Projects

The goal of Caring for America is to energize local clubs, attract new members, retain current members, provide positive public relations and register New Republicans by working in the community and showing that Republican women “do care”. At the national level NFRW wants to show that Republican women are caring, responsible members of their community, who are always willing to provide help and assistance where needed. We know that many times good deeds are not recognized by local media in our communities. In 1999 NFRW began a program to encourage local clubs and state federations to form “Caring for America” Committees and commit to at least one community service project. The purpose of this Award is to recognize the outstanding projects that our NFRW local clubs have been involved in during the time period of 2008 and 2009. Each local club and each state should have a “Caring for America” Chairman. The chairman should be selected on basis of interest and personal involvement in the local community and willingness to find activities that the club can support actively and enthusiastically. It is also important that the clubs market their endeavors so that the community is aware of your projects. What are we marketing? The answer is simple: REPUBLICAN values and REPUBLICAN women.

Research your project carefully. There are many scams and fraudulent programs. Check them out with your Secretary of State’s office. Ask some questions before choosing a project:
 

	Does the project support Republican ideals?
	Does it encourage free enterprise and individual initiative? Does it help those who are striving to become self-sufficient?
	Does the project offer your club an opportunity to identify yourselves as Republicans? Remember, you are looking for ways to be recognized as caring and concerned Republicans.
	Does the organization you are supporting have a newsletter in which they give credit and publicity to their supporters? If you are donating money or services to an established organization, ask that you do the official presentation and tell why your Republican organization is doing this service.
	Can you publicize your project in the media with an article and a photograph?

Often, charitable organizations have good relationships with local newspapers, and since they want your continued support, they will let others know about your assistance. There are many options for projects. Some award winners are:
 

	Provide dictionaries to primary school students in the public school system, especially in at-risk areas. See www.dictionaryproject.com.
	Provide Christmas boxes for veterans in local veterans’ hospitals.
	Work with Welfare to Work mentoring programs. Host workshops for women entering the workforce for the first time. Show them how to dress, how to interview, how to change their self-image.
	Help schools with Reading Readiness screening.
	Participate in “Reach One-Teach One” assistance with reading in elementary schools.
	Sponsor patriotic writing challenges in local schools. Offer prizes for the best essay on patriotism.
	Sponsor “Support our Troops” rallies to provide care packages for the deployed troops.
	Start a community beautification program, i.e., persuade citizens to donate old cars to the Kidney Foundation.
	Raise public awareness of women’s health issues – American Heart Association “Red Dress” Day.
	Help homes for battered women and abused children.
	Help with new citizen outreach programs.
	Take young people with you to nursing homes to visit “adopted” grandparents – teach them to care.