Association News

I am pleased to announce that Sims Mortuary Inc has been selected for the 2010 Best of El Dorado Award in the Funeral Home category by the US Commerce Association. Each year, the US Commerce Association (USCA) identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Sims Mortuary Inc has been posted on our website. The USCA hereby grants Sims Mortuary Inc a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.

    This communication comes to each of you in an effort to reach out and assist one of our own. On Sunday morning, July 20, 2010 Jerry Cooley, owner of Cooley’s Mortuary in Batesville, MS lost his home to a fire. Cooley and his family were blessed that no one was injured in the midst of this tragedy.

We are asking that each of you extend your hearts to our fellow man during this time of need. The Cooley’s are currently residing at a hotel in Batesville but can be reached at the funeral home @ (662) 563-8829. All donations (monetary, food, clothing, etc.) should be sent directly to Jerry Cooley at P.O. Box 1593 Batesville, MS 38606

    On May 28, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was delaying enforcement of its "Red Flags" rule for the third time, until Dec. 31, for financial institutions and creditors subject to the FTC's jurisdiction. The action was in response to a request from Congress, while officials consider legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the rule. The AICPA is continuing to seek an exemption for public accounting firms before the rule takes effect. FTC enforcement of the rule was scheduled to begin June 1. The "Red Flags" rule requires "creditors" or "financial institutions" with covered accounts to have programs to assist in identifying a potential identity theft. On Nov. 10, the AICPA sued the FTC on behalf of its members over the "Red Flags" rule claiming that CPAs in public practice should not be subjected to it. Earlier this year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a delay of enforcement of the rule for public accounting members of the AICPA for 90 days after an opinion comes down from the Court of Appeals on a similar case brought by the American Bar Association.

“This is a serious matter! A five to ten percent violation rate is significant! Everything above these levels is very serious and in my opinion will increase the rate of inspections/investigations.” - NFD&MA, Inc.’s Legislative Committee Chair Gerard “Skip” Mikell

Undercover Inspections of Funeral Homes in Nine States and Washington, D.C. Press Funeral Homes to Comply with Consumer Protection Law

Investigators working undercover in nine states and the District of Columbia found significant violations of Federal Trade Commission consumer protection rules at 52 of 175 funeral homes they visited during 2009.

The FTC conducts undercover inspections every year to make sure that funeral homes are complying with the agency’s Funeral Rule. The Rule, enacted in 1984, gives consumers important rights when making funeral arrangements. Key provisions of the Rule require funeral homes to provide consumers with an itemized price list at the start of an in-person discussion of funeral arrangements, as well as a casket price list before consumers view any caskets. The Rule also prohibits funeral homes from requiring consumers to buy any item, such as a casket, as a condition of obtaining any other funeral good or service. By requiring itemized prices, the Rule enables consumers to compare prices and buy only the goods and services they want.

Funeral homes found to have significant violations can enter a training program designed to increase compliance with the Funeral Rule. The three-year program is known as the Funeral Rule Offenders Program, and is an alternative to a possible FTC lawsuit that could lead to a court order and civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation. It is run by the National Funeral Directors Association and provides participants with a legal review of the price disclosures required by the Funeral Rule, and on-going training, testing and monitoring for compliance with the Rule. In addition, funeral homes that participate in the program make a voluntary payment to the U.S. Treasury in place of a civil penalty, and pay annual administrative fees to the Association.

FTC inspections during 2009 revealed a mixed compliance record:

• In Chicago, Illinois, one of 12 funeral homes inspected had significant violations;

• In Metro Washington, D.C., including parts of Maryland and Virginia, 19 of 59 funeral homes inspected had significant violations;

• In Cincinnati, Ohio, three significant violations were found among 19 funeral homes inspected;

• In Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, six of 25 funeral homes inspected had significant violations;

• In Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and Townsend, Montana, three of 12 funeral homes inspected had significant violations;

• In El Paso, Texas, six of 12 funeral homes inspected had significant violations;

• In New Orleans and New Iberia, Louisiana, five of 22 funeral homes inspected had significant violations; and

• In Nassau County, New York, seven of 14 funeral homes inspected had significant violations.

