We had another exciting quarter with many encouraging stories to share! On behalf of everyone at STG Foundation, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued generosity. Because of your donations and support, we were able to help our partner charities in their times of need this quarter, and even pick up some new partners along the way! We are so excited to introduce you to them, and we know they will be a blessing to us as we get to know them more in the coming months
We have a very SPECIAL New Partner!
STG Foundation is so excited to announce our new partnership with Special Spaces! Special Spaces is a nonprofit organization who works alongside childhood cancer patients and their families to create their dream bedroom, with the child as the main designer. When a child receives a cancer diagnosis, it changes their entire world. During this time, they often spend time receiving treatments, feeling tired and weak, and being isolated from their friends and activities they once enjoyed. Special Spaces works with the families and volunteers to create an inviting and exciting place for these children to focus on the happier moments, allowing them time to just be a kid. Whether it be a princess castle, an under the sea experience, or a team of superheroes, Special Spaces works hard to make their dream bedroom a reality.
Special Spaces currently has 12 chapters, and is focused on growing in the Midwest. Your generous donation will be dedicated to creating dream bedrooms in the Indianapolis area. That particular chapter has completed seven makeovers, has two approved
applications, and three additional referrals. Statistics show that with continued support, 20+ make overs a year could be completed in that territory.
STG Foundation will be partnering with them financially to help fund the supplies needed for these special spaces, such as paint, furniture, bedding, lighting, window treatments, closet organization, rugs, medical supply storage, general organization, and custom decor. We will also be working alongside Special Spaces and sending a team of volunteers to help create a dream room for one or more children. If you would like to partner with us on a project in the future, please reach out via email or to us personally to sign up.
To learn more about Special Spaces and to read stories of the children they serve, visit their website at https://specialspaces.org.
Updates From Our Partners
Victorious Children’s Home
From Vicky and her staff at Victorious Children’s Home, she sends a sincere heartfelt thank you for coming through in their time of need this quarter. Due to economic inflation in Kenya, the orphanage was unable to afford tuition for the children to attend school for two weeks. While they were still able to provide food for the residents, hot meals were not served daily during this time. Through your continued financial support, STG Foundation was able to provide an additional donation this quarter to help them in their time of need. Because of your giving, the children are now back in school as usual and are enjoying a hot tasty meal everyday.
On top of this blessing, the children’s home has also finished their multipurpose hall and boys’ dormitory! The boys have been enjoying their new residence, and Vicky says it is the “most beautiful building in the village.” She also states that the rain has come back to their village after a severe drought, which allows them to continue work on their farming project they started. The residents are working with staff to learn how to be self-sustainable in terms of raising livestock and growing their own crops. With the startup of this project comes many costs, especially since fertilizer and other supplies are and will continue to be in high demand post-drought. We appreciate your continued financial support as we continue to support the staff and children of Victorious Children’s Home.
Newburgh Buddy Ball
Newburgh Buddy Ball has finished their spring season! With the help of the STG Foundation, they were able to provide additional accommodations for the players, such as new tents for the players to stand under while they wait for their turn to bat. We were also able to sponsor a team, which we enjoyed volunteering alongside this season. Scott Farmer, from STG Foundation, even had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at one of their games!
If you are local and would like to be a partner for the athletes during their upcoming fall season, please reach out via email or to use personally to join in on the fun!
For more information or to sign up to be a buddy, visit their website at http://newburghbuddyball.net/
Meet Rosmery (Rosie)
Rosie (age 15) is brave, funny, and likes to read. She has lived in an orphanage in Colombia for the past 8 years. Last year, she participated in a summer hosting program where she met Kristina of Salt Lake City, UT. Kristina had adopted once before, also from Colombia, and felt she was ready to welcome another child. Kristina did not have much time, however, because Rosie would, under Colombian law, become ineligible for adoption at age 16. A $5,700 grant from Gift of Adoption, made possible by the STG Foundation, is enabling Kristina to cover the final fees and travel to Colombia this summer to reunite with Rosie and bring her home to the United States. Kristina shared, “Rosie will have a family to love and support her. She dreams of finishing her high school education and going to college. She will now be able to do those things. Receiving this grant allowed me to adopt for a second time. Rosie was dangerously close to never finding a forever family and I am so grateful for your help in bringing her home. Thank you.”
