereld and Michael Lyon. This year we are holding the Gala on October 21, 2011 and we need your support for this event. Please donate to the Coalition to support the Hand Up Gala, and all the proceeds go to NEOCH's winter activities or the Bishop Cosgrove helping with the transportation of homeless people.

Our two nonprofit charities serve hundreds of people every month struggling with their housing, and want to combine our expertise to provide a great meal for homeless people. We are working every day to reduce homelessness and improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. NEOCH devotes time and resources to advocacy, public education and programs designed to assist homeless men and women break the cycle of poverty and work their way out of homelessness. A few of NEOCH’s initiatives include free legal assistance, an affordable housing website, and publications of research and reference guides. Catholic Charities supports a comprehensive continuum of care to fragile populations throughout Northeast Ohio. The Bishop Cosgrove Center offers a breakfast and lunch to hundreds of hungry people everyday and provides supportive services to those who have struggling to find a hand out of poverty. Bishop Cosgrove serves more than 50,000 meals to the hungry every year.

This event is in lieu of the typical non-profit dinner and auction. It will mark the beginning of our winter blanket collection and the Cosgrove are using the proceeds to purchase bus tickets and provide transporation to homeless people to get them to jobs, housing or medical appointments . Last year, NEOCH collected and distributed over 3,000 winter blankets to homeless people. In this spirit, the Bishop Cosgrove Center and NEOCH are planning the Celebrity Chef Luncheon on October 21, 2011, as an opportunity for the homeless community to come together to enjoy some great food prepared by one of Cleveland’s famous chefs. We are seeking your support to make this event a success. Everyone who donates at least $45 to the event will have their name entered in an auction. At this point, the Doubletree Hotel on Lakeside, Cleveland Public Theatre, the Nautica Queen, among others have provided auction items. For a complete list of auction items go here.

We hope that you will support this unique event in the community.

Brian
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