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"We believe CHILDREN are the globe's most precious commodity™."
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Welcome to Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
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Sunday, August 1, 2010 9:27 PMThe mission of Lifeline Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, is to improve the quality of life and literacy development of children in poor communities in the United States and around the world.At Lifeline Foundation, Inc. (LFI) we believe that "children are the globe's most precious commodity," and as a result, we strive to become active participants in children's quality of life improvement initiatives.Lifeline Foundation, Inc.301 North Harrison Street, PMB 35Princeton, New Jersey 08540-3512(877) 570.1237info_MyLifelineFoundation.org
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About The Foundation
"We believe CHILDREN are the globe's most precious commodity™." Lifeline Foundation, Inc., co-founded by Terence & Sharon Biggs, is the umbrella charitable organization for the development of Clifford & Ivy Greaves Children's Libraries; the New Jersey & Panamá Lifeline Literacy Connection, and other charitable and educational endeavors designed to improve the quality of life and literacy development of children in poor communities in the United States and around the world. Clifford & Ivy Greaves were the maternal grandparents of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.'s Co-Chair & CEO, Terence H. Biggs, Jr. Lifeline Foundation, Inc. is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey; and serves communities across the United States and overseas. The foundation's leadership also includes Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., who serves as its Co-Chair & President; and Danielle M. Biggs, who serves as its Trustee & Administrative Assistant. The Geraldine R. Dodge/FEA Principal Fellowship Foundation provided a grant to Sharon for the purchase of 110 children's books written in English, which were donated by the Biggs Family to a needy school in Farallón, Panamá in June 2009. La Escuela Farallón houses approximately 170 children from age three through age twelve. This was the first book donation to the school, where all instruction is delivered in Spanish except for one day per week when a specialist visits the school for a portion of the day to teach limited English. None of the students or staff members spoke English during The Biggs trip to the school. As a way to help mobilize efforts to improve Bilingual Education and ESL Instruction, The Biggs have committed to establishing libraries in schools located in poor communities in The Republic of Panamá and in other places around the world. In honor of Terence's late grandfather and grandmother who were community leaders and longtime residents of Panamá; the first Clifford & Ivy Greaves Library will be established at La Escuela Farallón. Charitable Contribution Areas•The Republic of Panamá Literacy Connection Program •United States Program •Global Literacy & Outreach Program Locations•Headquarters: Princeton, New Jersey •Outreaches: United States, the Republic of Panamá, and impoverished communities around the world Leadership•Terence H. Biggs, Jr., Co-Chair, CEO & Trustee •Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., Co-Chair, President & Trustee •Danielle M. Biggs, Trustee & Administrative Assistant Geographic ReachThe foundation provides charitable contributions in impoverished communities in the United States, the Republic of Panamá, and in other parts of the world. Charitable Contribution Commitments• Panamá Lifeline Literacy Connection (Central New Jersey to the Republic of Panamá)• Establishment of Clifford & Ivy Greave's Libraries in impoverished areas around the world.Guiding PrinciplesThe mission of Lifeline Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, is to improve the quality of life and literacy development of children in poor communities in the United States, the Republic of Panamá, and in other locations around the world. The seven (7) principles below reflect Lifeline Foundation, Inc.'s beliefs about the role of charitable contributions and acts, and philanthropy. The principles guide what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. While many of them are fundamental to the way we operate, we will remain open to adapting and improving them as we grow and learn more about our work, and about the needs of those we serve. Guiding Principle #1: This is a team-oriented foundation driven by the humility, ethics, interests, forward thinking, and passions of the Biggs Family. Guiding Principle #2: We are planters, shapers, implementers, and ever-evolving change agents, who rely on others to fund and sponsor our events and activities. We then demonstrate excellent stewardship to carry out the foundation's mission.Guiding Principle #3: Literacy Development for children has limitless potential to improve the quality of childrens lives around the globe.Guiding Principle #4: We are committed to improving the qualities of children's lives and increasing opportunities and equity for those most in need, who may not be able to advocate effectively for themselves.Guiding Principle #5: We are focused and clear on our ambitions and priorities to help improve the quality of life of children who live in impoverished communities around the world.Guiding Principle #6: We use real data and feedback to assess needs, and then drive our abilities to implement effective and appropriate interventions and get needed results.Guiding Principle #7: We focus on remaining grounded, steady, respectful, and open to feedback that will lead to further improvement of the foundation's work.TERENCE H. BIGGS, JR.
