In this edition:
- Needs
- Volunteer Training
- Save the Date
- Thanks Giving
- A Further Note of Thanks
Hello everyone:
This will be brief so you can go about enjoying your weekend, and may it be a wonderful one!
Needs:
- Lions 4 Kids House is in need of a basic washing machine that works. The one we have doesn't agitate properly so the clothes aren't getting clean. We do about twenty loads of laundry a week so it gets formidable use. If you know someone who may be willing to donate a machine, please let us know. Thank you so much for passing this message along to others.
Volunteering at Lions 4 Kids House:
Volunteers are needed to help with the children and to keep the facility clean, and organized. I had previously scheduled six training classes between now and the middle of December but things are changing so those dates may no longer be available. If you are interested in volunteering please call 253-447-3844 to get an updated schedule of volunteer training classes.
Save the Date:
Jingle Bell Bash: Bonney Lake's biggest party ever will be held on Saturday, December 12th from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Swiss Hall "Ballroom". Your ticket to this "first annual" semi-formal event includes a fabulous meal catered by CJ's, one complimentary cocktail, live music and dancing to Becki Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies and lots more fun and surprises. Gather up friends and neighbors and put on your best dancin' shoes to enjoy this fantastic evening. Our website will be available soon with more information and ticket presales.
This event is sponsored by the Jingle Bell Bash Committee and proceeds of this event will benefit Lions 4 Kids House and local food banks.
Thanks Giving:
It takes a tremendous amount of energy and attention to keep a facility like ours moving successfully forward but with the assistance of many who make it a priority to offer their time, treasure and talent, Lions 4 Kids House has become the largest children's resource of its kind in the east Pierce County region. To those who have given so much recently, please accept my humble and grateful thanks:
- City of Bonney Lake and David Wells for having clothing and food collection barrels at City events over the summer
- City of Bonney Lake and Gary Leaf
- Breanna Klawitter
- Alexis Moler
- Bryan and Marilyn Long
- AVID program at Glacier Middle School and advisor Mrs. Smith
- Dayna Richards
- Kathie Pelley
- Iona Catonio
- April Young
- Mona Jirak
- Mattelynn Parkhill
- Heidi and Connor Kirkpatrick
- Peggy April
- Susan and Cory McCammon
- David and Candy Moberg
- Kari and Steve Wilhite
- Rosalie Nast
- Julie Terry
- Shawnee Releford
- Mike and Cindy Connelly for skirting the storage shed
Special thanks to David Colbeth, David Wells, Susan McCammon, Andrea Henschell, Marilee Hill-Anderson, Marilyn Long and Iona Catonio. I know there are so many others who contribute much and if I have not publically acknowledged you, I do apologize. My gratitude is nonetheless huge, heartfelt and sincere.
A further note of thanks:
Over the last couple months during recovery from hip replacement surgery, I've had considerable time to think, pray and contemplate my life (and unfortunately watch several folks in their 50's and early 60's die) and have determined it is time to spend more time with my family. My husband and I have been married only four years and he's gotten precious little time and attention. Therefore I have given my resignation from Lions 4 Kids House to the Bonney Lake Lions. I had hoped to help with the transition for a time but have been asked to end my involvement immediately. Bibiana Burrill, president of the Bonney Lake Lions and others will determine how they wish to proceed. For more information please contact Bibiana directly at bibianab@comcast.net.
As I have so often said since conceiving Lions 4 Kids House four years ago, other than raising two great kids of my own, this outreach has been absolutely the most amazing, breathtaking, beyond-words experience of my entire life. It has truly been a "God thing" from the outset. I have had the head-shaking, heart-pounding
privilege of experiencing first hand the Biblical message: ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened. I have, I did and it was -- in the most incredible ways!
From the City of Bonney Lake who offered our first building and our new one, then agreed to allow a huge renovation project; to those businesses and individuals who donated countless hours and resources to the renovation itself; to businesses, city governments, police officers and firefighters, organizations, schools, churches, and individuals of all ages from all walks of life, not just nearby but from afar, who have provided assistance of all kinds, Lions 4 Kids House has become the success it is today because of YOU.
There IS incredible power in community and I urge you to continue the mission we have undertaken at Lions 4 Kids House the last few years: to provide kids in need with great clothes, personal care items, school supplies and other resources so they are nicely attired, clean, groomed and outfitted for learning unencumbered by derision and ridicule from their peers, thereby boosting their self-image and potential for success in school and thus, in life.
Consider: in just the five small local school districts in our service area there are more than 4000 children who are homeless, who qualify for free and reduced lunch programs or are otherwise living in poverty. Yep, that's Four Thousand Kids. Blows the mind, doesn't it???! The needs are great and growing.
If kids fit in with their peers and aren't getting picked on, they'll take some of that energy that has gone to deflecting taunting and invest it instead in learning and building on their own individual gifts. If we can get them through school and on to higher learning opportunities they stand a much better chance of becoming contributing members of our communities, to becoming tax payers rather than social services users. We're seeing first hand the results that helping kids at a very "organic", proactive level can bring: better grades, improved attendance and increased self-esteem. What an incredible gift to watch these kids bloom!
From our first 58 children over Labor Day weekend in 2006 to 455 children served during the entire month of August 2009; from our first school year's tally of children's visits of 644, to the most recently completed one with 2736 visits (a greater than 400% increase!)...ladies and gentlemen, look at what we have accomplished, together!
I'm not done with Bonney Lake and surrounds. Beginning in November I will become a nanny one day a week for a local family with an infant, and will still be involved in volunteer stuff (i.e. the Jingle Bell Bash on 12/12 is next on the list!). My husband has scheduled a number of trips for us, and it is because of his generosity that I have been able to pursue my passion with Lions 4 Kids for the last 21 months without having to have a day job too. Thank you BJ. (Ed. Note: if you have a chance to choose between passion and profession, even for just a little while, go with the passion. You will never regret it!)
After the holidays I will be creating a "How To" manual and consulting firm to take the unique and successful concept of Lions 4 Kids House to other groups and communities who wish to offer this kind of outreach to their own kids. For some time there have been others in the greater community who have asked for help and guidance in starting an outreach of this kind, so I will be taking my passion and experience on the road so to speak. Now I will have the time to do just that and still have family time. This too, I believe, is a "God thing". More information will be forthcoming as it unfolds.
I had mentioned recently that I am incredibly humbled and honored to be a recipient of Traditional Home magazine's 2009 Classic Woman award for my work with Lions 4 Kids House. I received an advance copy of the November issue on Friday and am in awe to be included as one of this year's six awardees. The issue of the magazine will be on news stands in a couple weeks and on their website to learn about this years' other awardees and over 300 nominees who make a difference in their communities in so many ways. Volunteers are the life blood of any organization of this kind and I am so honored to have been the heart of ours.
It has been an incredible honor to serve children and families in our communities, to provide them with a safety net when they need it and be a springboard to their success for the future. It has been a privilege to meet so many of you who are the reason we have accomplished what we have. I wish I could thank each of you in person for the difference you have made in my life through this outreach. Thank you for helping us realize the vision of a better tomorrow for Our Kids, because each of them, regardless of financial circumstances, will lead us into OUR FUTURE!