Meet Baby B
Baby B is due to be born this August to a birth mother who feels she is unable to provide for this child. She has chosen adoption for her baby so that he or she will have all the opportunities that she desires for them. Jenny and Cameron of Sioux Falls, SD have a deep longing to be parents and have not had any biological children. They have matched with Baby B’s birth mother and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this new baby. They have saved and worked for this adoption but needed some help to cover final fees. A $1,600 grant from Gift of Adoption, made possible by the STG Foundation, is enabling them to move forward with the process and will ensure Baby B knows a permanent family from birth. Cameron and Jenny shared, “Our biggest hindrance to pursuing adoption was the cost. Knowing there were resources and organizations out there to help us cover some of the costs was very encouraging. We plan to give this baby a loving, stable home with both a mother and father who want nothing but the best for him or her.”
Update!
Emily
Emily, who was born in September 2022, avoided a foster care placement through her adoption by Erin and Tom. Her parents provided the following update in early April 2023: “Emily is now in a safe environment and home. She’s receiving all surgeries and medical treatment needed. We matched with our daughter with the understanding that “all was well” but, at her birth, learned this wasn’t the case and that Emily had a cleft palate and other medical needs. Because of your generosity we didn’t have to waver on our decision to move forward with the adoption. We knew we’d be able to afford the additional medical bills thanks to the support we received. We are forever thankful to you for helping us move forward and to be blessed with our miracle girl. The gift of adoption means just that, providing us with the gift that is our daughter. You enabled us to bring our sweet girl into our family without any hesitation in our minds. You provided for Emily and we’re so grateful for your blessings.”
To read more stories like these and to learn more about their organization, visit https:/ giftofadoption.org.
Annual Board Meeting:
The board members of STG Foundation met in June to discuss our accomplishments from 2022-2023 and to plan for the rest of the year. During this time, they were also able to invite our current partners into the meeting to discuss what has been helpful and what they could still use our support with. Overall, the meeting was very encouraging and offered a lot of positivity for the future of the foundation as we continue to grow. We look forward to introducing you to more new charities later this year, and are proud of and very thankful for what you all have helped us accomplish for the 2022-2023 years thus far!
Congratulations to our Facebook giveaway winners!
1st place: Kasey Gathercole
2nd and 3rd place: Holly Suter and Kristy Ernspiger
4th and 5th place: Lisa Allen and Hilary Farrand
Thank you to everyone who entered to win! We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped us boost our online presence. If you have not already liked and followed our page, check us out on Facebook by searching for STG Foundation or clicking the link below.
Other News from STG Foundation
Newsletter sign up:
We will be sending a newsletter similar to this one every quarter to update everyone on all things new and exciting with the STG Foundation. To sign up for our email list, visit our website or click the link below.
NEWSLETTER SIGN UP LINK
Donations can also be made online through our website at
https://stgfoundation.org/donate/
For follow up questions or concerns about how you can donate, email us at [email protected] or call us at 812-204-5633.
Workplace Matching Programs:
Many workplaces will match your charitable contributions. If you feel led to do so, please consider contacting your employer to see if this would be an option for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Why should I donate through the STG Foundation?
A. Frequently individuals are pressured after giving by receiving mailings, emails, phone calls, etc. When you give through the STG Foundation, we will allocate the money, making you anonymous in giving to the organizations. STG will regularly report the return on your investments by highlighting the successes of the organizations we are supporting.
Q. What is the easiest way for me to give?
A. The easiest way to donate is by visiting our website www.stgfoundation.org and clicking on the “Donate” button, which will direct you to our giving baskets page. In this page you can find your cause and allocate how you would like your contribution to be distributed.
Q. If I am unable to give financially at this time, what are some other ways I can make a difference?
A. First and foremost, you can pray for us and those who are impacted through our giving. Secondly, you can SHARE SHARE SHARE! While you personally may not be able to give financially, you likely have those in your circle who can. While the mission of STG Foundation has been in motion for decades, the foundation itself is just now starting to grow and expand its audience. By helping us expand our reputation, you are making a difference and helping with our overall mission to impact our communities and our world. Lastly, if you are able to give of your time to represent the foundation and assist any of our partner charities, they can all use volunteers on any given day. We believe that everyone, no matter what obstacles we face, can Share The Good!
Q. Can you receive gifts from donor advisor funds?
A. Yes! The STG Foundation is able to receive gifts from donor advisor funds.
Q. How do I know the organizations my donations are going to are legit?
A. Each charity is vetted with pre-determined criteria to ensure that the vast majority of the money given directly impacts the cause. The STG Foundation will ensure your donation delivers a real and meaningful impact. Most of the organizations, whenever possible, are vetted through in person visits from STG board members, which allows us to maintain personal relationships with each organization as well.