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Letter from the Biggs Family
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Letter From The Biggs Family
In June 2009, we visited the Republic of Panamá, and saw firsthand the extent of poverty and poor educational conditions in some of the country's public schools. During the trip, we donated 110 children's books written in English to a needy school in the country, using funds provided to Sharon from a Dodge/FEA Principal Fellowship Grant.We had to admit that even in 2009 there are children in poor communities around the world that are not being provided with high levels of access to a quality education that includes instruction in English, as well as instruction in their native languages. With this being the case, this issue clearly deserves our immediate attention and action to help solve this problem. As soon as we'd returned to the United States, we immediately sent out Book Collection & Donation Drive letters to colleagues, friends, and relatives; asking for their donations of new and/or used children's books for a November 2009 Book Donation Drive to collect 1,000 books written in English to ship to La Escuela Farallón to build a Clifford & Ivy Greaves Library at the school.We created Lifeline Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, in August 2009 because we believe that children are the globe's most precious commodity™; and they deserve to have educational endeavors designed to improve their quality of life and literacy.We feel certain that in the 21st Century there are enough resources available to foster the equal access to resources and services for all children across the globe; particularly those who live in poor communities and may not be able to champion or advocate for themselves.We know that children all over the world will benefit from the foundation's charitable efforts, and these acts of philanthropy will also serve to help improve the quality of life of future global leaders.
Terence
Sharon
Danielle
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LFI Needs Your Help!
Our 2009 - 2010 Book Donation Drive started with the intent to collect 1,000 children'’s books to donate to needy schools around the world. As of March 2011, we have collected approximately 15,000 children’s books and the donations continue pouring in! We continue to welcome your tax-deductible monetary donations and all book donations. Please send tax-deductible monetary donations in the form of checks, money orders or travelers checks to: Lifeline Foundation, Inc., 301 North Harrison Street, PMB 35Princeton, NJ 08540 (Make Payable To: Lifeline Foundation, Inc.) E-mail info_MyLifelineFoundation.org or call 877-570-1237 for more information. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR O UR GENEROUS DONORS WHO ARE HELPING TO DEVELOP LITERACY AROUND THE WORLD!COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONSSouth Brunswick Public LibraryNorth Brunswick Public LibraryBrooklyn Public LibrarySarno & Son TuxedosSouth Brunswick YMCAFriends of the East Brunswick Public LibraryRegional Bureau of Education for Latin America & the Caribbean, UNESCO Santiago, ChilePequannock Valley Middle SchoolRays of HopeMs. Kelly Boyer & the South Brunswick High School Viking Volunteers ClubSouth Brunswick High SchoolMs. Marisol Ciccone & her South Brunswick High School English Literature StudentsNORTHEAST ELITE _ Twisters in LakewoodIndian Fields Elementary School PTOIndian Fields Elementary SchoolMarketPlace Dynamics, LLCAllstar Dance Academy Dancers, Parents & StaffMrs. Barrow & her 5th Graders _ George Washington Carver Elementary School, NewarkDayton Elementary School PTODayton Elementary SchoolThriftbooks.comCVS Caremark CorporationWalgreens CorporationMusicOutreach INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES:Terence, Sharon & Danielle BiggsSandra Walker FamilyBilly & Fran MurchisonCliff & Isabel HughesNatasha ThomasBill & Bebe MajorMarta GilbertCharles & Taui McPherson FamilyLionel & Louella PhillipsMargaret WeinbergerKen & Tyla Vidal FamilyCarol Clark FamilySandy TafferaAndre & Kelly Porch FamilyPhil & Jessica Merriweather FamilyRob & Lisa Hall FamilyCarol RichardsonMark & Jo Ann Sarno FamilyEdwina WalkerLinda BiggsMary TaylorMichele MatthewsAngela Lawrence & FamilyRick & Regina BarbelyJan WitmerSharon Richman Updated March 2011.
