Joe Matejka founded Custom Fundraising Solutions, which operates mattress fundraisers for schools and other non-profit organizations, in 2005. He’s also worked with a traditional fundraising firm and operated his own company furnishing model homes for builders. Joe Matejka enjoys several recreational activities and generously supports a number of charities, for instance by donating beds to Fill This House. When foster children reach their 18th birthdays, they are no longer under the state’s care, and funding for their support is terminated. Commonly called “aging out,” the legal term is “emancipation.” Those who’ve lived with a family sometimes enjoy their support and assistance in finding a place to live and furnishing it, and others can turn to other relatives for that kind of help. In Ohio’s Cuyahoga County, about 11 teens age out of the system every week; 3 of them, on average, begin their new lives alone, in need of support, and frequently frightened. Fill This House was founded to help teens in Cuyahoga County who are aging out of the foster care system. Faith-based and not-for-profit, it is supported by generous donations from corporate and faith-based organizations, as well as individuals. Fill This House helps by purchasing new household goods and furnishings such as cookware and other kitchen equipment; bedding and small appliances like clocks and toasters; and towels, curtains, and similar items. The group provides these items to teens in the process of transitioning out of the foster care system to independent living arrangements. Included with each bundle of household goods and equipment is a brand-new Bible. In 2014, Fill This House served 99 young people, a 35 percent increase over 2013. Among those served was a group of 10 whose hard work had earned them full scholarships to Cleveland State University. For these scholars, the program “Filled Their Dorms” with all the furnishings and other essentials they’d need, freeing them to attend to their studies and the experience of college life. Further information is available on the organization’s website at www.FillThisHouse.org.
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Founder and president of Ohio-based Custom Fundraising Solutions, Joe Matejka is responsible for creating the mattress fundraisers concept, which is now used in schools around the nation. Beyond running his company, Joe Matejka supports Fill This House, a local charity, by donating beds.
A faith-based organization, Fill This House provides various household goods, like kitchen utensils and towels, to young individuals who have recently been emancipated and have aged out of the Cuyahoga County foster system. The teens supported by Fill This House have very limited support and possess a very small amount of belongings due to their time in foster and group homes. To continue providing support to these teens, the organization relies heavily on donations and foundation grants. Individuals can donate to Fill This House online through PayPal or contribute to specific beneficiaries or for specific reasons, such as funding a weekly or monthly bus pass for a recipient. Additionally, the organization welcomes donations of new household items. These can be purchased at Walmart or Target through the organization’s gift registries or can be collected through a church or business drive. Due to the limited counter space found in most teens’ apartments, Fill This House encourages donations of small appliances. |
AuthorA graduate of Ohio University, Joe Matejka founded Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS) in 2006 as a way to help raise funds for groups and organizations through one-day mattress sales. Archives
April 2019
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