Trick or Treat

Please review the Halloween safety tips posted yesterday. For more tips go to:

FDA.Gov




If your child does go missing, don't panic. Visit this site to learn what to do ahead of time:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Kids

Halloween Reminder

Halloween is a fun day for kids and adults alike. It's also an important time to keep kids safe. To do so, go with your kids. Carry a flashlight and make sure they wear reflective clothing. As with any time of year be wary of strangers. Accept treats only from those you know well. Even better, go to the shopping mall or see if your local church is holding activites.

Being smart will help your kids not only be safe but have more fun. Look at these great tips from the LAPD and the American Academy of Pediatrics:

http://www.lafd.org/hween.htm

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.htm

Updating the Blog

Shhh. It's quiet this morning. Quick, before the phones start ringing and people start going in and out Gayle is going to take this time to catch up on a few things around the office....

Interviewing

Besides phones and online activities, today held an interview of a potential part-time person. This gift comes at no cost to us but is worked out through another organization. The interview went well. We are hoping this will be a good fit and are excited about the possibilility of having another person on board! This will allow us to serve you even better! We'll keep you posted.

Experience Works

Job hunting is a daunting task. If you are older there are special considerations. Experience Works is a terrific organization exisits to give older people jobs. Today, I had a terrific meeting with the Executive Director and leared a great deal about this organization. What great work! I'm excited about the possibilities the future might hold for us to work together.

TY Beanie Babies

Uploading as I type, there are quite of a few of these cuddly, charming beanies. The lady donating them wants us to be able to raise funds. So, here we go! :)

Look no further than our eBay store for great buys on Ty Beanie Babies! Order today and put them back for Christmas. You'll be supporting all the work we do and you'll receive a terrific item. How can you top it?

If the auction has closed when you get this don't worry. We'll be placing more in our store or up for bids next Monday.

Proceeds help our general fund. This pays for the phone bill, hourly pay for a homeless woman learning job skills and keeps us online. To check out this or any of our other great auctions visit our online store at http://stores.ebay.com/hopeforhealing

Thanks for your support!
Stay safe and have a great Columbus Day!

Helping the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

In case you didn't catch the announcement at yesterday's prayer service, here's a recap of help to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

You guys really came through! Via our link online we raised $198.00 in support of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This money will help them rebuild lives.

Through sponsorships and donations we've sent the following:

1 - 30 ft. truckload of supplies through UMCOR.

5,000 Razors - plus clothing, personal care items, on 1 palette of 23 boxes delivered from our office by the Southern Baptist Association.

4 - Women's Kits consisting of shampoo, deodorant and sanitary items.

11 - Packages of Women's Products.

1 - Large box of 18 washcloths, personal care products, towels etc. sent via Fed Ex.

The need is still ongoing. Six domestic violence centers were destroyed. One has reopened, another is opening soon and the other shelters will follow as they can. The coalition is asking for towels and also comforters in both full and twin size.

As people bring more items into our office we'll be sending more boxes through Fed Ex. If we get enough for a truck we will contact our friends at UMCOR or at the Southern Baptist Association to arrange delivery. We deeply appreciate your help and thiers!

Thanks for all your help!

See you online,

Gayle

Worldwide Prayer Vigil

Organized by Hope for Healing.org the first Worldwide Prayer Vigil has now come to a close. We want to thank everyone who participated but especially those in the following locations:

Sydney Australia
India
United Kingdom
Strawberry Plains, TN.
New York City, NY
Group #2 New York City, NY
City Withheld, GA
Woodstock, GA
Jacksonville, NC
Stovall, NC
Evansville, IN
St. Paul, MN
Texico, IL
Thibodaux, LA
Elgin, Texas
Van Wert, OH
Houston, TX
Colorado Springs, CO
Denver, CO
Orem, U T
Santa Clarita, CA
Sacramento, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Visalia, CA
Eugene, OR

Photos are already online at: http://www.hopeforhealing.org/worldwide

We hope to see your city listed here next year!