Founder MJ McCarty Retires Next Month
Cathy Lueers Becomes Executive Director
By MJ McCarty
Dear Friends of Off the Floor Pittsburgh,
During this fall season, I am thankful for you, the friends and the volunteers of this local Christian ministry!
Many of you have worked diligently to ensure our growth and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish.
Great Strides in 2009
We kicked off 2009 by moving from six small lockers to a large warehouse at the Pittsburgh Presbytery Office. This pick-up and delivery season has exceeded our expectations, not only in terms of the number of donors and recipients, but by the increased number of pick-up and delivery teams. Our most significant accomplishment during these difficult financial times was to raise the funds to hire our first Executive Director, Mrs. Cathy Lueers. With her business acumen, good communication skills and her compassion for the marginalized poor families in our city, she will be instrumental in taking Off the FloorPittsburgh to the next level in 2010.
Upon reflecting over the last five years, it is my joy that Off the Floor Pittsburgh has developed deep roots in the Pittsburgh community and is now stable and poised for growth. I believe that we are moving in the right direction. With this peace of mind, comes my decision to resign at the close of this 2009 season. I will be passing the torch to Cathy. Rest assured, the torch will be in good hands.
Founder's Fund Established
In light of my leaving, the Board of Directors has chosen to establish a Founder's Fund as a legacy to me that will insure the sustainability of this organization for decades to come. This is a warming tribute and one that I hope you will consider supporting. With your generous philanthropic contribution, we can ensure that poor children in our city will have beds to sleep in at night and that poor families will have basic furniture. Clearly, our deliveries of furniture not only provide a table and chairs to eat from and beds to sleep in, but we also deliver hope, dignity and the realization that someone actually cares about their plight.
I have been personally humbled and profoundly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet our recipient families! Many of them work long, hard hours at minimum wage but still do without the basics. I cannot imagine being a parent and seeing my child fall asleep night after night on a hard wood floor and be impotent to provide them with a bed. This is why your help is critical in assisting us to accomplish our goal. Individual, private financial support is key to empowering us to continue to achieve our mission.
As I conclude my role as the visionary and the founder of this wonderful volunteer effort, I wish to sincerely thank each and every one of you for joining with me to make Off the Floor Pittsburgh a reality! Thank you for believing in this vision and this dream. Because of you, Off the Floor Pittsburgh is now a well established ministry.
When I am old, may I be able to say that I live in a city where no human being is eating or is sleeping on the floor! May God continue to bless each one of you so that in turn, you may continue to be a blessing to the poorest families in our city.
Praising Him!
M. J. McCarty, R.N., Ph.D., Founder
Where Does Off the Floor Go From Here?
By Cathy Lueers
Change provides great opportunities for challenge and growth. MJ has laid the critical groundwork for Off the Floor to advance to the next level, with a vision to serve more families.
In 2010, Off the Floor will develop a strategic plan, seek new grants, execute important fund-raising events, and seek to become its own non-profit corporation beginning in July. Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian Church has served as the umbrella organization and will continue to do so through June 2010.
As you have questions and comments for Off the Floor, please direct them accordingly beginning December 14, to Cathy Lueers, 412.926.5053. clueers@offthefloorpittsburgh.org
For pick-up and delivery information, contact Michele Kach, 412.818.3228, michelek.1976@gmail.com.
Referral agencies will continue to call 412.531.6227, where volunteers receive calls regarding recipients. www.offthefloorpittsburgh is our website, where you can indicate donations you have available for pick-up or to volunteer.
Your Guide to Making Off the Floor Great
Be an Ambassador. Tell everyone about the mission and activities of Off the Floor.
Volunteer. Are you available for new midweek pick-ups? Are you available to use your administrative or organizational gifts? Sort and label items, consider applying to serve on the board, help plan events. Complete an online volunteer form at www.offthefloorpittsburgh.org.
Sponsor a Pillows for Pennies Collection at work. We'll provide the pillowcase. You inspire co-workers or neighbors to donate change and small bills between now and Christmas.
Invite Off the Floor into your church. Churches are one of our greatest sources of partnerships. With our new truck, we would like to develop centralized collection days at local churches. Help us get connected to your church today.
By Cathy J Lueers
Off the Floor Receives Grant to
Purchase 2006 GMC 15-foot Truck
Off the Floor received a generous grant two weeks ago to purchase a 15-foot box truck to provide the organization with greater flexibility in its operational strategy. The three-year-old vehicle features a/c, a loading ramp, dual wheels, and fold-away safety mirrors.
Drivers will no longer need to drive to U-Haul rental centers, but instead will be able to maximize the experience in this very comfortable vehicle.
Michele Kach, Pick-up and Delivery Coordinator, will provide teams with the information for accessing the vehicle.
"This will make the experience so much more enjoyable," expressed one delivery driver.
Off the Floor Will Also Use Truck to Generate Revenue
The two side panels of the truck will be offered as premiere advertising space for local businesses seeking to expand their markets. This will create the opportunity for a critical influx of revenue into Off the Floor to help sustain operations.
If you are interested in this limited time offer, please call Off the Floor today!
412.926.5053.
Help Build the New Founder's Fund
Off the Floor will incur more than $30,000 in new expenses in 2010. Please give generously to the new Founder's Fund to
ensure the legacy of MJ McCarty lives on!
2009 Founder's Fund gifts will be received through December 31, but we would like to announce that we have received $30,000 at our holiday event Saturday,
December 5! Please contribute today using this form.
Yes! I want to see off the Floor continue its mission to provide donated furniture to our region's most desperate families. Enclosed is my joyful gift of $___________.
Name: __________________________ Phone:__________________
Address:_______________________________
City: ________________ State:____ Zip:_______
Founder's Fund:
Getting a Vision
Off the Floor is at its most critical stage ever. Your generous gifts now will ensure the future. We are very conservative in our spending and are praying you will be able to provide a sacrificial gift before December 31.
We deliver approximately $500 worth of furniture to every family we serve! Grantmakers want to see Off the Floor's constituents providing general operating costs. Just imagine what it could look like to reach our goal of $30,000:
Donor Level No. of Donors Needed
$10,000 1
$5000 2
$1000 5
$500 10
Testimonial: MJ McCarty received a college graduation invitation to witness one of the first Off the Floor recipients receiving a bachelor's degree. He credited Off the Floor with giving him this inspiration!
2009 Holiday Luncheon and Silent Auction
Saturday, December 5, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Pittsburgh Athletic Association
Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Vonda Wright
(author of Fitness After 40)
Tickets just $75 and include fabulous full lunch and some amazing auction items:
Signed Malkin Hockey stick (MVP, 2009 Stanley Cup)
Signed Santonio Holmes Football (MVP, Super Bowl IVIII)
Fine Jewelry and gift cards, and much more!
Order your tickets by November 24. Simply send a check payable to: MLUPC, designating 'OFP Holiday Luncheon' in the memo line and Please send checks to:
Pat Cerni, 101 Kings Dale Road. Pgh. PA, 15221
Please order your tickets today! We covet your support!