Kate, Torin, and Dennis C.

“Fostering and Adoption Should Be Celebrated”A Former Foster Child Speaks Out

Dennis C. is, by all accounts, a success. He is well-educated, well-employed, and has a family he dotes on. He is a director of the Boys and Girls Club and volunteers in several other capacities. He is also a product of the foster care system, and strongly believes that his foster care experience helped him become the man he is today. We talked with Dennis recently about his life in and out of foster care.

Talk, to the degree you are comfortable, about the circumstances that led you into foster care.As is typical of many kids who end up in foster care, my home life was unstable and abusive. I am the oldest of five and was often without supervision. By the time I was twelve years old I was running with the wrong people, doing the wrong things and eventually got caught. I was sent to a boys’ home where I lived for eighteen months. When I was released from the boys’ home, instead of returning to either of my parent’s houses, I went into foster care.

Describe the home of Fran and Seeley Morrow, your foster family. What event or events stand out for you from that time?The Morrows had raised many children of their own. I was their only foster child at the time and had my own room—something I’d never had. After an initial adjustment, I felt like I was just another one of their kids. It was the first time in my life I got to be part of a “real” family. Their patience and understanding with me was astonishing. They knew how to motivate me to succeed in school and athletics and how to reel me in when I got out of line. More than anything, it was their unconditional love and support that made the biggest impact and gave me a second chance in life.

What advice do you have for kids now in foster care? For foster parents and foster care workers? I would tell them that no matter how bad things might appear there is one thing that they can count on and that is the power of choice. They may not be able to choose where they are living now or the family they came from, but they can choose to make it a positive experience. Choose to learn from the mistakes you and others make and don’t be afraid to ask for some help along the way. Foster parents can have the biggest impact by providing the things that have often been missing in the lives of foster kids—stability, patience, time, attention, and unconditional love. What the Morrows did for me by learning about and valuing me as an individual was to help me find and harness the passion and drive I had and then channel that energy into positive outcomes. For me it was sports that motivated me and when they encouraged me to participate I became a part of an even bigger team of supporters. Every one of us has that passion and drive in us somewhere and some just need help finding and directing it and foster parents, social workers and others in the system can play an important role. If social workers were able to spend the quality (continued on pg. 2)

• I N T H I S I S S U E •

A Former Foster Child Speaks Out

page 1

Lifetime Giving Clubspage 3

Annual Giving Clubspage 4 - 6

Gratitudespage 7

From the Executive Director

page 8

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission

is to promote the safety and well-being of children,

adults, and families by providing services that

foster and develop social and emotional healing

and growth.

3785 Veterans DriveTraverse City, MI 49684

231.946.8975

3434 M-119, Suite FHarbor Springs, MI 49740

231.347.4463

www.cfsnwmi.org

W I N T E R 2 0 0 5

time required, they could really make a difference in the process of helping kids develop into successful adults.

Describe your life today--your family, your work. Do you have a relationship with your biological family?I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University and am currently working on my MBA. I am a manager for one of the largest software companies in the world and more than anything, I have an amazing family—one I could have only dreamt of when I was young. My wife and son are the center of my world and are the biggest reward for all I went through as a kid. I met my wife during our junior year in high school and we have been together more than half of our lives. She has always been my biggest supporter. In 2001

we adopted our son at birth and it was truly an amazing experience. We had the opportunity to build a relationship with his birthmother before he was born and maintain an open relationship with her today—she and her family are part of our extended family. Every day I am able to give my family what I didn’t have, and not just in the material sense but also on an emotional level and I feel so fortunate to have learned about love and being a family from the Morrows. My wife and I plan to become foster parents in the future and hope to make a difference in the life of a child like they did in mine.

I have maintained some contact with my biological family, primarily with one of my brothers and one of my sisters and their families. I see my youngest brother and sister and each of my parents less frequently. I am the only one in my family who went into foster care and it was a positive force in my life. I am also the only one who graduated from high school and then went on to graduate from college and beyond.