In addition, the FTC identified several funeral homes with only minor compliance problems. In this type of situation, the FTC contacts the funeral home and requires it to provide evidence that it has corrected the problems.Since the Funeral Rule Offenders Program began in 1996, the FTC has inspected more than 2,300 funeral homes and found that 362 were substantially out of compliance with the Rule.

In conducting these enforcement sweeps, the agency receives assistance from several state attorneys general and the AARP. This year, the FTC wishes to thank Louisiana Attorney General James D. Caldwell and Tennessee Attorney General Robert E. Cooper, Jr. and their staffs for their invaluable assistance.

In addition to its law enforcement efforts, the FTC educates consumers in English and Spanish about their rights under the Funeral Rule, and provides guidance to businesses in how to comply. During 2009, more than 150,000 consumers and businesses ordered copies of these publications – “Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services,” “Funerals: A Consumer Guide,” and “Complying with the Funeral Rule” – or viewed them on the FTC’s Web site, www.ftc.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

MEDIA CONTACT: Frank Dorman Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2674

STAFF CONTACT: Craig Tregillus Bureau of Consumer Protection 202-326-2970

The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited program at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home seeks a full-time program director/faculty to start the Fall 2010 semester. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: program director administrative tasks, teaching class offerings, maintaining office hours, advising of students on the funeral service curriculum, and service to the university community.

Eligible candidates must hold a Master's degree (preferred) or a baccalaureate degree with at least 15 hours toward a Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning; be a graduate of an ABFSE accredited program of funeral service (mortuary science) education; hold an unencumbered license to practice funeral service in the state of Arkansas or have the ability to reciprocate a license to Arkansas. The applicant must have the ability to perform actual embalming, restorative art, and funeral directing procedures and must have education and experiences in funeral service computer applications, regulations, funeral service history, and funeral directing. Computer efficiency and familiarity with distance education is a must for this position; the candidate must also be familiar with the following: Microsoft Word®, Power Point®, emailing documents with attachments, internet navigation, and an LMS (Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai, etc.). A successful candidate having a baccalaureate degree will be required to earn a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution within 5 years of start date.

Application packets must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th. Please EMAIL a cover letter, resume’, CV/transcript, and three letters of reference to Melissa Brooks, Director of Human Resources, at mbrooks@asumh.edu.

Terry Tate is a native of Tyrone, PA and a graduate of Edinboro University in 2009 where he majored in psychology. A Dean’s List student at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Terry will graduate with the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in September and plans on serving his internship with the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home.

Beverly Ann Carp from Rowes Run, Pennsylvania started college at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania before attending Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Ms. Carp is enrolled in the Associate in Specialized Business Degree program and intends to be licensed in Pennsylvania.

Many thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association for their continued support of funeral service education!

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Brookfield, Wis. – The members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (NFD&MA), the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America (CFSA) and the Monument Builders of North America (MBNA) express their heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12. The associations’ members also wish to express their deepest concerns over the treatment of those who died in the earthquake.

The Haitian government has taken control of the mortuary response in Haiti and has neither asked for nor authorized assistance from any government or private organization. The heart-breaking images of those who died being placed in mass graves are shocking, and the members of NFDA, NFD&MA, CANA, CFSA and MBNA believe the people of Haiti deserve better. They have lost so much and are experiencing a variety of emotions as they struggle to survive; seeing people who may be family or friends being put in mass graves only compounds their grief.

The associations are also worried about the fate of American citizens and individuals with dual Haitian and American citizenship who died in the earthquake. As of January 23, the Department of State reports that the identities of 45 American citizens who died in the earthquake have been confirmed. However, thousands remain missing. There are concerns that the remains of these missing individuals may be placed in one of the mass graves or may forever be lost in the rubble. The news story “Relatives of Americans Missing in Haiti Angry,” from The Washington Post (http://bit.ly/6snn87), sheds light on the pain and anguish these families are experiencing.

