Winter HOAM Project - Benefits Victims of Human Trafficking

Help us let others know about this difficult topic

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO START OFF 2014 FEELING GOOD ABOUT HELPING OTHERS. EVEN IN OUR SMALLER COMMUNITIES HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A BIG PROBLEM. HELP US LET OTHERS KNOW HOW THEY CAN HELP BY SHARING THIS BLOG.

Hons On A Mission (HOAM) sponsors about one project a season. In the past we have collected many items - diapers, school supplies, animal shelter supplies, all kinds of clothing and more. Our winter project is one that is more difficult to address and understand. The first thought you might have is, “Not here in Towson!” and then “How can this be?” I know that was mine.

Unfortunately, this is a serious problem globally and in our area.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Janice Arcieri and Berni Donnenberg are hoping to bring some awareness to this international and local problem by collecting items that will benefit victims in our area and others. Donations will be accepted the entire month of January.  Please drop off items at the Arcieri home - 7009 Kenleigh Road, Baltimore, MD 21212

What is being collected? 

          *Gift cards to purchase new clothing – any amount from any store

          *New or like new Tote bags

          *New jeans, t-shirts and underwear

          *New or gently used bras (all sizes) to support the “Free The Girls Campaign”

             www.freethegirls.org  The re-sale of these luxury garments enable girls in                 

             Mozambique to earn enough money to avoid this difficult life.

$1.00 is needed  for postage to send each bra to a collection area in Indiana

(for more information  http://thecnnprojectfreedomproject.com)

Berni Donnenberg is collecting toiletries (another much needed item) from Good Sam Hospital, her workplace. Please consider recruiting people from your work, gym, place of worship or any other place to help with this project.

Where will these items go?

They will be taken to Turnaround Inc. located right here in Towson. The mission of this organization is to help build a community free of violence. They help address the needs of human trafficking victims.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: TO ENJOY SOME FELLOWSHIP WITH NEIGHBORS, BRING YOUR DONATIONS AND TO LEARN MORE JOIN US AT 7 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29^TH AT BERNIE’S HOUSE. 814 CHUMLEIGH ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21212

AMELIA RUBENSTEIN (A SOCIAL WORKER AT TURNAROUND) AND VICTORIA KINNEAR OF THE FREE THE GIRLS CAMPAIGN WILL BE ATTENDING THIS MEETING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. YOU MAY HAVE RECENTLY HEART AMELIA SPEAK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON NPR.

THANKS YOU SO MUCH. If you have any questions please contact Janice Arcieri at 410-377-0739 or cell  443-465-0150.

If you would like more information about HOAM, please contact Donna Rae Smith  at

donnaraesmith@yahoo.com 

Please put HOAM in the subject line.

Thank you.

Men's Casual Clothing Needed!

Men's Casual Clothing Hons On A Mission Fall Project 

The following message is from Sarah and Clifton Rhea

We are are really looking forward to our fall Mission- a men's clothing drive with donations going to Paul's Place. After more than 20 years of service to the community Paul's Place now offers more than a dozen services to low income families and individuals in the Washington Village/ Pigtown community. These programs provide support that strengthens individuals and families, fostering hope, personal dignity and growth. Paul's place provides basic needs but also is a place to nurture the spirit. We are thrilled to be involved with this wonderful center.

How can you help?? Go through those men's closets, drawers and storage bins and donate gently used men's clothes including - hats, scarves, coats, pants, sweaters, shirts, and sweat shirts. Please have everything clean and folded in a sturdy garage bag. You may leave on our front covered porch  ( 7000 kenleigh rd) anytime during the day or evening. We will be accepting clothes September 2nd through November 4th. We will be making biweekly drop offs to the center depending on how many donations we receive. 

So clean out those closets fellas and let's start collecting! Paul's Place has a great need for clothes and is very grateful to the Stoneleigh community for being such kind and giving folks. Feel free to throw in new socks which are precious items around there:)))


Thanks in advance!

Warmly, 

Sarah & Clifton Rhea

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From Donna Rae Smith, Founder HOAM

I'm thrilled about this project and I would love to fill the Rhea's van up many times. Because men don't clean out closets like women do, gently used men's clothing is very dear. Men often come to Paul's Place just for something warm to wear. 

