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donations going toward operation
costs. Workshop Houston is one
of several nonprofits expanding
services with a build out to its
existing location.
“Even a small donation makes
a really big difference," Goodman
said. "We serve a population that is
vulnerable because of their age and
socioeconomic status.”
Last year, supportive employees
gave more than $ 800,000 to more
than 700 charities. And with this
year’s theme, Build Our City, CMC
is highlighting how employees’
donations are helping to expand
services of CMC agencies.
We’re here to help
Losing a loved one is
hard for families. But one
CMC nonprofit is making
sure families of police
officers and firefighters killed
in the line of duty get the
support they need.
What we try to do is
alleviate the family’s debt,
said Rick Hartle, executive
director.
And with the CMC Build
Our City campaign, The 100
Club is helping to rebuild the
lives of families whose loved
one gave their life protecting
our city.
“When we lose a hero in
the line of duty, we provide
a check for $20,000,” Hartle
said. “When the time is right
we return to do a needs
assessment.”
In 1953, the club only
operated in Harris County with
7,400 members. Now, they have
4
31,000 members and
operate in 31 counties,
Hartle said.
In March, they merged
with The Last Alarm Club,
a charity that provides
funds to fallen firefighters’
families, he said.
“Proceeds from the Last Alarm
Club have been placed into the 100
Club’s survivor fund,” Hartle said.
“The funds will be used to provide
financial assistance to dependents
of officers and firefighters killed in
the line of duty.”
Besides giving financial aid, the
club also sends officers to school for
Commemorative plaques honoring fallen heroes and active fire
and police units fill the entranceway of the The 100 Club. Each
year, The 100 Club holds an annual gala to recognize service
members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Tribute: Build Our City CMC 2014 - www.houstonCMC.org
undergraduate and graduate
degrees, and provides bulletproof
vests, radios and armored personnel
carriers to active police.
“Instead of reacting when we lose
a hero, we wanted to do something
proactive to save lives,” Hartle said.
In 2001, services were extended to
firefighters.
“The tragedies that happened in
New York prompted board members
to extend line of duty death benefits
to firefighters,” Hartle said. “And in
2006, statewide coverage was made
available to public safety personnel,
game wardens and prison personnel
killed in the line of duty.”
More than $15 million in survivor
benefits have been given to families
since 1953, Hartle said. And since
2003, generous city employees have
donated more than $75,000 to The
100 Club through the CMC.
Helping to heal our children
One in four girls and one in six
boys will be sexually abused before
they turn 18, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
It’s a statistic Tammy Hetmaniak
knows well.
“We’re dealing with an epidemic
problem," said Hetmaniak,
community outreach coordinator
for the Children’s Assessment
Center. The CAC provides forensic
interviews, onsite medical services,
and therapy and psychological