Category Archives: Fundraising

Help A Family Save their Home & Business | All But Homeless !

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in charity, Christianity, donations, Fundraising, homelessness, Housing

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This is America

Will You Help Us Prevent Homelessness and Social Decay Please?

STA is hoping our web presence will help this couple save their Home and Business.

They have immediate needs, they are not hopeless, simply In Need.

STA would like to see $800 raised for them ASAP to prevent a great deal of stress and unnecessary ugliness.  On top of this $800 they also need funds for groceries or even gift cards to maybe Walmart so they can get groceries and other needed supplies.

The $800 will be used for: 1) Mortgage payment of approx $432.00  2)  $188 for car insurance  3) $144 for Electricity so it doesn’t get shut off  4) $36 for necessities.  5) Additional funds are needed for food for them.

Please click the link below and you will see ways to Donate to this couple in Citrus County Florida.  One of the ways you will see is a link we set up specifically for them via PayPal.

They are real people, they are Ron & Cheryl and they are not Homeless…..YET!

They simply need a lift and they will take it from there.

STA will not get or take one penny for our operations.  STA will simply be a conduit for assistance to them.  If you donate through us your Donations are tax deductible.  STA is a 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity.

Please click the link below and also browse their fundraising website to learn more about them.

Thank you!

[ PLEASE DONATE ] | All But Homeless !

OR 

We have created a Special Donate Button just for and specific to Cheryl & Ron, you will see their names under our business name once you click the button.  That way there will be no confusion as to where it goes.

Donate Button with Credit Cards

                            (PayPal Secure & Tax Deductible) 
 
 

Seeking Pro Bono Fundraiser…..

01 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in charity, Christianity, Clearwater FL, donations, Funding, Fundraising, Homeless, Homeless Families and Children, Philanthopy

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Straight Ahead Outreach-Taking Back Your life Inc.(STA) is seeking and in need of a Pro Bono Fundraiser who is passionate about homelessness or people in need in general.

We are seeking someone who is not simply after personal gain.

Nobody at STA takes wages of any kind at this time.  One day we hope to take extremely reasonable wages.  However, those we are formed to help come first per our 501c3 registration. 

STA is a small Public Charity, 501c3 Nonprofit Mobile Crisis Outreach, with a focus on the Homeless but not limited to the homeless.  We help anyone.

We desperately need to raise funds, but desire to do so in an extremely non-aggressive manner.  We do not desire to hound or Spam anyone.

You would have a difficult time finding another organization that does what we do in the manner that we do it.

STA does “What Ever it Takes”  when ever that is.  Funds permitting.

If you believe you would like to help, please email me at:

straightaheadlwg@gmail.com

Once we connect through email we can arrange a good time for both of us to talk on the phone.

We look forward to hearing from you.

P.S.  (We do not seek or desire Federal Funding) So you must be creative.

:-))!

Lance Greene/Founder

LWG by STA van

Yes, $10 Can Help Make a Difference….. | Straight Ahead Outreach

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by in charity, Christianity, donations, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Emergency Housing, Fundraising, Homeless, Homeless Families and Children, Inmates & Ex-Convicts, Philanthopy

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Please Click on the RED LINK below to read more.

Yes, $10 Can Help Make a Difference….. | Straight Ahead Outreach.

Providing Hope In Jesus’ name…Doing What Ever It Takes

If Not You…Then Who?

 (PayPal Secure & Tax Deductible 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity) 

Nonprofit Outreach Seeks Philanthropic Funding to Expand…

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity, charity, Christianity, Funding, Fundraising, Homeless, Philanthropic Giving, Philanthropists, Philanthropy, Private Foundations

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We are a Nonprofit Outreach Seeking Philanthropic Funding from the General Public or Private Foundations anywhere.  STA does not seek or receive any Federal funding in order to remain neutral and productive.

We are Straight Ahead Outreach-Taking Back Your Life Inc. (STA) an IRS registered 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity Mobile Crisis Outreach.

