February 23rd, 2010

You VOTED: 3 Charities Receive Donations Today!

What can I say? Southeast Michigan just keeps giving. Way to go metro Detroit! :)

You voted – we counted and three charities will benefit today from your vote! (Who said that making a difference was hard? Today will prove that it’s really easy!)

For the past three months, visitors of the Project 100 website have been voting for their favorite local charity to receive a donation from the credit union’s Co-op Cares Project. At the same time, Co-op Services members who signed up for a checking account with extra services received $100 as a bonus for signing up. (And this is where it gets interesting.) If members wanted to, they could keep the money. Seems pretty reasonable to me. It’s a tough world out there, who doesn’t need $100?

And this is where, yet again, people inspire me. The credit union also provided a way for members to donate to a local charity, if they wanted to. So, some members received $100 and chose to donate a part of it to charity. That’s pretty cool. They didn’t have to, and some couldn’t afford to, but those that could – did. Again – pretty cool.

And today, three of the eight charities will each receive one-third of the total donations by Co-op members. And this is where you come in! Which three charities? The ones with the most votes. With a click of a button, thousands of people determined which charities will receive the money. At a time when giving is down, metro Detroit does it again.

I have to say – it’s inspiring. I’ll let you know tomorrow which three charities received the money, but until then, thank you to all eight for participating in the Co-op Cares Project. If you have a moment, drop by the VOTE page (http://www.whatisproject100.com/vote.php) and learn about the charities – and hey, maybe even get involved with one of them. Remember, giving back is easy and if there’s one thing we like around here – it’s when we all give back.

Have a fabulous day! :)

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December 14th, 2009

‘Tis the Season to VOTE! Give Back Today!

Just because Project 100 has turned 100 does not mean we are done with the giving. This time, Co-op Services Credit Union has joined in with their members to help local charities. And we need your help – and your VOTE!

Here’s what’s happening. Co-op Services, the creator of Project 100, has created a Checking account offer that gives back to the community. When someone signs up for a Co-op Services’ Free Checking account, they receive $100. (We love 100 dollar bills around here :) ) If they need the money, they keep it, or they can opt to donate a portion of the money to a local charity.

And this is where we need your help. Several local charities have joined to potentially receive one-third of the donations from Co-op’s members. But only the top three charities with the most votes will receive the money. So they need your vote! Won’t you take a moment to cast yours today and help out a local charity?

That’s right. All we need is your vote. So take three minutes now to visit the home page, www.whatisproject100.com, and select your favorite charity. To learn about the charities, simply click on a charity’s name and you’ll be taken to the description page that features all of our charities. You can also vote on that page as well. That’s it. That’s all we need – your vote! See how easy that is?

Please take a moment to vote today, and while you’re at it, send a friend or two over to the site for their votes! For more information about Co-op Services’ program, please visit http://www.cscu.org/project100.html.

More information on giving back this season to come. Hope you all are having a safe and happy holiday season!

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www.whatisproject100.com
www.facebook.com/project100
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November 24th, 2009

And our 100th Recipient Is???

Kate_P100-Team4
Kate Sanders of Livonia, Michigan…. (I can hear the “Price is Right” music in my head). All right, so Kate wasn’t on the Price is Right but she is Project 100’s 100th Recipient! Friday afternoon, the Project 100 team, Co-op Services Executive Team and WDIV Channel 4 Detroit all arrived at exactly at 2 p.m. to surprise Kate with a crisp new $100 dollar bill — and then the celebration began!

With a shocked look on her face as she answered the door to Jeremy, the entire Project 100 team, the Co-op Services Executive team and a news crew, (I’m reiterating to show you that we do like to do things big!) Kate was at a loss for words as Jeremy handed her $100 dollars. All she could keep saying was “Thank You”! Which is what we get all the time – we love to see people smile.  :) Along with her crisp $100 dollar bill, Co-op Services President/CEO Anthony Carnarvon also presented Kate with a $100 dollar gift card and a goody bag from the credit union!

Kate who had lost her job earlier in the year said, “This couldn’t have come at a better time.”

So what did she say she was going to do with the money? Host a holiday party, of course. But not just any party. We were surprised to find out that Kate already gives back in many ways and has instilled this type of thinking within her family. So much so, that her daughter had recently asked if she could host a holiday party, in which her guests would bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots or canned goods to donate to a local food bank in lieu of gifts. But because of their financial situation, Kate had told her she wasn’t sure she could have the party this year.

