Trying to help the homeless keep a bit warmer/drier this season....
Even though I live in California, it is COLD here~ 30 and even less at night, and our rainy season has just begun. I didn't have a lot of food to share this time, but I went through our closet in the guest room, which has most of our older, no longer often worn jackets, sweaters and especially wind-breakers Reggie has collected at various golf tournaments. Oh, and baseball type hats with logos of golf courses. One more thing~ all of those rogue socks that we can't seem to find the mates to? I had a basket of them that I use as dust rags. Anyway, I washed everything, and matched the socks up as best I could..length, color, thickness at least and put them in the pockets of the jackets. I then asked some of my guy friends to contribute jackets~ and this afternoon I am taking 20 jackets, 6 hats and socks stuffed in all of the jacket pockets down to the homeless!
I am only telling you this so that in case you can't cook, or don't want to (!!) that sweatshirts, socks, jackets and caps may be something you can do!
Just a thought!
Hugs,
Chen♥
Comments
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We help!
My hubby and I have worked at a homeless shelter during the Holidays to help out. It is so rewarding.
We also take dog and cat food to the Animal Shelters and the Animal Hospitals locally. My family has done that for years and I just continued on with it.
This is the season to give, not just presents.
Sue
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I am not at all surprised toRitzy said:We help!
My hubby and I have worked at a homeless shelter during the Holidays to help out. It is so rewarding.
We also take dog and cat food to the Animal Shelters and the Animal Hospitals locally. My family has done that for years and I just continued on with it.
This is the season to give, not just presents.
Sue
I am not at all surprised to find out that you and your husband help out at a shelter~ for both people and the four-legged ones! It is indeed rewarding, isn't it? Bless your hearts!
Giving is good for the soul; and I think it levels our human playing field. I am less intersted in WHY these poor souls are living on the street, but in how I can make whatever brought them there a bit more comfortable....
Thanks for what you do, Ritzy!
Hugs,
C♥0 -
This is a GREAT idea, I
This is a GREAT idea, I agree. A good friend of mine here has just made a trip with "cold weather gear" that we collected to the local homeless people. We had jackets, scarves, and even some gloves. It's going to get cold here, low 40's to high 30's, for the next couple of nights. Now, quit laughing, low 40's is cold in Florida and our homeless people are used to it being warm. I agree, Claudia, anything we can do to make their lives a little more pleasant, I'm all for it!!0 -
I help the kids!MyTurnNow said:This is a GREAT idea, I
This is a GREAT idea, I agree. A good friend of mine here has just made a trip with "cold weather gear" that we collected to the local homeless people. We had jackets, scarves, and even some gloves. It's going to get cold here, low 40's to high 30's, for the next couple of nights. Now, quit laughing, low 40's is cold in Florida and our homeless people are used to it being warm. I agree, Claudia, anything we can do to make their lives a little more pleasant, I'm all for it!!
I have been helping with the Toys for Tots program. It is so easy for someone to contribute to it so that a child can have at least one present to unwrap from Santa. All you have to do is buy a toy, a game, a doll, anything for a child and bring it to the headquarters of the program. We wrap it there for you. It can really make a difference to a child that will receive nothing otherwise. There are a lot of kids out there that need our help, especially at this time of year. I hope to make it a joyous season for at least some of them!
♠♣ Christmas Susie ♠♣0 -
helpless friends
What a great thing to do! I hope Reggie goes with you, though. I had a rough time once, many years ago, when I was young and attractive, as I delivered some items to the 'bridge dwellers' near the plasma donor center where my husband worked. He forbade me to go alone again. So now I deliver old towels, sheets, and blankets (cut to small size because holes are dangerous) to the county animal shelter. I live in AZ but it gets cold at night and these poor creatures have nothing but concrete (often wet from the twice a day hosing down) to stand, sit, or sleep on. Mother Teresa said it better than I can: In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. And: It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.0 -
I am not laughing! I know 40MyTurnNow said:This is a GREAT idea, I
This is a GREAT idea, I agree. A good friend of mine here has just made a trip with "cold weather gear" that we collected to the local homeless people. We had jackets, scarves, and even some gloves. It's going to get cold here, low 40's to high 30's, for the next couple of nights. Now, quit laughing, low 40's is cold in Florida and our homeless people are used to it being warm. I agree, Claudia, anything we can do to make their lives a little more pleasant, I'm all for it!!
