A+ Angel Food Distribution, A+ Volunteers!

WOW! Twenty people showed up today to help with our Angel Food distribution. Did they ever come in handy! This was the largest distribution to date. A total of 110 boxes were distributed to an average household size of 4 in each.

While this was going on another team was busily sprucing up the house where our Clothing Closet is located. A fresh new coat of paint makes everything new again. It looks great!

A new youngster came with Restorative Justice. I hope we helped make a difference in her life. She really pitched in and made a difference.

At the end of the day we tallied the hours another teen from Restorative Justice has served. He wanted to know if he was "done". He was. In fact, he went 7 hours over his required time. When I told him, he just smiled, shrugged and said "See you next month. I can come back right?"

That was SO COOL!

I told him we couldn't wait. :-)

See you online,

Gayle
PS I just checked the weather forecast. Our annual fundraiser is Friday night, February 2. Our signature Mardi Gras event is the largest fundraiser of the year for us. Snow is predicted. Let's all pray it holds off until Saturday.

TCADSV Training + Angel Food.

I went to The Best training today! The Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence offered Legal Advocacy training. It was great! Gwen and I both went. We learned a lot. It was great to see so many agencies represented.

We're catching up on the email now. If you phoned and left a message while we were out the call will be returned tomorrow after the food distribution.

Don't forget! If you ordered Angel Food we're distributing tomorrow from 10:30 am -11:30 am. Please bring a large box or laundry basket to pick up your food. It's going to be our largest distribution so far. Over 100 units were ordered. As usual, if we have enough volunteers our clothing closet will be open.

See you tomorrow!
Gayle

11 People for Clothes, 1 DV Victim

I arrived from my meeting at Rush Strong School to find both our volunteer and Gwen (our part time employee) with their hands full.

Today was a slow day in the clothing closet. "Only" 11 people came to get clothing. They all needed groceries too. One of these was a woman who was a previous victim of domestic violence. Even though it happened years ago she still seemed glad for the opportunity to talk about the nightmares that still haunt her. We told her that's what we are here for. Unfortunately, we were out of some of the ladies supplies she needed. Maybe we'll have them next time?

I still have to get ready for our Mardi Gras team meeting tonight. There's a grant proposal on my desk and we have to review our domestic violence training materials. The Compassion Coalition meeting is at 11:30 and there's no way I'll make it. Also, I have to copy the new Angel Food menus for Saturday and awareness brochures.

Please excuse me as I get back to it.

C-ya online,
Gayle.

Year End Client Totals

We knew we picked up a few additional clients this year. We didn't know how many until now. Are you sitting down? If not, please do.

In 2005 we served 50 local clients. BUT in 2006 we served the following:

Angel Food - 163 individual familes feeding a total of 652 people!
Clothing Closet - 260 individual families for a total of 327* who received clothing. (*Some familes came in the winter and returned for spring clothes.)
Domestic Violence - 30 victims with 13 children.
Restorative Justice - 5 teens served court-ordered community service. (Most of the teens have served volunteer hours. One is now volunteering with his family!)

Plus all of the great online services that we offer!

This is why we do what we do. Thank you so much for making hope happen for the online world and for the local clients that we serve.

See ya online,
Gayle

PS. Additionally, we gave away 28 Bibles, served 2 homeless families and partnered with:

• Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church to provide food pantry boxes, gasoline and bill assistance.
• Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church to provide Thanksgiving Baskets.
• Child and Family Services to provide parenting classes.
• First Baptist Church of Strawberry Plains to provide assistance for a teenage rape victim (who won her case!).
• I also served as a prayer counselor at A Queen's Banquet held by Stepping Out Ministries (with an attendance of 1,100 women) spoke to groups, gave out Christmas toys and offered the Hope of Christ to all who entered in.

All in all, it's been a busy year! I can't wait to see what 2007 has in store for us. Can you? :-)

And more donations!