Said NFDA member Michael Gunderud, of Krowicki-McCracken Funeral Home in Linden, N.J.: “The events in Haiti have left many funeral directors eager to assist families ship identified remains to the United States. We have been called upon to fulfill a duty, yet remain helpless in our efforts. Such a situation should be addressed with aggressive action, and it [is] disheartening that [I am] unable to perform the duty that I was called upon to do.”

There is a tremendous willingness within the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty response communities in America – both government resources, such as Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams, and private resources, such as the hundreds of funeral directors who have volunteered to travel to Haiti – to assist the Haitian government with the respectful treatment of the dead. The members of the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty communities are willing to help the Haitian government with all those who died in the earthquake – regardless of citizenship – so that, where possible, they can be returned to their families for a dignified funeral, burial and memorialization.

Funeral and deathcare professionals have stepped forward in a number of natural disasters – from Hurricane Katrina to the earthquake and tsunami that impacted Southeast Asia – and have reunited thousands of families with the remains of their loved ones, affording them the opportunity to have funerals or memorial services. The funeral service and memorialization community believes it can do this for Haiti, and all nations that saw their citizens die in the earthquake.

Funeral directors are entrusted to care for the living through the respectful and dignified treatment of those who died. The outpouring of humanitarian relief from the United States to the people of Haiti is to be applauded and admired, for it is desperately needed; however, in not taking swift action to care for those who died, this country fails to offer a fully compassionate response.

The members of NFDA, NFD&MA, CANA, CFSA and MBNA call on those in the federal government who are leading this country’s response in Haiti to take swift action by urging the Haitian government to allow the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty response communities in the United States and around the world to assist with the respectful and dignified treatment of those who died in the earthquake.

Please visit www.nfda.org/haiti for the latest news and information on the mortuary response in Haiti. This Web page will be updated daily or as new information becomes available.

Funeral service professionals interested in volunteering in Haiti may call the National Funeral Directors Association at 800-228-6332. NFDA staff is collecting contact information in order to keep interested parties abreast of ways they might be able to assist the federal government and funeral service professionals in Haiti, should their service prove necessary. NFD&MA members may call 800-434-0958 to place their name on their association’s volunteer list. MBNA members may call 800-233-4472 to place their name on their association’s volunteer list.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 09:22 The members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (NFD&MA), the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America (CFSA) and the Monument Builders of North America (MBNA) express their heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12. The associations’ members also wish to express their deepest concerns over the treatment of those who died in the earthquake.

The Haitian government has taken control of the mortuary response in Haiti and has neither asked for nor authorized assistance from any government or private organization. The heart-breaking images of those who died being placed in mass graves are shocking, and the members of NFDA, NFD&MA, CANA, CFSA and MBNA believe the people of Haiti deserve better. They have lost so much and are experiencing a variety of emotions as they struggle to survive; seeing people who may be family or friends being put in mass graves only compounds their grief.

The associations are also worried about the fate of American citizens and individuals with dual Haitian and American citizenship who died in the earthquake. As of January 23, the Department of State reports that the identities of 45 American citizens who died in the earthquake have been confirmed. However, thousands remain missing. There are concerns that the remains of these missing individuals may be placed in one of the mass graves or may forever be lost in the rubble. The news story “Relatives of Americans Missing in Haiti Angry,” from The Washington Post (http://bit.ly/6snn87), sheds light on the pain and anguish these families are experiencing.

Said NFDA member Michael Gunderud, of Krowicki-McCracken Funeral Home in Linden, N.J.: “The events in Haiti have left many funeral directors eager to assist families ship identified remains to the United States. We have been called upon to fulfill a duty, yet remain helpless in our efforts. Such a situation should be addressed with aggressive action, and it [is] disheartening that [I am] unable to perform the duty that I was called upon to do.”