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Biography
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Terence H. Biggs, Jr., born in the Central American country of The Republic of Panamá, Mr. Biggs is an entrepreneur, marketing & sales and financial business executive who experienced a meteoric career with New Yorks power brokers on Wall Street. During his corporate tenure, Biggs worked for several Fortune 100 corporations where he was the recipient of several achievement and performance awards. Biggs has been an active member of the business community for over 28 years. BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine featured Biggs in their Making It section with an article entitled Sizing Up The Perfect Fit. He has actively participated as a member of the Custom Tailors and Designers Association (CTDA), the National Association of Individual Investors (NAII), the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE). He received a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Managerial Accounting from Medgar Evers College (CCNY) in 1983, and May 1996 he was inducted into the Medgar Evers College Hall of Fame in recognition of his dedicated service to the community and achievement of excellence in his profession. He graduated Cum Laude, and is featured in THE NATIONAL DEANS LIST, the WHOS WHO REGISTRY OF GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERS, and he is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute. In October 2001, Terence successfully launched his Business Internship Program that exposed several interns to the world of business and fashion in a earn as you learn format. Six student entrepreneurs from Perth Amboy High School went through the program. In December of 2001 his business was acknowledged by the Perth Amboy Chamber of Commerce for having the best-dressed-display-window, and October of 2002, Biggs was the recipient of the Perth Amboy Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Along with this Chamber award, Biggs also received a personal letter of congratulations from then New Jersey Governor James McGreevey, several Legislative Resolutions and Commendations from the Senate and General Assembly, Congressional Recognition from Congressman Robert Menendez, and a Mayors Citation. In addition, during 2002, for the annual Take Your Daughter to Work day, Terry added four young ladies to his staff ranging in age from 8-10. These future leaders commuted with Mr. Biggs to work. Their day consisted of an early morning power breakfast and on-site meetings with a fashion designer, a banker, a bookstore entrepreneur and the President and staff of the Perth Amboy Chamber of Commerce. From 2002 until 2008, Terry planned a special Take Your Daughter to Work day for these 4 young ladies. All four are now high school honor students. With his personal motto being Excellence without excuse™, Mr. Biggs brings a non-compromising commitment to excellence and professionalism to all that he does. He was recently quoted saying, "children are the globes most precious commodity." This has now become the motto for Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
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Sharon M. Biggs, M.A. Sharon M. Biggs, wife & mother, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and has been an Educator for almost 25 years. Graduating from Hunter College C.U.N.Y. with a B.A. degree in Speech Pathology/Education, Biggs joined the corporate world and worked for a NYC public relations firm. Sharon later started a career in Public Education, first in New York City and then in New Jersey.Encouraged by family, friends, and professional mentors; Biggs earned an M.A. degree in Educational Leadership from the 14-month Administrative Immersion Cohort Program at The College of New Jersey, and graduated with a 3.9 GPA from the rigorous program. In 2003, Biggs transitioned from 16 years of classroom teaching to become a School Administrator and Instructional Leader. Sharon's work spans across both urban and suburban settings, where she filled the roles of Executive Educational Administrator, Elementary School Principal, Middle School Assistant Principal, Basic Skills Instructor & Teacher Leader, Early Childhood and Upper Elementary School Teacher, and Speech Therapist.In 2009, a Dodge/FEA Principal Fellowship Grant allowed Sharon to travel to Panama, Central America to donate 110 childrens books written in English to a needy school. The visit to her husband's native country prompted the establishment by her family of Lifeline Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization that collaborates with corporations & volunteers from around the world to help improve literacy development and the quality of life of needy children in the U.S. and other global locations. As a team player and constant researcher, Sharon enjoys building a strong skill-base in curriculum development, instructional supervision, formative and summative assessment implementation, Human Resources' Department leadership, character education and service learning program implementation, parent and community engagement, and professional development.Sharon is a freelance writer, philanthropist, poet, blogger, speaker, and Scrabble enthusiast. Mrs. Biggs is currently enrolled in an accelerated, two-year doctoral program and will earn a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.
