* We will be putting emphasis on the Secret Angel, Pay It Forward, and SchoolHelpers programs through the end of 2010.

 *Ask about BusinessHelpers...a free consulting service offered by experts in multiple areas of business who donate their initial time to the Thinktank.  Business and company owners can receive free information on independent third-party business evaluations, free exit/transition planning tips, and free information on creative programs that can help owners in re-capitalization, debt restructuring, capital infusions, ownership transitions to family or employees, and full or partial cash-outs of owners.

*Many of us have been donating time and efforts to support the wonderful downtown Kansas City organization Operation Breakthrough (www.operationbreakthrough.org).    Contact us for additional information on how you can help.

* We've been supporting Marcia Merrick's campaign to help the homeless in Kansas City (Marcia's campaign was featured in KMBC's 2009 Thankgiving Special Report, "The Spirit of Giving").  Our goal is to increase our ability to help Marcia further in 2010.