Giving back: FMCA announces official charity

By Todd Moning
FMCA.com editor

FMCA has chosen the Anne Carlsen Center for Children, in Jamestown, N.D., as the official charity for the "Dakota Expedition" convention.

The center offers education, therapy, and medical care programs to persons with physical, mental and health impairments. The facility also is licensed to provide residential services to 56 children and young adults.

Staff from the Anne Carlsen Center for Children will conduct a seminar and also distribute information during the convention, so FMCA members will have plenty of opportunities to assist the center and learn about its programs. The center's Web site is www.annecenter.org.

Charitable tradition
FMCA members are long and fondly remembered for their charitable efforts in regions where its international conventions are held. Here are examples of how members have donated their time, talents and resources to help others.

Perry, Ga., 2005: The On-Road Quilters, a group of FMCA members who enjoy quilting, donated 73 quilts and blankets to the Perry and Warner Robins police departments. Police officials use them to comfort at-risk children they encounter in stressful situations.

Since the late 1990s and continuing in 2005, the quilters group has brought their handmade quilts to FMCA conventions and donated them to infant crises centers, Ronald McDonald houses, convalescent centers and other local care-giving agencies.

Also during the Perry 2005 convention, FMCA members donated 53 units of blood to the American Red Cross as part of a specially scheduled FMCA Blood Drive.

Las Cruces, N.M., March 2004: Members of the FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® assisted with two builds that took place in New Mexico following the convention — one in Belen and one in Deming. In Belen, chapter members teamed up with college students participating in Habitat for Humanity International's Collegiate Challenge program.

Redmond, Ore., August 2001: FMCA members made donations to the Adaptive Riding Institute, a non-profit organization that makes it possible for the individuals with disabilities to enjoy horseback trail rides and wilderness camping activities.

Ames, Iowa, 1999: Members donated money and paper products to Camp Courageous, a special camp for people who have disabilities.

The exhibits may change at each convention, but FMCA members' philanthropic support is a permanent display.
 

More info links

Anne Carlsen Center for Children
www.annecenter.org