Ok. Are you ready for this?
We have received donations from:
Land's End Real Estate
Brimer Monument Company
Fielden Funeral Home

Auction Donations from:
Donna's Boutique - 2 Breast Cancer Bracelets
More Than Plants Gift Certificate for $100.00
Sunshine Hands - Manicure
Tom E. Solomon Furniture - Framed Picture valued at $89.00

This is going to be one kewl event! If you are near Strawberry Plains don't miss it!

More Mardi Gras Donations! Thank you goes to:

More donations arrived today. These will be sold at the auction during our Mardi Gras Night fundraiser.

A certificate for 2 one day admissions to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.
A certificate for 4 to the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville, TN- good for Valentine's Day!
A family pass for 4 to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tn!

Of course, we're still asking everyone to click the Google Ad links on our main website page at http://www.hopeforhealing.org . If you see an ad you like and click on it you'll be helping us stay online. When it reaches $100.00 Google will send us a check. We'll be updating our totals weekly. So far today, we've earned $1.85. The total is going up!

We also picked up a piano and organ from a donor today. These will be placed for sale at the Heritage Crafts Mall on Asheville Hwy. in Knoxville. Many thanks both to the generous donor to the volunteers who helped us move the piano and of course to the mall for allowing us a booth.

Angel Food orders have closed for this month. On January 26 we'll be distributing 103 units! This is our biggest month yet. Some of these boxes were sponsored for those who could not afford one. The basic units are $25.00 but valued between $60 - $80. They are a tremendous help for many people. We're proud to be able to offer this program.

Thank you all for helping us out through your donations, your clicks, your prayers and your financial support. You make it possible for us to keep helping others. On behalf of those we serve, we thank you!

Mardi Gras Feb 2 Tickets On Sale Now!

It's that time again. Our annual fundraiser approaches! The fun happens on Feb. 2. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Our dinner and silent auction begins at 7:00 pm. Music is provided by DJ Express, the pinata breaking for the kids is around 7:15 pm.

Donated items so far include:

Advance Auto Parts - 2 Ton Floor Jack
Auto Zone - Deluxe Truck Tie-Downs
Applebee's Restaurant - $25.00 Off.
Private Individual - Tea Basket
Private Individual - 2 Personal Care Baskets
Private Individual - Large Tree Topper Angel (from Cracker Barrel)
Private Individual - 2 Vintage Dolls in Mint Condition
Robert's - Tanning Salon Certificate
Stormer's Hardware - Tool Set

Our menu includes:

1. Tasty Appetizers
2. Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo
3. Seasoned Green Beans
4. Seasoned Potatoes
5. King Cake
6. Cookies
7. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Beverages: Tea, Water, Fake Champagne

This is our single largest fundraiser of the year. Last year we raised 30% of our budget on Mardi Gras Night.

There are lots more donations and goodies to come. We hope to see you there!
View the Knoxville News Sentinel article here: http://knoxville.yourhub.com/CARTERSTRAWBERRYPLAINS/Stories/Clubs-and-Organization/News/Story~165844.aspx

See you at the Smoky Mountain Counselors Meeting

I'll be sharing about Hope for Healing.Org at the Smoky Mountain Counselor's meeting next Thursday. The meeting starts at 5:30pm. I look forward to meeting everyone there!

Mardi Gras Team Meeting at 7:00 pm.

Many thanks to everyone who came to the Mardi Gras team meeting tonight. This is going to be the best one ever! I can't wait!

For those who don't know, Mardi Gras Night is our one major fundraiser. Last year, we raised 30% of our budget at this event and we had a blast. This year, it's going to be on Feb. 2 @ 7:00 pm. Because of last year's success we're moving to a new and larger venue. More details will be forthcoming.

I hope to see you there!

Your clicks count!

Thanks for clicking on the Google ads at http://www.hopeforhealing.org ! Everytime you do it helps keep us helping victims of sexual and domestic violence. Please tell your friends and help share the word! We'll be posting every few weeks to let you know how much we've raised. We're already up to $50.00 - that's almost 5 months of dial-up internet or just over 2 months of internet webhosting! The more you click the more it helps!

Thanks for making hope happen here!