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Community Corner

Sign of the Arrow Awards Grants to 22 Agencies at Annual Philanthropy Brunch

Sign of the Arrow, the premier nonprofit retail destination for needlepoint and specialty gifts, awarded 22 grants to St. Louis area agencies at their annual Philanthropy Brunch on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Sign of the Arrow was established in 1966 by the St. Louis Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi to provide philanthropic support to the community. The shop is staffed by 80+ community volunteers who give 18,000+ hours annually to help run Sign of the Arrow. ALL shop proceeds benefit area agencies. Including the grants that were awarded in 2013, Sign of the Arrow has donated more than $3.5 million to 150+ local charities since its inception. Shoppers truly impact the lives of St. Louisans by shopping at Sign of the Arrow!

The following agencies received grants from Sign of the Arrow at the 2013 Philanthropy Brunch:

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Assistance League of St. Louis

Bel Canto Chorus

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Central Institute for the Deaf 

Episcopal City Mission 

Gateway Greening

Girls on the Run

Jamestown New Horizons

Kingdom House

Life & Hope Fund 

Lift for Life Academy

Lumina Program at BJC Hospice

Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Perennial

Pi Beta Phi Foundation

Ranken Jordan Pediatric Specialty Hospital

Reading is Fundamental

Rural Parish Workers

St. Louis Alumnae Panhellenic

St. Louis Children’s Choirs

St. Margaret of Scotland School

University City Children’s Center

“Because of the generosity of our shoppers, we were able to award grants to 22 deserving organizations this year – that is more than we have previously awarded in one year,” commented Holly Thomas, President of Sign of the Arrow. “Sign of the Arrow thanks each and every customer who has helped support these worthwhile agencies by shopping with us.” 

Any shop volunteer or Pi Phi alumnae can nominate their favorite agency to receive a grant from Sign of the Arrow. The agency and sponsor submit a grant request specifying, in detail, how funds would be used, should they receive a grant. Then, Sign of the Arrow’s Philanthropy Committee meets to decide which agencies receive grants. Careful consideration is given to each applicant.

Sign of the Arrow is widely known for its extensive selection of designer needlepoint, including hand-painted canvases, custom designs, custom finishing, furniture, fibers, trunk shows, and classes. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers assist both novice and experienced needlepointers. The shop also offers unique gifts, including decorative accessories, holiday decorations, sorority and baby gifts, picture frames, stationery, and more.

Shoppers can visit www.signofthearrow.com to shop online, or contact the shop directly to place an order. Sign of the Arrow provides an extensive and thorough mail order business to individuals and needlepoint shops countrywide. Services include finishing, stitching, choosing threads and fabric for canvases, monogramming, blocking, and custom painting.

Sign of the Arrow has a variety of classes for needlepointers of all ages and abilities, including classes on decorative stitches, such as turkey work; children’s classes; specialty fiber classes; and one-on-one classes. Classes are offered in person at Sign of the Arrow. In addition, expert stitchers are available to help with questions.

For more information on needlepoint and gift products and services at Sign of the Arrow, please log onto: www.signofthearrow.com. Shoppers can call 1/877-869-7356 or 314/994-0606. Please “Like” Sign of the Arrow on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Sign.of.the.Arrow. Sign of the Arrow is located at 9740 Clayton Road, in the heart of Ladue, Missouri.

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