7/9/2012

Providing Hope In The Midst of Crisis, in Jesus’s name

This last month of June we received notice that STA would be receiving a tangible donation of a condominium full of furniture and typical furnishings.  A local Clearwater, FL. man had to place his Mother into a nursing home and all her belongings would be available to Charity.

STA was asked if they would want or need the items.  I simply could not say no, as we know there is always great need for these types of things.  The problem is, we only have one vehicle and that is our personal vehicle, our 1995 Chevrolet Cargo van pictured here which we use for literally all STA Outreach activities.   It took about 3 days and multiple trips with our van to collect all the belongings, bring them to our storage shed and then re-distribute them.

When i went to look at the furnishings at the condominium, i couldn’t believe all the belongings STA would be receiving.  It was actually a little overwhelming.  Not only because of what it would take to deal with it all but the fact that this man had to see all his Mothers belongings going out the door.  Never to be seen again.  I felt bad for him.

As he and i went through the belongings i pointed out items i thought he might want to keep.   I had picked up a dresser from this same man a couple weeks before and there were some items left in one of the drawers i felt he would want and called him to let him know.  This particular dresser and items left in it were of his sisters, who he also recently had to place in an assisted living facility.  Double whammy for this man and his family.  He was appreciative that we called him to give him the items.

When STA receives tangible donations of this type we do not believe in simply a grab & go philosophy.  When folks are going through a time like this in their lives, it is sort of like a death in the family.  People are not always thinking clearly as they sort through and clear out family items.

Our process is as we go through the belongings, we ask ourselves if it may be something the family would actually still want and simply overlooked it.  In this particular case there were numerous items including a 22 Karat Gold Plated bowl.  On the back it stated “guaranteed” 22 Karat Gold.   As i took it out of the cupboard and looked at the writing on the back i handed to him and stated that i believed he ought to keep that bowl.  He gladly took it back.  I was relieved and happy.  If i would have taken that or anything else that seemed of high value either monetarily or personally without letting this man know, then i believe that  i as representative of Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ and founder of Straight Ahead Outreach would be skirting our Responsibility as a 501c3 Nonprofit and our Responsibility to Shine as representatives of Jesus and His Heavenly Father and what they desire us to be.  I love that clarity and feeling of freedom, to be able to look someone in the eye and tell the truth.  Priceless.

The belongings we were able to receive included many things such as beds, drapes, wicker furniture set, dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, stools, dining room table sets, chairs, a huge amount of yarn and crafting supplies, DVD/VCR player/recorders, televisions, food items, spices, towels, bedding, rugs, shoes, clothing, and many other items.

The purpose of this blog is to relate how these belongings which belonged to  this local mans Mother immediately began making an impact to over 11 families and individuals here in the Pinellas County area.   Within one day of receiving these belongings, the two beds and some other items went to two families in need who had none. 

The yarn and crafting supplies went to another Homeless Assistance organization who we know here.  When we unloaded the Yarn Supplies a man came up and was sooooo excited to see the crafting and yarn as he loved crafting, knitting etc.  He stated it helps pass the time so well.  He had a huge smile on his face.   The quantity of supplies of Yarn and Needle working & crafting supplies etc will keep numerous homeless men and women busy for many many hours to come.   WOW.  Priceless.  Makes me smile just thinking of the day we delivered these supplies.

Everything else has been distributed or delivered to people and families in need.  Multiple families and individuals, not just one or two.  More like approx eleven (11) families and individuals.   Eleven, from just one generous persons belongings.  

The best part about this God Given Gift, is that it is from someone who himself states he is not a big believer in God, although his wife is.  He is the one that has contacted me and been so generous with is time and energies. Hmmmmmmmm, maybe Jesus at work here somewhere eh?  :-))!

So, a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to you Mr. P. D.  and to your Mom, Mrs. V. 

Your Mothers belongings will be helping those in need for quite some time to come.  Making a continued Impact.  Literally.  Beds, so extremely important to those sleeping on a floor.  Dishes and small appliances making someone feel like cooking, feel like a “person” again.

Yarn, crafting supplies to pass the time and calm the noise in ones head.  

Televisions and more to help entertain.

Thank you, PD and Mrs. V for helping STA help others feel like people once again.

Thank you for helping STA…..

Provide Hope In The Midst of Crisis, in Jesus’s name

Lance Greene & Pat Mishler :-))!