How would you encourage community members to support foster and adoptive families?I encourage the community to support foster and adoptive families by recognizing them as “real” families making a real difference in the lives of kids who desperately need it. Fostering and adoption should be celebrated and community leadership involvement is a good way to increase awareness.

“Fostering and Adoption Should Be Celebrated” continued

Fran and Seeley Morrow were Dennis’ foster parents and still provide foster care for CFS.

MARKYOUR 2006 CALENDAR

A P R I L National Child Abuse Awareness Month

M A Y National Foster Care Month

Saturday, May 13: The Fifth Annual Festival of Tables,Grand Traverse Resort

J U N EWednesday, June 7: Tee Up Fore Kids Golf Outing, Mistwood Golf Course

S E P T E M B E RMonday, September 11: Country Club Classic Golf Outing, Traverse City Golf and Country Club

NOVEMBERNational AdoptionMonth

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 2

“Midnight Garden,” a drawing by F.S., 16, in foster care.

founders clublifetime giving $50,000 and above

Terry G. Brandt

Robert P. and Maxine C. Briggs

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians*

Grand Traverse Regional Com. Foundation

Robert T. Hughes Fund

Robert B. Murchie Trust

Oleson Foundation

Jacob Nicholas Rickers Estate

Rotary Charities of Traverse City

United Way of Northwest Michigan

Mrs. William Votruba

Anonymous Donor (1)

president’s clublifetime giving $10,000 - $49,999

The Alabaster Fund*

Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation*

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Anderson

Chuck and Barb Benson*

Benzie Co. Community Chest

CharEm United Way

Charlevoix Co. Community Foundation*

Cherryland Electric Community Caring Fund

Child & Family Services of MI

Gordon and Jean Cornwell

Exchange Club of Traverse City

Cameron and Daniel Farley

Fifth Third Bank

Huntington Bank

Keswick United Methodist Church

Kiwanis Club of Traverse City

Ms. Paula H. LaClaire

Olivia and Martin Lagina

Marshall Field’s

Michigan Women’s Foundation*

Ms. Clarine W. Olson

Optimist Club of Traverse City

Mr. Jack Otto

Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Comm. Foundation

Quota International of TC

Mr. Arthur M. Schmuckal

Target Corp. Comm Relations*

Textron/Cone Drive Operations

Tribal Gaming Revenue Board

The Les and Anne Biederman Foundation

The Seabury Foundation

The Towsley Foundation

Tom’s Food Markets

Zonta I Club of Traverse City

Anonymous (2)

Lifetime Giving ClubsLifetime Giving Clubs

Alden United Methodist Women

Bank One of Petoskey

Mrs. LaVera Bishop

Ms. Naomi Tudor Borwell

Mrs. Walter B. Boyd

Brauer Productions

Dick and Linda Buist

Cadillac Area Community Foundation

Christ Child Society

Warren W. Cline, III and Della Lewis

John J. and Theresa Crinnion

Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Dendrinos

Downtown Traverse City Assoc.

Easling Construction

Ms. Gae Ellery and Mr. Don Butkovich

Amy and Todd Endresen

First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids

Fitzmaurice-Garvin Insurance

Charles and Dianna Forster

Grand Traverse Allergy*

Great Lakes Energy

Hagen Family Foundation*

Ms. Theresa Harding

Home Depot

Interlochen Women’s Club

Gerald and Patricia Jehle

Kalcher, Vanderwal & Torrey, P.C.

Keswick United Methodist Women

George and Cheryl Knight

Roberta and Gerald Kolak

Ms. Kathy Kostrzewa

Leland United Methodist Women

Ms. Sandra Lockwood

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mactavish

John and Jane W. Matz

Ms. Betty Mitchell

Ms. Carol Morris

Nels and Lynda Nichols

Mr. Douglass North

Northern Michigan Bowling Proprietors

Mr. Alan F. Olson

Passageways Travel

Peninsula Construction and Supply, Inc.

Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home

Dave and Liz Rollert

Marvin and Luella Rorick

Rotary Club of Elk Rapids

Ms. Roselynn Ruis

SBC

Mr. and Mrs. Neill R. Schmeichel

Schmuckal Oil Company

Miss Judith Schuler

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith

Bill and Lee Smith

Ms. Peggy Snowday

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Stanton Charity for Children

Frank and Evelyn Tenbusch

The Art and Mary Schmuckal Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Thomas, Jr.

Bud and Mary Jean Thompson

Three Generations Circle of Women Givers

Virginia Tile Co.

Dr. Petra Von Kulajta and Mr. Timothy Werner*

Wal-Mart of Traverse City

Dr. Gregg B. Wickstrom, M.D.

Mr. Robert E. Wolfe

Mr. Doug Zernow and Ms. Merilyn Ueno*

Anonymous (8)

gold circle clublifetime giving $2,500 - $9,999

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 3

Our deepest appreciation to these donors for acheiving our highest levels of giving

* denotes first year at this giving level

Munson Health CareNorthern MI Bowling ProprietorsNorthwestern BankMr. Alan F. OlsonPapers & PresentsMs. Kathleen PhelpsMary and Craig RapinMark and Jackie RibelDave and Liz RollertMr. and Mrs. Neill R. SchmeichelT.J. MaxxFrank and Evelyn TenbuschStephen and Sarah TrippeThe Painted Door GalleryBrendon and Janet WellsWildflowersDoug Zernow and Merilyn Ueno

champions$250 - 499Steven and Sally AdamsAlden United Methodist WomenAllure SalonBlair and Deb AndersonLarry and Kathy AngoveBelle TireIvor and Marci BerryMr. Brian BloodBowers Harbor VineyardsBoyne Country SportsCAP-COM, Inc. Paging & CellularCedar Creek Interiors Grand TraverseCenter for Body AwarenessMr. and Mrs. William ChichesterCornillie ConcreteDave Thomas FoundationDetails - Cabin & CottageMs. Pat DobrzelewskiGary and Sandra DrewElmbrook Golf CourseFifth Third Bank NorthernFirefly/310First Presbyterian ChurchFloor Covering Brokers, Inc.John D. and LindaLee ForesmanForest Lakes CanvasJohn and Jodie FormoloFriend of the CourtGallery FiftyGlobal Remediation Technologies, Inc.Goldsmith Well Drilling and RepairHUB InternationalHolly and Davis HackMs. Annette M. HarlandMr. and Mrs. Donald HaydenMs. Wendy HushakImpres Salon Spa

Industrial MagneticsMs. Pat JanisGerald and Patricia JehleMs. B. Jane JohnsonKaren Youker PhotographyKeswick United Methodist ChurchKewadin United Methodist ChurchRobert and Nancy KincaidGeorge and Cheryl KnightJeff and Gretchen KnoblockLake Ann Lions ClubLeonardo’s Tree ServiceMs. Anne LippGary and Sarah LongLots o’ PotsMancelona United Methodist ChurchMax’s ServiceTom and Shirley McLenithanMs. Lois McManusMunson Health CareNest of Grand TraverseRichard and Margie NewellO.I.L. Energy Corp.Clarine W. OlsonP.O.M. Associates, Inc.Parsons Ringsmuth PLCPavlovaPeninsula PartnersRoger and Ruth QuinnGina RangerPeter and Megan RaphaelRebecca Vomastek Hagerty, DOMs. June RengoBrian Riggs and Jill LittleEric and Judith RodesSara Lee Corp.Regina SchramGary and Nancy SeabrookMrs. Joan E. SeabrookMr. Greg SeamanJack and Susan SeamanSkilled Manufacturing, Inc.Smith & Johnson Attorneys, P.C.Mr. and Mrs. Art SnyderLarry and Linda SommervilleTE Technology, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Donald TarkingtonTextron/Cone Drive OperationsThe Rowe InnHerman and Laurie ThomasBud and Mary Jean ThompsonTilestone ImportsTraverse Connection LLCValerie Studio & Fine Art GalleryLance and Carol VernamDr. Petra Von Kulajta and Mr. Timothy WernerWarren Cline III CPA/ABV

