Circle C Youth and Family Services...Providing a Vision of a Brighter Future!

News & Events: Annual Events

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Program Events at Circle C

ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY: Each year, the entire agency (residents, staff, family members) is treated to a formal dinner to celebrate the holiday season. Several awards are presented, including the Annual John Patak award, which is given to the person who most exemplifies our founder's dedication to kids. All children in attendance receive a gift from Santa, and residents have the opportunity to dress for a special occasion. Each house also has a family-like holiday dinner with gifts provided through generous donations from the public.

SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Circle C operates an extremely successful six-week summer school program through Chapter 1 Funding. The curriculum is academically intensive and students often improve an entire grade level.

SUMMER SCHOOL GRADUATION LUNCHEON & AWARDS CEREMONY: At the end of each summer school program, there is a graduation luncheon held to honor and recognize out-standing students, as well as the individual progress of each student.

UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING: Circle C has benefited tremendously from the United Way "Day of Caring" program, where volunteers from various companies commit their time and energy to do projects for us that would possibly not be accomplished due to time or monetary constraints. Many thanks to all who helped!

Fundraising Events at Circle C

HELP KIDS LOSE THE BLUES: In 2003, the “Help Kids Lose the Blues” inaugural fundraiser took place at the Rosebud Café in the Strip District on Saturday, March 1st. The event featured some great Chicago-style blues by Jill West and Blues Attack, while approximately 200 guests enjoyed themselves bidding on auction baskets filled with merchandise, tickets and memberships from a variety of Pittsburgh's cultural and recreational venues. 2003 Sponsors

The 2nd Annual "Help Kids Lose the Blues" fundraiser was held on March 27, 2004. Guests enjoyed the dynamic rhythm and blues sound of Mo Black's Magic featuring Andrea Pearl, at the Riverwatch overlooking the Allegheny River in the Strip District. This year's auction baskets offered twice the amount of merchandise, tickets and memberships, focusing on activities and overnights in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. 2004 Sponsors

The 3rd Annual "Help Kids Lose the Blues" fundraiser took place on March 19, 2005. Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band rocked the house for approximately 200 people at the Sports Rock Café in the Strip District. Guests were treated to a barbeque sampler buffet and a “Chinese” auction offering over $6,000 in merchandise from local businesses and venues. This year's event also featured a “Silent Auction” with donations from U.S. Airways (Round-Trip Airfare) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (Signed & Framed Hines Ward Photo). 2005 Sponsors

The 4th Annual "Help Kids Lose the Blues" fundraiser took place on Friday September 29th, 2006 at Margarita Mamas in Station Square. Pittsburgh native and acclaimed blues vocalist, Barbara Blue, performed before an energetic audience of 275 guests. Barbara records and performs nightly on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Her most recent CD is Love, Money Can't Buy recorded in LA with Taj Mahal's Phantom Blues Band. Visit her website at www.barbarablue.com.

THE GOLF MARATHON: The "Circle C Golf Marathon" is one of the most unique golf outings in the region, and has been a successful event ever since its inception in 1994. Our golfers obtain sponsors to pledge a certain amount of money per hole played, or a single pledge for the entire day. Golfers attempt to play as many holes of golf as possible, while enjoying good food, camaraderie and prizes. The standing record for the most holes played in one day is 144! For many years, the "Marathon" was held at Seven Oaks Country Club, but is currently hosted at Montour Country Club in Moon Township.

BRIGHTER FUTURES FUND: Circle C's annual campaign for the "Brighter Futures Fund" is held each October. The fund is used to provide for the special needs of our kids that are not otherwise funded. For example, we have paid for spiritual retreats and time at Camp Saranac (run by Young Life) for some of our kids; obtained memberships to the Carnegie Science Center for our Group Homes; helped defray the cost of sporting equipment for residents who participate in varsity sports; paid for art supplies and tech school registration; and funded family visits out of state so that children could spend time with their families. The Fund has also provided items like dental appliances and contact lenses that are not covered by medical insurance, and dress outfits for our Life Skills residents to make a good appearance when they are job hunting. All donations are used SOLELY for the benefit of the children we serve.

UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTIONS: You can select Circle C as part of the Contributor Choice portion of the United Way campaign. Donations have been steadily increasing the past few years, and provide invaluable resources for our kids. Simply list Circle C's contributor choice number --920-- when you make your United Way contribution.

HOLIDAY HOPES AND DREAMS: Circle C’s “Holiday Hopes and Dreams Project” offers organizations and individual donors an opportunity to provide a memorable and meaningful Holiday Season for the approximately 50 children living in our group and foster homes. Many of these kids have never been asked to complete a “wish list,” and are often amazed when they open their gifts at the group home holiday parties.

Donors can be helpful in a number of ways. Groups can set up an “angel tree” with wishes listed on gift tags, or individuals may request any number of wishes to fill. Donors are also needed to fill stockings, and bake holiday sweets. The project kicks off in early October, and “Circle C Elves” make sure that each gift gets to the right child.

For more information, please contact Barbara Ginsburg, Resource Development Manager at: 412-937-1605 x227 or send e-mail to: .

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