Please spread the word to your family and friends, your workplace and place of worship. Let's make this the best drive ever!!

Summary below.

Please contact me at donnaraesmith@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

What?  Gently used men's clothing - hats, scarves, coats, pants, sweater, shirts and                

               sweat shirts

When? September 2- November 4

Where? Leave in sturdy plastic bags on front covered porch (7000 Kenleigh Rd.               

               Baltimore, MD 21212) any time during the day or evening     

Who will benefit? Clients of Paul's Place  -      www.paulsplaceoutreach.org

How Can You Help? Go through closets, drawers and storage bins! Tell your family,

                                       friends, folks in your workplace and place of worship

Many thanks!!!

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Further News From Hons On A Mission

 Across the country, National Night Out is held the 1st Tueday of August. Events are held to celebrate the partnership between police, residents and neighborhood citizens on patrol organizations.   Towson Area COP has a network of 26 neighborhoods working together to reduce crime.  For the past three years, TACOP has collected canned goods for ACTC on National Night Out.  20 COPs helped fill the car. All of the "bags" came from one neighborhood, the residents of Ridgely Condominum -- led by Roger Proehl.  Photo by Lee Klima.

Hons On A Mission's Janice Arcieri tirelessly works for this food drive effort and many other efforts to help keep our community safe and secure. Janice is pictured to the right of the food drive sign. 

Thank you Janice and all the others that made this important annual event successful.

It is truly amazing what a group of folks can do to help others.

2013 Spring Update

2013 Spring Hons Meeting

Howdy Hons On A Mission Blog Followers!  

We eagerly began our annual meeting with a few minutes of socializing - meeting new neighbors, commiserating with old friends and generally catching up. 

Then, with lots of genuine excitement, planning Spring 2013-Spring 2014 projects began. 

Through this blog, we wanted to share them with you with the hope that you will share them with your friends and families and co-workers.

But first..... just a few paragraphs about our most recently completed and on-going HOAM projects. 

COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES TO BE A SUCCESS

We collect food the first weekend of every month. To make it convenient the bins are out for one week. This food is delivered to ACTC in Towson. Please google if you would like to know more about ACTC or go to http://www.actconline.info/.

Collection homes:

**New drop off:  815 Kingston Road, Marcie Hipple, 410-377-2971

 715 Stoneleigh Road, Mary Wynne Eisenberg 410-583-7615

 705 Stoneleigh Road, Annie Biser 410-583-7581

 821 Wellington Road, Maria Wetherington 443-801-5251

 606 Hatherleigh Road, Bissett Schwanke 410-821-8817

 7104 Copeleigh Road, Katie Ball 410-377-0575

7009 Kenleigh Road, Janice Arcieri 410-377-0739 

7004 Wardman Road, Angela Wu  410-321-1458

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Friends of HOAM at McCormick added to our donations - collecting many dresses, pocketbooks, jewels and accessories for our Spring 2013 Prom Attire Drive. All donations were delivered to teenagers at a nearby residential psychiatric program. 

Prom Attire - Spring 2013 Project Completed with Huge Success!

The kids at Sheppard Pratt are going to look really great this year at their prom. I cannot even begin to tell you how appreciative our contact is with this donation. Dresses of all sizes, colors and styles, beautiful suites, ties, shirts, tuxedos, jewels, hand bags, shawls, hair pieces and all kinds of shoes!

Along with the help of McCormick we donated 135 dresses, 12 suites, and 12 shirts.

A good friend of Hons On A Mission (who doesn’t live in Stoneleigh) found out about this project and along with a compassionate McCormick co-worker, decided to invite fellow employees to participate. They contributed many beautiful dresses and stylish shoes, men’s suites, shirts and ties and jewelry, shawls and purses.

Andrew Stringfellow and Brian Pflaum, both Juniors at Towson High School, helped me load and unload all the clothing. Thank you to these great young Hons On A Mission!

And many thanks to everyone who participated in this event.

Clothing and accessories that will not be used this year will be saved for future proms.

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CHECK OUT THIS AWESOME POSTER!