I am not laughing! I know 40 degrees is cold; especially when the sun goes down and people who have little are also sleeping outside. I personally like going to the parks and giving directly to the men ( sometimes I see women, but not often). I used to donate to a local Thrift Store, but it occurs to me that many of the homeless have no money to purchase there! I realize we have the working poor and children with so little, and for that reason I BUY books and trinkets at thrift stores, but I give directly to the ones living outdoors.
Thank you for what you and your friends do!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
Thank you for doing that!!!susie09 said:I help the kids!
I have been helping with the Toys for Tots program. It is so easy for someone to contribute to it so that a child can have at least one present to unwrap from Santa. All you have to do is buy a toy, a game, a doll, anything for a child and bring it to the headquarters of the program. We wrap it there for you. It can really make a difference to a child that will receive nothing otherwise. There are a lot of kids out there that need our help, especially at this time of year. I hope to make it a joyous season for at least some of them!
♠♣ Christmas Susie ♠♣
Thank you for doing that!!! Tomorrow night is the annual Toys For Tots gala at the Casino. Larry The Cable Guy is the headliner, and the Tribe gives a generous donation to Toys For Tots. It is a wonderful orgainzation~ again thank you for your generous spirit!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
Food Bankcrselby said:helpless friends
What a great thing to do! I hope Reggie goes with you, though. I had a rough time once, many years ago, when I was young and attractive, as I delivered some items to the 'bridge dwellers' near the plasma donor center where my husband worked. He forbade me to go alone again. So now I deliver old towels, sheets, and blankets (cut to small size because holes are dangerous) to the county animal shelter. I live in AZ but it gets cold at night and these poor creatures have nothing but concrete (often wet from the twice a day hosing down) to stand, sit, or sleep on. Mother Teresa said it better than I can: In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. And: It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.
We help with the food bank. Times are so hard now and with the holiday's, there is a huge demand for food now from people less fortunate. We have several food drives thru out the year to collect food. It is sad to see so many coming in to get their groceries. There are so many more than ever before. I encourage all of you to donate to your local food bank, even if it is just a couple of cans of something. It all helps!
Debby0 -
I didn't think you could rise any farther....
but you have, dearheart!!!! Your star is WAY up there!!!!
I donate only to charities that state the 'benefit path'. I am very careful to ask WHO gets the profits...like the Discovery Shops from our own ACS....
We have a donation in the Netherlands called, collectively, Kringloop. The have outlet stores, as well, and all of the profits go to the mentally handicapped...
And, as far as the cold...California has many homeless because the weather is usually so mild, compared to other states. So, naturally, there is a bigger problem when the temperature dip....
A big, warm hug to you and Reggie...
Kathi0 -
Reggie "drives Miss Daisy" to the parks! I have never had anything bad happen~ I am fearless though cautious. I know many of the homeless are mentally/emotionally challenged, and also suffer from PTSD, drug and alcoholism. But they have always treated me with the utmost respect and thank me and wish me God's blessings. I think that because I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 22+ years and spent THOUSANDS of hours approaching strangers, that this is not difficult for me. Reggie keps a close eye on me though!!! And, don't forget, I am 50 feet tall!!! LOLcrselby said:helpless friends
What a great thing to do! I hope Reggie goes with you, though. I had a rough time once, many years ago, when I was young and attractive, as I delivered some items to the 'bridge dwellers' near the plasma donor center where my husband worked. He forbade me to go alone again. So now I deliver old towels, sheets, and blankets (cut to small size because holes are dangerous) to the county animal shelter. I live in AZ but it gets cold at night and these poor creatures have nothing but concrete (often wet from the twice a day hosing down) to stand, sit, or sleep on. Mother Teresa said it better than I can: In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. And: It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
I wasn't patting myself onKathiM said:I didn't think you could rise any farther....
but you have, dearheart!!!! Your star is WAY up there!!!!
I donate only to charities that state the 'benefit path'. I am very careful to ask WHO gets the profits...like the Discovery Shops from our own ACS....
We have a donation in the Netherlands called, collectively, Kringloop. The have outlet stores, as well, and all of the profits go to the mentally handicapped...