Remember: The conductor gives the instructions but it IS the orchestra that makes the music. Our orchestra is truly magnificent. Savor the music YOU, our amazing communities, make!
With a full, humble and very grateful heart, thank you.
Carol Wells-Reed
Founder, Lions 4 Kids House
Lions 4 Kids House
"A necessities resource for homeless and underserved kids in the Sumner, Dieringer, Orting, Carbonado and White River School Districts"
18429-89th Street East
Bonney Lake Washington
Message phone: 253-447-3844
Website: www.lions4kids.com
The Bonney Lake Lions Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #38-3753543.
In this update:
- Kids served
- Procedural changes
- Volunteers Needed
- Information and Training
- Other Volunteer Opportunities
- Save the Date!
- In a Nutshell
Hello everyone! Well, the kids are back in school, schedules are starting to settle, Autumn is definitely in the air and Lions 4 Kids House has started our fourth school year in a big way.
Kids served:
Back to School - August: '07 - 108 '08 - 331 '09 - 455
Month of September: '07 - 77 '08 - 169 '09 - 339
Annual visits: '07 - 644 '08 - 1664 '09 - 2736
Procedural changes:
Holiday gifts - Because we have grown so much and have neither the space nor the volunteers, we will not be offering Christmas gifts to Our Kids this year. There is a list being compiled of other community resources that I will forward when available if you wish to donate toward a happy holiday for a needy child. Our communities have been so incredibly generous in the past by donating toys and other items to Lions 4 Kids House for the holidays and we do thank you so much for your support.
Christmas Angels - Because we are not offering Christmas gifts our Christmas Angels gift wrapping program has been cancelled.
Socks - We are always short of socks and underwear under the best circumstances but during this difficult economic downturn we have completely exhausted our resources. We have decided to give gently-used socks that are in great shape to Our Kids, although we will continue to require that all underwear be new only. Previously worn socks and undies that don't meet our exacting standards are donated to a local shelter for battered women.
Cuts 4 Kids: We are revamping our Cuts 4 Kids program that offers free haircuts to Our Kids. Our Cuts Coordinator has had difficulties recruiting licensed stylists which has put a great burden on only a few cuts providers so we're regrouping. More information will be available soon.
Volunteers are Needed!
Lions 4 Kids Information and Training:
Have you considered volunteering in the community? Want to know more about Lions 4 Kids House? Want to get back far more than you give? Lions 4 Kids House is in need of a number of volunteers to help sort and hang clothing and assist Our Kids during open hours (see below). Bonney Lake Christian Church has members of a "small group" who have committed to help; there is a group of mid-life friends who come in weekly for a couple hours; another group of young moms come in weekly for an hour while the kids are in school. We need more volunteers to help a minimum of three hours per month to keep our program operational under the guidance of a veteran supervisor.
Information and Training has been scheduled on six dates over the next three months. Gather some friends and find one that's convenient for you. Training is held at the clothing bank, takes about 75 minutes and no preregistration is necessary. A Washington State Patrol background check will be required of all volunteers.
Wednesday, October 28 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December at 7 p.m.
If you have questions please let me know.
Other volunteer opportunities:
Cleaning out closets and drawers and then donating the clothing is also volunteering! While our donations of clothing has remained consistent, the number of kids we're distributing to has doubled. All of our existing inventory is currently on hangers so we have no fall-back inventory. With winter weather approaching we are in need of coats, hats mittens, warm hoodies, sweaters, etc. in addition to regular clothing, and always boys jeans and suitable school shoes for kids of all ages.
Please mention Lions 4 Kids House to your friends and neighbors and maybe do a neighborhood clothing drive? Our donation station is available 24/7 and is located next to the sliding glass door in front of our building. If you wish a tax receipt just leave your name and address with your donation and one will be mailed to you.
Thank you SO much for helping us help the kids!
Lions 4 Kids - On the Move: From November to February volunteers go beyond the walls of the clothing bank to reach the poorest of the poor, families whose children are in desperate need of clothing resources. These families have often not heard about Lions 4 Kids House so we go to the food banks and feeding programs within our service area to pass out information and referral forms to Lions 4 Kids House. If you would like to help with this outreach, we'll pair you with a volunteer partner to reach out to these kids who really need the help. Please email or call me and we'll advise the dates when they're determined. Even an hour once or twice a month helps a lot!
Our washing machine isn't!! We are in need of a reliable washing machine please and we are desperate! It need not be new or fancy, just able to do about twenty loads of laundry per week. If you have a machine you wish to donate please email or call me. Thank you!!
Plastic and paper grocery bags are needed. Lots and lots of them! Please put them in our Donation Station in the front of our building. Thank you!
Did you know: Lions 4 Kids House is a United Way-approved agency? October is usually open enrollment time with employers and you can designate Lions 4 Kids House as a recipient of funds. Doing so keeps your money working locally to help kids in need and does make a difference to the future of Our Kids.
Funds or resources: These are rough times for all of us, and like most other non-profits we at the clothing bank have felt it this year more than ever before. We are completely out of funds to purchase personal care items and undergarments. Even a couple dollars makes a difference, or log onto our website at www.lions4kids.com to see a list of items we need on an on-going basis. Shampoo, soap and toothpaste are basics and constantly needed. As always, a tax receipt is cheerfully provided if you'll leave your name and address with your donation. Thank you so much for your consideration!
Save the Date!
The first annual Jingle Bell Bash is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th and promises to be an evening of great fun and surprises! Your $50 ticket includes a fabulous meal catered by CJ's catering, one complementary cocktail (no host bar also available), live music and dancing to Becki Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies and lots of holiday fun. Join your friends and neighbors at the Swiss Sportsman's Hall "Ballroom" in Bonney Lake from 6 p.m. to midnight to kick off the holidays! Website will be available shortly with information and advanced ticket sales. This event is sponsored by the Jingle Bell Bash Committee and proceeds will benefit local food banks and Lions 4 Kids House.
