O'Neill & Associates

Birmingham YMCA Meets Kresge Challenge

	Everyday, in countless ways, the Birmingham YMCA challenges youth to reach their full potential. It is no surprise then that they have met the challenge to build a brighter future for Birmingham's kids. The YMCA's $6.25 million campaign to develop a downtown Youth Center received a generous $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation that could only be claimed once the campaign raised $5,750,000 from the community, ensuring the successful completion of this ambitious fund-raising effort. In true YMCA form, they rose to the test. The campaign raised more than $5.75 million, claimed the challenge grant and surpassed its goal. The Build a Brighter Future for Birmingham's Kids campaign was led by Co-Chairs Catherine Sloss Crenshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sloss Real Estate Group; Robert Holmes, Jr., Senior Vice President for Ethics and Business Practices of Alabama Power Company; and G. Ruffner Page, Jr., President of McWane, Inc. They headed an impressive group of community leaders and corporate executives. The Kresge Challenge Phase is being led by Vice Chairs Harold Goings of Spain & Gillon, Mallie Ireland Lynn, community volunteer, and W. Charles Mayer, III, Senior EVP of AmSouth Bancorporation. The campaign received strong philanthropic and corporate support, including leadership gifts from AmSouth Bancorporation Foundation, Hugh Kaul Foundation, McWane, Inc., Alabama Power Foundation, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Harbert Management Corporation, EBCSO and SouthTrust Bank. Last year, the Birmingham YMCA served more than 15,000 children and teens with year-round activities that are structured, safe, healthy and fun. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Lombard, the campaign will enable the organization to meet the need for safe, affordable and educational youth program. For more information about the Birmingham YMCA call (205) 801-9622 or visit their website at www.ymcabham.org. O'Neill & Associates is pleased to have served as fund-raising counsel to the Birmingham YMCA.
	Awards & Recognition

	Kudos to The Center for Family Resources, who received a special commendation from the United Way of Metro Atlanta for their successful Community Leadership Development program. The intiaitve educates community participants to be proactive in identifying and solving problems in their community. The CFR were also the recipients of a major technology grant from the Hewlett-Packard Company. The award, which totaled more than $40,000, was used toward 20 new computer workstations and monitors. This will enable the organization to increase its quality of services and streamline operations. CFR provides a wide-range of services that strengthen individuals, families and communities.

	Congratulations to Bobby Dodd Institute, recipients of the United Way of Metro Atlanta's 2004 Valuing Diversity Award. BDI was chosen among 25 organizations competing for the award. The organization's mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and economic disadvantages to maximize their employment potential while securing their economic self-sufficiency, independence, and integration into society. BDI accomplishes this through offering high quality career services and employment opportunities to its clients.

	Bravo! Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a nonprofit metro Atlanta historic property that serves thousands of visitors each year through its arts education classes and special events, recently won the 2004 Print Excellence Award's Best in Category for Brochures for its "Preserve a Priceless Gem" campaign case statement developed by the O'Neill and Associates marketing team.

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