There is a tremendous willingness within the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty response communities in America – both government resources, such as Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams, and private resources, such as the hundreds of funeral directors who have volunteered to travel to Haiti – to assist the Haitian government with the respectful treatment of the dead. The members of the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty communities are willing to help the Haitian government with all those who died in the earthquake – regardless of citizenship – so that, where possible, they can be returned to their families for a dignified funeral, burial and memorialization.

Funeral and death care professionals have stepped forward in a number of natural disasters – from Hurricane Katrina to the earthquake and tsunami that impacted Southeast Asia – and have reunited thousands of families with the remains of their loved ones, affording them the opportunity to have funerals or memorial services. The funeral service and memorialization community believes it can do this for Haiti, and all nations that saw their citizens die in the earthquake.

Funeral directors are entrusted to care for the living through the respectful and dignified treatment of those who died. The outpouring of humanitarian relief from the United States to the people of Haiti is to be applauded and admired, for it is desperately needed; however, in not taking swift action to care for those who died, this country fails to offer a fully compassionate response.

The members of NFDA, NFD&MA, CANA, CFSA and MBNA call on those in the federal government who are leading this country’s response in Haiti to take swift action by urging the Haitian government to allow the funeral service, memorialization and mass-casualty response communities in the United States and around the world to assist with the respectful and dignified treatment of those who died in the earthquake.

Please visit www.nfda.org/haiti for the latest news and information on the mortuary response in Haiti. This Web page will be updated daily or as new information becomes available.

Funeral service professionals interested in volunteering in Haiti may call the National Funeral Directors Association at 800-228-6332. NFDA staff is collecting contact information in order to keep interested parties abreast of ways they might be able to assist the federal government and funeral service professionals in Haiti, should their service prove necessary. NFD&MA members may call 800-434-0958 to place their name on their association’s volunteer list. MBNA members may call 800-233-4472 to place their name on their association’s volunteer list

Kevin M. Weaver

California State Secretary

San Diego, CA

CFDEAINC@gmail.com

• Release Date: January 6, 2010

• Release Number: 1861-008

• » More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The figures are remarkable. Since 1978, Arkansans with flood insurance have received more than $54,493,544 in loss payments. In the last fiscal year alone, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid out 210 claims to state policyholders to the tune of more than $2.6 million.

And this year, water-logged state residents with and without flood insurance are faced with an enormous new set of rebuilding and repairing costs after the severe storms and flooding.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Kevin Hannes, federal coordinating officer helping oversee disaster recovery efforts. “But the most convincing case anyone can make for purchasing NFIP insurance is the increased peace of mind of knowing that you’ve protected your most valuable investment and personal property.”

Flood insurance is available to any property owner or renter located in a community participating in the NFIP. Statewide, 402 Arkansas communities are enrolled in the program. All areas are susceptible to flooding, although to varying degrees; in fact, nationwide 25 to 30 percent of all flood claims occur in the low-to-moderate risk areas.

To get secured financing to buy, build or improve structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) you will be required to purchase flood insurance. Lending institutions that are federally regulated or federally insured must determine if the structure is located in a SFHA and must provide written notice requiring flood insurance.

Hannes said that misinformation and misunderstandings were the main reasons why many residents failed to look into obtaining flood insurance.

“It fills a huge gap in homeowner coverage at an affordable cost,” Hannes said. “It also can cover a renter’s personal property as well as some nonresidential buildings such as farm and commercial structures in participating communities.”

Hannes addressed other misunderstandings that often arise:

• Flood damage is not covered by homeowner policies. You can protect your home, business and belongings with NFIP insurance. You can insure your home with flood insurance for up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for your contents;

• You can buy flood insurance no matter what your flood risk is. It doesn't matter whether your flood risk is high, medium or low, you can buy flood insurance as long as your community participates in the NFIP;

• In some cases there may be a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect. Plan ahead so you're not caught without flood insurance when a flood threatens your home or business; and

• Federal disaster assistance is not the answer. Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster. More than 90 percent of all disasters in the United States are not declared as federal disasters. Flood insurance pays even if a disaster is not declared.