Lions 4 Kids House provides a channel for giving and so many have offered us a hand. Our deepest thanks to the following:
- The Bonney Lake Senior Center donated a park bench for our Children's Garden, Phil DeLeo and Staci Guirsch delivered it and Noel Marrero and his son Noel Jr. put it together;
- Mike Connelly created steps for our shed and has agreed to skirt the shed to protect it from the elements this winter:
- Marilyn Long has volunteered to paint the skirting on the shed
- Lorianne Callison of the Pierce County Library System did a socks and underwear drive among her coworkers
- Cedar Ridge Retirement and Senior Living and Sound Healthcare are both sponsoring drives to benefit Our Kids
- Creator Lutheran Church for the generous Target gift card
- Monica Gaub and daughter primed our privacy fence
- Iona Catonio, April Young, Mona Jirak, Kathie Pelley, Dayna Richards, Susan McCammon (and others who shall be acknowledged) have been amazing during these last couple months to make sure the clothing bank is clean, and organized and have so devotedly served Our Kids
- School supplies continue to come in and we do THANK YOU!! Even a month after school began, we continue to see kids who need resources, plus right after the holidays when pencils are worn to nubbins and spiral notebooks are falling apart, there will be another big rush for supplies. We deeply appreciate the ability to be able to supply these resources
- Tom Watson, and Office Depot donated back packs
- Rebecca DeLine and Walmart for their continued partnership and support
- Marilee Hill-Anderson for her wisdom, guidance and on-going support
- Kasondria Sharer for help with our sign
- Dr. Brass and Boy Scout Troop 835 for donation of personal care items
- Deanna Weller for her donations
- Jessica Bartlett and the Mom's Club of Puyallup for their school supply donations
- Calvary Community Church for lots of school supplies
- Linda Murns for hair cutting
- Shirley Austin for doing loads of mending
- Jen Shears for so devotedly lining up hair stylists for Cuts 4 Kids
- To our local merchants for agreeing to allow School Supply donation boxes in their locations during August:
Sumner Police Dept, Old Cannery Furniture, Roach Gymnastics;
Curves Fitness in Orting;
Bonney Lake City Hall, Bonney Lake Annex, Bonney Lake Police Dept., Bank of America, Columbia Bank, Dinners Done Right, Fred Meyer, Harborstone Credit Union, Henschell Chiropractic, Lake Tapps Christian Church, Michelle's Studio of Dance, Mountain View Chiropractic, Prime Fitness, Windermere Real Estate
If you could see the difference in Our Kids after just a few months of visiting our great resource you would fully understand the meaning of there being "Power in community". By coming together to provide for these kids, the young people who will lead us into our future, we are giving them an opportunity to absolulutely bloom. We're reaching them on a very "organic" level providing them the tools they need to be clean and groomed in an environment of dignity and respect. So, in addition to giving them "stuff" we also offer some intangibles that are so crucial to a child's development.
That's it for now! We truly couldn't do what we do to support the children without the amazing support of our communities. We are so deeply grateful for your help. Thank you.
As always, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at cwells-reed@comcast.net, or leave a message on our phone at the clothing bank at 253-447-3844.
Carol Wells-Reed, Founder and Director
Lions 4 Kids House in a nutshell
Lions 4 Kids House is a necessities resource for homeless and underserved kids in the Sumner, Dieringer, Orting, Carbonado and White River School Districts.
Our mission: To provide kids in need with great clothes, personal care items, school supplies and other resources -- the tools they need -- so they are nicely attired, clean, groomed and outfitted for learning unencumbered by derision and ridicule from their peers, thereby boosting their self-image and potential for success in school and thus, in life.
Location and mailing address: 18429-89th Street East, Bonney Lake WA 98391
Phone: 253-447-3844 Email: cwells-reed@comcast.net Website: www.lions4kids.com
Hello everyone!
Things were just a-jumpin' at Lions 4 Kids House on Saturday as over 40 young people and several adult supervisors swarmed the grounds to refresh beauty bark and gravel, pull weeds and prune overgrown shrubs. What an amazing gift to us and to the community!
Most grateful and sincere thanks to the following:
- Miles Sand and Gravel for the truck load of crushed gravel
- The BBL Foundation for the load of beauty bark; for arranging for our work crews and for refreshments
- The City of Bonney Lake for hauling the bark to the site and to Adam for coming by
after the event to pick up trash bags and piles of refuse
- Susan McCammon and Julie Terry for arriving early to set up "home base" and then
for cleaning windows on our building, inside and out and providing refreshments
- Cory and Susan McCammon for mowing the lawn and weed whacking
- Fred Jacobson for getting the crews to the site and for helping to keep them engaged and focused
- Members of the Bonney Lake High School football team (fresh from a resounding victory on Friday!!) under the
guidance of coaches Kevin and Kurt
- Members of the LDS Sumner ward youth under the guidance of Donn Lewis and other adults
The Golden Band-Aid Award goes to coach Kevin Berry for his outstanding pruning talents with a manual lopper. He'll be suffering blisters for weeks so prolific and thorough was his pruning! Thank you, Kevin!
Our Serenity Garden was designed as a place of tranquility for the 250+ children who visit our facility every month. So many live in squalid conditions or total bedlam, and the garden is a child-friendly place for them to just "be" for a short time; to stop and smell the roses, or lilacs or lavendar or to listen to bird song or water music in the pond. The efforts of all of these amazing young people and members of our community to maintain this special place is an incredible gift to those children who have little in the way of beauty in their lives. Many, many thanks to each of you.
With a full and humble heart, Carol
- Beautify Bonney Lake this Saturday
- Upcoming
Well, it's almost officially Autumn, and that means it's BEAUTIFY BONNEY LAKE TIME!!
This Saturday meet at the Bonney Lake Transit Center at Highway 410 and Sky Island Drive around 8:30 to get your free t-shirt and refreshments to fuel you. Then at 9:00 head out to one of several project locations. Free pizza and beverages will await you afterward back at the transit center. This is the sixth year of this awesome event that has done so much to beautify our community.
Lions 4 Kids House is privileged to again be a worksite. Volunteers will be:
- refreshing gravel on our parking areas (THANK YOU MILES SAND AND GRAVEL!!)
- pulling weeds and spreading beauty bark in the garden
- whacking back foliage along our back drive leading to the client parking area
- moving a rock pile
We need lots of wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes please!! (If you can't be on-site, we'd really appreciate the loan of tools...be sure to label with your name and phone number. They can be dropped off 8-9 a.m. Saturday in the front driveway then picked up between noon and 1 p.m. Thank you!!!)
Special Request: One other project that we haven't had any luck finding someone to help with that we'd deeply appreciate before winter sets in is to put skirting material on the bottom of our storage shed on three sides. We have the material on site; it just needs to be cut and screwed on. Thank you SO much for any help you can offer.
Needs: We always appreciate outerwear for children of all ages. Some of Our Kids are really large so we also accept adult clothing. Boys jeans and kids' shoes of all sizes are always hard to keep in stock.
Winter's coming and we'll soon need coats, hats, mittens and boots.
With the difficult economy we have seen a huge drop in the amount of financial donations and gift cards that purchase socks, underwear and personal care items and we are completely out of many of the things we provide the kids to keep them clean and groomed and on a level playing field with their peers. A complete list of items we need on an on-going basis is on our website: www.lions4kids.com. EVERY donation, regardless of size, makes a difference! Thank you SO much for your on-going support!!
Volunteer Training:
Our next volunteer training class will be on Wednesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. at the clothing bank. It takes less than 90 minutes and there is no obligation to join us after the training. No pre-registration is necessary. A Washington State Patrol background check will be performed before your acceptance into the program. There are SO many ways you can contribute, limited only by your imagination. If you have questions about volunteering, please feel free to email me.
Upcoming:
Christmas Angels
During our open hours in December we allow children to shop for small items for the significant adult(s) in their lives from an array of things we set aside over the course of the year: fragrance, gloves, computers, jewelry, trinkets, etc. Our Christmas Angels are the ones who wrap the gifts for the kids so they are a surprise. This is an awesome project for youth groups and so heartwarming to watch the excitement in the children's eyes. An hour or so of your time will make it happen OR if you have appropriate small giftables you'd like to donate those are welcome as well. Thank you!
