A Sarasota Non-Profit Organization

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Bare Shelves

Helping 453 clients in 6 days really does take a toll on an organization's supplies!  Don't get me wrong, we are incredibly thankful to have helped so many families, but our supplies are definitely depleted.  We still have resources for families and our volunteers are working stedily to restock the shelves.  If it is time to clean out the closet or de-clutter your children's toys and books, please feel free to bring us your gently used items.  We want to keep serving even more families and need your help to do so!  If you have a couple of free hours we would also love to have you volunteer!
Former home of TONS of stuffed animals!

Poor empty toy box


Clothes and shoes were here!  the other side of the shelves looks the same and was formerly home to lots of books!





Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Stylish Ride x 3

During my last vist to Mothers Helping Mothers, I began talking to Bo who is evidently very pregnant.  Little did I know that this glowing mama is expecting twins in addition to her four year old daughter.  When she found out that she was expecting twins, she was unsure of how they would provide for the new additions.  One of her main concerns was transporting her children from one place to another.  She voiced her concerns to MHM and they came to her rescue with a triple stroller!  Now she will be able to transport all of her children safely.  "Mothers Helping Mothers is a God send," said Bo.  I don't know what I would do without them.  Not only have I received clothes and necessities for the babies, but the stroller is just unbelieveable.  Thank you so much!" 



Leaving with the new stroller!


New shoes for the twins!




Thursday, August 11, 2011

Worth the Wait

When I arrived at Mothers Helping Mothers the other day I was shocked at the magnitude of people waiting to get in the door.  There were people and cars everywhere!  Let me back up a moment to the actual driving into the parking lot (which was quite an interesting experience).   I had to circle the building once because there was no way to get into the parking lot.  There were people backing up onto 301 because they could not find a place to park.  I tried a second time and this time I made it into the parking lot- well kind of.  I turned in and quickly stepped on the brakes as someone was trying to exit through the same one lane area.  This is not normally a one lane area, but people were parked EVERYWHERE!  Through a careful dance of weaving in between cars, I made it to the back lot and was ready to unload my car.  Oh, I forgot to mention that my car was full of shoes that were donated and I could not see through any window due to the large amount of cargo.  After I was unloaded and settled, I ventured to chat with the women and children that were waiting in line to get into the building.  I talked to a few who told me that they had been waiting since 6:45 and they were not the first ones in line!  Let me tell you it was a HOT and HUMID day to say the least and the people in line were determined that nothing would stop them from getting in the door. 
Just a portion of the line

The parking lot entrance

When people ask if Mothers Helping Mothers really is needed in this community I will show them these pictures.  There are no words to describe the look of determination in the eyes of those in line or the look of satisfaction when they finally get into the doors.  This is an organization that serves a real need in this area and there are many who depend on the services provided by Mothers Helping Mothers.  This is a much needed organization and a place to turn for many who have no other place to go.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I went to write, but...

I went to Mothers Helping Mothers today to take pictures for the blog and find people to interview, but I was quickly distracted.  I thought it might happen, but I did not know how it would make me feel.  The distraction? Shoes!  Not just any shoes, but cute new kids shoes that were recently donated from a generous corporate foundation.  I brought the shoes (1,000 pairs to be exact) to Mothers Helping Mothers this morning since they were delivered to my house.  When I turned into the parking lot, I had to do a double take since there was a HUGE line in front of MHM and no place to park.  Let me be clear, people were parked all over the place and I actually had to pass up the location once and try a second time since people were backing out of the lot onto 301- that's how crazy it was!  Once inside, the craziness consumed me and I was on a mission to talk to people and take pictures and in my defense, I did that for a little bit.  Once it calemd down a little I received help unloading the shoes out of my car and we began sorting them. 

That's when the "Santa" gene took ahold of me and would not let go.  The shoes weren't officially being given out yet because we were so busy, but after I heard a few stories of customers I could not resist.  I began giving out shoes to perfect strangers in need and they were so thankful.  Many of these people have NEVER had anything new for their children.  One lady was about to have twins (a girl and a boy) and I gave her a pair for each.  She was so very thankful.  She said that her and her husband were unsure of how they would provide for the new babies (she already has an older daughter) but that blessings are just being poured upon her and her family.  The look in her eyes told me how thankful she was for the shoes.  A small gesture, but to her it was just another step in being able to provide for her unborn children.  This is just one of the many people that received new shoes for their children today.

Please DO NOT get the idea to go to Mothers Helping Mothers for new shoes for your children if you are not in need of assistance.  These shoes are meant for families who are unable to provide for their children on their own.  Although we do not have all sizes, clients are truly thankful for what they receive.  Even today, some parents learned that we may only have the correct size for one of their five children.  The smile on the mother's face was just as big for that one pair of new shoes as she would have been for five pairs.

This is why I do what I do and why I often stay behind the scenes.  I rarely see the true impact of the grants that I write or the donations that I receive for organizations.  This experience truly opened my eyes and re-energized me.  Seeing the faces of those people that were helped is something that I will never forget.     

PS- I only wish that I had tiny feet so that I could fit into those shoes!  Man, were they cute!