“I think I’m going to let my daughter have her party now,” Kate said.

It’s stories like these that make us so happy that our recipients are such givers, and to be a part of Project 100 where I get to meet so many of them! I have been so lucky to be a part of such a great team and to be able to witness exactly what $100 dollars can do for a community! To all of our recipients and to all who I have had the pleasure of meeting, I wish you nothing but the best and hope that you continue to spread the word about Project 100 and keep giving back to those that need it the most.

Project 100 may be done giving away $100 dollars but it’s just getting started… be sure to check back often to see just what myself, Jeremy, Stephanie and the rest of the team are up too… You never know what could be happening next!

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November 20th, 2009

Project 100 Turns 100 Today!

Wow. I remember our first days of going out on the town with Jeremy, spotting unknowing recipients in parks, mowing their lawns and in downtown areas. We’d drive around in the “Project 100″ vehicle and pick people at random to hand out $100 dollar bills to. Some thought we were crazy at first (whoever heard of someone coming up to you and offering a $100 bill with no strings attached?) while others were just glad to meet us… (after holding their $100 dollar bills up to the light, of course. :) Can you blame them?) And yes, it was much warmer in those early days…

I’m not going to complain. It may be November, but it’s not that cold yet (thank you, weird Michigan weather) and we’re getting ready to set out to meet our 100th recipient. Not to worry, you will read all about this person by Monday, if not sooner.

And while reaching 100 is a great goal – and a very fun accomplishment – it’s really the entire project as a whole which has me happy to be a part of it. It never was about the money. Yes, receiving a $100 dollar bill would be nice… but it’s really more about what everyone did with the money. So often I read about Michigan’s economic woes and how down things are… and I have to tell you, times are tough, but Michigan residents are tougher (and very generous!).

We have met people who have been out of work, yet turn around and give the money to a family member or a neighbor, because they consider them worse off. Or who take a portion of it for themselves and donate food to a food bank. These are just highlights… I’m running out soon to meet our 100th recipient, otherwise, I’d highlight more. No worries – I will. :)

Project 100 has been such a great organization to be a part of – and I’m so very happy to tell you that it doesn’t stop here. This is only the beginning. But enough about that, we have a 100th recipient to get to and a day to celebrate. Thanks to everyone who gives back to the communities we live in – whether you’re a recipient or not – you are what make up this great state we live in. I’m happy to be a part of it.

We’re off to turn 100! Have a great day!

(Hey – follow us on Twitter today as we meet our 100th recipient: www.twitter.com/project100)

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www.whatisproject100.com
www.facebook.com/project100
www.twitter.com/project100

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November 6th, 2009

Co-op Services and Project 100 Launch the Co-op Cares Project!

Our 100th recipient is nearing… and since Co-op Services Credit Union is not done giving, they’ve started a new project to get everyone (including you – we need your vote!) involved: The Co-op Cares Project!

Basically, the Co-op Cares Project is another way that Co-op Services is getting their membership involved in giving back to our community. Co-op Services is offering $100 to members signing up for their free checking account – if recipients need the money, they keep it. But if they can, Co-op is offering them a way to give a portion of the money back to local charities.

Where does that leave you? Well, the charities need your VOTE! From now until the end of the year, the top three charities will receive one-third of all money donated, and that’s determined by votes. So stop by our home page at www.whatisproject100.com, check out the charities involved and vote for your favorite. That’s it!

If you would like more information about the program, simply visit the Co-op Services web site at http://www.cscu.org/project100.html.

Be sure to VOTE! www.whatisproject100.com

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www.whatisproject100.com
www.facebook.com/project100
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November 5th, 2009

Project 100 nears 100th recipient!

Ohh, the 100th recipient is SOOOO close – I can almost picture him or her! Can you believe we are almost done? What an exciting couple of months we’ve had with this amazing program. Even though Project 100 is coming to an end with its 100 dollar giveaways, it doesn’t mean that we all need to stop giving back.

Over the course of the summer and fall, I’ve learned about a lot of great organizations that people are volunteering their time and money to. Many of which, I would love to help out with in my spare time. This program has opened my eyes and made me realize that a lot of people are giving back to our great communities. The media doesn’t always get a chance to capture all the good that people do and I really wish we could get the word out more, because there really is a lot of giving back out there! From people donating their money even at a time when you think they could not, to those who donate their time just to bring a smile to another person’s face.

