SHOE DRIVE A COMPLETE SUCCESS!

Bissett Schwankee - coordinator of shoe drive and really fast runner

On Saturday May 26th HOAM collected 17 bags of shoes (approximately 400 pair of shoes!). These women's shoes and also men's and children's shoes were taken by Berni Donnenberg to The Franciscan Center in Baltimore City.


A little bit about The Franciscan Center - copied from - http://www.franciscancenterbaltimore.org

The Franciscan Center, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Baltimore in 1968, is an outreach agency with a mission to provide emergency assistance and supportive outreach to persons who are economically disenfranchised in an effort to assist them in realizing their self-worth and dignity. We serve people in need regardless of age, race, creed or national origin. Some are unable to work due to chronic illness. Some are homeless. Some earn wages below the poverty guideline. Some are members of families who have lost their means of support. Some suffer from mental illness. Some have HIV/AIDS. Our goal is to give immediate response to our client's emergency needs and to help them resolve the conditions that placed them at risk. The new volunteer and in-kind donation coordinator immediately emailed Berni thanking us for the shoes. They are interested in continuing to develop a relationship with HOAM and asked  if we would pass on to our community and others their need for volunteers. They have opportunities Mon.-Fri. 10 am-1p.m. in the dining room, food pantry, clothing room and admin offices and they are interested in regular individuals or one time group efforts.  If you are interested please contact Amy Bachman Franciscan Center  Volunteer and In-kind Donation Coordinator 410-467-5340 x 113 (c) 301-910-0545 abachman@fcbmore.org ****************************

I wanted to give you a brief summary of what we accomplished at our

annual May meeting.

After a little wine and talking about feeling good about our 2011-2012

accomplishments, we proceeded to make plans for 2012-2013.

2012-2013 Projects will include:

Shoe Drive at Stoneleigh Stampede on May 26th -  (see above wonderful results);

men’s, women’s and children’s athletic, casual andwork

shoes that are in good shape. New flip flops also appreciated for use

in the showers at homeless shelters.

Towel Drive; all summer; Donna Rae organizer; If you’d like to

participate just leave your towels at the pool and we will collect,

wash and deliver them to those in need! Ha!

School Supply Drive; summer; Angela Wu organizer

Teenage Boys and Girls clothing; fall; Ann Snead organizer

Women’s Business Attire (clothing, coats, business shoes,pocket books,

jewels, belts, stockings, etc.); winter; Heidi Bunes organizer;  Will

be donated to Suited to Succeed; details will follow at a later date.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

By going through your “stuff” and making donations as needed, of

course.

And……………. Specifically:

1.     ***Mobilize your work place to help needy, poor children have

school supplies

2.     ***Talk to your friends and relatives about donating women’s

business attire

3.     ***Get your kids and their friends involved with the clothing

drive

We learned at the meeting that our working poor (that is, people who

are not homeless) are allowed to come to the food pantry where our

food goes (ACTC) every 3 months. Yes, you read that right ----- every

3 months. The reason for this is that there is not enough food for them

to come in more often.

Homeless people can pick up a “Homeless Bag” once a week and can

receive lunch every day.

Our monthly donations really help keep some food on the shelves,

but….. as you can see, there is a huge and growing need.

                                     Please keep those donations coming!

We concluded our meeting recognizing the fact that we know we make a

difference in people’s lives, people that are hungry and poor and

often miserable. And at the same time they make a difference in our

lives.

If you have any questions, suggestions or if you would like to help

out with any of these projects, please contact me and I will direct

you to the right person.

Thank you neighbors and friends for everything!!!

Be safe and have a wonderful summer.

        Donna Rae and all the other HOAM (by the way, all folks are welcome to join HOAM, you don't have to be a Stoneleigh resident)

p.s. News flash from Stoneleigh Road

A giant swarm of about 25,000 bees suddenly arrived right across the street from our home! Fortunately, Stoneleigh has several resident bee keepers. They soon arrived and were able to relocate this huge swarm of bees.

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