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 4

dream makers$1000 and aboveAllen-Heath Memorial FoundationBay Point Family Care & Laser Skin ClinicBenzie County Community ChestCadillac Area Comm. FoundationCharEm United WayCharlevoix Co. Comm. FoundationCherryland Electric Community Caring FundChild & Family Services of MIChrist Child SocietyGordon and Jean CornwellGae Ellery and Don ButkovichTodd and Amy EndresenLeslie and Erik FalconerDaniel and Cameron FarleyFirst Presbyterian Church of Elk RapidsGrand Traverse AllergyGrand Traverse BandGrand Traverse Regional Community FoundationGreat Wolf LodgeHagen Family FoundationHertler and AssociatesHuntington BankJW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & SpaJohnson Clark Printers, Inc.Kiwanis Club of Traverse City, Inc.Dr. Richard KosinskiMarriott InternationalJohn and Jane W. MatzMichigan Women’s FoundationDorothy MillerMr. and Mrs. Sam Mitchell, Jr.Carol MorrisNeiman MarcusOleson FoundationOptimist Club of Traverse CityJack OttoJean and Terry PaquetPetoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community FoundationQuota International of TCMarv and Luella RorickRotary Charities of Traverse CityJim Scherrer and Deb KalchikRick and Joni ScherrerSt. John’s Episcopal ChurchWynne and Imogene SteuernolTRAVERSE, Northern Michigan’s MagazineThe Art and Mary Schmuckal FoundationThe Mead FoundationTom’s Food MarketsTrinity Lutheran School

Annual Giving ClubsAnnual Giving ClubsUnited Way of NW MichiganVictoria J. Perez and Scott KalchikWCCW 107.5 FM RadioWGTU & WGTQ 29 & 8Wachovia FoundationWachovia SecuritiesWal-Mart of Traverse CityWal-Mart FoundationWilliams ChevroletMr. Robert E. WolfeZonta I Club of Traverse CityAnonymous (2)

heroes$500 - 999Rev. Betsy AndersonJib and Sheila BaileyBay Area Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryTom and Toni CarterWarren W. Cline, III and Della Lewis Warren and Suzanne CreamerCrystal Mountain Ski ResortDay Signs Inc.Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth, PCMs. Pamela G. DowElmbrook Golf CourseFederico’s Design JewelersFirst Congregational Church U.C.C.First Presbyterian Church of Elk RapidsFitzmaurice-Garvin InsuranceCharles and Dianna ForsterGarden GoodsJim and Laurie GartnerWilliam and Carolyn GauthierBranko and Diane GegichGrand Traverse Resort Golf CenterGrandview Golf ClubGreat Lakes Plastic Surgery CenterJep and Mary GrumanHFC - Member HSBC GroupHagerty Charitable Endowment FundHamilton FabricsMarlene and Forbes HoughanHramiec HoffmanKenneth and Elizabeth JamesKalcher, Vanderwal & Torrey, P.C.Lauren Hanna InteriorsLisa and Bob LazarLowder Insurance GroupMr. David MatterMs. Rebecca MericleMichigan Specialty Insurance Agency, IncDr. Carolyn MoatsMunson Family Practice

These generous friends have supported CFS well from July 2004 through September 2005