Project 100 has been an inspiration for some to give back and for others, it’s brought hope that giving back rewards them in financial ways. But we’re still not done, not even as we near our 100th recipient. As we get closer to this incredible milestone, I would like to invite you to share your story about how you’ve recently given back in your community on our Share page: http://whatisproject100.com/share.php

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October 23rd, 2009

Project 100 Wants You to Help the Positive Cities Foundation!

Most of us wake up every morning, turn on the news, and hear about all the negative stuff that is going on around the metro Detroit area. While it’s definitely a downer, there is one person who wants to change that. Erin Rose, founder of Positive Detroit Blog is hoping to make an expansion of her Blog into a website called Positive Cities.

Positive Cities will be created to substantially increase exposure of valuable local news and expand upbeat media coverage about local communities; offering a user-friendly based environment for residents to interact, engage, and rediscover the love and pride within your own backyard, while driving passion within the marketplace.

Positive Cities is determined to change the landscape of news. Its goal is to give a voice back to you, the people, by creating a two-sided conversation, to change the perception of how your area is represented on a local, national and global scale. :) How great is that?

Project 100 team member Stephanie, had the opportunity to personally meet Erin and learn more about her project and future goals. “This is just the first step of many that Erin is implementing to help our cities,” Stephanie said. “And it’s great to have someone so motivated to get good dialogue out there. And she’s already started making headway with her blog, Positive Detroit. After all, we all live in the Detroit area, why would we want others to talk bad about our home?”

Project 100 would like to help spread the word about Erin’s Positive Cities project by asking all of you to visit her website and help pledge to kickstart this great initiative.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/PositiveDetroit/sick-of-negative-news-click-here-to-make-a-chang

Due to the nature of the website, Erin is unable to produce the site on her own, so that is why she is asking you to pledge in any amount over $5.00 dollars. As an added bonus, each pledge will receive a great prize! To learn more about Positive Cities, visit Erin’s Blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

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www.whatisproject100.com

www.facebook.com/project100

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October 14th, 2009

Project 100: Give Back by Donating Coupons!

That’s right, Project 100 is asking everyone in the community to donate their recently expired coupons or coupons you don’t need anymore, to military families serving our country overseas. This is a quick and easy giving back opportunity that so many overseas families will appreciate!

Did you know that the prices in overseas commissaries are significantly higher than those in the States and military families do not always have access to coupons in newspapers and inserts? That is why Project 100 is asking you to help reduce military families’ costs in groceries by sending in coupons you don’t use or ones that have recently expired.

To get started, visit the Overseas Coupon Program and choose whether you want to adopt a base or simply send your coupons to an open base. They recommend that you choose to adopt a base because your name will appear on their website in recognition, along with how much money in coupons you have sent. Pretty neat huh?

There is no minimum donation size and coupons that have expired should be no later than two months expired. The program asks that when sending the coupons, you separate the food coupons and non-food coupons in different baggies. Also, do not send restaurant coupons or coupons that can only be used in certain stores like Target or Walgreens, as they will not be able to use them, and please do not staple, rubber-band or paperclip them as they will come apart during shipping.

When you have finished sorting your coupons, add up the face value dollar amount for all of them. By doing this, it places a value on how much you have donated, and could make you eligible for Overseas Coupon Program awards.

So far $2,073,947.68 has been collected in coupons! Way to go to all those who are sending coupons to overseas military families! Give back to those who are serving for our country!

For more information and to get started, please visit, http://www.ocpnet.org/.

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October 12th, 2009

Project 100: Co-op Services Gives Back with a BackPack Drive!

Even with Project 100 still going strong, Co-op Services Credit Union (the creator of Project 100) recently took time out to host its first ever backpack drive, to help give less fortunate students the supplies they need in order to start the school year off right! Together, with help from the community, they were able to donate 75 fully stuffed backpacks! That’s a lot of supplies!

All the backpacks were collected, taken to local area schools, and distributed among those who needed them the most. At Project 100, we are happy to be part of an organization that continues to give in various ways with many different causes in the community, even as Project 100 continues to give back. (You should see what’s coming next! :) I can’t tell you about it quite yet though – stay tuned!)

What a way to keep the positive energy flowing, by helping provide students with supplies that they otherwise may not have gotten. Way to go, Co-op Services!

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