Jingle Bell Bash: Don't forget to mark December 12th for the first annual Jingle Bell Bash! Put on your best duds and dancin' shoes and come prepared to party the night away!. The cost is $50 per person and includes a fabulous meal and decadent desserts prepared by CJ's and one complimentary cocktail; no-host cocktails poured by bartender extraordinaire Connie Swarthout; dancing with Becki Sue and her Big Rocking Daddies, and an evening full of fun and surprises! Website and more information available soon!
We have so many volunteers and donors to give thanks for. YOU are the heart and lifeblood of our program and we truly could not do what we do without you. Thank you so much. You will be acknowledged shortly.
Iona Catonio, our facility manager, April Young and a number of other dedicated volunteers have been amazing during my absence to keep things running smoothly. Thank you so much for your devotion to Our Kids.
I expect to return in another three weeks or so. While I'm not usually a patient "sitter" I've become a poster child for following doctor's orders to avoid any set-backs or complications. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and good wishes.
Hope to see many of you on Saturday -- PRAY FOR NO RAIN!
With deepest thanks for ALL you do to contribute to the success of the children who are OUR FUTURE. Carol
The Bonney Lake LIons Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #38-3753543
Lions 4 Kids House is a necessities resource for homeless and underserved children in the Sumner, Dieringer, Orting, Carbonado and White River School Districts.
We are headquartered and receive mail at 18429-89th Street East, Bonney Lake WA 98391.
Message phone: 253-447-3844 Website: www.lions4kids.com
Email: cwells-reed@comcast.net Client open hours: Tuesday 10:30-1:30; Wednesday 4-7; Saturday 10-2
Donation station is available 24 hours a day and is located in the front of our building by the sliding glass door
If you wish a tax receipt please leave your name and address with your donation
Can you feel that cool breath of autumn in the air? Or maybe it's just the restlessness of the kids: antsy to be back with their friends yet sad that summer doesn't go on forever (and that's not really just a kid-wish, is it?!)
- Children served
- Training
- Save the Dates
- Other stuff
- Something wonderful!
Children served
As expected, we've blown past the record number of children served in one month at Lions 4 Kids House set in August 2008 which was 331. So far month to date we're past the 500-child mark. (By comparison, in August 2006 when we first opened our doors we served 58 children total.)
We have been so incredibly blessed to have great basic outerwear to provide for the kids and we do thank you so much for your continuing generous contributions. We've been stockpiling all summer long in anticipation of this time and have used up all of our reserved clothing. What we haven't been able to provide for certain kids we hope to be able to accumulate in the coming weeks, so please urge family and friends to think Lions 4 Kids for their used clothing donations!
But we're also out of most the "other stuff": socks, underwear, personal care items and school supplies. Which leads me to...
- Socks (no-show variety preferred by the kids, boys and girls)
- Underwear (bikinis or hipsters for girls of all ages; boxers for boys over size 10)- School supplies of all kinds EXCEPT spiral notebooks and bottles of glue (glue stix are preferred by the kids and teachers)
- Personal care items
School supply box locations:
We are so grateful to our local businesses who have allowed us to have convenience drop-off boxes in their locations this month. If in these last days before Labor Day weekend you are able to feed any of the boxes with supplies, clothing or personal care items, it will be sincerely appreciated. A complete list of needs is on our website: www.lions4kids.com. Please also thank our local businesses who so generously support us.
Box locations are:
Bonney Lake:
Bank of America, Bonney Lake Annex; Bonney Lake City Hall and Police Department
Columbia Bank, Fred Meyer, Dinners Done Right, Harborstone Credit Union
Henschell Chirpractice, Lake Tapps Christian Church, Michelle's Studio of Dance
Mountain View Chiropractic, Prime Fitness, Windermere Real Estate
Sumner
Roach Gymnastics, Sumner Police Department, Old Cannery Furniture
Orting
Curves
Training:
My recent hip replacement surgery also resulted in a broken femur which has rendered me totally weight-free on my left side and mostly home-bound until at least the middle of October so it is necessary to cancel the October 14th volunteer training. However, we are planning a no-obligation informational gathering for potential volunteers in early November. Please stay tuned for more details.
Upcoming needs:
Cool weather isn't far away so we'll deeply appreciate the donation of heavy sweaters, hoodies, winter coats, hats and mittens to be ready.
We also provide warm blankets to families and request that they come to us clean and in good repair.
Save the Dates:
- Christmas Angels: During our open hours in December we offer our Christmas Angels program which is a heartwarming one-off way to contribute to the children in our community and is a great outreach for teens especially. No special training is required.
During the year as we go through our donations we set aside small things that might be suitable for holiday gifting: fragrance, gloves, trinkets, lotions, watches, jewelry, calculators, etc. that children can select in private to give at Christmas to the significant adult(s) in their life. We need Angels to help children with the selection process as well as wrapping the gifts so they are a surprise for the recipients. If this is something you may be interested in or wish more information please let me know. (Great youth group opportunity!!!)
- Lions 4 Kids On the Move:
On selected dates from November to February our volunteers visit local food banks and feeding programs to provide referrals to families in need. As you know we rely on our community partners -- schools, family centers, food banks and churches -- to refer our young clients. We've discovered, though, for some reason we aren't always getting to the heart of the neediest, and those people visit the food banks. So for the third winter, we want to go to where the neediest of the needy are to make them aware of the resource that Lions 4 Kids provides and get those kids in decent, warm clothing.
If this outreach is something you may be interested in pursuing or wish more information please let me know. We should have some dates and locations determined in the next few weeks. And thanks to those of you who have already expressed interest!
- Jingle Bell Bash:
On Saturday, December 12th from 6:30 to midnight put on your party duds and dancin' shoes and join us at the Swiss Park "Ballroom" for the first annual Jingle Bell Bash. This evening of fun and frivolity to kick off the holiday season will feature an elegant meal catered by CJ's, live music by Becki Sue and her Big Rockin' Daddies, cocktails and lots of fun surprises. Proceeds will benefit Lions 4 Kids House and the Bonney Lake Food Bank. This is sure to be an evening to remember...more information to come!
Other Stuff:
It's almost Open Enrollment Time: did you know that Lions 4 Kids House is a United Way-approved organization? You can designate Lion 4 Kids House as a beneficiary of your United Way or Boeing gift through your employer and know that the funds will be used to help kids in our local communities make the most of their futures. Thank you for your consideration! (We are designated as the "Bonney Lake Lions Foundation" at United Way.)
Imagine the work preparing for 500 children to come through a little facility in one month's time and to keep it in tip-top shape!! It is truly mind-boggling! Words cannot begin to express appreciation for the incredible efforts of our manager Iona Catonio, assistant managers April Young and Dana Williams, volunteers Dayna Richards, Kathy Pelley, Xenia May, Susan McCammon, Bibiana Burrill and others who have so capably and lovingly kept our resources sorted, hung, clean and tidy.
To Robert Richards and Pastor Steve Wilhite for the mowing services; to Jessie Thompson's family and Susan McCammon for keeping our garden watered, thank you.
Two of our valuable volunteers will no longer be available and we offer deepest thanks and best wishes to Nancy Thomsen and Dana Williams.
There are many more of you that need acknowledgement...you will not be forgotten!