L. James J. and Marilyn WetherbeePatrick and Jean WicksallGreg and Donna WilliamsYounkersAnonymous (2)

family friends$100 - 249A.G. Edwards & SonsABI Mechanical ContractorsMr. and Mrs. Mike AbelVenita and Russ AbelJacqueline and David AdamsMr. and Mrs. Carl AlbrightSenator & Mrs. Jason AllenMr. and Mrs. Willis AllenClyde and Virginia AllisonTimothy and Ramona Sue AlpersMs. Jeannette M. ArnoldElizabeth and Eddie AscioneAstro Building ProductsTom and Barbara AuerB.W.B. Inc. of MichiganMs. Carole Bailey WilcoxJames and Jacalyn BannonBrad and Polly BarnesBaskets Full of GiftsMs. Patricia BattaBayshore ResortMs. Nancy BazemoreRobert and Ellen BeasleyBecky Thatcher Designs, Inc.Phillip and Ann BegleyBellaire Golf ClubBelstone Gallery & GiftsReginald and Ann BirdGary and Sandy BlackmoreThomas and Terri BlanchardBoettcher MasonryBondurantMr. Thomas BoothMs. Naomi Tudor BorwellMs. Sandra BottrellMs. Susan BoyerBrake & Alignment Service CenterBrandt, Fisher, Alward & Roy, P.C.Mr. and Mrs. Dale BrassFred and Kathleen BrelandReed and Cynthia BrelandRobert and Nancy T. BrickCharles and Nancy BrickmanBrown Lumber CompanyMs. Ann BrydgesJames and Barbara BurkholderMs. Margaret BurrowsMr. Edward BuysseBruce and Mary BylC & H Maintenance

Cafe BlissArch and Robbie J. CarmichaelCarpet GalleriaBill and Sandy CartwrightDavid and Anne ChaffeeChateau ChantalMelissa and Lawrence ChenaultCiao Bella RestaurantEmmLee A. ClanceyRobert and Dorothy ClearyMr. Dave CoatesMr. George ComdenCook Marketing CommunicationsCornwell - Callahan Architects P.C .Leonard and Delores CouturierCreative Needle Arts Ltd.Cutler’sGail and Daniel Dall’OlmoMr. Kent DavisDouglas and Maureen DeYoungDr. Robert DotterrerBrian and Renee` DrabikMs. Patricia E. DutmersEasling ConstructionEastern Mountain SportsEdson FarmsRev. and Mrs. Ned EdwardsElements Spa SalonCraig W. Elhart, P.C.Emerald ValeMr. Larry EndersMike and Barbara EvaBarbara and Jerry EvansFaith & CompanyMary Lu FennellKathleen FergusonJon and Maria FiebingMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey E. FisherMr. and Mrs. Bruce FletcherScott and Karin FosterFrankfort Rotary ClubBill and Sue FreshourDelores and Steven FrisbieMr. Walter GallagherMs. Donna GamacheRussell and Jane GesmeJayne and Bill GilliganGlaxoSmithKlineGlobal Remediation Technologies, Inc.Charles and Pamela GodboutMr. Jeffrey GoldsmithGosling Czubak EngineeringGrand Traverse Athletic ClubGreat Lakes Ignition & Supply, Inc.Gail and Ronald GreenGail and David GwinnellGypsum SupplyHagerty Classic InsuranceDon and Barbara Hakala

HannaMr. John Harrigan, Jr.Raymond and Deloris HasseMs. Kimberlee HicksMs. Carolyn HollenbeckMichael and Margaret HootonJP and Jennifer HuntingtonIntex PaintingAnn and Dave IrishMr. Scott JaworskiMs. Sandra JohnsonJim and Alice JohnstonMr. Ivan KalchikTracy and Brittany KaminskiDr. and Mrs. Charles KehrRobert and Nancy KincaidKiwanis Club of PetoskeyMs. Mary KleinMr. and Mrs. Kenneth KnudsenRoberta and Gerald KolakKorner GemGlenn and Suzanne KorzynEdmund and Anne KrigbaumWalter and Elaine KurczewskiMr. Michael LaVireJohn and Hope LaitalaLeelanau Club at Bahle FarmsLeelanau Enterprises, Inc.Leibenguth, Boos & Associates, P.C.Leland Community United Methodist ChurchWarren and Dorothy LemanLichty UpholsteryMs. Patricia Reid LindnerWayne and Terry LobdellLong Lake MarinaSusan and Michael MaasbergVincent and Angela MackeMackinac Island PressManistee-Mason District Dental SocietyAnn and William G. MartinMason InteriorsMs. Doris MasserangMs. Rose Ann MaueMax’s ServiceMaxbauerGuy and Kathleen MaxwellThomas and Marjorie MayhewM. McCluskyJudith and Robert McQuilkinMs. Joel MeadowsMembers Credit UnionWilliam G. and Helen MillikenMiner’s North JewelersKaren and Sam MitchellDr. John ModlinMolon Excavating, Inc.Paul and Marcia MonksKimball and Louise Morris