I teach Medical Qi Gong. This creative poster is designed by Andrew Stingfellow and Brian Pflaum, juniors at Towson High School. It is used to help inspire teenagers during specialized group Medical Qi Gong classes at a nearby psychiatric day hospital. Thank you so much Andrew and Brian.

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NEW SUMMER PROJECTS

#1 -- Summer Annual Memorial Day Stoneleigh Stampede Shoe Drive - Headed up by Bissett Schwankee -  lots of folks will be bringing their shoes to the pool in our community. We have been repeating this project for a number of years and it continues to be a huge success. Gently used women's, men's and children's dress and casual shoes (including flip flops) are collected and delivered by Berni Donnenberg to The Franciscan Center, an outreach organization in Baltimore City. 

#2 -- Towel Drive - This is a really easy way to collect A LOT of fantastic towels. Every two weeks a volunteer collects the lost and found towels at our community pool. These beautiful towels are washed and folded with care to be donated.

FALL PROJECT

#3 -- Sarah and Clifton Rhea are collecting Men's Clothing! This is the first time this project has been proposed. It's bound to be a huge success and just think - what a great opportunity for men to purge sweats, shoes, suits, coats - just everything. Details will be determined.

WINTER PROJECT

#4 -- January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Most of us are not aware of this huge problem that exists in our very own Towson and Greater Baltimore Community. Towson Turnaround (http://www.turnaroundinc.org/) is a non-profit domestic violence rescue center that provides services for girls and boys/men and women who have been victims of human trafficking. Janice Arcieri will be contacting this organization to determine what is needed. The victims have in their possessions almost nothing. Details for this project will be determined. 

SPRING PROJECT

“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.”

- Los Angeles Times, "A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area"

#5 -- Children's Books!! This is also a new project for HOAM and it's going to be a lot of fun. Angela Wu will be doing some research to determine where these donations will go and other important details. (This would be a really great project for boys and girls to get involved). 

 HOW CAN YOU HELP?

#1 ** Please contact the person or people heading 
up these projects or email Donna Rae Smith at 
donnaraesmith@yahoo.com or call her cell 
443-956-7629 if you would like to participate as a volunteer.

#2 ** HELP US SPREAD THE WORD to your family, 
friends, workplace, churches, etc. about ALL OF 
these important projects.

Wendy Stringfellow has volunteered to design a 
new pamphlet for us to spread the word about HOAM.
If you would like to have some of these pamphlets 
just let me know. They are going to be really classy 
(she's petitioning Staples to print them for us). Thanks
Wendy.

Lastly-  YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A 
BEEHIVE TO BE A HON On AM!  HA!

To all of our new neighbors who might feel a little 
funny about attending a HOAM meeting or about 
participating in one of the projects AND to any other
 folks that might also feel this way  - please join us. 
We are a group of friendly easygoing folks without
 a tight agenda or set of rules or anything of that sort
. Every single person that gets involved has something 
special to offer and so do you.

And – last but not least – THANKS EVERYONE FOR 
ALL of the wonderful food that you donate and for all 
of the wonderful items you provide during the year.

Message from Donna Rae, founder HOAM

There are many, many individuals – women, men, kids, old 
and young and in between who benefit from the food, 
clothing, shoes, towels, etc. that we provide. Just like us, 
these folks are seeking happiness, trying to avoid suffering
 and sadness, trying to get their needs met and trying to
 learn about life.

Thanks Stoneleigh Neighbors and friends for helping them 
get their needs met.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. 
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

And….if you want to know more about our community 
organization or if you have any suggestions, please contact me.

Donna Rae Smith, Founder HOAM
We don't have a budget or a treasurer - we have 
big hearts, lots of creative ideas and energy and 
donate some time for good work. 

815 Stoneleigh Rd.

donnaraesmith@yahoo.com

443-956-7629

Spring time - daffodils and fever and ........

SPRING TIME..... DAFFODILS, FEVER AND PROMS !

Cute dress and shoes!

Cute couple!

Our next Hons On A Mission project is soooo important and going to be a lot of fun. 

We are collecting boys and girls prom attire for the residents of a nearby mental health facility. The kids look forward to their prom which is held off campus with music and dancing and everything that you would expect teenagers love.

As you can imagine it's not an easy task to find and fit appropriate clothing for them. 

The caring staff at the hospital contacted HOAM to see if we can help.