STA is looking to expand.

We are different….very different.  We are also small and intense.

We are looking for most likely a different….very different Philanthropist or group of Philanthropists and or Private Foundations.

STA does what ever it takes to prevent and or end homelessness for someone individual or families, especially if we have the funds and equipment to do so.  For as long as it takes, given the opportunity.

STA is not a program….it is a Process.

STA helps Where Ever We Are, Where Ever We Can.  We do What Ever It Takes.  Not what others say to do, but rather what Jesus and His Father require and direct us to do.  Like Families should be doing.  Like it was meant to be and designed to be by our Father God Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ.

You will have a difficult, very difficult time finding another organization who does what we do in the way that we do it.

Browse around our website, read a number of the stories/blogs and pages and you should learn quite a bit about us i hope.

The situation and the needs or wants in regards to expansion

Mobile Crisis Outreach Vehicle: STA is seeking funding for a replacement Mobile Crisis Outreach van equipped properly so we may reach those in need, your Lost Sheep dear Jesus more efficiently as our current 1995 Chevrolet Mobile Crisis Outreach cargo van has over 250,000 miles on it and pushing its limits….We are looking to obtain a unit large enough to contain one shower, one bathroom, washer/dryer, an area to heat up food items, and a small resting/interviewing area.  Most likely a used tool truck we can adapt or renovate as the vehicle needs to handle well and  be maneuverable in a number of different situations.

Small Facility: STA is seeking funding for a building in Clearwater, FL to obtain, lease or use on a donated basis, where we may install 2 showers, 4 washers and dryers, a small kitchen, a small office, a thrift store and a resting place.  This would be a closed door facility except for the Thrift Store,  for use with those we are specifically assisting not for a place to loiter.  The laundry, showers and resting place would only be for those we are assisting that we ourselves bring there.

Office Equipment:

Mobile Ready Computers (4): STA is seeking funds for 4 new mobile ready computers as we are 100% mobile at this time and our current computers are laptops from 2005 and do not have much capacity to them.  Two of the computers would be used for our clients use, for locating housing, potential jobs and more. We do not need and are not seeking the most expensive, simply something appropriate for our needs.  Our needs are very reasonable.

High Volume Color Printer:  STA is seeking funding for a high volume color printer. This would be used for many different facets including printing our STA business cards, Project Clean-Up cards and paperwork documents for those we assist.

Operating Funds:  STA is seeking operating Funds to provide our services uninterrupted for one year in order to prevent the up and down roller coaster each month.   This may be done on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Wages (for 2): No one at STA has ever received a wage for the work we do.  We would like to change that.  

Myself, Lance Greene/Founder of STA,  has done this work both as an individual since 1985 (other then the years 2001-9/2003 when i took a break) and since 2007 as Founder/CEO/Senior Case Manager of STA, without a wage and spending much of my own personal funds over the years.  Almost 28 years.  My wage if obtained would be $39,400.00 per year including healthcare coverage.  Please keep in mind we make ourselves available up to and including 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  It would not increase until and if STA ever became a $5 Million corporation.  That along with future wage restrictions and guidelines is in writing to the IRS within our 501c3 certification.  

The same wages would apply to our Vice President, Pat Mishler.  This is also in writing to the IRS.   Since 2007 she has used a great deal of her own personal funds to fund STA, and continues to do so to this day.  She is my fiance, i chose to call her my wife…ten years running…:-))!

If you are a Philanthropist or a Private Foundation interested in speaking to us about this opportunity please contact me, Lance Greene at:

Cell: 727-288-1545 or email:  straightaheadlwg@gmail.com

If you are someone who would like to donate please click the one time Donate link below or If you would like to make a recurring Donation commitment, please go to our Donate Page and click on one of the recurring weekly or monthly Donate Buttons.  

Providing Hope In Jesus’ name…Doing What Ever It Takes

If Not You…Then Who?

 (PayPal Secure & Tax Deductible 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity) 

Thank you!