Dennis and Judy MurphyGreg and Laura MurphyNels and Lynda NicholsMs. Cathy O’ConnorO.I.L. Energy Corp.Robert and Ann OgurOld Mission Tavern/La Bella GalleriaOld Town OpticalWilliam and Joan OlsenMs. Clarine W. OlsonMr. Jack OttoPasadena Oil & Gas Corp.Ms. Shirley PattersonMr. and Mrs. William PaulPeninsula PilatesDr. and Mrs. Annibal PepperBarbara and Michael PerryRuth and Elmer J. PetermanPetoskey Area JayceesPetoskey Public SchoolsMr. and Mrs. Ed PetrickMs. Pat PetrovichDr. and Mrs. Peter PicheMr. and Mrs. Kenneth PickeringPlant MastersPlante & MoranChristopher and Ann PorterGeorge and Nancy PowellMs. Mary PrattPremier Health & FitnessMrs. Kenneth RamsayMs. Beth RegenmorterJohn and Florence RegenmorterMr. Louis RegenmorterMs. June RengoMrs. John W. RennieRobert W. Baird, Inc.Gordon and Paula RobertsonRobinsons, Inc.Claire and Charles RodesMs. Barbara RollinsonJames and Barbara RowlettJohn and Elizabeth RuckrichSara Lee Corp.Julie SaryaMr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Sawin, IIMr. and Mrs. Robert SchmidtDiane and Nelson SchraderMr. and Mrs. Alan ScottMrs. Joan E. SeabrookJack and Susan Seaman, Jr.Shady Lane CellarsJennifer and Wayne SimmonsMs. Joyce M. SmithMs. Peggy SnowdayMs. Kitty SomaLeo and Linda StallmanStewart-Zacks Mr. Fred Stoye, Sr.

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 5

Annual Giving Clubs (continued)Annual Giving Clubs (continued)

The end of the year is a time to review, reflect, and plan for the future. For many, addressing their charitable concerns is a natural and satisfying part of this process.

We at Child and Family Services are so grateful for your past generosity. We hope that the following information about planning your future gifts will help assure the maximum financial benefit to you, and the greatest positive impact to those we serve.

Your gifts made prior to December 31 are tax deductible for the year 2005. Large gifts may result in income tax savings for 2005 and as many as five future tax years. The higher your tax bracket, the greater your savings.

Gifts of property—such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate—that have increased in value since you have owned them can provide extra tax savings. First, you can receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full market value of the gifted asset. Second, you avoid capital gains tax on the growth in the value of the asset during the time you owned the property. Gifting an appreciated asset directly to the organization—versus selling the asset first and then gifting the resulting after-tax proceeds—allows you to make a larger gift, and potentially obtain a larger income tax deduction. Gifts of appreciated assets may be counted as an itemized deduction on up to 30% of your adjusted gross income.

If you own securities that have decreased in value since you have owned them, you can sell them and give the cash proceeds, which creates a loss you may be able to deduct from other taxable income, along with your cash contribution.

