Kroger Makes an Impact!

This month, Amethyst opened a new apartment building, allowing us to expand treatment and residential services to more women each year. This amazing opportunity also came with the challenge of stocking and furnishing 17 apartments. Kroger jumped into action, donating 15 new couches, valued at $5,000.
 
Kroger supports Amethyst via multiple efforts throughout the year. Amethyst receives funds from the Kroger Community Rewards program, discounted and donated furnishing, donations of food for events and more!
 
On behalf of all the women and children of Amethyst, thank you Kroger for your continued support!

Zonta Hosts Cooking Class!

On May 27^th, the women of Zonta Columbus put on a cooking class led by talented cook and Zontian, Carol Jenkins. Zonta, an organization dedicated to women empowerment, has been a sponsor of Amethyst for many years and has partnered with Amethyst in their endeavors to support women’s recovery. The cooking class was a delightful evening for all, but also very valuable to the twenty-five Amethyst clients that attended. The women learned how to make meatloaf, coleslaw, corn casserole and jello salad, all with healthy and cost-savvy ingredients.

        “We wanted to give them confidence in the kitchen,” says Zontian Alice Tyler, “and we had a blast cooking and learning together!” So not only did Zonta provide a free, delicious meal, they provided skills the Amethyst clients can use to benefit themselves and their families. Amethyst thanks Zonta for their donations and services, but most of all the fun memories made!

Written by: Megan Tyler

Nationwide Transforms Amethyst Properties!

This May, volunteers from Nationwide Insurance donated time, resources and sweat to help beautify the outside of multiple Amethyst apartment buildings.

Volunteers showed up early in the morning, excited and ready to help create a better space for families dedicated to recovery. They spent the day mulching, planting and painting. When the Amethyst women saw the new landscaping, they were overwhelmed. One client shared "the flowers bring a smile to my face every day."

As if this wasn't enough, Nationwide volunteers returned a few days later, in partnership with United Way of Central Ohio, to install a playground at another Amethyst property, that previously did not have many safe places for the children to play outdoors.

If your organization would like to get involved, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.

Give Direct Central Ohio

The Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio has recently launched a new online giving portal, Give Direct Central Ohio. www.givedirectcentralohio.org. This unique online giving Web site allows visitors to select from more than 70 agencies and donate directly to the organization of choice. Amethyst is amongst the many worthy non-profits listed on the Give Direct Ohio Web site.

Why use www.givedirectohio.org? This resource will allow you to do all of your philanthropic giving from one central location… and 100 percent of the donations go directly to the organization of your choice. The Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio will accept all processing fees and

While you can still donate via Amethyst’s Web site, www.amethyst-inc.org or by phone or standard mail, this Web site offers the community a wonderful resource for fundraising and collective community strength.

Check out www.givedirectcentralohio.org and designate a gift to support Amethyst!

Read more http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/05/16/new-website-allows-direct-donations-to-dozens-of-local-charities.html.

NAWN Raises over $20,000 for Amethyst!

The New Albany Women's Network (NAWN) held their 12th annual charity spring fashion show this past March, and chose Amethyst to be their beneficiary! This lively afternoon featured food, fashion and socializing- all for a great cause, which was to help fund Amethysts' SummerQuest Program. The SummerQuest program supports Amethysts' endeavors to assist women in recovery by providing a fun camp experience and counseling for children of women undergoing treatment. The event was made possible by the generous support of the presenting sponsor, Limited Brands. In addition to the fashion show, there was a silent auction and a Martketplace in which patrons could purchase clothing, jewelry and accessories. NAWN marketed and coordinated this event swimmingly, as the turnout superseded their expectations. The fashion show ended up raising over $20,000, but NAWN didn't stop there. They graciously donated toys and gift cards in another effort to benefit the success of SummerQuest. All of the women, children and employees at Amethyst send their dearest thanks to NAWN for all of their help and support. If you have an organization that you would like to get involved with the Amethyst mission, please contact Nanon Morrison, at nmorrison@amethyst-inc.org.

