Christmas SPIRIT Foundation receives Summit Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Nicole Fischer or Steve Drake
(636) 449-5060


WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, professionally-managed by DRAKE & COMPANY, is one of six recipients of the 2008 Summit Award presented by the American Society of Association Executives & The Center for Association Leadership.

The award, part of ASAE’s Associations Advance America initiative, is the highest honor given for organizations that implement innovative community-based programs. The Foundation received the award for its Trees for Troops program.

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation (CSF) – with support from FedEx Freight – has delivered more than 34,000 Real Christmas Trees to military families since Trees for Troops began in 2005. It has grown from about 400 Christmas Tree growers and retailers participating to more than 850. Almost 17,000 families at more than 40 military bases received a Real Christmas Tree in 2007.

“We are excited to receive this significant honor recognizing the work of hundreds of volunteers in the Christmas Tree industry,” said Steve Drake, CEO of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and DRAKECO president. “The Trees for Troops program represents the work of more than 850 tree farms and retailers along with the hundreds of miles and hours provided by our partners at FedEx Freight. All these efforts have allowed us to deliver fresh, farm-grown trees and holiday memories to more than 34,000 military families. We look forward to an expanded program in 2008.”

The Summit Award symbolizes the best efforts engineered by associations across the country in areas like public education/information, economic development, business and social innovation, skills training/development and civic and volunteer activities.
The awards were judged by members of ASAE who volunteer to serve in a leadership capacity and advise the organization on the various elements of the AAA public awareness and recognition program.

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Summit Award,” said Matthew R. D’Uva, CAE, president of SOCAP International and chairman of the AAA Committee. “These recognized programs exemplify the very best efforts of associations to benefit society. We received many outstanding submissions this year and are delighted to present these six organizations with the highest award in the association community.”

The Summit Awards will be presented at the 9th Annual Summit Awards Dinner, Sept. 23, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

“The winners of the 2008 Summit Award represent the very best characteristics and leadership in the association community,” said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “We applaud the Summit Award winners for fostering strong communities and stewardship of American life.”

The other recipients of the 2008 Summit Award are:
American Academy of Pediatrics Illinois Chapter, Chicago, IL
Program: Enhancing Developmentally-Oriented Primary Care (EDOPC)

Associated Builders and Contractors of Metropolitan Washington, Calverton, MD
Program: DC School Buff and Scrub

Association of Junior Leagues International Inc, New York, NY
Program: Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen

Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc., Washington, DC
Program: American National Standard for Calls Pertaining to Missing and Exploited Children

International Franchise Association, Washington, DC
Program: Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran)

About Christmas SPIRIT Foundation
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association established to advance the spirit of Christmas for kids, families and the environment. Visit www.christmasspiritfoundation.org for more information.


About Drake & Company
DRAKE & COMPANY – a full-service, AMC Institute-accredited, association management company based in Chesterfield, Mo. – serves as the headquarters and staff for leading national and international associations and specializes in management of trade, industry and individual member-based associations. Since its establishment in 1992, DRAKECO has been recognized for growing its clients’ membership, creating new associations and developing award-winning cause-related marketing initiatives such as the Trees for Troops campaign. For more information about DRAKE & COMPANY, go to: www.drakeco.com or contact Steve Drake.

About ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership
The American Society of Association Executives is an individual membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the globe. Our members’ organizations represent such essential industries and professions as health care, manufacturing, banking, law, energy, insurance, and the list goes on. We are also a leading voice for the nonprofit sector, advocating for voluntary organizations so that they may continue to improve the quality of life in the United States.

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Christmas SPIRIT Foundation earns Summit Award

Six associations have been selected by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership’s Associations Advance America (AAA) Committee to receive the 2008 Summit Award – ASAE’s highest honor for associations that implement innovative community-based programs. The Summit Awards will be presented at the 9th Annual Summit Awards Dinner, September 23, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

Part of the AAA Awards Program, the Summit Award symbolizes the very best efforts engineered by associations across the country in areas like public education/information, economic development, business and social innovation, skills training/development and civic and volunteer activities. The six Summit Award Recipients for 2008 were selected from a field of 38 Award of Excellence winners from three earlier AAA judging rounds this year.

This year’s winners are: American Academy of Pediatrics Illinois Chapter, Chicago, IL, Enhancing Developmentally-Oriented Primary Care (EDOPC); Associated Builders and Contractors of Metropolitan Washington, Calverton, MD, DC School Buff and Scrub; Association of Junior Leagues International Inc, New York, NY, Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen; Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc, Washington, DC, American National Standard for Calls Pertaining to Missing and Exploited Children; Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, Chesterfield, MO, Trees for Troops; International Franchise Association, Washington, DC, Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran). These award-winning programs are shared with external audiences like Capitol Hill and the press as part of ASAE’s overall effort to promote the positive public benefits derived from association activities.

