Today in Manchester-

How Heart works works......

someone had an idea for a clothes drive (Carmel) - everyone and their friends donate-
Jan collects items and A Safe Place donates storage to gather out there -
Debbie goes out to storage and sorts and separates- along with spending time organizing her barn full of stuff!
LTS kids and their fearless leader Courtney C. come over to Maple street during the day Friday
Kids at Maple street take recess time or study hall time, move to the music and sort-
all the ladies and kids work from after school friday til 7pm , gathering,sorting , setting up
Saturday am. Ellen K. is up early making dozens of donuts ( of which i had 3) - she delivered to us
and to the Barn- i know that the barn got rid of a lot of stuff and Debbie can elaborate on that-
Doors open up at 9am at Maple street but people are there at 8:30- the first hour we had about 100 people
come through- Nina, Carol, Kelli, Liz, Teresa, Nancy T., Dagny, Cara, Heidi G., Erin., Andrea, i am tired if i forgot anyone let
me know- One woman said to me "Its so nice to not to have to say No to my kids"
as her daughter held up a shirt and said can i get this Mom- Heartworks got to write a $200 check to JC Penny to a parent who
couldn't find snow pants for her children who were of larger sizes, she traveled from Poultney. Another Mom talked about her son who
served in Iraq and is now disabled and how nice it is to get stuff for his kids... We gave a check to a Mom whose twins lost their bikes
down the Jamaica river- they were going to the bike store in town. we serviced a lot of people today-probably close to 200
there were lots left over but it is going to Brattleboro women's shelter, Helping hands, blankets etc to the Animal hospital, Burlington
(Thanks Courtney W) Bennington, Zippy chicks, and more- Watching Kelly Moran and Will Calder push bags on the stage- was so great- as they are learning to help - Thanks Don for the burrito lunch from Cilantro - Thanks Maple street for the facility and thanks to everyone who contributed in some way or another- we are lucky to live in such a community!! Keep passing it on and stay in the gratitude of knowing that together
we can make a difference..... oxox

2 events down- Luncheon tomorrow- pizzas, desserts, drinks etc. at Valley Pass in the Green mountain neighborhood! 12pm
Drop off candy with Jan if you can! thanks so much all....