Lance New Badge Pic 8-21-2012

Disasters, Catastrophes and Donations…

05 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in charity, Christianity, Disasters, donations, Fundraising, homelessness, Mobile Crisis, Philanthopy

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There isn’t just one or two of these Disasters or Catastrophes going on. 

What IS a Disaster or Catastrophe anyway?

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Disaster as:  a sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, or destruction; broadly : a sudden or great misfortune or failure<the party was a disaster>

Merriam-Webster defines Catastrophe as:
* The final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy
**A momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin
***Utter failure : fiasco <the party was a catastrophe>
 
 
 
 
Wikipedia has some nice definitions also.  A line from Wikipedia’s definition of Disaster is as follows:  ” It is a phenomenon that can cause damage to life and property and destroy the economic, social and cultural life of people.”
 
 
 
 
A Disaster….A Catastrophe…..is not simply…
 
It is not simply the latest Hurricane or Earthquake, Typhoon or Tsunami………
 
 
 
IT IS…….
 
  • It is the Homeless Man or Woman who got out of the military maybe 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 years ago or more. 
  • It is the Homeless Man or Woman who just got laid off from their job and lost their home, transportation and life as they know it.
  • Yes, It is the Homeless Man, Woman or entire family with children included who lost their home due to a catastrophic fire, hurricane, typhoon or earthquake either yesterday, today or 5-20 years ago.
  • Yes, it is the Homeless Man, Woman or child with mental health concerns.
  • It is the infant child who was just born into homelessness in an abandoned house in YOUR community today.
  • It is the incarcerated man or woman who screwed up, served his or hers time and is now being released into YOUR Community…Homeless with nowhere to go…alone, all alone.
  • It is the Homeless Man, Woman, or Teen whose relationship fell apart.
  • It is the Homeless Man or Woman who lost their jobs, home and transportation due to falling ill.
  • It IS much much more…..it is every single day of Homelessness, not only for those who are Homeless, but also for you and YOUR Community.

Homelessness is worldwide, every single second of every single day.

In every Community. 

THAT is pretty Catastrophic I would have to say.

Being Homeless, Not wanting to be Homeless, Thrown into Homelessness unexpectedly, Being Born Into Homelessness….these are ALL Disasters, Catastrophically life altering and destructive.  

IT IS A CRISIS.  Catastrophic and Disastrous.

Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Typhoons, Tornados, Fires and more…

Our Communities “Come Together” when one of these Disasters happen.

Celebrities “Come Together” & put on much hyped Concerts and Fundraisers.

These are NOT the only reasons to “Come Together” and Help or to Donate.

HOMELESSNESS happens every single second of every single day.

Homelessness…It is even a result of those very Disasters and Catastrophes that all the big concerts and fundraising todo’s are all about in the first place.

But then when the water dissipates and the dust all settles.

Homelessness still exists.  It still persists.

Our entire Communities should be “Coming Together” every single day to help with Homelessness and end Homelessness for those who seek help and also for those unable to help themselves, those who may forever be homeless.

NOT simply for Hurricane Sandy, Tom or Cindy.

Not Simply for the latest Earthquake.

Homelessness still exists.  It still persists.

Right now, someone in YOUR Community is becoming Homeless for which the reason you will have no clue about and most likely will not ever.  You do not need to.  Simple fact is they need our help.  All 100% of us.

Before, During and After a Hurricane, Earthquake, Tsunami or any other Disaster Homelessness exists.

What Do YOU think it would be like to be Homeless right before the Hurricane or other so called Disaster slams into your area?

What Would Jesus Say?

Come Together in Your Community Today, Every Day.  

The WORLD is YOUR Community.

Providing Hope In The Midst of Crisis, in Jesus’s name

Lance Greene/Founder – Straight Ahead Outreach-Taking back Your Life Inc.