And, as far as the cold...California has many homeless because the weather is usually so mild, compared to other states. So, naturally, there is a bigger problem when the temperature dip....
A big, warm hug to you and Reggie...
Kathi
I wasn't patting myself on the back, Kathi...just hoping to give our Kindred Spirits a few ideas. We cannot all cook or deliver/serve food, but most of us have old jackets, towels, blankets. And if I hadn't posted and gotten the great responses from the sisters here, maybe some wouldn't have thought of these things to do! And now they know that animal shelters need supplies too!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
Yes it does! Thanks for whatDebbyM said:Food Bank
We help with the food bank. Times are so hard now and with the holiday's, there is a huge demand for food now from people less fortunate. We have several food drives thru out the year to collect food. It is sad to see so many coming in to get their groceries. There are so many more than ever before. I encourage all of you to donate to your local food bank, even if it is just a couple of cans of something. It all helps!
Debby
Yes it does! Thanks for what you do!0 -
I think these are excellentchenheart said:I wasn't patting myself on
I wasn't patting myself on the back, Kathi...just hoping to give our Kindred Spirits a few ideas. We cannot all cook or deliver/serve food, but most of us have old jackets, towels, blankets. And if I hadn't posted and gotten the great responses from the sisters here, maybe some wouldn't have thought of these things to do! And now they know that animal shelters need supplies too!
Hugs,
Chen♥
I think these are excellent ideas from everyone. There are many ways to help out this time of year and year round. We do Toys for Tots, donate to Mission Solano (a transistional house for homeless), jackets, coats, hats etc to a group that distributes them to the homeless, and when we have old furniture, household goods we give them to Mission Solano. Another group that we donated to for several year (I have to see if they are doing it this year) is a Teen Angel Tree. Teens are often forgotten and the tree has a first name, age, sex and a article of clothing that they need. Mostly they want jackets, track suits, jeans, and shoes. I used to ask the kids at the what was trendy, not too expensive and that was what I would buy. Looked for good sales and got something that they would really like and that would fit in. Not the high end brand name stuff but something that was in style. I do donate to our animal shelter where my niece works. Being able to give is a blessing. And even now Den and I still give what we can because in spite of all that has gone on this year, we are still more fortunate than most.
Oh, and my grocery store does these coupons that you can add to your grocery bill that donates food for the needy. I usually do a $5 one on my weekly bill and we don't even notice it.
It is so wonderful that so many of you have ways you give back, but I am not surprised because we are givers, generous of heart and spirit so it follows that we are generous in this area as well.
Just another reason I am blessed to have all of you as a part of my family.
Stef0 -
Chen, You're right on allchenheart said:I wasn't patting myself on
I wasn't patting myself on the back, Kathi...just hoping to give our Kindred Spirits a few ideas. We cannot all cook or deliver/serve food, but most of us have old jackets, towels, blankets. And if I hadn't posted and gotten the great responses from the sisters here, maybe some wouldn't have thought of these things to do! And now they know that animal shelters need supplies too!
Hugs,
Chen♥
Chen, You're right on all counts. People need help these days and we should all try to do something to help. I delivered Meals on Wheels until I got depressed (so many of them died). A few years ago we started a project for our teens to learn how to give back. We set up an assembly like table and had them make sandwiches and took them down to the homeless shelter in our city. (We got to where we could make over 100 sandwiches in a few minutes, brown bag them with some cookies and deliver them.) You don't even have to know how to cook to make sandwiches. We also gather up coats, scarves, gloves, socks, etc. that we don't use and get them to shelters. There's always ways to give if we just think about it. Thanks for reminding us.0 -
Food banksSunrae said:Chen, You're right on all
Chen, You're right on all counts. People need help these days and we should all try to do something to help. I delivered Meals on Wheels until I got depressed (so many of them died). A few years ago we started a project for our teens to learn how to give back. We set up an assembly like table and had them make sandwiches and took them down to the homeless shelter in our city. (We got to where we could make over 100 sandwiches in a few minutes, brown bag them with some cookies and deliver them.) You don't even have to know how to cook to make sandwiches. We also gather up coats, scarves, gloves, socks, etc. that we don't use and get them to shelters. There's always ways to give if we just think about it. Thanks for reminding us.
