Charity Hosts Service Event for National Day of Service Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday

The Strawberry Plains charity Hope for Healing.Org, will host a service event on January 19 at our office on 3130 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy., Strawberry Plains, TN 37871.

At the time of this writing, this service event is the only Presidential Inaugural Committee approved event within the state of Tennessee (although it is expected that more organizations will be participating.)

The website of the Presidential Inaugural Committee reads:

In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others...

Part of that commitment includes organizing a National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr. on January 19, 2009. Volunteers are invited to help the less fortunate in Strawberry Plains by working in the organizations clothing closet. Clothes will be sorted, folded and organized in preparation for the summer season.

To sign up for the event please visit the website of the Presidential Inaugural Committee here: http://www.pic2009.org/page/event/detail/dayofservicejanuary19/jrr

For more information about Hope for Healing.Org please contact us at 964.6673 or email gayle@hopeforhealing.org

Strawberry Plains Charity Readies for 5th Annual Mardi Gras 2009 on Feb. 6

Mark your calendars now. Mardi Gras Night Strawberry Plains is set for Feb. 6, 2009 at 7:00 pm. It will be held at the Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church - the only place in Strawberry Plains big enough for this party!

Activities include:
Silent Auction
Live Auction
Dinner
DJ
Dancing
Cookies
King Cake
Fake Champagne
Strawberries
Crowning of the King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Party
Door Prizes
Raflle Prizes and More!

It's a fun evening that you won't forget. Adult tickets are $10 in advance or $16 at the door. Volunteers donating 2 or more hours of time that night get in for free.

Proceeds benefit Hope for Healing.Org - the only social service agency serving all of Strawberry Plains. The counties included are Jefferson, Knox and Sevier. For more informaiton please email gayle@hopeforhealing.org or call 964.6673.

Merry Christmas

From downtown Strawberry Plains, may you have a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Christmas Eve Church Services in Strawberry Plains

Christmas Eve is a wonderful time to attend a church service and spend quality time together as a family. Attendance teaches kids the true meaning of Christmas. It soothes our souls and rekindles our hope. Two churches will be offering services in downtown Strawberry Plains tonight. If your church isn't listed here call your pastor. If your home church is not having services try one of these.

Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church
3168 Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
Phone: 865-933-7353
Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service
7:00 pm. Open to families and the community.

Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church
3173 Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
Phone:865-933-8583
Christmas Eve service times: 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm
Online: http://strawberryplainsumc.holston.org

Got toys? If not, come to Strawberry Plains. Our charity might be able to help.

We still have a few todays available. These are from our office in downtown Strawberry Plains. These are by appointment only. A limited number of food pantry boxes are available. However; we are out of traditional Christmas food items. Residents of Strawberry Plains should call 964.6673 for an appointment.

Biden tells ABC he will Chair Middle Class Task Force

On the ABC program "This Week", Vice President-elect Joe Biden announced that he will chair a new Middle Class Task Force. In the interview with George Stephanopoulos, Biden said that the Task Force will examine "everything from college affordability to after-school programs" with a goal to "grow the middle class". It sounds like plan to create jobs and the United States back to work.

Potentially, this is good news for everyone. Like everywhere, people in Strawberry Plains are hurting. The news about the closure of the mine doesn't help. (which is really the only large employer on this end of Jefferson County, TN). Probably none will benefit from the focus of Biden's team as much as some of the clients that we serve.

Late last week I spoke with a grandmother on the phone. Her utilities are about to be disconnect. Although I couldn't help her with money we could assist with food and a few toys for Christmas. More importantly, I could listen to this amazingly strong woman.

Over the past year, she and her husband lost their home to foreclosure. She said her husband and grandfather goes out daily to a temp service hoping for a job. Some days he is lucky. Most days he isn't. Now, they have their two young grandchildren. The rent is behind and the utilities are about to be disconnected.

In three days, it will be Christmas. The little ones hope that Santa will find them.
She is hoping that hope will find them and I do too. This season we have even more reason to be hopeful.

To read more about the interview go to:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/story?id=6502378&page=1

Longest Night of the Year Winter Solstice 2008 Hope at Christmas

Winter solstice means that the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. Today, will be the shortest day of the year with the least daylight. Our night will be longer than any other. This day, marks the official beginning of winter.

In ages past winter solstice was a powerful day. Candles would be lighted to bring light into the darkness to "call back the sun". Celtics would burn an oak log on winter solstice. The story goes that if the fire did not go out the family would have hope for a successful year.

We don't do that anymore. Christians have a reason to hope all year, not just at winter solstice. Christmas brings us hope in the form of a manger. With the staggering obstacles that the United States is facing we need this hope even more. Right now, we are all desperate for some news that doesn't bring despair. As Christians, we have that. The good news of Christ that lives in our hearts is an ever burning candle that lights the darkest night. It is something to be shared with others with great joy and not hidden away.

It is time to spread the good news that has brought cheer to nations for ages! Whether you are facing the darkness of an economy gone bad or the bleakness of winter solstice the light of Christ never goes out. Christmas is coming. It is time to celebrate. So go, tell it on the mountain and whisper it in the darkest hours of hopelessness, Jesus Christ is born!

May you and yours have a merry Christmas.





This winter photo was taken a little over a week ago. We were on our way from Jacksboro, TN to Berea, KY to pick up our daughter from college and ran into our first real snow of the year. There was so little color on the mountain that the photo appears to be black and white.

Need Christmas Toys? Clothes? Strawberry Plains Charity May Be Able to Help

If you are having a hard time this Christmas? Hope for Healing.Org in Strawberry Plains may be able to help.

