Larry H. Miller Donations
 
2008 Spring Edition
Larry H. Miller Charities (LHM Charities) is actively involved in improving the lives of children in the communities where we do business. Check out some of the donations made in your area over the past few months by reading under the state headings below.
Arizona
Approximately 90% of the students at Justine Spitalny Elementary School come from low-income homes and many are learning English as a second language. Through a federal grant from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and a donation from LHM Charities, the school was able to provide a free book to each student. Two of the school’s RIF coordinators wrote: "Reading their own books at home seems to make a big difference."
Sunshine Acres Children's Home provides shelter and social services to homeless children. A recent donation from LHM Charities aided this worthwhile cause. Sunshine Acres offers a safe haven for as long as a child needs, and services are provided free of charge.
Other donations include a contribution to the Peoria Unified School District Arts Festival, which reaches over 5,000 students, and a donation to Heritage Elementary School that will allow three seventh-grade science classes to participate in an integrated learning project at a local space science center. Many of the students at Heritage come from underprivileged families.

Students participating in Peoria Unified School District Arts Festival.
Colorado
Mount Saint Vincent Home is a residential and day treatment facility for children with severe emotional and behavioral problems. The facility asked LHM Charities for funding to purchase protective mats that will create a safer environment for the children during gym time.
Sewell Child Development Center focuses its efforts on enhancing opportunities for children who have special needs due to disabilities and economic disadvantages. The organization provides summer camp programs, which concentrate on dance, science and art. Some families are unable to afford tuition fees, and LHM Charities is providing funding that will help bridge that gap.
Colfax Community Network’s after-school program aids children living in low-income/transient housing, such as residential motels. Brooke Davidson, executive director of the agency, wrote: "School attendance and academic performance show improvement for children who attend the program for three months or longer." LHM Charities donated to this valuable program.
Funding has also been provided by LHM Charities to Handprints Early Education Centers and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Pikes Peak.

Members of Colfax Community Network's after-school program at Carter Lake.
Idaho
Life’s Kitchen is an organization that helps at-risk teens and young adults develop the skills needed to become productive members of society. A comprehensive culinary program combined with life-skills training courses ensures that students develop the ability to live independently, obtain employment and make productive choices. Chef Rouchelle Abrahamson, executive director of Life’s Kitchen wrote this about students, ". . . Most have lived virtually their entire lives without leadership, positive role models or emotional, physical and economic support." Funding from LHM Charities went toward student tuition fees.
Medical care is a basic necessity all children deserve. A donation from LHM Charities to Valley Family Health Care will enable children in Idaho to receive appropriate dental care. The organization provides oral health services to families who live at or below the poverty level.
In an effort to foster learning and educational activities, Idaho Public Television facilitates the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. Through the program, children in kindergarten through third grade may write, illustrate and submit original stories as part of a state and national competition. LHM Charities supported this educational effort.

Winners of the southeast Idaho "Reading Rainbow" contest.
New Mexico
Earlier this year, Larry H. Miller Charities made a donation to Valencia County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA trains volunteers to represent the needs of abused and neglected children as they navigate the legal system. The donation was used in CASA’s visitation program, which provides a safe, healthy environment where children in foster care or involved in domestic violence and divorce cases may visit with parents who cannot see children without supervision.
For over 10 years, the Los Lunas Police Department has assisted low-income children through its Cops and Kids program. During the holidays, officers accompany children as they participate in lunch, bowling and a Christmas shopping experience. LHM Charities recently funded the program.
The installation of security cameras on school grounds was an important priority to Hope Christian School. Because of a donation made by LHM Charities, children at the school will now have a safer, more secure environment.
Utah
If left untreated, speech, language and reading disabilities can be devastating to a child’s self esteem. Larry H. Miller Charities donated to the Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Centers of Utah, which provide therapy to children free of charge.
LHM Charities also made a contribution to The Salt Lake County Children’s Justice Center. This organization provides a safe, comforting environment that allows police and social service agencies to coordinate efforts and minimize trauma to children who have been sexually abused.
Affordable childcare is often a barrier to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Funding was provided to South Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter, which enabled the facility to expand its hours of child care. This will allow women to meet with caseworkers, attend court appointments and more readily find jobs.
Salt Lake County Division of Youth Services aids at-risk children and youth living in shelter care. The agency received funding from LHM Charities to update its computer lab. Organizations such as The Christmas Box House, group homes and residential crisis centers will all have access.
LHM Charities also sponsored one of several children’s shows performed by Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company for local public schools.  Over half of the children who attended these concerts come from at-risk schools.  Students at one such school, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, sent thank you letters.  Here are some of their comments:
Courage:  “We think you are so generous. . . We all want to say thank you 100 times, maybe even more.”
Tyler:  “At first I said ballet . . . come on.  Sorry I said that! . . . I really really really really really really (liked) it so thank you very much.”
Jacob:  “That was the best play I have ever seen.  I usually fall asleep.”
Jessica:  “The WHOLE dance was cool and it was dancing to my heart.”

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company performing "The Crystal and the Sphere."
Photo by: Fred Hayes
Wrap-Up
These donations are just a sample of what Larry H. Miller Charities has recently accomplished. Employees who contribute to LHM Charities help make this kind of community action possible. If you’d like to donate, fill out the form below and return it to your payroll administrator. Whether 50 cents or $5 a month, every donation helps – you can make a difference!
Larry H. Miller Charities - Change for Change