I'm speechless...

2 weeks ago, while in the parent support group at The Dougy Center, I spoke of our financial difficulties due to my recent medical issues. I brought it up because it's affecting me in a big way, I had spent over $500 on my health issues and an additional $250 on replacing the alternator on my truck. All vital expenses for my family.

After group, S. walked up to me, dug into her pocket and handed me money. I was in shock and asked "are you sure", her response was "I've been there, I know what it's like, I have it now so take it, you need it". That $100 was like a million for me because it's what I needed to pay the power bill the next day.

Friday afternoon, my neighbor came over w/ a pot of homemade soup and corn muffins so that Tim didn't have to cook for us. I was incredibly sick and it was perfect. We appreciated it so much.

Tonight, because of my having shingles, I was unable to attend group at the Dougy Center. Tim took David and left with specific instructions to let the group know why I wasn't there and to tell S. THANK YOU again for me. As the groups ended, he walked in to get David and spoke to S, and noticed one of the fathers, A, in the group walk up to David and hand him an envelope for me. They just got home and handed it to me. I opened it to find $300 in it.  I am in tears. I will pay at least one bill off.

I've known these people for the better part of 2 years because we lost a partner, we share a story, we are part of a club that no married parent wants to join.

We all have our struggles, I did not say what I said hoping that they would "bail me out". I had no expectation of that at all.

I am simply overwhelmed by their generosity and only hope that I can come up with some way to thank them for what they have given David and I.

I am humbled.

They continue to give me Hope and Faith in the people that surround me.

Hope for Haiti

Here is a GREAT way to get yourself a wonderful Scentsy Warmer and help out the relief efforts in Haiti at the same time. We have a HUGE selection of Warmers and wax to choose from, shop for you, your friends, family and help out a great cause at the same time.

Order here by the end of January and I will donate 50% of my profits to Reciprocal Ministries International. This fundraiser is being held by Marissa Phillips, Independent Scentsy Consultant and not by Scentsy Corporate.

I donated ... did you ???

VISIT US ONLINE | DONATE | CONTACT US

1/13/2010

Dear M****,


Thank you so much for your recent gift to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Millions of people have been affected by this disaster and Haitian President René Préval described the destruction a ‘catastrophe of major proportions’.

With your help, we are able to send our first two volunteer medical teams and are ready to send more. We are working with many reliable local partners and coordinating our efforts with other groups that are responding to this disaster.

Thank you for making room in your heart for those affected by this disaster. I’m grateful for your support and trust that God will use our partnership to bring hope and healing to many in the days ahead.

Please pray for the families affected by this disaster. Pray as well for our staff and volunteers as we respond. We will be posting updates on our Web site at www.medicalteams.org as developments occur.


Gratefully,




Bas Vanderzalm, President


Transaction Summary:

Name: Ms. M P
Email: deleted
Mailing Address: deleted
,OR
Credit Card Type: Visa
Cardholder Name: MP
Card Number: ****************
Transaction Reference: 279719****

Gift Amount	Payment Method	Designation	Gift Date
$15.00	Credit Card	Haiti Earthquake Relief	1/13/2010

No goods or services were received in exchange for this gift.

Haiti Earthquake …

If you’ve been reading my blog for anytime, you know that my heart, and my late husband, lie in Haiti.

Haiti was hit with a massive 7.0 earthquake yesterday and the Capital of Port Au Prince has been devastated. I am asking BEGGING my readers to take a moment, say a prayer and make a donation to one of the following Relief Organizations. There are specific funds set up within each Organization for HAITI relief. Support of these people is critical. There are many American citizens on the ground in Haiti that have been affected not to mention the millions of Haitian citizens. If you feel that you can’t afford a donation, consider this, these people live on less than $1 a week. Can you imagine how a $5 donation could help? I have $1800 to last me the entire month (my bills include a $1800 mortgage) … I am donating $5 through Medical Teams International. Do the math … yes, giving where needed is a must. I truly believe that we are rewarded for stretching and doing the hard things. I can’t donate $300 but if each of my known followers donate $5, THERE is $300! So please, do it for me …

 

 

 

Contacts that may help Dougy Center get rebuilt faster!

Ok, here is a list that I will continue to add to. It's people I have contacted about helping w/ rebuilding the Dougy Center. YES, I am on a mission here. My son loves going, his friends there love going, the want to go to the main Center in September. If Extreme Makeover Home Edition can build a house in 7 days, WE CAN TOO! We don't need it until September, but sooner is better!!