Susan and Jim StrabelStudio Josef’sSuper WashMrs. Helen C. SwintJoel and Julia SytsmaTNT Electrical Systems, Inc.Tarras Construction, Inc.Dr. Kenneth C. TaylorMs. Nancy TelgardMr. and Mrs. Mike TeterThe Boathouse RestaurantThe Cottage Garden

The Dance CenterThe Presbyterian Church of TC Thompson PharmacyToad HallTool NorthTraverse City Post OfficeTri-Gas CompanyMr. and Mrs. Ronald TrontMr. Chris TrowerMs. Betty UnderwoodMs. Jan UnderwoodUnited Methodist Church of Elk Rapids

Valerio’sMs. Josephine VaughanVenusVirginia Tile Co.Ms. Suzanne VoltzMr. and Mrs. James WadsworthMs. Margaret B. Warren - McTaggartMs. Linda WasielewskiJohn and Jean B. WatkinsJustice Elizabeth A. WeaverDr. Catherine Webb

Ms. Janet WebbWeber Curtin & Pahssen LLCDelphine and Paul WelchWhat to WearJames and Beverly WheatonTonya and Brian WildfongDr. Charles R. WilliamsHarry and Pat WojtasWooden GalleryMr. and Mrs. Wayne WorkmanRobert and Pauline YoungAnonymous (17)

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 6

The combined deductible loss plus the charitable deduction may be greater than the current asset value.

Your generosity is a vital part of our success, now and into the future. The following kinds of gifts will have ongoing significance and may be of interest to you.

• A gift included in your will or living trust is one way to establish a lasting legacy.

• Gifts of real estate have become increasingly popular in the last couple years as the recent real estate boom has left many properties with large capital gains.

• A life income gift can be a tax-effective way to provide you and/or someone you designate with regular payments for life.

• One type of life income gift is a gift annuity, available if you are 50 years of age or older and contribute a minimum of $25,000. You and/or your designated beneficiaries can receive a fixed life income amount and tax benefits. At the end of the beneficiary’s lifetime(s) a gift is made to the local Community Foundation and Child and Family Services’ Endowment Fund.

Please contact your tax adviser for more information specific to your needs. The Child and Family Services Development Office is available to answer any questions you may have at 231.946.8975.

Plan Your Giving

Annual Giving Clubs (continued)Annual Giving Clubs (continued)

A partial list of organizations we’d like to thank for their generosity(July 2004 - September 2005)

Optimist Club of Traverse City, for $1000 in operational support; Michigan Women’s Foundation, $6250 for the Pregnancy Counseling program; Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and its Youth Advisory Councils, $9910 for foster care educational, recreation, and skills-building programs, $5000 for capacity building, and $500 for staff training and development; St. John’s Episcopal Church, $1200 for independent living classes for youth in foster care; Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, $5000 for foster family respite, $2000 for independent living classes for youth in foster care;

Charlevoix County Community Foundation, for $3070 for “Lifebooks,” a scrapbooking project for children in foster care and $950 in child care funds for foster families; Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation, $5000 for pregnancy counseling support; Kiwanis Club of Traverse City, $1200 for the needs of young children, and $500 for the Christmas Store, teaching youth the benefit of giving as well as receiving during the holidays; The Alabaster Fund, $10,000 for a foster care/adoption community awareness project; Quota International of Traverse City, $1500 for pregnancy counseling;

Cadillac Area Community Foundation, $5040 for the Experiential Education Program;

Char-Em United Way, $3,254 in grants and designations;

The Oleson Foundation, $15,000 in operational support;

Wal-Mart, $1500 in operational support;

Zonta I Club of Traverse City, $1000 for the “Zonta Cares for Caring Women” fund to support the training and development of women in social work;

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, $15,000 for pregnancy counseling support and $15,041 for Family Group Decision Making support;

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 7

Benzie County Community Chest, $2100 for the Experiential Education Program;

Hagerty Charitable Endowment Fund, $500 in support through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation;

Trinity Lutheran School, $1217 for the Boys’ Creative Outlet program;

The Edward J. Frey, Jr. Charitable Fund, $3000 for foster family respite support, through the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation;

The Art and Mary Schmuckal Foundation, $2000 for clothing needs for youth in the VOCA program;

and The Hagen Family Foundation,$3000 for the Boys’ Creative Outlet Program.

gratitudesgratitudes

ANOTHER REASON TO GIVE THIS YEARIn September, President Bush signed into law the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA). Among KETRA’s features:

• allows a 100% deduction, waiving previous limits applied to gifts made between August 28 and December 31, 2005

• allows the deduction on gifts for hurricane relief and other charities

• gifts to donor advised funds, most private foundations, supporting organizations, most charitable remainder trusts, and certain other life income gift plans are NOT qualified gifts under KETRA

Talk with your tax advisor for more detailed information.