Something wonderful!
For the fifth year Traditional Home magazine sponsored a contest called the Classic Woman Awards which recognizes individual volunteer efforts in communities around the country. Our friend Linda Morris nominated Lions 4 Kids House and me as a Classic Woman this year and out of 300 nominations, six individuals were selected to receive the award. I am delighted and humbled that Lions 4 Kids is among them!
In July I traveled to the magazine's headquarters in Des Moines Iowa for three days of being treated like royalty for photos and interviews that will be published in their November issue. (Interestingly, the weather there was MUCH cooler than it was here!) In November we will travel to New York City for the awards luncheon and a cash award for our organizations.
It was incredibly special to meet the five other women whose efforts have so positively changed their communities. One is headquartered in Federal Way, one in Chicago, Austin, St. Louis and Alabama. All of the other organizations are over 15 years old, and that Lions 4 Kids will celebrate our third anniversary on September 2nd having achieved amazing results for children and is able to be recognized for them, is a credit to our devoted volunteers and generous donors. THANK YOU for your support and continuing contributions to the children who are our future.
Why we do what we do:
Back to School month has always been one of my favorite times at Lions 4 Kids House and I've really missed watching it unfold this year. We get to watch so many little gap-toothed kids, literally quaking with excitement and anxious to learn, come through our doors. Because of the contributions of our amazingly generous communities and devoted, loving volunteers, at Lions 4 Kids House we are able to put kids living in poverty on a level playing field with their peers so they can use their energy to focus on their studies, not defend themselves from derision and ridicule.
Our hope is that they'll decide to stay in school to graduation, nurturing their own personal gifts, and pursue further training and learning opportunities so they can eventually break the cycle of poverty and become tax payers instead of social services users. It's really very basic: by giving the kids great clothes, personal care items and school supplies and enabling them to return monthly to replenish, we try to head off the lack of self esteem, acting out and the need for defensiveness early in their lives so they can focus on being the best they can be.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help. We truly could not do what we do without you.
As always, if you have questions, concerns or comments please let me know.
With deepest gratitude, Carol
Founder and Director
The Bonney Lake Lions Foundations is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #38-3753543.
Lions 4 Kids House is located and receives mail at: 18429-89th St. E., Bonney Lake WA 98391
Email: cwells-reed@comcast.net
The rain has refreshed the earth and the grass is greening. (Isn't it amazing that we can sprinkle the grass for hours at a time and it won't green up, but a day of natural rain turns it in no time?!) Enough with the raindrops, though, It's time to warm back up for Bonney Lake Days this weekend! Great fun and entertainment is in store all weekend long!
- Children served in July and month to date in August
- Donation barrels available at community events!
- School supply collection box locations
- Save the Dates!- Thanks Giving
Children served July 07: 15 08: 185 09: 227
Children served by Lions 4 Kids House in the first 4 open days of August: 165
If these numbers continue we will serve 600 children by the end of this month, double last year's numbers.
Collection Barrels available
The City of Bonney Lake has donation collection barrels for both the Bonney Lake Food Bank and Lions 4 Kids House available at Kids Club on Tuesdays, Tunes @ Tapps on Wednesdays and the three summer Movie nights. They will also be available this weekend at Bonney Lake Days. The needs are great and your donations are deeply appreciated.
Back to School Donation Boxes
Many businesses in our communities have again generously offered to host school supplies donation boxes in their locations. When you visit their locations please thank them for their incredible support for us! Supplies collections will take place through Labor Day weekend. You may also leave socks, undies and personal care items in those boxes. We ask that larger or bulkier donations be brought to the clothing bank at the address at the bottom of this email. Our donation station is next to the sliding glass door in the front of our building. If you wish a receipt please leave your name and address with your donation.
Boxes are at the following locations:
Bonney Lake
Bank of America
Bonney Lake Annex
Bonney Lake City Hall
Bonney Lake Police Department
Columbia Bank
Dinners Done Right
Fred Meyer
Harborstone Credit Union
Henschell Chiropractic
Lake Tapps Christian Church
Michelle's Studio of Dance
Mountain View Chiropractic
Prime Fitness
Windermere Real Estate
Roach Gymnastics
Sumner Police Department
The Old Cannery Furniture
Curves (211 Van Scoyoc Ave. SW #B)
- Given all the children we are serving so early in the month, we are understandably low on pretty much everything in the way of school clothing even though we've been stockpiling all summer long. As you try clothing on your own kids this month and find everything at the high-water mark after their growth spurt this summer, please consider donating the outgrown attire to Lions 4 Kids House and perhaps make mention of this to your neighbors too? We accept everything textile but will especially appreciate jeans, shirts, hoodies, and school-type shoes for boys and girls. Remember all the textile items we don't use for Our Kids are donated to Northwest Center for use in their outreach.
We are completely out of socks for boys and girls and all underwear for boys. We respectfully request that anything over size 10 for boys be boxers so they feel like they fit in from the skin out. The no-show socks are the favorite style for boys and girls of all ages.
I may be too late but I understand Fred Meyer has some dynamite shoe sales going on this week!
Our website www.lions4kids.com has a complete list of the clothing, personal care items and school supplies we accept. Even the smallest donation makes a difference!
- We are in need of someone to paint the stripes on our handicapped parking pad in our client parking area. There are certain requirements that the City building department can furnish, and we will supply the paint. Until we have that area painted we are unable to request the final sign-off of our renovation. Thank you for any help you can offer.
- We have four sets of mini-blinds that need to be installed. Someone who can assist with that would be most appreciated. To coordinate a time to get in the building please call 253-447-3844 and leave a message for Iona.
Did you know that we are a United Way-approved non-profit organization? As the time approaches for open enrollment at your places of business, a small monthly contribution through United Way designated for Lions 4 Kids House will help immensely as we strive to put children living in poverty on a level playing field with their peers. (It is listed on their records as the Bonney Lake Lions Foundation.) Thank you so much for your consideration.
Our mailing address is changing: The mailing AND facility address of Lions 4 Kids House will now be the same: 18429-89th Street East, Bonney Lake 98391.
- Bonney Lake Days is this weekend, bigger and better than ever!
- Beautify Bonney Lake on Saturday September 19th from 9-12. Free t-shirts, pizza lunch and a great time to meet your neighbors at this sixth annual event. Lions 4 Kids House is just one of the designated sites. Check their website: www.beautifybonneylake.org
- Jingle Bell Bash on Saturday, December 12th from 7-midnight at the Swiss Park "Ballroom", is a first-annual event you won't want to miss! You'll enjoy an elegant dinner catered by CJ's Deli, refreshments, dancing to Becki Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies and fun surprises all evening long. Stay tuned for more information! This party will have the town talking all next year!
Without the constant support of so many from throughout our communities we simply could not do what we do to serve kids. We do what we do because of YOU. It is with deepest thanks that we acknowledge the following:
- Kasondria Sharer of the City of Bonney Lake for her help with signage
- Sue and Cory McCammon for hauling all of our left-over construction materials to the Habitat for Humanity resale store in Tacoma.
