Title
To recognize the Charity Newsies organization for 103 years of benevolent service and dedication to the children of Columbus and Franklin County.
Body
WHEREAS, the Sunday before Christmas 1907, 50 friends and business leaders walked the streets of Columbus with a special edition of the Ohio Sun, selling their first "charity" newspaper. Today, over 700 volunteers carry on the tradition of the founding Newsies by taking to the street corners throughout Franklin County on the second Saturday of every December to sell a special edition newspaper for any amount people want to give; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Charity Newsies is to ensure that no child is kept from attending school due to a lack of adequate clothing. Last year, Charity Newsies clothed over 14,000 children whose families could not afford the cost of clothes. This year the Newsies anticipate clothing over 15,000 children; and
WHEREAS, Charity Newsies serves students K through 12 attending public, private, and charter schools throughout Franklin County and is committed to helping students succeed by providing them with free, new school clothes so they have one less barrier to attending and focusing in school; and
WHEREAS, Charity Newsies members volunteer more than 15,000 hours annually, staffing the organization's warehouse, making appointments for children to receive free clothing, and visiting families in their homes to impress the value of education; and
WHEREAS, on December 11th, Charity Newsies will be selling their annual special edition charity newspapers on street corners throughout Columbus raising moneys, of which 100% will be used to clothe school children in need; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize Charity Newsies for 103 years of dedication to ensuring our young people stay in school by meeting the basic yet essential clothing needs of children in need throughout Columbus and Franklin County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby commend the 2010-2011 Drive Chair Kirk Smith, Charity Newsies President Kathy Redmond and Charity Newsies Chairman of the Board Dick Conway, whose leadership has helped make Charity Newsies one of the most respected and cherished philanthropic organizations in Ohio.