How To Help + Note

Hello All,

Our charity, Thankful Tuesday, is running like a well oiled machine now that our one year anniversary has come and gone.  We have several weekly dedicated bakers (Ann, Barb, Lara, Mary Lou) and numerous West Austin residents have fulfilled requests for various items during the year such as:

   Summer – sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toiletries, tee shirts, socks, dog food, dog beds, new underwear, books, cards/games, bath towels & wash cloths, monetary donations
    Winter – hats, gloves, socks, sheets, pillows & pillow cases, blankets

   Now that we have gotten to know many of the folks at Camp Esperanza (means hope), they are comfortable making requests that they hope we can honor. Recently, a few women asked me if I had flashlights. I thought it was an interesting request until they told me that it is dark at the camp at night and there are times when they have to find their way to the port-a-potty. Now, the request makes sense. On my way home that afternoon I stopped off at Dollar Tree in search of small flashlights. Other recent requests were for additional art sets just like the ones that were distributed last month and taken in about 5 minutes. My friend Ann (a retired art teacher) and volunteer had put together numerous kits for interested campers. Obviously, they were a big hit with those who loved art. Books are popular too. We have delivered about 1000 books in the last 6 months for the taking.
 We delivered our highest weekly total of bread loaves the last week in August  – 70 minis and folks now tell us which bread varieties are their favorite. Our bakers make the variety of their choice, so we usually have different breads each week.
  One thing I have learned by helping those at the camp; they don’t wake up one morning and say, “I want to be homeless.” With assistance, those at the camp are getting up after falling down many times. A little help goes a long way. I have gotten back much more from them than they have received from me. I look forward to seeing Eddie, Kathy, Cameron, Brian, Robert and Vanessa and others I have met at the camp each week. Smiles all around! Mattress Mack, Gallery Furniture Store owner in Houston said it best, “The essence of living is giving.” Words to live by.  Have a great day!

Greta

If you would like to see the good work being done at Esperanza Community, the homeless camp on 183South, head over to TOOFound.org and watch the video on their homepage. They would like to make the camp a small transitional Community First (more info at Community First) site. Folks at the camp as well as Philip Berber, the founder of Glimmer of Hope are in the video. More progressive changes are made each week!