More national media continue to highlight SCORE. On July 24, Phoenix SCORE volunteer Kim Babjak was interviewed in the Wall Street Journal. She provided expert advice on business financing and the drawbacks of credit card debt. Babjak, owner of KimCo LLC, is a SCORE client who recently began volunteering at the Phoenix office. She will be the featured client speaker at the Chapter Chair Orientation this month. 

"A lot of credit goes to Betty Otte and Orange County SCORE. Betty provided valuable advice on how to tailor our message to our target markets. Our discussions have produced valuable ideas that have helped us build our business, and address issues that might have thrown us off track. That's why I recommend SCORE to everybody."

Angela Todd, owner, DMG Environmental Sciences & Inspection Services, Laguna Niguel, Calif. 

San Diego SCORE received the first-ever George Chandler Leadership Award at the San Diego Small Business award luncheon, sponsored by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The chapter was honored for its work in assisting local small businesses. The Chandler award is named for former SBA San Diego District Director George Chandler, Jr. 

South Dakota SCORE District Director Ward Cheney and Rapid City SCORE Chapter Chair Don Theye recently met with Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin. They talked to her about local SCORE services, fundraising and online counseling. Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin expressed her support for SCORE. To maintain and grow SCORE's funding, it is important to let Congress know about SCORE's impact in states and local districts. 

SCORE has raised more than $1 million in total contributions from corporate and volunteer donations. SCORE's ongoing fundraising continues to gain momentum, which shows that SCORE is gaining recognition as a leader in the small business community. Most of these donated funds are restricted gifts for specific projects, like the HP Disaster Preparedness Workshops, upcoming American Express sponsored events and the Bank of America Small Business Basics workbook. Learn more online at www.scorefoundation.org.