minutes of December meeting

HW Meeting 12/11/11

4pm at the Ross Barn

Present:

Nina, Lisa, Andrea, Marybeth, Gloria, Ellen, Dagny, Holly, Liz, Teresa, Carmel, Fran, Dianna, Victoria, Loree, Courtney, Carol, Dina, Lauri, Julie C., Lyn

Andrea ran the meeting

We recapped the November opportunities –

Treasurers report - $1900

We spoke about how we went from having $22,000 and have done a lot each month since then- but now we are down a lot and still have requests – we will discuss ways in which we can raise some money again in January.

New opportunities:

Gloria read a wonderful letter written by Norene about her friend Verna Lee Mylott. We wrote a $500 check to the Manchester rescue squad and we will collect $ for gifts for the Grandchildren and other items to give in a basket to Verna Lee and family.

Lauri discussed a friend who would benefit greatly from gift cards for gas- she is driving everyday for treatments. We will collect $ and other basket items for her as well.

Laura Sienne from UCS has a request for larger clothing for a client and her single mom. Since the sizes are hard to find I think Heartworks will give a check of $150 to them to purchase at JC Penny.

- Marybeth O’Donnell shared her story and it was truly wonderful, inspiring, funny and had me thinking about staying in the day--- IAM – (latin…

We had a ton of cookies that were so yummy and we all went home with full plates.

Thanks to all for coming and next meeting will be in January. Probably on a Sunday afternoon again. TBA

January will be our 4 year anniversary! Thanks so much for all contributing to the community share in December. If you want to donate to the 2 baskets that will be passed on some time this month- please leave a monetary gift at Jans and/or something for the baskets

Otherwise, we will supplement with our HW Funds…

“Good works are links that form a chain of love” - Mother Teresa

HW News

We have a pdf of lots of furniture that has been donated and looking for homes... Thanks to Nina for doing all that -

Zippy chicks just gave us a check for $126 and that is for clothes that sold from what we gave them and/or people looking for their proceeds to go to donation. Please go support Zippy Chicks as we so thank them for what they have done for us!!

We continue to receive cards of thanks- but mostly i wanted to recognize the continued support and recognition we are getting in our community. We make a difference in a small way- we want to let people know that someone cares about them-

Random acts of kindness just help make the world a better place.

"Be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity."
- Maya Angelou

Our next meeting will be on December 11th and we will have a Holiday Cookie Swap- so bake a couple dozen... We will celebrate our connections, continue to live in gratitude and lift the spirits of all those that need it!!

minutes of November Meeting

Ross Barn @ 7pm

Lisa Kelly opened meeting thanking Jen Brenner, Olive Branch Catering, East Dorset for the delicious food & soup and Jan, New Morning Natural Food, for the beautiful cake

Introductions

October's Opportunities in review

• Nina spoke about Clothes from the Heart, we served about 100 people, learned of new individual needs, wrote a check to JC Penny for a family whose clothing needs couldn't be met. Leftover clothes were redistributed to other organizations. Summer clothes being stored by Andrea. We will consider doing a summer clothing give away this spring after the snow melts.
• Debbie spoke about Barn Day. Brett was the recipient of much of the furniture including 4 bedroom sets. After flood victims needs were met barn contents opened to others. Only 3-4 bed frames remain. Laurie Z mentioned Bromley Brook still has furniture items to get rid of
• Dagny spoke on Green Mtn. Luncheon. She was kept busy by giving 8 treatments. Very special for Dagny as people opened up and told stories while getting a treatment. We collected a bushel of candy to give to the neighborhood in time for Halloween. Received cards of thanks.

Treasurer's Rpt

• $4500 on hand

• $2700 donated

• $500 rec'd

November Opportunities

• Child's size 12 winter boots
• Women's size 9 winter boots
• Family living in a trailer in substandard repair and family member w/ leukemia
• Community Share: we will commit to two families

Lisa then distributed opportunities for "Angels"

• Clean Arlington House: Mary S.
• Food Cupboard $400 dollar donation: Julie NOTE: in springtime Feinstein Foundation makes financial contributions to food cupboard. CFC serves approx. 300 families
• Gary G. $100 basket: Teresa
• Jamar $100 basket: Kim
• Cliff H. $500 boiler: Paul K
• Andy D $50 restaurant certificate: Nina
• Andy T $50 restaurant certificate: Victoria
• Steve P.
• Delbarton School for boys in NJ. Kids want to do "something": Laurie Z
• John and Verna M.: Gloria
• Linda and Nelson K. Debbie
• Mary K's brother in law: Teresa
• Eden Z. Bedroom set
• Two advisories @ Maple Street School: 1) Afghanistan 2) Heartworks

December Meeting Day and Time will change to Sunday afternoon; watch for announcement

Kim spoke and told her story and read from her book, "Inertia"

Clothes from the Heart -

Emily C. helps today by sharing food with kids
who had parents there getting clothes- She was a
great help!

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....

Clothes from the Heart -

Clothes from the Heart

October 22nd- 9am-1pm Maple street school Gymnasium

Free warm winter clothes for all that need it!