Board of DirectorsSheila Morgan

PresidentLarry AngoveTodd EndresenErik FalconerHolly Hack

Galen KrupkaKenneth Petterson

Roger QuinnGina Ranger

Peter RaphaelRegina Schram

Board of CounselorsWarren W. Cline, III

Gary GarvinAlan F. Olson

Board of TrusteesDaniel A. Jonkhoff

PresidentGordon Cornwell

Vice-PresidentRichard P. Smith

Asst. SecretaryJack L. Otto Treasurer

EmmLee Clancey Asst. Treasurer

3785 Veterans DriveTraverse City, MI 49684

231.946.8975fax 231.946.0451

•

3434 M-119, Suite FHarbor Springs, MI 49740

231.347-4463fax 231.347-8823

www.cfsnwmi.org

Council on Accreditation

The holiday season is a great time to focus on that which we cherish most. As we near the end of 2005, it’s clear that this has been a very good year for Child and Family Services even in the face of the increas-ing challenges of serving the most vulnerable of our area’s children. As more and more of our nation’s resources shift toward supporting the war in Iraq and the victims of the terrible storms that deci-mated the Gulf Coast, human service agencies in Michigan have needed to focus on de-livering essential services most efficiently to assure that our limited resources are dedicated to those in the greatest need.

I am pleased to announce that state funding for our fos-ter care programs has been increased. This increase will allow us to continue our important work and to be more fairly compensated for the costs associated with it. Thanks to our northern Mich-igan legislators for their role in guiding this rate change to fruition.

While we are grateful for the foster care rate increase and worked very hard to make it happen, we know that we’ll continue to be challenged to financially meet our mis-sion in 2006. That mission, “to promote the safety and

well being of children, adults and families by providing ser-vices that foster and develop social and emotional healing and growth,” can only be met through our partnership with you.

One of the ways we depend on you is through your volun-teerism. We are committed to offering more opportunities to our volunteers and donors to deepen your connection to Child and Family Services in 2006. The Festival of Tables committee alone has grown from a handful of volunteers in the first year to over 50 volunteers now working on the 5th year’s event—a won-derful success story. Some volunteers (nearly all are women) enjoy working on the creative aspects, while others enjoy marketing and “selling” the event to individ-uals and businesses.

There’s a place at Child and Family Services for volun-teers with many talents and levels of energy. No mat-ter how you choose to help, friendship and fulfillment are the biggest benefits of volun-teering.

At our Annual Dinner this month, we recognized Greg Williams and Regina Schram as our Volunteers of the Year. Greg has been the hard-working Chairman of The Country Club Classic golf fundraiser for the three years of its existence, and Regina has been an active member of the Festival of Tables steering committee and the Treasurer of our Board of Directors. Both have dedicated many

hours of their busy sched-ules to benefit CFS so that we can continue to provide compassionate and innova-tive services to the children and families of northwestern Michigan.

To further develop our volun-teer program we are pleased to have added Linda Som-merville to our Development Office staff. Future news-letters will regularly devote space to recognize our volun-teers and their various roles.

Thank you for your connection to Child and Fam-ily Services of Northwestern Michigan. It takes all of us to carry out the heart of our mission.

I wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and health and fulfillment in 2006.

Warmly,

Jim Scherrer,Executive Director

Closer to the Heart…

Update • Winter 2005 Child & Family Services 8

E-MAIL?In an effort to communicate with you more regularly and lower printing and postage

costs, Child and Family Services is exploring the

idea of an email newsletter. Please consider a quick

email to us at garanki@cfsmail.org so that we may add your address to our database.