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Danielle M. BiggsDanielle M. Biggs has been accepted to a prestigious four-year university and will major in Business Management and Marketing, and minor in Theater/Dance Performing Arts.Education & High School AchievementsSouth Brunswick High School 2007 to PresentAnticipated Graduation June 2011 (High School Diploma)« Middlesex County School Boards Assoc. & Assoc. of School Admin. Student Recognition Award (March 2011)« National Honor Society Member (2009 to 2011)« SBHS Student Council Executive Member (Appointed Position -- 2010 to 2011)« SBHS Peer Leader (Appointed Position 2010-2011)« NJ Association of Student Councils Member (2010-2011)« SBHS Viking Volunteer (2009 to 2011)« SBHS American Red Cross Volunteer (2009)« Student Honor Roll (2007 to Present)« SBHS Powder Puff Girls Spirit Squad (2009)« Shakesperience 2008 at Rider University Playful Presence Theater Award« Lammy Theater Award (2007) Best All-Around Actress« Biology I Academic & Creative Achievement Award (2009)« SBHS Dance Competition Varsity Team (2008-2009)« SBHS Dance Competition Varsity Team Award (2009) The Wow Factor« SBHS Dance Competition Varsity Team Award (2009) Leaps & Bounds« SBHS Dance Competition Varsity Team UDA Award (2008) Full-Out Team Spirit« SBHS Concert Band Festival Gold Award (2007 to 2008)« SBHS House Crew Supervisor (2009)Student Leadership Work HistoryMarketplace Dynamics, LLC, Princeton, NJ 2009 to PresentAdministrative InternResponsibilities include on-line marketing research, data collection, data input, data analysis, data management, PowerPoint Presentations to report out the data found, filing and paperwork maintenance, and the overall administrative support to company executives.Apparel Connection, Inc., Perth Amboy, NJ 2003 to 2006Retail Store AssistantProvided part-time clerical help to the owner and other management and sales professionals.Community Service/Volunteer Work & Leadership Training History« Lifeline Foundation, Inc. 501 (c) (3) Trustee & Admin. Asst., 2009 to Present« LifelineExtensions.blog A Teen Girls Perspective Student Writer, 2009 to Present« Home News Tribune/Gannett Newspaper Student Intern, 2009 to Present« SBHS Viking Volunteers Club Student Volunteer, 2009 to Present« SBHS American Red Cross Volunteer Club Student Volunteer, 2009 to Present« SBHS Powder Puff Girls Spirit Squad Student Volunteer, 2009 to Present« Sisters (Breast Cancer) Network of Central New Jersey Volunteer Hostess, 2009 to Present« Eventfully Yours Event Coordinators Student Intern, 2009 to Present« Theater Performances & Concert Band Festivals Thespian & Flutist, 2007 to Present« National Freedom Schools Junior Intern Assistant, Summer 2004« NJ Association of Student Council Members Leadership Training Conference, Summer 2010« Peer Leader Training Institute Leadership Training Retreat, September 2010« Apparel Connection & Marketplace Dynamics Student Leadership Training, 2003 to PresentOther Accomplishments- Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Liturgical, Competitive Team, Studio) 1995 to Present- Senior Allstar Competition Dance Team 2010 to 2011- Music (Instrumental Flute, Choral, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Westminster Flute Camp)2003 to 2009-New Jersey Orators Statewide Competition Team 1998 to 2003- School Dramatic & Musical Plays (Performer & House Crew Student Leader) 1996 to Present
Terence
Sharon
Danielle
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Newsroom
Press Release For Immediate Release Contact: Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.Email: smbiggs_hotmail.com SOUTH BRUNSWICK RESIDENT MAKES BOOK DONATION TO SCHOOL IN PANAMASOUTH BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY -- June 30, 2009: South Brunswick resident, Sharon M. Biggs, one of about 30 New Jersey school principals who was awarded a 2009 Geraldine R. Dodge Principal Fellowship Grant in April 2009, has returned from her trip to Panama in Central America a renewed and more inspired Educational Leader. Mrs. Biggs, an Elementary School Principal, and formerly a Montgomery Township Middle School Assistant Principal and South Brunswick and New York City Elementary Teacher, feels extremely blessed and humbled by the Panama experience. Sharon's grant, Extension of a Lifeline ~ From a Suburban Town in New Jersey to a Rural Village in Panamá, focused on the application of Mrs. Biggs' servant leadership and quality American higher education, to help start a lifeline connection between a suburban New Jersey town and a rural village in Panamá to provide children's books to help combat the deadly social disease, illiteracy. Panamá currently reports an 80% literacy rate, however, from what I've seen, researched, and talked to natives of the island about; I'm not so certain this high statistic pertains to individuals living in the more rural and impoverished areas of the island where we may have less than half that percentage of literate individuals, reports Sharon. This has motivated Mrs. Biggs to strengthen and continue the lifeline connection to