Women of Faith - Spread news of the need and opportunity as summer begins!
Jean Arnott
🩷🩷Please take a minute and think of someone you could share this with. You may touch lives on both sides 🩷🩷.
Dear Women of Faith,
My mother would be 97-years old today (this year shared with Father’s Day). She has always been my hero – and still is. Her example of selfless, behind-the-scenes service continues to inspire me and frankly – everyone in my extended family – and many others. One thing I really miss is her phone calls wanting to know about my new friends we’re welcoming from around the world. She loved every one of our new neighbors as if she had met them personally, though she only met a very few in person. And though she lived in another state, she would save things for them.
Is it possible to love and care for someone without meeting and getting to know them in person? Yes! It is! I saw it happen with my mom all the time. And I see it with our volunteers who assist week after week to support and make possible the warm welcome that every new immigrant needs. Those who work onsite here in Mentone to prepare donations, so they are in as near-perfect condition as possible. Those who load and drive the trucks and trailers and U-Hauls to both pick up large donations and deliver to new families. Individuals and groups who make welcome posters, write welcome letters, conduct drives, assemble hair care, makeup, and hand care gift bags, first aid kits, tool kits, tie bows onto freshly washed stuffed animals, and those who call with donations of furniture and everything else that is needed to make a bare apartment into a home. And for those who support financially – I’m getting pretty good at shopping as you can see!
Though many of you who participate in these ways may never
meet a recipient family, I can feel the love you have for those you are
serving. And I can assure you that you are loved by those who receive of your
effort and kindness. And for those who
have the opportunity to help in person – setting up an apartment, providing transportation
to appointments, enrolling children in school, teaching/tutoring in ESL, helping
with employment opportunities, inviting to join you at summertime events (hint
hint), and just being there – you see it all firsthand 😊.
I thank you for participating in their resettlement in whatever way works for you. Please keep it up even through the summer months. Summertime is busy, and I’m thinking of the variety of opportunities there are to participate as a family – even extended families – and other groups. Arrivals of new families don’t slow down just because school is out, and neither can our efforts to meet their needs.
I’ve been getting more requests to know what we need most. Here is our current list.
Please note the attachment that also includes this information in a way that you can print and share as a half-sheet flyer (print both sides and cut in half).
Current most needed items:
- Twin size quilts/comforters for teens and children (new or gently used)
- Room fans
- Cleaning supplies
- Brooms
- Dustpans
- Spray cleaners
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toilet brushes
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning buckets
- School supplies
- College ruled notebooks
- Backpacks (new)
- Hygiene items
- Shampoo
- Hair conditioner
- Men’s deodorant
- Shaving cream
- Disposable razors
- Lotion – family size
- Toothpaste
- Kitchen items (gently used are okay if in very good condition and clean)
- Pots & Pans
- Baking dishes (9x13, casserole dishes, etc.)
- Mixing/Serving Bowls
- Microwave ovens
- Small appliances (toaster, juicer, blender, Insta-pot, tea pot, indoor grill, etc.)
- Tableware (spoons, forks, knives)
- Cooking and other large utensils
- Paper towels
- Have other items in mind? Feel free to check with us first.
You can drop your donation off (please contact me first) or, if you place an order online, you can have it shipped directly to Women of Faith. Put your name next to Women of Faith in the address and you’ll be notified with a text and picture when your donation arrives. Always happy to provide a receipt. Just let me know where to send the email and/or receipt by emailing jeana...@gmail.com
The address to ship or send a check to is:
Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community
31838 Florida Avenue
Mentone, CA 92359
Venmo (for now) is @JEAN-ARNOTT-1
Ways to help from home or with family and friends:
· Write welcome letters.
· Make welcome posters.
· Color ABC books.
· Gather new and gently used items to donate.
· Share the opportunity with family and friends.
· Notice and greet new people in your neighborhood or wherever you go.
· Pray for our new immigrant neighbors and their family members still at risk in their home countries.
To learn more:
· Check out our Facebook page Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community. facebook.com/pages/Women-of-Faith-Interfaith-Service-Comm
· Contact Jean at jeana...@gmail.com or 909.648.3436
Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community
is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.