Friday, January 28, 2011

(Abby's Story - part 5) Stroking Sasha's fur and grabbing her travel cup, Abby dashed out the door and headed for the truck. No sporty sedan for her, she needed a work vehicle. Some of her errands today were to pick up some replacement stock at the nursery and deliver a batch of daffodilsto the rural market stand. Then, on to Thomas House to deliver fresh peas and lettuce that Suz picked and prepared for delivery. "I had better stop at the market first, and drop off these flowers while they are still fresh. Wouldn't want them to wilt! I always spend too much time at TH! The kids there are just so cute and need an extra smiling face! Maybe I could work on puzzles with a few of them today. Thomas House is such a worthy charity." She further mused on the work and services they provided there thinking about the wording on their brochure, Immediate haven that meets the urgent and long-term needs of homeless women and their children. Activities conducted by skilled professional staff, maintaining a 5 to 1 client to staff ratio. "That's pretty good! I just don't know how they do that on their budget!" thought Abby to herself. Their. . . Transitional Service spans the range from workforce related learning and career centers and an educational children's center to life skills such as budgeting and cooking needed to be self-sufficient, along with parenting classes. There's career planning, opportunities to acquire a high school diploma, learn computer, vocational and employment skills. Their Continuation Service includes moving assistance, ongoing life skills instruction, and neighborhood orientation to make the transition to independent living. The Children's Center is a state licensed center providing early childhood education, or homeschooling for a younger children until they are ready to enter the school system. Comprehensive. "How could we not help?" This was Abby's charity; she volunteered whenever possible; the family farm operation provided TH with fresh vegetables thru the summer season, and of course, monetary donations. (Are you like Abby? There are charitable possibilities everywhere in your city to offer your time or your contributions. Local shelters, rescue missions always need coffee; mentoring services for children, court appointed volunteers for foster children; Red Cross volunteers for overnight warming shelters; agencies that provide homemade blankets for seriously ill children and hospice patients, etc. Do you have a favorite charity that you contribute to? Tell me about it. Leave a comment.)

1 comment:

Marlene said...

Abby is inspiring. I donate when possible to the Shriner's hospital for crippled Children, they do wonders and if the parents can't pay they are not charged. I also donate to the Ronald McDonald House. Both of these organizations have been involved with helping family members and I love giving back.