Straight Ahead Outreach Grant Submittal…

03 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by in 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity, charity, Christianity, Fundraising, homelessness, Mobile Crisis Outreach, Philanthopy

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10/3/2012

STA is on a funding quest in order to continue our valuable work in the community.  Please pardon us for the next couple months as most of what we will be posting will be about needing funds.  We realize we are not the only valuable organization out there in need.  We are simply stating our needs and status. 

Last month (September),  STA submitted a grant proposal for Operating Funds to a Tennessee Private Foundation.  I would think we will hear back on it within the next month.   Below are the Fund Requests we submitted.   If STA fails to obtain this grant request we will be forced to once again for the second time in the last year, place our Mobile Crisis Outreach activities on hold until we are able to raise appropriate funds.

The Funding Requests we submitted below are for Current Operating Needs, which have been needed for over two years.  STA, like any other business have daily, weekly and monthly operating expenses and needs.  Unlike most secular “for-profit” businesses, STA is of course a 501c3 “nonprofit.”  

While the Mobile Crisis Outreach activities STA conducts does in fact require money, it actually does not take a lot of monies to make the kinds of impacts STA can make on a daily basis.

Our Mobile Crisis Outreach activities plain and simple take funds in order to perform the activities.  We, that is the Founder and the Vice President of STA put as much of our personal funds into keeping STA alive as we can.  Unfortunately, we are simply unable to do this anymore as our Vice President will most likely be losing her secular employment by the end of this year if not sooner. 

STA MUST RAISE Operating Funds to continue our Mobile Crisis Outreach activities.

When i say “Operating Funds” that means everything, not just staples, copy paper and ink.  It also includes everything and anything we do for or give to those in need.  It does NOT include wages of any kind for anyone at STA.

If we do not raise the funds, we simply will not be out in the community helping those in need get off the streets or  operating our *Project*Cleanup*.  It is simply harming our personal finances much too drastically.

For example: STA can easily go through $50 of gasoline in one day.  When we do not have the funds we of course scale back our activities.  

STA needs to obtain a very minimum monthly funding level of: $1200.00 to cover its current work load.  We currently are not even close.   More appropriate would be approx $2000.00 funding per month to cover our work load and maintenance on our Mobile Crisis Outreach van.  That is approx $14,400.00 – $24,000.00 operating funding per year and does not include any wages of any kind. 

Our Current Funding Goal is $20,000.00 - Again, the information below reflects the monetary part of the grant submittal to a Private Foundation in Tennessee last month.  We are currently waiting to hear the results.

Lance Greene/Founder

$1000.00 Request $5000.00 Request
Purpose: Visibility & Van Maintenance   Purpose: Visibility, Maintenance, Operations, Safety,
Paint & Signage/Current Van   Mobile & Home Office Equipment Upgrades
Tune-up & Minor repairs/Current Van Paint & Graphics/Current Van
    Tune-up & Minor Repairs/Current Van
    Running Boards for safety loading and unloading/Current Van
$3000.00 Request Insurance/Van
Purpose: Visibility, Maintenance, Operations,   Cell Phone Expense/Lance’s
Mobile Office Equipment Upgrades   Color Printer/Fax
Paint & Signage/Current Van   Gasoline
Tune Up & Minor repairs/Current Van   2 New Computers (Tablet Style)
Insurance/Van   Storage Facility Expense
Cell Phone   Uniform Shirts
Office Needs    
Gasoline    
2 New Laptop Computers (Tablet Style) $12,000.00 Request
Purpose: Visibility, Maintenance, Operations, Safety,
    Mobile Crisis Vehicle & Home Office Equipment Upgrades
    Purchase Replacement Mobile Crisis Outreach Van
    Paint & Graphics/Replacement Van
    License Tags/Replacement Van
    Insurance/Replacement Van
    Office Needs
    Cell Phone
    Gasoline
    Uniform Shirts
    2 New Computers (Tablet Style)
    Storage Facility Expense
     

