Ashland Emergency Fund

Quietly providing hope to those in need.

*Kindness in words creates confidence

*Kindness in thinking creates profoundness

*Kindness in giving creates love.

-- Lao-Tzu

AEF News 2006 July

Ashland Emergency Fund April to June 2006 Update

By John Ellsworth, AEF Chairman

The Ashland Emergency Fund (AEF) balances have stabilized. But to achieve that balancing act, we have had to reduce the amount of money given to folks in need and to more stringently review all cases that come in. Folks who once could receive assistance can no longer expect either as much assistance or in some cases any help from the AEF at all.

The AEF balance is now $83,268.95. At the end of 2005, it was $82,737.72. At the end of March this year, the balance had dipped below $79,000. The key news here is that balances are finally under control and they have grown.

This balance increase results from increased giving levels/donations. The AEF mailed its Annual Report to existing members in March. Donations arrived in April and May putting the fund at its present level.

The ongoing issue with these very much needed donations is that they are coming from folks who already know about the AEF, who have already given to the AEF at least once before, and who are in the main regular donors, not new donors. The AEF must expand its fundraising base. New programs need to be implemented to increase donations and numbers of donors.

The first program implemented will be the Dollar a Door Program:

If every household in Ashland were to donate $1.00 every month, the result would be about $6,000 every month and $72,000 each year. This is equal to the fund raising levels that we lost when the No Smoking Law reduced attendance at bingo.

The successful result of the Dollar a Door program would be that all the giving levels that have been stopped or reduced could be put back in place.

The other part of the AEF’s effort is to increase the active membership base. If more members become actively involved, more ideas will result from their participation and more money will flow as a consequence.

Finally, TV spots on Ashland Cable are planned which aim at explaining the AEF, what it does, and what its needs are. The goal is that these spots will generate greater awareness resulting in increased donation flow.

In October, look on this site for updates on the AEF’s fundraising progress.

Lastly, if you feel inspired to give you can "Donate Now Through Network Good” or see our donation information. Help your neighbors in need as you are able. Thank you.

To volunteer or become a sponsor for an event please contact us.