- Monica Gaub and her daughter for offering to paint our privacy fence
- Iona Catonio, April Young and Dana Williams for so capably running our facility, to Sue McCammon for keeping it clean and all of our many volunteers who keep the place humming. Volunteerism takes many forms and it DOES make a difference to these kids!
- Calvary Community Church for requesting school supplies from their members and donating clothing
- Betsy Olsen
- JoAnn Anderson of I-9 Sports and Victoria's Secret in Southcenter, and Salon Bellissima of Kent and Vera Lockwood for the donation of make-up which will be much appreciated by our teens
- Dr. Brass and Boy Scout Troop 835 of Pacific for the donation of soap and shampoo
- Tyler Freed and Windermere Real Estate for advertising our recent garage sale on their reader board
That's it for now. I will be out of touch for a couple weeks but as always, we acknowledge with deepest thanks all you do to serve children in need in our communities. They are OUR future. With a grateful heart, Carol
Lions 4 Kids House is a necessities resource for 4000 homeless and underserved kids in the Sumner, Orting, Dieringer, Carbonado and White River School Districts, sponsored with pride by the Bonney Lake Lions Club.
Website: www.lions4kids.com Message phone: 253-447-3844
Mailing and facility address: 18429-89th Street East, Bonney Lake WA 98391
The Bonney Lake Lions Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization #38-3753543
Garage sale results
Renovation left-over construction materials sale on 8/2
Back to School Work Party 8/1 and 2
School Supplies
Resources needed please
- Pants hangers
- Cuts 4 Kids stylists
- CPA to audit books
- Jeans and shoes
Training
Thanks Giving
Good morning everyone on a beautiful summer's day!
As I looked around on Friday and Saturday during the preparation and execution of the Lions 4 Kids garage sale it was impossible not to be moved by the dedication and palpable sense of love and devotion to Our Kids. In general I'd like to thank ALL those who made the event possible -- worker bees, donors and purchasers -- but especially April Young and Iona Catonio who invested literally hundreds of hours each over the last few months to prepare for the event. Theirs was an absolutely phenomenal effort.
We made about $700 on the day; and the 119 full black garbage bags of leftover clothing that were donated to Northwest Center for which we will receive pennies on the pound should bring our total income to about $1000. It costs us roughly $1200 per month for socks, underwear and personal care items to keep our average monthly average of 200 kids outfitted. We expect to at least double that number in August during our Back to School rush.
Consider that the kids only get new sox and undies once every six months and only three personal care items per family each month...we still go through a tremendous number of products.
Building Materials Odds and Ends to be sold:
We will be having a Left Over Building Materials Sale on Sunday August 2nd from 11-2 in the back yard at Lions 4 Kids House. (Please park in our back parking lot or on the east side of the building along 186th.)
These are remaining donated unused items from our renovation which must be disposed of and we'll be ready to make some deals!! The slot walls would be great in a shop or sewing room; there are a number of excellent-quality undercabinet lighting fixtures; odds and ends of lumber, insulation, two interior door slabs and one exterior door, an odd-size sliding glass door, three boxed pre-cut upper cabinets, lots of shelving materials, and quite a bit is maple. Proceeds from the sale of these items will help purchase Back to School resources.
Obviously we'd love to sell the items because it's great stuff and we can definitely use the income but any leftovers will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity retail outlet in Tacoma. If anyone would be willing to load it all up and take it to them after our sale, it would be great.
Back to School Work Party:
Next weekend, August 1st and 2nd from 10-6 both days, we will be having a work party to get our building ready for Back to School visits. No previous training is necessary as instructions will be posted. We will be hanging clothing that's been collected and stockpiled in bins over the summer months and cleaning up school shoes. We'll also have new multipacks of socks and underwear that will need to be divided into a packages of five or six pair and packaging granulated laundry soap in baggies. (The sox, undies and detergent activities can be done at home too as long as we have them back no later than Saturday August 8th.)
If you or your teens (over age 12 please) have an hour or two either day, the help would be gratefully appreciated.
School supplies boxes:
School supplies are beginning to arrive this year earlier than ever. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
The donations convenience boxes will be in local businesses in the next week or so and a list of locations will be sent shorly. Many thanks to our generous businesses for allowing us to put out the boxes! A complete list of needs is available on our website: www.lions4kids.com.
Resources needed please:
Pants hangers needed and our preferred ones come from Macy's. They are various lengths with good secure pinchers on each end (they are not the ones with the metal bar that have the pinchers that slide along the whole bar). If you happen to be in the neighborhood of a Macy's store, any of the clothing department cashiers have them. If you let them know you are collecting the hangers for Lions 4 Kids House children's clothing bank headquartered in Bonney Lake, they've been extremely generous. The hangers can be bagged and placed in our donation station at the northeast corner of our building or dropped off during open hours. Thank you for any help you can offer in this regard!
Why are we so particular about a style of hanger???? Well, we're just incredibly picky about pretty much everything we do!!
If you tour our building you will see that we look like a fairly upscale little boutique, and consistent hanger styles help maintain that appearance. Because these kids' environments are often cheerless, we believe it's very important for them to realize they rate something beautiful, bright and happy when they shop for clothing. It does improve their self esteem which improves their overall attitude which has a bearing on school performance. We hear time and again the kids "get" to come shopping at Lions 4 Kids and are excited to do so. A hanger style may seem of little consequence, but check out our building and I think you'll see that does make a difference in the overall scheme of things.
Three hair stylists needed on September 2nd from 4-7:
Cuts 4 Kids provides tidiness haircuts once a month for Our Kids. We have completely filled two days worth of Back to School haircutting sessions with three cutters each day the end of August. On a one-time basis we would like to add an additional cutting session on Wednesday September 2nd. The hours would be 4-7 p.m. and we'd love to have three chairs working.
If you know a licensed stylist who may be willing to assist on that day could you please provide their name and phone number or ask them to contact me? We have a devoted group of stylists who help during our regular Cuts 4 Kids and they're already booked so we're looking for additional one-off help to make sure all Our Kids are stylin' for going back to class. Thank you!
CPA needed:
We would like to have our Bonney Lake Lions Foundation books audited by an independent CPA. Do you know someone who may be willing to volunteer their time and expertise to do this? There are several significant community grants we can apply for once the audit is completed which would help greatly. Thank you!
Clothing and shoes for Back to School:
We are desperate for boy's jeans sizes 5-16 and school type shoes for boys and girls. As an alternative, a gift card in any amount to a local retailer would be a fabulous help! Thank you !!
Volunteer training in August will be on the 5th at 7 p.m. at Lions 4 Kids House. It takes about 75 minutes and there is no obligation to become a volunteer afterward. (All volunteers are subject to a Washington State Patrol background check.) No classes in September or December but they will be held on October 14th and November 18th.
There are MANY ways to assist and we are extremely flexible with our scheduling. Some can be done from home, most don't require a set schedule. Many of our volunteers work an hour or two a month; some a couple hours a week; others many hours a week. Family groups are welcome. We endeavor to find something that will bring you joy in addition to the knowledge that you are making a huge impact on a huge number of kids in need.
