September Reminder

I just wanted to post a reminder about our TenderTots activity tomorrow. Please read the next post for details. If you are planning on coming, please let me know. The Gathering Place also accepts gently used children's clothes and books, so those items can be donated as well. Please email me if you need my address.

Hope to see you and your kids tomorrow!

September 2009 - Fill-A-Bag for Betsy's Cupboard

I am really looking forward to our service project for September. We will be collecting and donating items for a wonderful organization called The Gathering Place, a women and children's shelter. I just spoke with one of the employees who expressed how bare “Betsy’s Cupboard” is right now (perhaps because of our lagging economy). They have a program called “Fill-A-Bag” where you can donate items to Betsy’s Cupboard. (See list of items at end of post.)

On Wednesday, September 30, we will meet at my home at 3 pm and carpool to the shelter to drop off the items and take a small tour. (They are not open on weekends.) Or if you don't have time to come with us, you can simply drop off any donations to me before that time.

Here is some info about The Gathering Place:

TGP Mission Statement

The mission of The Gathering Place is to support women and their children experiencing homelessness or poverty by providing a safe daytime refuge and resources for self-sufficiency.

TGP Philosophy

We believe that women and children experiencing homelessness and poverty deserve a safe and caring place to re-establish their lives. We believe that every woman, no matter what her circumstances, is worthy of respect and is a valuable human being just as she is. It is not our place to judge anyone; The Gathering Place exists to offer women a safe haven, resources for self-sufficiency and opportunities to acquire new skills. Women who are able to meet their immediate and urgent needs can then call upon their inner resources and make positive life changes for themselves and their children.

At The Gathering Place, women meet other women who share life experiences or similar circumstances and in each other’s company they share their stories, give each other advice, and offer friendship.

The focus of this organization is to empower women, friendship and care for them, and teach life skills to help them get back on their feet. Wonderful!

Following is a list of possible donation items. (Items with an *asterisk* are high demand items.)

Non-Perishable Food

According to the Colorado Health Foundation, two out of three Coloradoans will be obese by 2017 and suffer from obesity related diseases. The chances that you will experience obesity triple when you and your family make less than $25,000. In the effort to support the health of women and children at TGP, we prefer organic, low-sodium and low-fat items whenever possible.

Peanut Butter*
Soups & Stews
Coffee, Tea, Cider Packets, or Cocoa Packets
Brown Rice
Beans, canned or dry
Whole Wheat Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce
Milk, powdered or canned
Canned Albacore Tuna, Chicken Breast, or Salmon*
Canned Fruits in 100% Juice or in its own juice
Canned Vegetables
Make-a Meal-Tuna or Hamburger Helper
Frozen Entrée’s, Beans & Rice Combos
Snack Items (e.g. Tuna and Cracker Packs, Crackers, Nuts)
Granola Bars
Oatmeal or Other Whole Grain Hot Cereals
Whole Grain Cold Cereal with Dried Fruit
Mayonnaise
Mustard
100% Bottled Juice
Bottled Water
Vegetarian products
Microwavable items
Fresh veggies and fruits that do not have to be refrigerated (e.g. Apples, Oranges, Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots, Green Beans)

Personal Supplies
Deodorant*
Lotion*
Toothbrushes and toothpaste*
Tampons/Pads*
Shampoo and Conditioner*
Cosmetics
Razors *
Hair Care Products
Denture - Polygrip/Efferdent*
Cosmetics for all skin colors


Baby Items
Baby Powder, Lotion, Shampoo and Bath Wash*
Unexpired Baby Food
Diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6 and Pull-Ups)*
Baby Formula
Baby Wipes*
Sippy Cups
Strollers*

Clothing
New Socks* and Underwear* for Women and Children

Other
Tylenol, Advil, Pepto-Bismol*
Tissues/Kleenex
Toilet paper*
King Soopers/ Safeway gift cards*
Can openers*
Computer Disks
Craft Store Certificates
RTD Bus Ticket Books*

August 2009 Follow up

Thanks A BUNCH to all those who donated items for our two boys, Johnathan and Bryan, for back-to-school. I know the items were greatly needed and appreciated. Thank you!