help foster literacy and to encourage the acquisition of English as a second language, which is greatly needed to be successful in this 21st Century global society.Escuela Manuela Urbano Ayarzo in Cativa, Panamá (Colon Province), the birthplace village of Sharon's husband, Terence; couldn't be visited this trip because it would have involved an eight-hour round trip excursion. Without there being any direct route to get to Cativa, we had to look for a school closer to where we were staying, commented Mrs. Biggs. The hotel concierge helped locate a public school just 15 minutes away from them -- Escuela Farallon Anton Panama in the Province of Farallon. The School Principal, Directoria/Maestra (Principal and 5th Grade Teacher) Susana Guillen, was delighted to accept both the visit and the book donation; which Sharon found out, represents the first book collection of its kind in the school's biblioteca or library. The students did not have authentic literature in their classrooms or in the school library; and their somewhat dated workbooks stored and locked in the biblioteca all have Spanish-only text. All oral communication during the entire school site visit took place in Spanish. The 110 donated children's books were individually signed by Mrs. Biggs prior to the visit, and a binder copy of Balanced Literacy (Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop) professional development materials was provided to Maestra/Directoria Susana to help guide and enhance literacy instruction provided by her teachers. Currently, a language specialist visits the school one to two days each week to instruct the students in English for a portion of the day. Dodge/FEA includes a competitive selection process, providing around $125,000 in grants to full-time New Jersey Pre-K to 12 principals in public and public charter schools annually. Funds help support non-traditional, imaginative, professional development, and personal and intellectual renewal endeavors, which enable principals to grow as educational leaders to better impact their schools and communities. The grant covered the expenses of Sharon's travel and lodging in Panama, and the purchase of the 110 children's books.
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Contact Us
Charitable Contribution Inquiries 877.570.1237
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Main Office Lifeline Foundation, Inc. 301 North Harrison Street Suite 35 Princeton, NJ 08540-3512 877.570.1237
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Media Inquiries (Press Only) Lifeline Foundation, Inc. 301 North Harrison Street Suite 35 Princeton, NJ 08540-3512 877.570.1237
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Web SiteWe value your feedback. E-mail info_mylifelinefoundation.org directly with your comments, suggestions or questions. Charitable Contribution Inquiries877.570.1237 info_mylifelinefoundation.org Online ScamsVisit our E-mail Scams for information about emails, web sites, and accompanying materials claiming to be from the foundation.
Its important to us to be available to our partners, potential charitable contribution donors and donation recipients, and the public. Please use the following contact information to connect with the office or department that can best meet your needs. Please do not send unsolicited materials or items of any kind to Lifeline Foundation, Inc. The foundation has no obligation to review, accept, or return such unsolicited materials.
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Lifeline makes Headlines
Whats new?!?
Lifeline Foundation, Inc. donated approximately 550 childrens books to the MacDella Cooper Foundation on August 14, 2010. The childrens books will be read and enjoyed this fall by students in grades Pre-K through 12 at MCFs newly constructed MCF Academy in Liberia, Africa. MCF will open the first student academy of its kind in post-war Liberia for needy children. If all goes as planned by MCFs leadership, the new school year will begin in September 2010.MCF Executive Director, Travis Monroe, and his wife Bridgette, who serves as MCFs Director of Communications & Volunteers; drove to Central New Jersey to meet Terence, Sharon, and Danielle Biggs the morning of August 14th to receive the donated books and take them to their New York headquarters.LFIs co-founders, Terence and Sharon Biggs, virtually met during a recent Skype meeting with MCFs founder, MacDella Cooper; and the foundations Executive Director, Travis Monroe; to discuss the book donation. Both foundations leaders vowed to continue the literacy lifeline resulting from additional book donations to MCF Academy.Ms. Cooper has also agreed to coordinate with Danielle and her high school Student Council Advisor to arrange a speaking engagement during the upcoming school year. MacDella will share the story of her personal journey with the student leaders and remind them of the value and importance associated with the globally-focused charitable work, and the school teambuilding work they engage in during the school year.
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