WHAT IS NEEDED? 
Boy's/Men's suites, blazers, slacks, shirts and ties and shoes

Girl's/Women's prom dresses, nice cocktail dresses and shoes

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Go through your closets, pass the word to your family, friends, neighbors, churches, book clubs and workplace. 

E mail or call me at donnaraesmith@yahoo.com or 443-956-7629

WHEN?
March 1st - begins
March 13-27th - items can be dropped off at my home, 815 Stoneleigh Road/ Baltimore, MD 21212 OR I can pick up from you

ALL CLOTHING MUST BE CLEAN AND READY TO WEAR. ALL SIZES ARE NEEDED.

I AM PLANNING TO DELIVER EVERYTHING TO THE HOSPITAL THE FIRST OF APRIL. 

OUR ORGANIZATION PRIDES ITSELF IN AVOIDING ASKING FOR MONEY - INSTEAD, WE USUALLY ASK FOR "STUFF" THAT IS NEEDED. WITH THIS PROJECT, SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE CONTACTED ME WHO DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DONATE BUT WOULD LIKE TO HELP. THEY WANT TO GIVE A MONETARY DONATION. I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL TO SEE IF THAT CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. AS SOON AS I KNOW THE ANSWER I WILL POST IT.

These kids really look forward to dancing and laughing at their prom. Let's do what we can to help them feel great about the way they look. Thanks for your interest and please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions. 

HAPPY GROUNDHOGS DAY!!!

Donna Rae, Founder HOAM

donnaraesmith@yahoo.com

443-956-7629

It never hurts to be a little creative......

A message from Hons On A Mission Founder - Donna Rae Smith (me!)

Genuine compassion is “standing in your own shoes and standing in the shoes of others.” Compassion is not about pity or even helping out with food or clothing; it’s about knowing that we share humanity with all others. In our Stoneleigh neighborhood there are people from diverse countries and cultures. Whether we are from Baltimore, New Jersey, Cambodia or China, we all have our own unique stories and backgrounds. Regardless of where we came from, we all know how it feels to be lonely, in need of something, angry, even lost. We’ve all felt those emotions. It is from this real place of knowing that we give with genuine compassion. We don’t all live in the same neighborhood but we share the same humanity.

Sometimes it's fun to be a little creative ..... check this out

Cool costumes these window washers are wearing at Children's Hospital, Pittsburg! 

WELCOME TO THIS LATEST BLOG POST!

It has been a while since I last posted. Not because we haven't been busy. Loads of great things have been happening with Hons On A Mission (HOAM) and many wonderful folks making it all happen - from the food drive and project organizers to the men and women, boys and girls that take a few minutes to hunt down/find/pack up/deliver the "stuff". 


Lost and Found Towel Drive Summer 2012

A really simple, no cost (except detergent, a little electricity and time) way to collect towels is to tap in to the lost and found at local pools.

All kinds of towels loaded in the back of my van

And hauled to Berni's porch

Tons of towels!!! Yep! We collected, washed and folded some beautiful towels this summer thanks to Mark and Allison Erdman, Lois Joellenbeck and Dolores Berger. Berni Donnenberg delivered the towels to folks at the Franciscan Center who were thrilled to get them to distribute to their clients.

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Hurricane Sandy

There were many organized charitable activities happening in many communities, including Stoneleigh, to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy. This Fall many of our residents helped organize trucks and vans loaded with all kinds of donations. It’s great to live among and feel the kind, caring energy of these neighbors.

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Fall 2012 Teen Clothing collected by Ann Snead for kids at local residential mental health facility

We were asked by a nearby hospital to collect clothing for teens. Thanks to many of you - new and gently used coats, sweaters, dresses, pants, shoes, belts, gloves, winter hats, flannel pj's and more - were all packed into a truck and delivered to some smiling and thankful mental health workers who assured us that everything would be carefully distributed to the kids. 

A small sample of the loot!

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Our very first project of 2013

A group of women gathered at Heidi Bunes home to help collect and transport the business attire

520 Business Attire Outfits, 45 Pairs Of Shoes and 32 Purses Collected In One HOAM Winter Drive

On January 10th Heidi Bunes hosted a drop off event (it had been on-going for several weeks) that gave the donors an opportunity to meet and enjoy the kindred spirit of other thoughtful volunteers. 