I also help distribute groceries at a food bank ... and I wanted to remind those of you who donate to food banks to please, please, please try to include a few cans of food that have pop tops. We noticed that several of our customers would pass up on the canned food or meat .. and finally one of them just came out and told us they didn't have a kitchen or a place to cook or re-heat anything (or even can openers to open the cans). From that minute on we've kept a entire section "in the back" for people who need those pop tops. It's amazing how much a can of vienna sausages or even Spam ... or Spagetti-O's can help ... or the heat and eat soups are great. We even give them plastic silverware to be sure they've got something to eat WITH.
So ... when people donate food to food pantries ... don't forget the canned protein or hearty soups!
hugs.
teena0 -
I appreciate your post andtgf said:Food banks
I also help distribute groceries at a food bank ... and I wanted to remind those of you who donate to food banks to please, please, please try to include a few cans of food that have pop tops. We noticed that several of our customers would pass up on the canned food or meat .. and finally one of them just came out and told us they didn't have a kitchen or a place to cook or re-heat anything (or even can openers to open the cans). From that minute on we've kept a entire section "in the back" for people who need those pop tops. It's amazing how much a can of vienna sausages or even Spam ... or Spagetti-O's can help ... or the heat and eat soups are great. We even give them plastic silverware to be sure they've got something to eat WITH.
So ... when people donate food to food pantries ... don't forget the canned protein or hearty soups!
hugs.
teena
I appreciate your post and your loving heart sooo much! Thanks for the reminder!
Today worked out wonderfully! I had coats/hats/socks bagged in 4's~ if I noticed a group of 5, of course I would take one from another bag and have 5 to give away. The first group did indeed have 5, and they were so nice ( well, no one hasn't been nice) and gave me God's blessing, and wished me a happy holiday~ while they are huddling to stay warm and dry in a park...they shook my hand and one said I am a "nice lady" and they showed off a boat they were building from palm fronds.
Reggie and I drove around the less nice parts of the city~ I gave a coat to a man who lived in an old beat up van~ he is in a wheelchair and all of his earthy goods are in that beat up van. But he can at least sleep inside.
I kept a bag of coats at my feet in the truck~ as we would see single homeless walking I would have Reggie pull along side of them. I rolled the window down and would say "It's gonna be cold tonight~ can you use a jacket?" They all could. Even the
50ish woman pushing a shopping cart filled with cans and bottles called me darling and thanked me. In a parking lot Reggie noticed a makeshift tent in the bushes. He parked, I went about 5 feet from the tent with a sweatshirt and a hat and just sort of hollered, "I am leaving a jacket and a hat for you." I didn't hear anything back, but I know SOMEONE will get them. Anyway~ we spent about 90 minutes look for homeless and talking to them and giving things away. And I know you will believe me when I tell you that not 5 minutes after giving the last jacket away the sky opened up and it started raining! And it hasn't stopped yet, and its been a few hours now.
I thanked my sweet Reggie for giving me the opportunity to be generous. Most of clothes were his, and he does drive me all over the city looking for sad, lonely souls.
Thank you for letting me tell you about my day, and for all of the nice, hearfelt, genreous things you all do as well. We do make a difference in the lives of one, two, or a dozen. And for that, our sleep at night is a bit sweeter, isn't it?
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
The unemployment in myfauxma said:I think these are excellent
I think these are excellent ideas from everyone. There are many ways to help out this time of year and year round. We do Toys for Tots, donate to Mission Solano (a transistional house for homeless), jackets, coats, hats etc to a group that distributes them to the homeless, and when we have old furniture, household goods we give them to Mission Solano. Another group that we donated to for several year (I have to see if they are doing it this year) is a Teen Angel Tree. Teens are often forgotten and the tree has a first name, age, sex and a article of clothing that they need. Mostly they want jackets, track suits, jeans, and shoes. I used to ask the kids at the what was trendy, not too expensive and that was what I would buy. Looked for good sales and got something that they would really like and that would fit in. Not the high end brand name stuff but something that was in style. I do donate to our animal shelter where my niece works. Being able to give is a blessing. And even now Den and I still give what we can because in spite of all that has gone on this year, we are still more fortunate than most.
Oh, and my grocery store does these coupons that you can add to your grocery bill that donates food for the needy. I usually do a $5 one on my weekly bill and we don't even notice it.