Back-to-School Supply List

Here is the info I received about the two young brothers we have been assigned to. If you would like to provide any of the following items, please let me know. {The items in italics and bold have already been volunteered}:

This is a single mom with 2 sons who became homeless when Mom, due to a low-paying job, could not afford housing. They are currently in our emergency housing program and are working to identify affordable housing options.

Johnathan, male. (likes black and grey)

Pair of pants, size 9 long (or 8/10)

Pair of pants, size 9 long (or 8/10)

2 shirts, size 8/10

6 pair of underwear, size 8

6 pairs of socks

Pair of school shoes, size 2 1/2
Pair of school shoes, size 2 1/2

Boys jacket, size large

Backpack – very important

Bryan, male.

Pair of pants, size 4T

Pair of pants, size 4T

2 shirts, size 4T

6 pairs of underwear, size 5

6 pairs of socks

Pair of shoes (any type), size 9
Pair of shoes (any type), size 9

Pencils – 2 dozen

Dry erase marker, black

Large Pencil eraser – pink or green

Crayons – 2 packs of 24

Tissues – 2 large boxes -- important

4 Folders – 2 pocket

Pencil and crayon sharpener

Scissors – 1 pair

Ruler

Pencil box

3 Spiral notebooks, wide rule

Wide-ruled notebook paper

Because we want our client children to start the school year on a par with their peers who will have new clothes, we ask that you provide NEW CLOTHING ONLY. Please leave the price tags on each item and enclose a gift receipt if possible so that parents may exchange the items if they do not fit.

July/August 2009 - Back-to-School Help

Because summer is such a crazy/busy time for people (and because I'm still settling in after a new move) I've decided to roll July and August's activity into one. We will be donating new clothes and back-to-school items for two homeless children. Details of the age/gender of the children will not be available until July 24, at which time you can check back to the site and then call or email me to sign up for specific items to donate. (To give you an idea, they will need two new outfits--including shoes, underwear, jackets, etc.--a backpack, and a few school supplies.) Then we will bring our donations on Monday, August 10, at 10 am to the Southerland Shire Park (10920 W. Kentucky Ave) because I thought it would give the kids a fun opportunity to mingle and talk about the service project together.

So please check back to the site after July 24, and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

June "Care for Kitty Cats" Update

We had a wonderful time in June visiting the kitties in the cat shelter. A whole lot of you expressed interest in participating with us but were busy in June. I understand--summer is definitely a crazy time. That's why I have decided to combine the July/August event into one.

Some of the kids loved going around to pet each kitty while a few were a bit more cautious and preferred to mostly watch from the sidelines. The cats definitely needed supplies, and the staff was happy to receive our donations. Thanks to those who came and hope more can come next time!

Kitty Cat Peek-a-Boo

We got such a kick out of this!

Tender Tots

I am really excited to introduce this little service club, Tender Tots, that’s designed for kids. The idea has been floating in my mind for a few years now, and I finally got it organized (I hope!). While there are tremendous positive opportunities for our kids today that I never dreamed of as a child, I wonder about the impact of materialism and excess and overemphasis on stuff. I worry that they have too much stuff, and I'm often searching for ways to shift the focus to helping others. I also want my kids to gain compassion, charity, and the joy that comes from serving. I hope to share ideas on the blog for getting our kids involved, excited, and empowered about giving. Please post your own comments or email me with ideas (holls1004@gmail.com). And I know there are valuable lessons waiting for us, to be learned from our own little ones. I hope to serve with you soon!

June 2009 - Caring for Kitty Cats

Join us on June 27 at 12 noon at our home with items to donate to a cat shelter, Angels With Paws. We will carpool to the shelter to deliver our items (and perhaps take a peek at some kitty cats—something I know my kids will love!). If you can't come with us, feel free to drop your donation off any time before then.  Items to Donate: dry or canned cat food, old blankets or towels, scoopable/clay cat litter, cat litter boxes, cat toys, cat eye wipes, scratching posts, cat carriers, large dog crates/kennels, detergent/bleach, paper towels, tall kitchen trash bags, antibacterial hand soap, empty cartridges and toners, xerox paper, postage stamps, or other miscellaneous office supplies. Hope to see you then!