Fore! It's that time of year again. If you played in the 2009 edition of the CAN Golf Marathon, held at Diamond Oaks C.C., you remember how much fun it was. Participants enjoyed a day of golf, competition and good food. To top it off, players raised a total of $41,600 for our ministry.

This year, we are at it again, with a few exciting changes.

A Quick Look at the Changes:

1. A Change in Format

This year's golf tournament will be a scramble format. Each team (4 players) will be responsible for raising or paying their own entry fee of $2,500.00, or $625.00 per person. Individuals may sign up and pay or raise the minimum of $625.00. Individuals without a team will be placed the day of the scramble.

2. We Help You Raise the Money

Just get us a list of names and email addresses you would like to invite to sponsor you. We will send out letters on your behalf and track the responses, keeping you informed of your progress along the way.

3. Prizes!

There are two opportunities for your team to win Grand prizes. The first is through your fundraising efforts on behalf of Cornerstone. The team that raises the most money on behalf of Cornerstone will win a 20-person suite for a 2011 Texas Rangers Home game, courtesy of the Texas Rangers.

Should your team miss out on the Grand Prize, take heart; additional prizes will be awarded for the lowest team score in the scramble, Closest to the Pin, and Longest Drive competitions.

Helpful Hint: The team captain is responsible for recruiting his/her team and spearheading the fundraising efforts. The sooner you sign up and let us send your letters, the sooner you will be on your way to winning the Grand Prize!

The 2010 Golf Scramble Tournament will be held again this year at Diamond Oaks, C.C. on Oct. 4, 2010.

It's a fun day for a great cause. For more information, or to sign up, contact Denice Crawford at dcrawford@canetwork.org or 817-632-6000, ext. 110.

To view a gallery of last year's event, click here.

At Cornerstone, we love our volunteers! So in honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Month, some of the staff at Cornerstone shared their thoughts about the impact volunteers have on the ministry.

Here are a few of the responses:

"Volunteers account for all the difference. They accomplish the everyday tasks and special assignments that keep the organization running smoothly. They are like the fuel that keeps the train moving. Without them, there would not be enough staff do half of what we do on a daily basis. Volunteers provide the fresh faces to interact with clients on a daily basis. They bring a compassion and energy sorely needed in the social service industry." - Davita, Senior Case Manager

"Volunteers make the difference between our being able to effectively and efficiently serve clients, versus being overworked, over-stressed, and overwhelmed!"- Denice, Administrative Assistant

"I could NOT do my job without them! They are a joy and fun to work with! Two heads are always better than one!" - Kim, Resource Network

Volunteers make all the difference! Thank you! If you'd like to volunteer, click here to learn more.

Tomorrow TCU LEAPS will welcome a group of TCU LEAPS students to Cornerstone. Cornerstone is excited to extend a partnership with TCU and show the next generation of students this ministry.

What is LEAPS?

TCU LEAPS is a campus-wide community service event at TCU. Students, faculty and staff all participate in this event. Service sites in the Tarrant County area like Cornerstone register with short projects that can be completed with a group of 10-15 people.

The goal is to have a great impact on the community in a single day.

Why LEAPS?

Why would Cornerstone decide to take advantage of TCU LEAPS? For one thing, Cornerstone wants to show students like those at TCU what this ministry is all about in the hopes that they become as passionate about Cornerstone as we are.

TCU students have a history of giving back to the community and having a heart for service, so we are excited to expose them to our mission and ministry.

Secondly, LEAPS serves as an excellent opportunity to use volunteers in high capacity ways. CAN is always in need of volunteers, but LEAPS provides an opportunity to use bright, service-minded college students who want to be put to good use. We value that.

What will LEAPS be Doing at CAN?

LEAPS is designed for short-term, one-day projects. To that end, CAN has established some painting and landscaping projects for our volunteers to do. Led and supervised by our Director of Community Services, Jesse Vasquez, this will help CAN to become the pillar of the community it aims to become.

For more on the LEAPS program, click here.

Are You Looking for Your Next Big Adventure?If you have ever asked yourself "What can I do for my community?" AmeriCorps VISTA may be the answer! AmeriCorps VISTA is a U.S. federal government program which focuses on eliminating poverty by helping non-profits better assist the communities they serve.



VISTA Requirements/Benefits

A commitment to service for VISTA is full-time for one year, and the benefits are amazing! Not only will you make a big impact on the community you serve, but upon completion of a year of service you will receive either a cash award or an education award. The education award can be used one of two ways: to further your education or pay off student loans. You will also receive a monthly stipend as a VISTA.

Anyone considering an AmeriCorps VISTA position should research the program fully before applying to ensure they understand what it takes to serve as a VISTA. To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA, visit http://www.americorps.gov/.