minutes of the Oct 19th Meeting Heartworks

Minutes for Heartworks 10/19/08


People in attendance:
Lisa Kelly, Carmel Furtado, Missy Reece, Alex Sands, Victoria Silsby, Karen Viglas, Maralise Boynton, Julie Ring, Erin Kauffman and Jan Kelley. Honorary members under the age of 4 Ella (who shared a cracker, well done Ella) Oliver (who loves to read, despite his sore little bum), and Robin (who smiled for an entire hour straight…. sigh!).

First Lisa shared the great news over an array of delightful appies that we raised $300 dollars at the bakesale!

Tremendous Thank you to everyone from Heartworks who so generously contributed their goodies and time for both days at the bake sale. Also, a GIANT thanks to BBA and Kathi Bierwirth for handing us those stellar time slots to work our fundraising magic!

That brings our total funds raised to $500. We have donated $100 to the Grace Sherwood cause, $150 to Julie for her Autism Marathon (Again, way to go JULIE), and have $250 left. Below we’ve outlined how we intend to spend the rest of this money.

First official order of business: November 15th clothing Drive
Clothes from the Heart:

Carmel has begun the press (journal, guide, local schools etc) to request donations for the drive. She is also looking within the Heartworks group for any winter clothes (adult and children) in good condition and washed prior to drop off.

Clothes can be dropped off at New Morning to Jan, Lisa Kelly in Winhall or Carmel at Leaves of Gold.


***Does anyone have any connections with GAP or JOCKEY? We would love to gather underwear and socks for the drive as well. For obvious reasons we cannot accept these items used (yuck).

*Lisa will check with Maple Street about using the gym for a sorting night (November 5th at 5:30) as well as for our November meeting Wednesday November 19th.

Carmel suggested we begin inviting families in need to Clothes from the Heart November 1st. Carmel is going to advertise through the Food Cupboard, contact local schools, as well as notify PAVE. We want to target the appropriate group so that the clothes are given to families that truly need them. (discussion about the Rutland Women’s Shelter as a possible contact as well, however concern about running short on clothes was voiced)
We also discussed the idea about asking folks who plan to attend the clothes drive to bring a bag for their items, keeping it green.


Second order of Business:
Stroller needed!

Karen Viglas brought up a friend in need. Mel Young and husband Mike Wilcox (Of the famous Wilcox Dairy) are expecting twins any day now. Mel and Mike have a 20 something month old, and are a bit overwhelmed at the idea of having twins. Her dream is to have a double stroller with a stand in the back for her older child (it doubles as a seat). However, they are super pricey and they are unable to afford one. Her friends thought that Heartworks could help with this purchase. We discussed earmarking $200 from our funds for the stroller as a way to help Mel and Mike’s growing family. We also thought about asking everyone to donate $5 towards the stroller. Lisa and Karen will check out pricing online and will research if any are for sale on EBAY.


Third Order of Business:

Helping Hope

Hope Severance, a local mother of three is battling breast cancer. This past May, Hope found out the cancer had metastasized to her bone, liver and lungs. She is not able to work right now, and is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. We would like to help Hope and ease the burden that has been placed on the Severence family. Below are a few ways for you to make a difference.



1. Hope’s friend Ellen Goepel created a meal calendar. If that sounds like something you’d like to help with, go to www.huntcal.com find: My calendar and plug in:
(Capital for H and S )
HopeSev
Hope


2. Heartworks discussed pulling together a basket to drop off with Gift cards for gas, Restaurants, plus “comfort” donations that might help Hope feel pampered as she is very uncomfortable. Some ideas put forth were slippers, pajamas, bath gels etc. She is about 5’3, but I am not sure of her weight at this point. Drop off any items at New Morning with Jan for us to pull together at our next meeting.


3. One thing I forgot to mention at the meeting is that Ellen Goepel requested $ for Hope to continue her acupuncture treatments. The treatments help Hope with her discomfort from the cancer. The goal is to give Hope two sessions per week. The Severance’s need money for the co-pays which are $20 per session, or $40 per week. The acupuncture seems to help a tremendous amount. If you can help to offset this cost with a monetary donation, that would be terrific. I am assuming a check made out to the Severence’s will suffice.



Final order of business: Stacy Hunter (November 7th) and Wanda Knowles (November 5th) are both undergoing surgery. Carmel will be sending off a card from Heartworks to wish them both well.


Green Tip for the Month:
Insulate your water heater. Reasearch has shown this benefits your home and the environment on multiple levels. Go to www.thegreenguide.com for more information

Lisa will be following up with a few emails that include contact information to continue support for Grace Sherwood and her family.

Last but not least….MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR HEARTWORKS NEXT MEETING:
NOVEMBER 19th
TIME: 5:30
Give Lisa a heads up if you plan to attend so she can delegate snack people

ps. thanks for doing the minutes to Julie Ring...