It is said it takes a village to raise a child. We were SO incredibly blessed this weekend to have the assistance of a whole village who spent untold hours executing the garage sale and cleaning up afterward. The Community Center was not available to us until after 9 p.m. on Friday night so the midnight oil burned well past 2 a.m. for getting organized and then people were back again around 6:30 to finish up before shoppers appeared. We were on a tight timeline to be out of the building on Saturday afternoon and people came together in the most wonderful way to get everything cleaned up.
To each of you who helped in innumerable ways and were so dedicated to the effort, many, many thanks.
April Young and Bob Young
Iona Catonio, Xenia May and Chase
Clare Murphy
Candy and David Moberg
Mike Connelly
Debbie and Tabitha McDonald
Mona Jirak
Kari Wilhite
Bibiana Burrill
Nita Breeden
BJ Miller
Prairie Ridge Community Center, Mary Loken and Jodi Bretz
Susan McCammon
Dayna Richards
Dana Williams
Bruce and Janet Emig
Andre Henschell
Jesse Thibert, referred by grandmother Mary Ensley
Lisa Peters
Lara Wheeler and Kevin
Northwest Center
Rebecca DeLine
Goodwill in Puyallup
I am missing a couple names and you shall be acknowledged next time.
Thanks also to:
A mystery Angel showed up sometime Saturday at the clothing bank to do a beautiful edging job on our lawns with nary a blade of leftover clippings in evidence. I suspect this Angel may be in the form of Pastor Steve Wilhite of Lake Tapps Christian Church and I do thank you for the crisp, clean trim.
Our beautiful friend Susan McCammon, aka Glitterbug of Clown Buggie Entertainment who watered our garden Saturday, helped at the clothing bank with clients, cleaned the house and THEN went off to clown around at a party.
To Jennie Sage for offering her guest room on Friday night so I didn't have to drive back to Olympia in the wee hours.
To Linda Morris and David Colbeth for making your computer resources available to me on a quick turnaround basis when you are SO busy with earning a living
Marilee Hill-Anderson for your wisdom
To Dawn at the Sumner Post Office for being so incredibly kind after the "oops moment" with the UHaul and the mail drop boxes.
Miracles happen!
One of the greatest joys of my job is getting to watch miracles unfold in the most amazing ways. Two happened this weekend:
Friday I was puttering around the garden and a friend showed up. As we chatted he mentioned he had need of a specialized drill to put a couple holes through a thin piece of steel and we determined a drill press might work best. Hmmmm, where to find a drill press?? About ten minutes into our conversation another friend happened to stop by and got into the conversation. Just so happens, her husband has a drill press and has volunteered to help with the task!
One of our volunteers Mary Ensley mentioned to her teenage grandson Jesse that she figured we might be able to use some assistance with the garage sale. Jesse stopped by the community center, and some volunteers suggested we could use him instead over at the clothing bank. He came over, arriving at exactly the moment I was preparing to try to empty some heavy, cumbersome stuff out of the truck and our shed, and provided invaluable muscle! Thank you Jesse and Mary!
We so appreciate the efforts of each member of our community who invests time, talent, treasure and love to make Lions 4 Kids a success. We simply could not do what we do without YOU, and together we DO make a difference!
With a joyful and humble heart, on behalf of the children we serve and me, thank you. Carol
August is Back To School time at Lions 4 Kids House. In August 2008 we provided clothing, personal care items and school supplies for 331 children and we expect that number to increase this year. Items may be dropped in the Donation Station in front of our building or brought in during our open hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you wish a tax receipt please leave your name and address with your donation. THANK YOU for your partnership enabling us to do what we do for so many children in need! We couldn't do it without YOU! Carol
School Supplies needed:
Pens
Pencils
Rulers
Glue STIX (not bottles, please)
Scissors (some for lefties too would be appreciated)
Scientific calculators (Office Depot $10)
Pencil boxes and bags
Pink Pearl erasers
Colored markers
Colored pencils
3x5 ruled index cards
Math implements like compasses, protractors, mechanical pencils
Notebook paper, especially college ruled
5 subject spiral notebooks, especially college ruled
2" and larger 3-ring binders
Backpacks
Other items needed for the influx of children:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair gel
Hair spray
Bar soap
Body wash
Mouthwash
Skin cleanser
Granulated laundry detergent
Quart size ziplock bags
Baby wipes
Baby shampoo
Baby lotion
Baby wash
Disposable diapers
Razors for boys and girls
Shave cream
Deodorant
Sanitary products
Toothbrushes for big and little kids
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
No-show style socks for boys and girls of all ages
Boxer shorts for boys of all sizes (including men's sizes for teens)
Pretty panties, bikinis or hipsters preferred, for girls of all ages (including women's sizes for teens)
Jeans for boys size 5 and up
School-type shoes for boys and girls of all ages
The Lions4Kids House, a program of the Bonney Lake Lions Foundation, is throwing a gigantic garage sale on Saturday, July 25th! We are in much need of helpers for this great event. More details to come but here are the basics. We need:
Round up your scouts, knitter groups, hat-societies, bible-studies, over-40 softball teams, whatever - we'll take all bodies! You may email me of your abilities to help and once I know more, I'll get the details out. Thank you! Andrea Henschell Bonney Lake Lions Member L4K Volunteer The Lions 4 Kids House is a program of the Bonney Lake Lions Foundation. The Bonney Lake Lions Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Tax ID #38-3753543. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility of donations.
Work parties
Prom memories
Volunteer training
Garage Sale
Needs
Upcoming
Children served in May: 2009 184
2008 146
Hello everyone! After our miserable winter, isn't it wonderful to feel the warmth of the sun again?! Well, maybe not at 90+ degrees!
Work Parties:
On Saturday May 30th Mike and Cindy Connelly helped set fence posts around the north and east sides of our garden. A work party is this coming Saturday was originally planned to stretch the chain link fabric. However this past Monday, Mike, who is a home framer, didn't receive a lumber shipment at work so instead took it upon himself to spend the entire day installing our chainlink material. WE HAVE FENCE!! He's also constructing a privacy fence on the west side of the property near the shed. A white vinyl picket fence and gate will be installed in the next couple weeks on one last stretch on either side of our arbor.
We have a work crew in place to insulate and drywall our storage shed on Saturday in the persons of Pastor Steve Wilhite, Joe Desimone, Craig Releford, Stu Hopkins and others, and we thank you in advance sincerely for your help!
If you had planned to help with the fence installation this Saturday you can rejoice that the work is complete; however there are still some projects which would be most helpful to have done including moving and replanting a couple old rhodies and doing some extreme pruning on some of the plants lining the driveway leading to our client parking area. Take out your frustrations on our plants!!! An hour or two invested between 9 and 1 would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your consideration!