Details of how funds will be utilized

$1000.00 Request   $5000.00 Request   $12,000.00 Request
Paint Van: $600.00 Paint Van: $600.00 Purchase replacement van $6000.00
New magnetic Signs for Van: $110.00 Van Graphics: $950.00 Paint Van: $600.00
Tune up van:  $200.00 Van Tune-up: $300.00 Van Graphics: $950.00
Office Supplies: $90.00 Minor van Repairs: $110.00 Van Tags: $300.00
Van Running Boards: $460.00 Van Insurance: $1500.00
Van Insurance: $340.00 Office Needs $110.00
$3000.00 Request   Cell Phone: $240.00 (6 months) Cell Phone: $240.00 (6 months)
Paint /Van: $600.00 Color Printer: $400.00 Gasoline: $300.00
New magnetic Signs for van: $110.00 Gasoline: $500.00 Uniform Shirts:  $230.00
Tune Up Van: $240.00 2 Samsung Tablets: $800.00 2 New Computers (Tablet Style): $800.00
Minor Repairs to van: $210.00 Storage Facility: $150.00 (3 months) Storage Facility Expense: $150.00
Insurance/Van: $320.00 Uniform Shirts:  $150.00
Cell Phone: $240.00
Office Needs: $100.00
Gasoline: $380.00
2 New Laptop Computers: $800.00

Why are we always asking for money…?

01 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in 501c3, charity, Christianity, donations, Fundraising, homelessness, Mobile Crisis Outreach

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10/1/2012

Why are we always asking for money…..?

Is it to line our own pockets?

Not hardly.

No one at Straight Ahead Outreach receives a salary of any kind.

So Why Are We Always Asking For Money?

1)  Because we are a small 501c3 Nonprofit Public Charity with ZERO reserve funds on hand.

2)  Because other people and organizations know we care about what we are doing in helping others.

3)  Because other people and organizations know we provide a great service to the communities we are in.

4)  Because even though we are small we do critically needed work and a great deal of it.

5)  Because we are busy, very busy, as there is never a shortage of people in need.  

6)  Because we have no other choice. 

7)  Believe me, if i personally were independently wealthy or even made an above average wage you would never hear from me.  Let me give you proof:  since 1985 i personally have helped people from my own wages.  Never asked anyone for any monies.  In 2006 when i was making $15/hour at a secular job NO ONE heard from us asking for money.  In 2007, when i was making just $10/hour we made STA a public entity and we still did everything out of our own pockets and NO ONE heard from us asking for money.  When i was making $8.00/hour in Knoxville TN,  NO ONE heard from us asking for money.  This website didn’t even exist until late 2009.  Now i personally have not been secular employed since mid 2009, i have done this work helping others full-time relying on only my wife’s wages to support us personally and the work and activities of STA.  Since then this website has existed and we must always ask for funds to cover the work we do.  I personally and no one else has ever taken any funds for personal use.    We simply do what we do in Jesus’ name.  The goal is simply to help others “Take Back Their Life.”

8)  We appreciate greatly our current and past donors to STA, but it simply is not enough based on the amount of work we do and in the manner we do it.  

So, unfortunately,  we have no other choice but to ask each and every time we are needing funds.  Basically, we are always in need of funds.  We typically ask for very specific needs.

We make ourselves available 24/7/365.  

It takes a lot.  

So now you know.

Lance Greene/Founder

 
Me and Baby Gracelyn in her and her parents new home in August 2012.  Born into homelessness last year but homeless no more.
:-))!  I love this pic!

 

**UPDATE TO: The Need Continues to be great & STA’s Transparency…..

24 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in 501c3, Christianity, Clearwater FL, Donors and Donations, Fundraising, homelessness, Mobile Crisis Outreach, St. Petersburg FL

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6/24/2012

***UPDATE: On 6/25/2012 I got a firm estimate and a great price on a decent paint job for the van of $600.00 Total.   So that brings Graphics & Paint job down from $1950.00 to a very reasonable $1550.00 Complete.

The need is proving to be as great as always and escalating even more so.

So simply a warning…..as always before, as we get busier, the need gets greater of course.  I guess Cause and Effect or possibly Effect and Cause maybe.  So there will be more of these posts of me trying to raise funds for our Public Charity Mobile Crisis Outreach Activities.  