Some Christmas toys are still available from our location in downtown Strawberry Plains. Items will be freely given to those in need on Wednesday. There is no charge. You will need an appointment. This is available to current clients and residents of the 37871 zip code, in Strawberry Plains and also to those living in the Carter community. Residents of zip codes adjacent to 37871 will also be considered.

Please bring a bill, referral or other proof of residency. If you do not have a Christmas toy or if you need clothing you are welcome to come.

Email gayle@hopeforhealing.org for an appointment or call 964.6673. All items are limited to stock on hand and are available on a first come first served basis. We do not guarantee that something will be available for your child although we will do our best. To receive, you must call or email for an appointment first.

All items are given in the name of Jesus. Please have a merry Christmas.

Hope for Healing.Org is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. The organization maintains a limited food pantry, community clothing closet and distributes free household items upon a referral basis. We also work with victims of domestic and sexual violence, distribute Angel Food and restore the lives of juvenile offenders. Plus, we maintain the largest website on the internet so survivors can have 24/7 access to information and support via our list serves.

Volunteers are needed in many program areas. Do you have a couple of hours a month that you could help? Are you interested in encouraging others? If so, contact us. Training is free. The need is great. The time commitment is minimal. We'd love you have you. Stop by or call our office in Strawberry Plains today.

Knoxville Shadrack Watersports Christmas Lights Proposed client outing.

Our family had a spectacular time at the Shadrack Watersports Christmas Light Show! It's in W. Knoxville off of I-75 at the Watt Rd. exit. This is perfect outing for a group.

If enough of our clients want to go we'll try to get a van for the trip. Let me know. There is a cost of $15 per van to get in to see the lights. But, the money goes to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The cost for us all to go should be about $3-$4 each for gas and the donation at Shadrack. We can work on that. So, if you want to go don't worry about the money!

Here's a link to my review:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1305192/shadrack_watersports_knoxville_christmas.html?cat=8

And here is a link o the WBIR story about the light display at Shadrack Watersports.

A+ Ministry Day, Angel Food Distribution Restorative Justice

The Angel Food distribution went smoothly. An extra food box quickly found a new home. She was so thankful to get it!

Plus, we had a wonderful teen from Restorative Justice that was helping plus two college kids. Everyone remembered their food boxes and several gifts of in-kind donations came in. It's one of those days that makes you proud to be in ministry.

Despite the cold, no heat and working outside we persevered - just like our clients do everyday.

Today was a good day.

Angel Food Box Pick Up Today

Angel Food pick up for December is today. Don't forget to be here from 9:30 am - 10:00 am to pick up your box. If you have a laundry basket or box that will be helpful. We look forward to seeing you.

Merry Christmas!

New Hours for Strawberry Plains Nonprofit Charity

Hope for Healing.org announces new ministry center hours.

Our winter hours for client services are as follows:

Friday 11-3
Saturday 11-3

If you need free clothes or household items, canned food or a referral, outside of these times please call for an appointment. Our number is 933.8769. Otherwise, please feel free to drop in during the posted times. If you are in need of household items and can bring a box with you it is appreciated.

Please note that the ministry center will be closed from Dec. 23 - Jan. 12. During these dates all client services will be on an appointment only basis.

Our cardboard and newspaper bins are open to the public at all times. Aluminum cans, used cell phones and empty ink jet cartridges can be dropped off during the office hours listed above. Please contact us if would like an ink jet or cell phone collection box for your home or office. These have prepaid shipping labels and can be dropped at any FedEx location after you collect 30 items. Please contact us for more information.

Heat Problems Closed Doors Saturday

Hi All,
We're still addressing the heat issues at Hope for Healing.org. It's on the agenda for tonight's board meeting.

In the meantime, thanks for your patience. We're still serving clients but it is only by appointment only right now. If you need something please give us an email or phone call. Thanks.

Yahoo Powered GoodSearch.Com Helps Strawberry Plains Charity

We just received a check for almost $70.00 because you used the Goodsearch.Com link and designated Hope for Healing.Org. Those free searches add up and we couldn't be more grateful. Plus, you've told your friends and put Goodsearch on your toolbar. Since Oct. 1 you have raised almost 1/3 of what we did last year. We can't thank you enough for helping victims of domestic violence by using Goodsearch and the Goodshop shopping portal for online purchases.

As featured on CNN, every search at on the Yahoo powered search engine http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=849816 you will help Hope for Healing.Org help others. Simply designate Hope for Healing .Org as the charity of your choice (note our mailing address is in Jefferson City).

But the best news is that last year GoodSearch.Com uses raised almost $70 dollars just by using searching the internet - and it didn't cost the searchers anything! GoodSearch is Yahoo powered and completely free. If you don't think that $70 is much think again.

At Hope for Healing.Org $70 can purchase any one of the following:

• Online expenses for 1 full quarter
• Internet service for1 month
• 2 basic Angel Food boxes for a hungry family ~ plus ~ 1 Angel Food Box special.
• 1 full month of Saturday meals or snacks for juvenile offenders who serve community service hours
• 10 possible domestic violence victims for gasoline assistance
• Partial rent or utilities for Hope for Healing.Org

Would you like to help us raise even more this year? Helping is easy. Put the search box on your toobar. Set the computers up in your office. Tell your friends! Just designate us and search! You can even track our progress on the website. There's never been an easier way to help us help others. Get started today. Just go to www.goodsearch.com to sign up.

Angel Food Order Deadline Sat. 12-6

The Angel Food order deadline is Sat. 12-6 by 2:00 pm. Please don't forget to order your boxes. The new Christmas box is available. Sponsorships for boxes for the less fortunate are also available. If you are interested in ordering please contact us by the deadline above.

Angel Food is open to everyone regardless of income. Anyone can buy a box of food. More information is available on the Angel Food website at http://www.angelfoodministries.com