The clothing was given to support Suited to Succeed (STS), a local nonprofit. This organization offers clothing, workshops and guidance to women who are transitioning into a more substantial employment status that will help them improve their lives and the lives of their families. For more information about STS call 410-528-1799 or visit www.SuitedtoSucceed.org

Artia McMiller, STS clothing coordinator, said the donation from HOAM is one of their best ever.

Alice Arcieri Bonner (second from left in photo) is Vice Chair at STS. Alice grew up in Stoneleigh and has in many ways contributed to the shared community spirit we all appreciate. When I asked Alice how she felt about this particular event she said, "It's wonderful to have support from the women in the community where I grew up."

Thank you so much Heidi and Lois Joellenbeck for organizing this project and to all the folks that made it such a huge success. 

Heidi and Lois discovered that the men of Stoneleigh also have work clothing they want to contribute to a similar cause, soooooooo here's the heads up - next year we plan to collect Menswear! The two organization we will be working with are Sharp Dressed Man and Attire 4 Hire. All you men out there please start talking to your brothers and co-workers and neighbors about this event. And.... if anyone of you wants to be the ringleader of this project let me know! WE'VE NEVER HAD A MALE ORGANIZER. Lots of men, however, support all of our efforts.

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Monthly Stoneleigh Food Drive

This is from Maria Wetherington, our contact at ACTC and fellow Stoneleigh resident –

“The spirit of giving is alive and well in the Stoneleigh community.  In 2012 the Assistance Center of Towson Churches, www.actconline.info received a generous donation of food each and every month of the year from the Stoneleigh community.  Spearheaded by Hons on a Mission, this effort reflects the spirit of compassion and a desire by so many to make a difference.  Many families have been faced with hard times yet the call to serve and come alongside those in need is stronger than ever. Last year more than 30,000 people came to the Center in need of food.  Thank you Stoneleigh commmunity for your partnership and allowing us to continue the 28th year of our  mission of reaching out to those in need.”

THERE ARE A FEW FOLKS WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF STONELIGH WHO REGULARLY DONATE FOOD AND TOILETRIES BY DROPPING THESE ITEMS BY WHEN THEY SEE THE SIGNS AND PLASTIC BINS GO OUT. IF YOU ARE READING THIS BLOG AND YOU ARE ONE OF THESE FOLKS - PLEASE CONTACT ME AT donnaraesmith@yahoo.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO FORWARD TO YOU THE MONTHLY FOOD REMINDER THAT GOES OUT via email FROM OUR FOOD DRIVE ORGANIZERS. 

DROP OFF HOMES ARE:

715 STONELEIGH RD

705 STONELEIGH RD

821 WELLINGTON RD

606 HATHERLEIGH RD

7104 COPELEIGH RD

7009 KENLEIGH RD

7004 WARDMAN RD

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NEXT PROJECT - BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH 2013 WE WILL BE COLLECTING BOYS AND GIRLS PROM ATTIRE - FROM CLOTHING TO SHOES TO JEWELS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTIAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. THE SENIORS HAVE A PROM AND FINDING CLOTHING IS OFTEN A REAL CHALLENGE. PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS. 

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There have been a number of communities who have organized their own HOAM chapter. If you would like to know how to get started, please contact me. The beauty of our organization is that it is EXTREMELY easy to get started and EXTREMELY easy to maintain. We keep it simple.

A 6th grader in Olney, MD has organized a HOAM pet supply drive for her local animal shelter. She heard about HOAM through her mother who is related to one of our Stoneleigh neighbors. For  her birthday she has asked for no presents! She wants friends and relatives to purchase "wish list" items from the shelter's website instead of buying a present for her. She says the best birthday present is to save some animals!!

Thank you to all of you genuinely compassionate angels (young and older) who help make our world a better place in such creative ways.

"To be an angel, one need not have wings.

In giving love there is an equal grace.

Or need one seek the aura in the face,

As love unveils the beauty of all things."

By Francois Couperin

With every best wish for a happy, healthy 2013 from Donna Rae
(questions about our organization please email me at donnaraesmith@yahoo.com)