Proms:
The ball has ended but the memories will live on for thirty Cinderellas and Cinderfellas served by this year's Prom Project. It is with deepest thanks and appreciation that we acknowledge the contributions of the following donors and volunteers:
Business donors: Walmart, Fred Meyer, Target, Hair Lounge - Federal Way, Men's Wearhouse, The Tux Shop, Quality Cleaners - Sumner, Windermere R.E. Lake Tapps, Colleen's Hair Design - Orting, Cedar Ridge Retirement and Senior Living, Blooms at Windmill Gardens, Jennifer Tibbetts Photography, Steve Vandegrift - Photos for Life
Community Volunteers:
Marv Smith, Alison Winters, Jessica Wahl, Iona Catonio, April Young, Samantha Brendible, Dana Williams, Colleen West, Alexis and Jacklyn Brendible, Juli Bell, Cheryl Fried, Linda Morris, Eleni Sloan, Heather Laurin, Jen Espinoza, Melinda Blevins, Natasha Moffitt, Ramona Jirak, Gina Jirak, Vanessa Witkowski, Shirley Lewis, Cris Entrop, Susan Van Slyke, Brenda Howick, Juanita Breeden, Joanne May, Christine, Ivan; countless donors of gowns, accessories and financial contributions
High School Coordinators:
Nicole Bortle SHS
Dasha Berry BLHS
Patti Harjehausen WRHS
Renee Globe Collins HS
Leon Matz OHS
And to each of our high schools we thank you for donated or discounted prom tickets
Volunteer training for June is set for next Wednesday the 10th at 7 p.m. at Lions 4 Kids House. It takes about 75 minutes. July training is on the 15th; there will be no training in August or September; October is the 14th; November is the 18th and there is no training in December. We will resume our schedule again in mid-January 2010. All volunteers are subject to a Washington State Patrol background check.
There are SO many creative ways you can contribute to the children who are our future. Many tasks can be done from home such as bagging new socks and underwear by size or bagging granulated laundry soap. Maybe you could purchase a few dollars worth of fast food gift certificates that we can give as grades incentives to Our Kids as part of our Kudos 4 Kids program? Maybe you are an internet whiz and could research some distributors, manufacturers, etc. who would be willing to donate socks, underwear or personal care items to us that are maybe second quality?
Brad Hand is a data entry expert and has been using his expertise to set up our two newest programs, College 4 Kids and Kudos 4 Kids and his help has been invaluable!
Are you a gardener? We could absolutely use your skills periodically over the summer to help maintain the Serenity Garden to pull weeds or water our new fledgling plantings.
We only schedule those volunteers who work with our children during open hours, and that is done on a month-by-month basis. You have no long-term commitments. As we all know, "life happens" so if you need to tend to your life, you can withdraw from volunteering for a time and return when you are able. We have some volunteers like Iona Catonio, Dana Williams and April Young who invest many hours a week; Sherry Leistico, Paula Fabela and Rose Covey spend four hours over two days per week sorting and hanging clothing; other volunteers are available an hour a week or an hour a month. Everyone's contribution helps us take care of Our Kids.
Garage Sale:
Our garage sale is rescheduled for Saturday, July 25th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. We are working to secure a wonderful site, so please stay tuned for that information very soon! Proceeds of this sale will benefit the annual Back to School initiative for Lions 4 Kids House. We expect to welcome over 400 children this August for clothing, personal care items and school supplies. In our three year history we have never had to turn a child away for lack of resources, thanks to our incredible communities.
- To Mike Judkins, troop leader for Boy Scouts #172, for our lawn and leaf blower! Thank you Mike!
- To Susan McCammon our awesome housekeeper who makes sure our little place is sparkling for Our Kids. She also spent hours and hours at a laundromat this past Tuesday laundering 24 huge garbage bags full of clothing that normally would have been done by our community partners at McNeil Island but they are temporarily unavailable. Susan you are an angel!
We never want to take for granted the blessing that McNeil Island has been to us as we were shoveling $60 worth of quarters in the machines and spending hour upon scorching hot hour schlepping clothes between washer, dryer and folding tables.
Another blessing though was that the owner of the laundromat in Auburn donated $15 back to us! (You gotta really watch that Susan, aka Glitterbug. She's one amazing lady and could talk a slug right out of it's slime in a heartbeat!)
- Cory McCammon mowed the lawns for us and whacked a whole bunch of tall grass last week and also hauled laundry back from the laundromat after working all night at his job! Thank you Cory!
- Shirley Lewis, Brenda Kikuchi, Joanna and Stu Hopkins and Jessica Larios are the wonderful volunteers who are contacting nearly 50 Lions 4 Kids outgoing 8th and 9th grade students and their families regarding the College Bound Scholarships. These students can still apply for this four year college scholarship but only if they apply with their school counselors by June 30th. Imagine the gift of a college education for some of these families who have known only poverty as far back as family history is recorded!
- Iona Catonio, Samantha Brendible, Dana Williams and April Young were the point people for the Prom Project and did a fabulous job coordinating with the schools and the teens in addition to lining up volunteers and donors. You were magical!!
- Jen Shears has been coordinator for our Cuts 4 Kids program since last fall and has scheduled three volunteer professional stylists from around our communities each month to help keep Our Kids tidy. We are suspending the program for the summer but will be scheduling two separate haircutting sessions in August before the kids return to school. Jen, thank you for making sure we have cutters available! You're great!
- Cindy and Mike Connelly have been absolutely awesome to help wherever needed whether it's with fencing, sorting or whatever. You are both such an amazing gift to us!
- Andrea Henschell has taken a big mess of receipts and expense reports from the renovation project and made sense of them. Andrea, you are a godsend, and sincerely appreciated for keeping us on track!
- Kathie Pelley spent a whole day functioning as secretary to help work through a mountain of way-tardy paperwork. Kathie, thank you!
- We have received a generous check from the Bonney Lake Senior Center raffle held during their recent fashion show. Thank you SO much!
- We have received some huge and awesome donations from all over our communities that we are able to stockpile for Back to School time, and we do thank you so much.
As you clean out the closets and drawers of stuff that won't fit come fall, please consider a donation to Lions 4 Kids House. We have a special partnership with Northwest Center where they pay us pennies on the pound for ALL textile items. We take men's and women's clothing, infant wear, sheets, towels, blankets, used socks and underwear, fabric scraps...we just ask that all of it be clean, please. The money we collect from Northwest Center each month helps purchase the socks, underwear and personal care items we need. You still get a tax receipt, we receive the benefit of the donation, NWC has items for their outreach...everyone wins! We also accept prom attire and accessories all year long.
- We are in need of the donation or inexpensive purchase of a gas lawn mower, either new or used, please.
- An individual or team to water our fledgling garden plantings once a week beginning June 17th through July 8th.
Back to School Supply Boxes: After our record-breaking August of 2008 when we served 333 children, we are expecting another big turnout for Back to School this year. We will soon be asking our local merchants to allow school supply collection boxes in their places of business during the month of August. In the past, the generous donations from our communities in those boxes have made it possible to supply everything Our Kids need to properly function in school.
We are helping Our Kids be "invisible" in the very best possible way. Our goal is to enable them to fit in with every other child around them and have the basic tools they need, whether it is clothing, grooming items or school needs. If they can succeed in school, graduate and go on to further schooling whether technical or college they stand a much better chance of succeeding in life and staying off welfare and out of trouble. That's a win for all of US!
Did you know that it is middle school when most kids will determine whether they care about graduating from high school? We have to keep kids in school! Thanks to our awesome schools and many organizations all around our community we are all working toward that same goal. THANK YOU for your contributions to the success of Our Kids!
With heartfelt gratitude, Carol