In 2010 we lived in a roughly 900 square foot, 2 bedroom house we rented in St. Petersburg, Florida approx 20 miles from where we live now.  It had two sheds and a washer and dryer, and a long driveway with a carport.  We were able to store some of our Friends In Need’s belongings and also do an extensive amount of those in needs laundry.

In June of 2011 we had to move in order to save on expenses.   We now live in a 2 bedroom, 864 square foot home of which we rent in Clearwater, FL.  It has a short driveway, no carport or garage, no storage sheds and we have no laundry machines of our own as we did in the other house.  But the house is clean, comfortable, safe and nice.  I will place pictures below so you may see we live a modest life.  Full Disclosure and Transparency.   

I have looked long and hard and i encourage you to do also.  I have not found anywhere in our USA as if yet a Mobile Crisis Outreach who makes themselves available in the ways, means or times in which we do at Straight Ahead Outreach-Taking Back Your Life Inc.  The closest one i have seen to being like STA is one i have come across is in Australia.

Besides the other everyday normal needs, there are a few items we feel we are in need to raise funds for to help with our Mobile Crisis Outreach efforts:

1)  Gasoline is one of our biggest expenses.  Always in need of fuel.  Fuel Gift cards work great and are simple.

2)  Washer and dryer:  so we may wash those in needs laundry when the need presents itself which it often does.  We will be happy with new or used.

3)  Freezer: new or used to store food and ice packs.

4)  Our Mobile Crisis Outreach Van: We would like to upgrade or replace our current Mobile Crisis Outreach van pictured here if possible.   We would at the very least like to paint our current Mobile Crisis Outreach Van and have professional graphics installed in order to reflect our new logo and increase our visibility.  To do it all, paint and custom graphics it will not exceed $2000.00.  

New Logo graphics similar to this will be installed on our Mobile Crisis Outreach van on the roof, both sides and rear for $950.00  We would have it painted also at a cost of a maximum of $1000.00.   For a total of $1950.00  ***UPDATE: On 6/25/2012 I got a firm estimate and a great price on a decent paint job for the van of $600.00 Total.   So that brings Graphics & Paint job down from $1950.00 to a very reasonable $1550.00 Complete.

If you can help today we would greatly appreciate it.   Our work in the streets helps keep the streets safe, clean, and helps us help those in need get through one more day a little easier.  

Your Donations help Straight Ahead Outreach get through one more day of helping those in need A LOT EASIER!

Thank you!  Please Help Make Our Work A Lot Easier Now.

Click the PayPal Secure Donate button below and make a monetary Donation now.  We will not disappoint you. 

 Below are photos of how we personally live as the Founder and Vice President of Straight Ahead Outreach-Taking back Your Life Inc., Lance Greene and Pat Mishler.  As you will see we live a very modest life.   We do not take wages from Straight Ahead Outreach activities and never have.  Enjoy the photos.

Pat Mishler/Vice President

Lance Greene/Founder


Two Recent Donations…..! Thank YOU!

22 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in 501c3, Christianity, Clearwater FL, donate, Fundraising, homelessness, Jesus Christ, Philanthopy

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6/22/2012

Uhhh….errrr….no thats not me in that photo! :-))!

Straight Ahead Outreach received TWO monetary donations!  One on 6/19/2012 and one today 6/22/2012!  

$25 from Texas!  And $100 from Florida!

That makes TEN monetary donations since April 7th of this year including the very generous $1000.00 donation received on 5/1/2012 from Minnesota towards the transmission repair on our Mobile Crisis Outreach van.

We Thank You ALL!  

Without YOU, STA would not be making the impacts it is this year!

Will YOU be next Please?

Help us to continue helping Those In Need Today!

(All Donations are tax-deductible under the IRS 501c3 Tax Code)

We Thank Jesus for you all and for your generosity!

Thank you so very much!

Lance Greene/Founder

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