Pictures from the Drake & Company Tank Top-Off

Drake & Company helps BBJ fight high gas prices

For More Information:
Rick Dungey
(636) 449-5050 (voice)
(636) 449-5051 (fax)
dungey@drakeco.com (e-mail)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Business Starts a “Pay-It-Forward” with Rising Gas Prices

CHESTERFIELD - (July 14, 2008) – One local business is not waiting for the economy to become robust again before “paying it forward” with a local nonprofit organization. Drake & Company, an accredited association management firm based in Chesterfield, Mo., will be hosting 50 members of Businesspersons Between Jobs (BBJ) for a gasoline “Tank Top Off” on Monday, July 21 at the Mobile on the Run - Country Club Car Wash in Chesterfield Valley. The event will be followed by a picnic lunch in Faust Park provided by Drake & Company and Chick-fil-A.

Steve Drake, president of Drake & Company, said he knows how it feels to be uncertain about future employment. “And what’s happening in today’s economy and fuel costs doesn’t help alleviate those concerns,” Drake said.

The concept sprang from a gas “Tank Top Off” for the 19 employees of Drake & Company in May. “I took a poll of our employees and found out they drive a combined 480 miles, spending more than $85 per day, just on gas to get to work each day. I know that can really put a pinch on someone in a career transition as well,” said Drake.

George Fish with BBJ acknowledged that the free gas helps his clients, but its also the show of support and chance to network that makes an event like this valuable. “Our members see someone who was in their shoes before, who now owns a successful small business, who is helping them out. It really helps reinforce a positive attitude to career transition,” said Fish.

On the invitation sent to BBJ members, Drake included this post script: ‘Our only request is that when your success returns, you take the time to pay it forward personally, professionally or both.’

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Drake & Company is a full-service, AMC Institute-accredited, association management company based in Chesterfield. DrakeCo serves as the headquarters and staff for leading national and international associations and specializes in management of trade, industry and individual member-based associations. Since its establishment in 1992, DrakeCo has made a name for itself by growing its clients’ membership, creating new associations and developing award-winning cause-related marketing initiatives such as the Trees for Troops campaign of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a DrakeCo client.

For more information about Drake & Company, go to: www.drakeco.com or contact Steve Drake.

Cause Marketing Facts

Here are some additional research numbers about the power of cause marketing (from Cone Corporate Citizenship survey).

• 89% of Americans believe corporations and nonprofits should work together to raise money and awareness for causes
• 76% of Americans believe partnerships result in a more positive image for the nonprofit
• 79% of Americans are more likely to buy a product that supports the nonprofit
• 76% are more likely to tell a friend about the nonprofit
• 70% are more likely to donate money to the nonprofit when corporate and nonprofit interests are working as one
• 75% of Americans feel nonprofits would benefit from having employees of the partner company volunteer for the nonprofit
• 66% would welcome information about a cause or charity on the company’s product or packaging

Drake & Company hires three, promotes one

For Immediate Release

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (July 2, 2008) – Drake & Company promoted one and welcomed three new employees in the past two weeks.

DrakeCo promoted Becky Rasmussen to account executive and hired three program coordinators: Amy Rehemeier, Alyson Hall and Becky Hadley.

Rasmussen was named assistant director for the National Christmas Tree Association. Her new role includes new member recruiting, meeting planning and oversight of NCTA’s print and electronic publications. Previously, Rasmussen was a program coordinator with NCTA.

Rehmeier joins the DrakeCo team as a program coordinator working with the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association and Missouri Dairy Association. She graduated in May with a bachelor’s in Animal Science from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Rehmeier, a Missouri native, grew up on a farm near Augusta. Her previous experience includes a communications internship at the Missouri Pork Association.

Hall, a recent graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, assumes the role of program coordinator for NCTA and the Christmas Spirit Foundation. She will assist with publications, meeting planning, public relations and other projects.

Hall previously interned with Advocate magazine in Dallas, and served as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian.

Hadley will work with the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare and MidStates Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association accounts.

She will assist in all phases of managing the associations, including working with board members, meeting agendas, minutes and budgets. This also includes meeting planning, implementation and various communications for both associations.

Before joining DrakeCo, Hadley worked as the event planning and communications intern for the Truman State University Career Center in Kirksville, Mo., where she planned and executed various promotional events for the Career Center.

She holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in communication from Truman State University.

Drake & Company is a full-service, AMC Institute-accredited, association management company based in Chesterfield. DrakeCo serves as the headquarters and staff for leading national and international associations and specializes in management of trade, industry and individual member-based associations. Since its establishment in 1992, DrakeCo has made a name for itself by growing its clients’ membership, creating new associations and developing award-winning cause-related marketing initiatives such as the Trees for Troops campaign.

For more information about Drake & Company, go to: www.drakeco.com or contact Steve Drake.

Media Contact:
Steve Drake
(636) 449-5050
info@drakeco.com
www.drakeco.com