It is so wonderful that so many of you have ways you give back, but I am not surprised because we are givers, generous of heart and spirit so it follows that we are generous in this area as well.
Just another reason I am blessed to have all of you as a part of my family.
Stef
The unemployment in my county is the highest in the state. In my town (the county seat), our food bank is only open once a month . A group of us have gotten together and pledged a certain amount each month until March, when there are seasonal jobs again, plus time so that the bank can open twice a month. This is another thing that people who live in rural communities can do. Lynn0 -
You all know the old saying,chenheart said:I appreciate your post and
I appreciate your post and your loving heart sooo much! Thanks for the reminder!
Today worked out wonderfully! I had coats/hats/socks bagged in 4's~ if I noticed a group of 5, of course I would take one from another bag and have 5 to give away. The first group did indeed have 5, and they were so nice ( well, no one hasn't been nice) and gave me God's blessing, and wished me a happy holiday~ while they are huddling to stay warm and dry in a park...they shook my hand and one said I am a "nice lady" and they showed off a boat they were building from palm fronds.
Reggie and I drove around the less nice parts of the city~ I gave a coat to a man who lived in an old beat up van~ he is in a wheelchair and all of his earthy goods are in that beat up van. But he can at least sleep inside.
I kept a bag of coats at my feet in the truck~ as we would see single homeless walking I would have Reggie pull along side of them. I rolled the window down and would say "It's gonna be cold tonight~ can you use a jacket?" They all could. Even the 50ish woman pushing a shopping cart filled with cans and bottles called me darling and thanked me. In a parking lot Reggie noticed a makeshift tent in the bushes. He parked, I went about 5 feet from the tent with a sweatshirt and a hat and just sort of hollered, "I am leaving a jacket and a hat for you." I didn't hear anything back, but I know SOMEONE will get them. Anyway~ we spent about 90 minutes look for homeless and talking to them and giving things away. And I know you will believe me when I tell you that not 5 minutes after giving the last jacket away the sky opened up and it started raining! And it hasn't stopped yet, and its been a few hours now.
I thanked my sweet Reggie for giving me the opportunity to be generous. Most of clothes were his, and he does drive me all over the city looking for sad, lonely souls.
Thank you for letting me tell you about my day, and for all of the nice, hearfelt, genreous things you all do as well. We do make a difference in the lives of one, two, or a dozen. And for that, our sleep at night is a bit sweeter, isn't it?
Hugs,
Chen♥
You all know the old saying, "Its better to give than receive". Well one thing I've found out is that the more someone gives, the more one receives. Its not always in a physical or monetary way, but it truly does come back to you in some way. Over the years, we've had opportunities to help someone, either buy food, pay their rent, help them with medical bills or just spend time with them; and we found out that we can't outgive God. One time we helped a person pay a bill for $150 and a few days later out of nowhere we got a check for $150. We couldn't explain it any other way. This has happened over and over again so we don't question anymore. All I'm really saying, whether you're spiritual or not, there is a rule somewhere that blesses the giver more. Thank you Chen, for bringing this subject up especially at this time of the year. Just want to wish all of you many blessings and good health in the coming year. Love every one of you!0 -
Claudia:Nah, I didn't mean you were...chenheart said:I wasn't patting myself on
I wasn't patting myself on the back, Kathi...just hoping to give our Kindred Spirits a few ideas. We cannot all cook or deliver/serve food, but most of us have old jackets, towels, blankets. And if I hadn't posted and gotten the great responses from the sisters here, maybe some wouldn't have thought of these things to do! And now they know that animal shelters need supplies too!
Hugs,
Chen♥
Although, a bit of tooting your own horn is necessary every once in a while, and I can't imagine life on this board without your kind, knowlegable advice...
I love that everyone is doing so much for so many!!!! So, no, Claudia, I meant nothing negative at all in my post...I love you!!! And am so proud of you!!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
what a great idea Chen
...and of course we don't think you are "tooting your own horn". I never really thought of handing coats out to the homeless, that sounds sooo like you (love the socks in the pockets too). We hand a large bag of unwrapped toys to our Fire Department. They make sure the kids (old and young), get at least one present for Christmas, and yes, it is easy to do.
I know what you mean about our California weather, it hit 30 the other nite, and yes, there are a lot more homeless here because of our, usually, nice weather. I love your heart.
Cat0
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