In previous years, CCMI has always enjoyed holding a “Gathering for Good” event where we put together hands-on projects to support various charities in the local communities. As 2020 is not a normal year, we looked for ways to give back while taking into account the various restrictions now in place due to health and safety concerns for our team and our clients. As a result, on December 1, 2020 we’re uniting in a worldwide celebration of generosity known as #GivingTuesday with the idea that everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts. Each CCMI team member selected a charity that will be receiving a donation from us. Here are charities the team selected:
Matt Showley
Charity: Junior Achievement
Why? As a board member of Junior Achievement (JA), Matt has seen the excellent programs offered by the organization. With most San Diego schools not able to benefit from the in-person learning that takes place at JA’s Biz Town and Finance Park, JA is developing more virtual learning options to transform the curriculum to become web-based. This will help students learn these important financial life skills during the COVID era and be a platform that can be used post-COVID to reach a greater number of students.
Brian Matter
Charity: Reality Changers
Why? As a long-time fan of Reality Changers (RC), Brian loves its mission, which is to prepare youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities. Brian has supported the organization in various ways over the years, including serving on action teams and as a guest judge at its speech contests. Education has been greatly impacted due to COVID this year and the achievement gap is expected to widen along socioeconomic lines. Brian has seen RC’s programs take some of the worst- performing students and turn them into college-ready students—which is something the world needs a little more of right now.
Kim Benson
Charity: The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Why? As we approach the holiday season and reflect on what we are grateful for, we realize many families continue to struggle to provide food for their families and these struggles are heightened during the holidays. This organization has continued to provide nutritious food for people in need through its many programs and partnerships, reaching families across San Diego County. Additionally, Kim knows from working with at-risk girls that many kids rely on schools to provide food—something that has not been operating normally since the pandemic started. The San Diego Food Bank has continued to serve families throughout the pandemic and is a much-needed service as we approach the holiday season.
Matt Ryan
Charity: Voices for Children
Why? Matt and his wife Jess know several people involved in this non-profit and strongly believe in the work it does. Voices for Children’s mission is to transform the lives of foster children by providing them with a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to advocate on their behalf. With the help of the CASAs, children have someone acting in their best interest when going through the foster care system and with someone to help provide the judges with vital information. The organization also raises awareness and advocates for legal policies and practices that enhance the quality of life for foster children.
Monica Larson
Charity: Freedom Dogs
Why? The mission of Freedom Dogs is “Speeding the recovery and enhancing the lives of wounded military heroes through the use of specialty-trained service dogs.” Freedom Dogs, usually Labrador Retrievers, complete a two-year program of special training before they are teamed with a wounded warrior. As a dog owner, Monica knows firsthand the joy of having a dog and the unconditional love they can bring to an individual or family. She can’t think of a better way to thank our wounded servicemen and servicewomen than to provide them with a trained canine companion.
Sheila Hoopes
Charity: Monarch School
Why? Sheila and her husband saw a “60 Minutes” piece that showed social workers searching for thousands of children who have gone missing from schools after the pandemic started. The program made them realize how lucky they are to have shelter, a strong internet connection, and supportive employers that have allowed them to continue their child’s education. Sheila wishes to support the Monarch School, which serves homeless students grades K-12 who live in San Diego County.
Abby Baumgartel
Charity: National Alliance on Mental Illness San Diego
Why? Mental health is an important, often overlooked challenge. With all that is going on in the world today, people need assistance now more than ever. Abby feels this is an important organization that needs assistance to help those who cannot help themselves. With the negative stigma that lies behind these kinds of illnesses, it is very hard for those suffering to even ask for help or acknowledge they need it. Abby’s hope is that this donation will help even one person.
We hope you will find a way to celebrate generosity on #GivingTuesday and share your time, talent, or treasure with someone in need.
CCMI provides personalized fee-only financial planning and investment management services to business owners, professionals, individuals and families in San Diego and throughout the country. CCMI has a team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals who act as fiduciaries, which means our clients’ interests always come first.
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