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George posted last night that he had taken advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program. It pains me to see good cars crushed and taken off the market when many could be rehabilitated and passed on to deserving people and it got me to thinking about a local organization

I was a founding board member of Men of the Harvest, a local 501C3 charity started by Judge Robert Alexander of Corfu.  This ministry takes donations of cars and with the help of local volunteer mechanics, rehabs them and gives,yes I said gives them to deserving local families and individuals.  The ministry gets by totally on donations from the public and assistance from area churches of all denominations.  Every dollar given to Men of the Harvest stays in out local community, helping local people.

It also got me to thinking about Howards tremendous support of local businesses.  We also need to consider giving and volunteering local as well.  Men of the Harvest is but one of many local organizations, charities and ministries that support themselves on the gifts, donations and volunteer time of local citizens.

My family and I are currently volunteering with Care-A-Van ministries.  You see regular updates here on the Batavian from Robin.  Care-A-Van is another locally founded and run ministry that relies solely on donations for support and again every dollar given stays in our community.

Other locally "founded and funded" organizations are:

Crossroads House - compassionately taking care of those with terminal illness

All Babies Cherished - assisting local moms and infants in need.

Genesee Cancer Assistance - coming alongside local cancer patients with much needed support both physical and emotional.

I know there are more, but I have highlighted the ones that I have either volunteered with or support.  There are many great national organizations that do a tremendous amount of work for people in need, but I want to promote organizations that with very little overhead, return almost every donated dollar back into our local area.  Help me out fellow Batavian readers by testifying to other local organizations that you know of that could use our support or if you can share a story about one of the ones I've already listed and how they've impacted our community (please remember to honor the privacy of recipients).  The unfortunate by-product of a weak economy is that charitable dollars are directed towards other necessary expenses.  These and all local helping agencies need our support now more than ever.  Remember, I'm looking for locally "founded and funded".