A Christmas Present For Us!

Many thanks to Sign Enterprises and Design for the donation
of our new clothing closet sign!

As you can see it's already working to let people know our hours!
Other times are available by appointment. We appreciate Patrick
and his family for all of the help they've given us.

We couldn't do what we do without the help of terrific people like you!

Thank you all!

After Christmas Busyness...

The day after Christmas is not quiet. I took a call from another friend of a victim who wanted to know what to do, boxed eBay orders and (later) ran errands. I wish I had an extra pair of hands and 10 volunteers! But then, that's every nonprofit executive director's dream!

We're starting to gear up for our annual signature event. The 3rd annual Mardi Gras in Strawberry Plains is just over a week away. I hope our committee is working overtime! If not, they soon will be. If you want to be on the committee I'm sure they need more volunteers - just let me know. :)

Until next time,

Gayle

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all who read this blog!

Many of us strive for the hope of an ideal home during the holidays. But this year, as in years past, I am reminded that some of us are in less than perfect situations. This morning, I took the day's first phone call from a victim of domestic violence. Holiday stress has been piling up just like the stack of packages under the tree from Santa. The caller didn't want to leave, she just wanted to reach out and hear the reassurance that someone cared about her and her little one.

There is no such thing as normal stress during the holiday season. The car that doesn't run as well as we'd like and the bill that goes unpaid add to the desire to out-purchase, out-wrap and out-celebrate everyone else. Our advertising driven media is there to convince us to do our part to help stimulate the economy. Nonprofits take out ads urging us to give to the poor and our children beg for the latest gadget when what they really might rather have is extra time with mom or dad.

But Christmas isn't about a kinetic frenzy of commercialism. It's about a tiny child born and laid in a manger in the stillness of a perfect night. Christ is a respite for the weary; a restorer of souls and a safe haven for those who choose to take time out, be still and know that He is God.

Christmas Eve & DV - Again

It's not deja vu it's Christmas Eve reality. I've just spent 10 minutes talking with a woman at my office who's friend fled for the safety of a shelter. What should she as a friend do to help? What are the danger signals? When will her friend be safe from her abuser? These questions are all too common for those of us working with DV victims and they are different for every victim and for every friend.

Last year, I spent an hour on Christmas eve talking with a couple. They both have filed DV charges against the other at different times in their relationship. Worse, they have a child. Now, they are in separate jails (unrelated to DV) and the child is in State's custody.

The road this woman's friend is on is a long one filled with many obstacles. Still she has a friend, a job and people who care. With that, she just might make it.

Angel Food, Clothing, eBay

Many thanks to our volunteers for your help!

Just over 50 boxes were quickly and efficiently distributed yesterday.

One woman made a quick trip to the clothing closet to pick up some things for the baby of a friend. Care and concern for others in the community is one of the things I like best about Strawberry Plains. It's genuine and heartfelt. Everyone pitches in because taking care of each other comes so naturally. I can't say that about every place I've lived. It's very nice to find that here.

Later today and tomorrow we're going to be listing donated beading supplies on eBay. After the food distribution yesterday two volunteers sorted and made them ready to list. After we return from seeing the Nativity play we'll be listing these on eBay. (The van leaves for the performance at 1:45 so don't forget!)

Thanks to you for buying online or clicking on the Google links. This makes up most of our budget which enables us to help others both online and locally. Thank you for making a difference!

Until next time,
Gayle

PS Some of you are asking about toys. A church is bringing some in tomorrow. As soon as we determine age appropriateness we'll be phoning our clients and estabilshing a pick up date. More details will be forthcoming. Thanks again for all of your help!

Victims Panel for Morristown PD

Never have I been more impressed with Survivors.

Sharing a panel with these survivors was one of the most inspiring experiences in my life. Yes, I've done this before and each time I'm inspired but today there was a different element of strength in the room.

There were three of us today when we spoke with the Morristown Police Department. We all had different experiences. We all gratefully wondered how the lady next to me is still alive. I tip my hat at the courage she continues to show and I am humbled.

The other lady is just as strong. Her experiences are further in her past and she is now one amazing advocate! I feel proud to be able to work together with her in helping others.

People often ask how you pull your life together after sexual or domestic violence. The easy answer is that you just do. The long and short of it is that you work very hard and do all you can do to create the life you want to have.

These amazing women offered a strong testimony to, not just the courage to survive, but the will to thrive.

You go girls!

Board Meeting Tonight

Board Members:

Please don't forget the board meeting tonight. If you've any questions about when/where email John at revcrab@hopeforhealing.org

Thanks!

Gayle

Speaking to Morristown PD and Angel Food Reminder

Hi All,

This afternoon I have the opportunity to speak to an In Service group with the Morristown Police Dept. Many thanks to Kathy for making this happen! I'll be back later this evening.

Don't forget, Angel Food pick up is tomorrow. If you've ordered, please bring a large box or laundry basket when you pick up your food. We'll see you between 10:30 am - 11:30 am.

C-ya online,

Gayle

200 @ Santa Last Night!

Wow! I think we set another record. We had a whopping 200 people (adults and kids) who came to see Santa last night.

It was a LOT of fun! The photos were great. The treat bags were great! Many thanks to Pat who donated all the items for the treat bags! My hat is off to the dancers from the Strawberry Plains Dance Company - you all did a terrific job! Extreme Action Shots are definitely the photographers to have at an event! I can't thank all the volunteers enough. The people who wrapped presents, tied treat bags, who made a quick dash for cookies when we ran low - all of you are wonderful!

On behalf of our clients we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

We're still collecting toys for clients to give their children for Christmas. Also, the church we're networking with to provide food for our clients is asking for canned food. This will help us help our clients have a better Christmas.

Thanks to each of you for your prayers and for your help!

C-ya online,
Gayle

Santa Claus TONIGHT @ Hope for Healing.Org

Tonight's the night. Santa comes to hear your child's Christmas wish list. There'll be photos, cookies and milk and treat bags. Bring your kids and the neighbors' kids and have some fun. It's only a $7.00 suggested donation per photo sheet for non-clients. Clients should have received a ticket in the mail or picked one up. Let us know if you didn't get yours. It will be kicking off with a performance by the Strawberry Plains Dance Company. Photos are by Extreme Action Shots. See you tonight! :)

Are we coming today or going?

We've been so busy I've hardly had time to breathe. We've still yet to get ready for tonight's board meeting. It's near Christmas so clients are coming in a steady stream, our phone is ringing and we've still got to list items on eBay. I just wanted to pop online for a minute to glance at the email and post here. I'll get to the emails as soon as I can!

Talk to you soon,

Gayle

Strawberry Plains Community Alliance Tonight @ 7:00

The Strawberry Plains Community Alliance will meet at Rush Strong School tonight at 7:00. The speaker is to be Mr. Leroy Thompson, an expert at community revitalization. I'm looking forward to hearing from him.

Since we've arrived in Strawberry Plains the community seems to be undergoing a transformation. In an area where 54% of the kids are on free and reduced lunch the clothing closet we began (originally just for victims of domestic violence) has been busy. The food pantry we're networked with is serving more clients than ever. Word is getting to more people each month about our Angel Food distribution, more domestic violence clients are being reached and more people are being served.

We're tremendously proud of the work we are doing both online and locally. It's an honor and a privilege to see such change taking place!