Written by: Megan Tyler

A Step in the Right Direction!

On September 10, 2011, Amethyst will host the inaugural walk/5krun for recovery at Wolfe Park from 8:00-10:00 am. Amethyst is thrilled to be adding this event to their many ventures in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Amethyst as we strive to end the cycle of addiction and trauma and reduce the stigma associated with women in recovery.

Event Details

Date:	Saturday, September 10, 2011
Location:	Wolfe Park Shelter House 105 Park Drive Columbus, OH 43209
Parking:	Parking is free
Time:	9:00 AM  walk/5K run begins, registration at 8:00 AM
Entry Fee:	$25 to walk in the event, $30 to run (both prices will increase by $5 the day of the event)
Benefits:	All registrants will receive a walk t-shirt. Runners will also receive a timing chip.

Want to get involved? Get some friends together and start a team! The team captain's duties may be found at http://www.walkforrecovery.org/, as well as any information one would need to form a team, donate to a team or join an existing team. Individual runners are encouraged to participate as well (this also includes individual walkers). All participants may register online for a minimum donation fee of $25 for walkers and $30 for runners. 

Nervous about fundraising? Forming teams and bringing in donations is easier than you think! On the website, the Amethyst Development Team has provided almost 20 different tips and tools to recruit team members and bring in donations. Amethyst hopes this fundraiser to be one that involves the whole community, as A Step in the Right Direction also welcomes corporate sponsorships. Please contact Nanon Morrison at
614.221.7293 or nmorrison@amethyst-inc.org if you choose to sponsor the event of form a team. So no matter how you can participate, we encourage you to take part in this fundraising milestone for Amethyst and their cause!

Learn more about the walk!

Article Written By: Megan Tyler

Kroger Community Rewards- Re-enroll today!

Every year Kroger gives away $5 million through their Kroger Community Rewards program to non-profit organizations in Ohio and Michigan. Amethyst is one of the registered organizations that benefits from Kroger customers purchasing every day groceries.

Even if you are already a member, you need to re-enroll every summer to stay in the program!

The Kroger Community Rewards Program makes it easy for Kroger shoppers to register online to have a portion of the money they spend at Kroger go to a charity of their choice. Customers present their Kroger Plus Card at checkout at any Kroger location and funds will then be donated to their specified organization.

By enrolling or re-enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards program with Amethyst we can earn up to $50, 000 every three months for women around central Ohio.

If you already support Amethyst through this program please remember to re-enroll this. If you are not yet enrolled please follow the directions below to join the cause.

1) CREATE A LOGIN:
a. Go to http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/
b. Select OHIO, click on 'ENROLL', and then 'SIGN UP TODAY' (under new customer)
c. Enter your zip code, click 'FIND', and select your store (that you shop at most often)
d. Enter your email address and password, and CONFIRM
e. Now check your email, and click the link to confirm your sign-up

2) CHOOSE 'AMETHYST' AS YOUR CHARITY:
a. On the confirming link page, sign in (email address and password), and click 'EDIT KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS INFORMATION'
b. Enter your Kroger Plus Card Number, and click on 'SAVE CHANGES'
c. Enter your address, and click on 'SAVE CHANGES'
d. For NPO (non-profit organization), enter/choose # for Amethyst Inc., and click 'SAVE CHANGES'

SummerQuest Carnival Day!

Operating from June - August, SummerQuest is Amethyst’s 12-week intensive intervention day camp for children ages 6-14 whose mothers are involved in our long-term addiction recovery program.

In 2011, all sponsors will be invited to come to camp on Friday, July 15 for our first Summerquest Carnival. Sponsors will get a unique opportunity to interact with the Amethyst children they support at summer camp. Sponsors will work at booths such as ring toss, water balloon toss, and more! This event is open to all sponsors, partners and donors interested in being directly involved with the families we serve. 

For more information about Carnival Day, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.

For more information about SummerQuest, or to make a donation visit www.ilovesummerquest.org.