Nearly 21,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage.

NFIP loss claims are not paid for by the taxpayer, but through premiums collected for flood insurance policies.
You can buy NFIP flood insurance through most major private insurance companies and licensed property insurance agents who sell homeowners’ or property insurance or call the NFIP's toll-free line at 800-427-4661, (TTY/TD) 800-427-5593 for additional information.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

• Release Date: January 5, 2010

• Release Number: 1791-551

• » More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike

TEXAS CITY, Texas -- The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remind residents and business owners to get the appropriate building permits before beginning any work on their property damaged by Hurricane Ike.

“We can not emphasize more how important it is for residents and business owners with storm-damaged property to check with their local municipality’s building departments before repairing, rebuilding or elevating,” said State Coordinating Officer Ben Patterson. “Start your repairs only after receiving all the required permits.”

Permits may be required for work on removing or replacing the roof, walls, siding, wallboard, plaster, insulation, paneling, cabinets, flooring, electrical system, plumbing, heating or air conditioning and elevating structures. Repair projects must meet community building codes and ordinances.

“By issuing these permits, cities, towns and counties can ensure that construction complies with applicable codes for safety and future storm resistance,” added Hurricane Ike Recovery Manager Brad Harris. “Residents who are rebuilding need to know that permits are based on local codes and ordinances that are enforced locally, not by FEMA."

• Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques;

• Local permit offices can provide suggestions and information on how to protect your home or business from future disaster-related damages; and

• Permit offices may also provide consumers with information on selecting licensed contractors and with advice on protecting themselves from unscrupulous contractors.

Obtaining proper permits is especially important for structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas, also known as regulatory floodplains. When repairing and rebuilding in these areas, local floodplain management regulations must be followed. Building owners who decide to rebuild may need to elevate or retrofit their structures or change them in some way to comply and to avoid future flood losses.

For more information, visit www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

I’m sure by now that you have heard that Governor Perdue appointed Brian Kemp as the next Secretary of State. Kemp who was a State Senator from 2002 to 2006, is a current candidate for the office, which was left vacant in late December when Karen Handel stepped down to concentrate on the 2010 governor’s race. Kemp will serve out the remainder of Handel's current term through the end of 2010. He will also continue his campaign this year and run for the full four-year term which begins in 2011.

Kemp is a small business owner, specializing in real estate investments and property management, and serves on the board of St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. In the state senate, Kemp served as chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, vice-chair of the Higher Education Committee, secretary of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and on the Appropriations Committee.

Dana L. Lemon, Chairman - Government & Legislative Affairs Committee

In about 100 days, on April 1, the 2010 Census, the nationwide head count, begins. It is critical for African Americans, the second largest minority in the nation — and one that has been historically undercounted — to be counted. The once-in-a-decade census is vital to the health and well-being of African-American communities. Why? Because the census takes a snapshot of the nation’s population and with that count determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives and where district lines are drawn within each state — not to mention the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds to states and localities annually. These federal funds provide money for schools and roads, for health care for low-income children, for veterans and senior citizens and for public services that benefit our communities. Equally important, census information is also used to monitor and enforce civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.

That’s why African Americans can’t afford to be indifferent to the census. In 2000, African Americans were undercounted at the highest rate of any group except Latinos, costing communities hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. Many in the African-American community didn’t participate in the census in the past because they didn’t understand why the government was asking for information or they were afraid that the information would be used by credit agencies or landlords. This fear and concern is natural, but by law, all census data is confidential. No one — not landlords, not employers, not credit agencies, not law enforcement, not even the president of the United States — has access to your personal census data.

