We only gave away one item from the clothing closet today. But what an item to give!
Among the items donated with the camcorder was a formal. It's a beautiful, deep, hunter green with long sleeves and floor length skirt. The form fitting dress had a wide skirt and round neckline. This is not your average donation. It's just georgous.
Hope for Healing.Org is a worksite for kids who have to perform community service. Sometimes the kids are too far gone for us to reach. Other times, we get lucky and get the kids at just the right time to be able to make a difference.
One of the girls who has been coming is going into the 8th grade. Today was supposed to be her last day with us. Except, she has gotten so much out of her time here that she (with her father's blessing) made arrangements to begin volunteering and her younger sister wants to join her!
When she was here last, we talked about her upcoming 8th grade prom. Her school has this every year as a way to celebrate kids going into high school. Getting a dress was going to be tough to impossible. Her father is on disability. Her mom has almost washed her hands of her. The car is on the last leg. She's too young to get a job but she says she's determined to make something of herself.
We've been very impressed with her. She's a straight "A" student and has done everything she's been asked to do. Her goal in life is to stay away from trouble and become a pediatrician.
Before she left I "remembered" a formal being donated that she "might" be interested in and oh boy was she ever! The dress needs a hem and the sleeves need to be taken up but the dress fits everywhere else.
Her dad's car broke down on the way to pick her up. Her grandmother was called and made the trip instead. She loved the gown! The two immediately began making plans for the alterations. The girl grinned even bigger when it was pointed out that the material cut from the bottom would made a perfect hair accessory.
I told her it was her hard work and our belief that she would keep to her goals, which earned her the dress that was donated. We got a little emotional.
And our newest volunteer, she floated about 10 feet off of the ground as she left.
All-in-all, even though the yard sale was rained out, it was a beautiful day.
2 comments:
What a heartwarming story!!! I love hearing positive things like this. It shows what a difference to others lives we can make. All it takes is a little patience, love, warmth and empathy. Well done Gayle, proud of you.
Thanks, but it's a team effort. We needed the church to donate space, a donor to give the dress, people to give time to change the life of this youngster.... It's all interconnected! I'm just grateful to be a part of it. Thank you!
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