Twitter ID's:

• @DrPhil (Dr. Phil)
• @Oprah (Oprah)
• @TheEllenShow (Ellen DeGeneres)
• @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher)
• @tyrashow (Tyra Banks show)
• @alroker

Show Forms:

• Rachael Ray
• Oprah
• Dr. Phil
• Ellen DeGeneres
• Tyra Banks
• AM Northwest (ABC Affiliate morning show)

Ok ... this is what I sent them, you can contact them too and write your own thing. I can't remember which one, but one had a 1500 character max, so that's what I sent to everyone ... write your own note, use whatever part of mine you wish, just enter your own information in the blanks.

My son and I lost my husband 7/21/06. In 5/08 we began attending the Dougy Center in Portland OR

"The Dougy Center (www.dougy.org) was the first center in the US to provide peer support groups for grieving children... Through our National Ctr we provide support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. The Dougy Ctr is supported solely through private support from individuals, foundations and companies, and receives no state or federal funding. The Dougy Ctr does not charge a fee for its services."

On the 3 year ann of my husband’s death, the main Ctr was burned down, possible arson. We cried when we heard the news. Dougy is such a support, it allows him to grieve in his own way with kids that understand what he's through. He asked "Why did someone do this to us?"

On behalf of my family and the many other families around Portland that use this facility, please help us rebuild Dougy Center! I've been on a tremendous roller coaster ride for 3 years, I've been close to losing my house twice, I’ve accepted food from friends & neighbors, borrowed money, I'm in debt as I'm a single mom that has not worked since my husbands passing; yet I've been blessed with neighbors and friends to help me out. My hubby was a Youth Minister and he believed in doing the right thing & serving, I have that same belief. It is now my turn though, to stand up and ask for help on behalf of a place that truly deserves it.

Serious need of a connection!!

Please help me ...
and all those served by this invaluable resource.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Dougy Center was burned down by a suspected arsonist Sunday night and we NEED to get it rebuilt so the services can continue in place!



Back kitchen Entrance
Fire started in the Recycling/Garbage Bins

Memorial started by the local neighborhood

Windows from the offices

How can you help?

• I am looking for ANY DIRECT CONNECTION with ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition.If you know of anyone that know's of anyone ... PLEASE direct me to them, or them to me! They rebuild houses in a week, it would be great it the Dougy Center could be rebuilt by September!!
• Dougy Center is also accepting donations. They are a 501(c)(3) Organization and run solely on private contributions. While they have Insurance to replace the building, the "guts" of the program are in the resources that must be replaced; Arts & Crafts Supplies; Dolls; Toys; Books; Paper; Crayons; Paints; stuffed animals; pool tables; ping pong; mats, mats and more mats; and the list goes on. PLUS all the furniture, cooking supplies and office equipment are gone, absolutely everything! Please consider a donation, whatever amount you can spare will help. In Kind Donations will be accepted at a later date, there is no storage available now.
  

Why do I care so much?

• The Dougy Center has been an integral part of David's recovery for over a year. I truly feel that it's allowed him to share with others and get out his anger and frustrations in a safe environment. The services are offered free of charge to those that need them and no judgment is made on you, it truly is a fantastic resource.
• I saw David get angry and yell "Why did someone do this to us?" when we saw the News story. He wants to do what he can to raise money and help
• I heard a young girl last night say she "will be donating $50 of her money" to rebuilding. Other kids agreed.
  
• This resource not only helps families here, but Dougy Center has satellite programs throughout the World and I personally know of people attending in other locations that have the same feelings about this situation as I do. The program is so much more than "counseling" because it's not "counseling", it's peer to peer support.
  

I helped...

that's what I did tonight.

an old friend called,

she and her fiancee' have been having a hard time with some things,

so I jumped on the computer,

gave my credit card to a website,

and may have found her fiancee's daughters,

that have been missing for about 8 years.

Yes, it cost me about $50, that I really don't have,

and even if it were to put me NSF,

hearing them cry and thank me for getting them the info

was all the re-payment needed.

They didn't ask me to do it,

I was called because they needed to vent.

I truly believe in doing the right thing,

it's what we are challenged to do,

I truly hope he finds his daughters.

Please pray for them.

I'll update when I know more.

Have you helped?

Just because??