The Census Bureau has already begun working with organizations in the African-American community to help ensure that everyone in our community understands and participates in the 2010 census. As leaders in our communities, I think it is critical that funeral service professionals support and participate in this extremely important process. If we have not, we need to develop and distribute information to our membership and encourage them to get involved with the 2010 Census. Much of this information is available on the census website (www.2010.census.gov) and we simply need to direct our membership to its location or include it on our respective websites. In addition, the US Census is asking for organizations to partner with them in this effort. 2010 Census Partners are government, non-profit, corporate or community organizations that have formally pledged their commitment to share the 2010 Census message and mobilize their constituents in support of the Census Bureau's goal of achieving a complete count. There are forms to complete and information to distribute to our membership as part of this effort. Again, I strongly encourage our organizations to complete the necessary documentation to become 2010 Census Partners.

African Americans need an accurate count. Too much is at stake. Taking 10 minutes on April 1 to fill out a census form and mail it back is worth it. Achieving a complete and accurate 2010 Census is in all of our hands.…Dana Lemon

PITTSBURGH — Max Starks is not only an important part of the Steelers’ success on the field, but he is also a strong member of the team’s involvement in the community. For his efforts, Starks has been named the Steelers 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Starks will be one of 32 NFL teams’ Man of the Year winners who qualifies for the league’s national 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The award recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well his playing excellence. The overall winner will be announced during Super Bowl XLIV Week in Miami.

Starks knows the value of education and wants to do his part to ensure that today’s youth are prepared for the future with a proper education. He established the Max Starks Fund, through the Pittsburgh Foundation, to promote childhood literacy and education.

Another cause near and dear to Starks’ heart is raising funds and awareness for breast cancer as his mother, Elleanor, is a 17-year breast cancer survivor. In 2009, for the third year in a row, he and his mother co-hosted Adagio Hot Pink Pittsburgh, which raises funds to provide breast and cervical cancer screening for uninsured women in Western Pennsylvania. As part of the NFL’s October Breast Cancer Awareness initiative, he also participated in a healthy cooking class at Magee Women’s Hospital with breast cancer patients and has visited patients going through treatment.

Another cause near and dear to Starks’ heart is raising funds and awareness for breast cancer as his mother, Elleanor, is a 17-year breast cancer survivor. In 2009, for the third year in a row, he and his mother co-hosted Adagio Hot Pink Pittsburgh, which raises funds to provide breast and cervical cancer screening for uninsured women in Western Pennsylvania. As part of the NFL’s October Breast Cancer Awareness initiative, he also participated in a healthy cooking class at Magee Women’s Hospital with breast cancer patients and has visited patients going through treatment.

Starks hosts the annual Hoge/Starks/Ward golf outing to benefit the Caring Place, with teammate Hines Ward and former Steelers running back Merril Hoge. Proceeds benefit families in western Pennsylvania by raising funds to provide free grief support services for children, adolescents and their families struggling with the death of a parent, sibling or loved one.

Each year he hosts the Max Starks & the Home Team Thanksgiving Food Drive, which benefits the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. In addition to a food drive, Starks provides a turkey and all of the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner for 200 families in need.

“I think it’s important to do this because the name speaks for itself – it’s Thanksgiving and it is giving thanks,” said Starks. “Any way we can help the less fortunate have a better holiday is the biggest thing. It’s always good when you can help people in the community.”

Starks has a strong appreciation for the men and women in the United States military and took part in an NFL USO Tour during the 2006 offseason, a 12-day tour of military bases in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. He visited with servicemen and women, including plenty of Steelers fans. In addition Starks has visited the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, spending time with the veterans there. Starks also participated in Pro vs. G.I. Joe which links active duty soldiers in Iraq with their favorite athletes.

Starks never turns down an opportunity to take part in numerous team activities, including Salvation Army’s Project Bundle-Up, Steelers Fright Night for the Homeless Children’s Fund and Animal Friends and the team’s annual fashion show.

Look out for the next issue of the SCOPE. Send in your articles and stories about what’s going on in your funeral home, cemetery and your community. Send all information to thescope@nfdma.com