Well Judd, it's been a week since you've blogged...SO...Here I am. It has been a busy week, especially for Judd. Several trips to the warehouse, many phone calls, arranging transportation of goods, working on getting food and sanitary supplies to Haiti, working a full time job, but most importantly continuing to Feed Hungry Families in Mexico.
It’s been a weird week... rain, rain, rain and than more rain. When I think of the material items we have lost this week, due to the wind and rain it doesn't compare to the loss of life in Mexico due to rains and flooding.
It's heartbreaking when you hear about a child that slipped away down the river never to be found...all because of floods and less than sub-standard living conditions. By less than sub-standard living conditions, I mean some of these families live on the streets, along railroad tracks, in fields or along riverbeds. How dare we complain as we sit in the warmth and comfort of our homes!!!
So why do we complain? I'll tell you why...We are a bunch of Spoiled Brats. We've been so spoiled and very selfish in many ways. I don't mean to dismiss those who work so hard for all they have but come on...do we really need all we have? Why can't people just give a little bit more and take a little less?
Americans in general come together and give in a time of crisis give, as they are doing now for Haiti. This makes me proud to be an American and I am proud of all you that are helping in some way. Yet, how the people of Haiti are surviving today due to the destruction and devastation of the earthquake they experienced 2 weeks ago, we have people not far from here, which live that way everyday and without a natural disaster. So, why don’t we help them more? Ponder this, and let me know what you think!
Well, on a personal note, this has been an extra difficult week for Judd and myself. We endured the pain and loss of our 15 year, 6 weeks, 3-day-old King Doberman Pinscher. He was the best dog and friend anyone could ask for. He loved us with unconditional love; he loved putting smiles on our faces and in our hearts. He was smart, forgiving, and a P.I.T.A. some times too, but we loved him and he loved us. A week ago Monday, the first time ever since we lived in this house a HUGE RAINBOW shinned in front of our home, our Granddaughter was so excited, we love Rainbows and I guess he loved it too, so much that he decided to chase that Rainbow and so he did. He crossed that Rainbow Bridge on Jan.21, 2010. He passed in the peace and comfort of our home; I still can’t believe he is gone. It’s so hard for me as there are just so many memories here, the pain in our hearts is tremendous, and my tears are constant. I know in time, the memory of him will be joyous and I can’t wait for those memories of our boy to become a source of joy in our life.
In the meantime, we will continue the path our Lord has provided for us; love our little doggie, our family, and our friends. Dedicate whatever years we have left to helping the less fortunate in Mexico. Continue our mission to feed who ever we can. We’ll put our pride behind us and ask for your support and donations, because without your help another child goes hungry! Your donations are graciously accepted at HilariousGivers.Org.
Debra ((*.*))
http://www.hilariousgivers.org/
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
After the earthquake and before the rains (well, sort of)
We jumped on the wagon the second we heard about the earthquake in Haiti and the devastation there. There were lots of others on the wagon - literally hundreds of other NGO's from the United States were reaching out to help. There really is no limit to the generosity of Americans.
We had arranged to have 10 pallets of food and drinking water moved to LAX to be airlifted to Port au Prince. Then came a telephone call - an explanation that medical supplies had priority, and furthermore, the United Nations (with whom our partner was coordinating in Haiti) was not accepting any foodstuffs with an expiration date less than 1 year away. We took that to mean that they didn't expect to actually distribute our precious food within the next year. News footage confirmed our suspicions. The biggest hurdle in Haiti is distributing the food already available, not in getting the food to Haiti. So our donation never left our warehouse.
But, the crisis in Haiti is far from over. This will be a long-term effort - months, if not years in length. There will come a time when the attention of the national media wanes, the consciousness of the public fades, and the pandemonium at the Port au Prince airport dies down. And when that happens, we'll still be here. We are already undertaking making arrangements to move food to Haiti, but after the current panic abates.
In the meantime, the rains have started here in Southern California and in the Baja. An old joke is "It only rains ten inches a year here, but you don't want to be here the day it happens!" We got an inch or so yesterday, and expect several inches more starting this afternoon and through the rest of the week. When it rains in Baja, rural communities are literally cut off. Roads become impassable - if you're not where you want to be, too bad. The folks who sleep in the dirt find themselves sleeping in the mud, and there's nowhere dry to go. Shantys made of packing crates and cardboard offer scant shelter.
So, we're doing everything we can to get food down ASAP. We moved about 5,000# last Saturday, and expect to move another 8,000# tomorrow. Saturday will be a big day, as well; we've scheduled two of our larger missions for that day. One of the missions is on paved roads, so we'll be able to get food to them - the challenge will be to distribute the food once it's there. But the other is problematic - the orphanage is actually in suburban Tijuana, but on dirt roads. We'll just have to see if the roads remain passable.
There's a lesson in here somewhere. We need to keep an eye on the horizon, not just on our next step. Mexican orphans get hungry every day, not just during Christmas. And the crisis in Haiti will last far longer than the time the national news networks will allot to it. We tend to become inured to tragedy after the dust settles. But the need will continue on a day-to-day basis.
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deu 15:11
A 2,600 year-old lesson, and I'm still learning!
We had arranged to have 10 pallets of food and drinking water moved to LAX to be airlifted to Port au Prince. Then came a telephone call - an explanation that medical supplies had priority, and furthermore, the United Nations (with whom our partner was coordinating in Haiti) was not accepting any foodstuffs with an expiration date less than 1 year away. We took that to mean that they didn't expect to actually distribute our precious food within the next year. News footage confirmed our suspicions. The biggest hurdle in Haiti is distributing the food already available, not in getting the food to Haiti. So our donation never left our warehouse.
But, the crisis in Haiti is far from over. This will be a long-term effort - months, if not years in length. There will come a time when the attention of the national media wanes, the consciousness of the public fades, and the pandemonium at the Port au Prince airport dies down. And when that happens, we'll still be here. We are already undertaking making arrangements to move food to Haiti, but after the current panic abates.
In the meantime, the rains have started here in Southern California and in the Baja. An old joke is "It only rains ten inches a year here, but you don't want to be here the day it happens!" We got an inch or so yesterday, and expect several inches more starting this afternoon and through the rest of the week. When it rains in Baja, rural communities are literally cut off. Roads become impassable - if you're not where you want to be, too bad. The folks who sleep in the dirt find themselves sleeping in the mud, and there's nowhere dry to go. Shantys made of packing crates and cardboard offer scant shelter.
So, we're doing everything we can to get food down ASAP. We moved about 5,000# last Saturday, and expect to move another 8,000# tomorrow. Saturday will be a big day, as well; we've scheduled two of our larger missions for that day. One of the missions is on paved roads, so we'll be able to get food to them - the challenge will be to distribute the food once it's there. But the other is problematic - the orphanage is actually in suburban Tijuana, but on dirt roads. We'll just have to see if the roads remain passable.
There's a lesson in here somewhere. We need to keep an eye on the horizon, not just on our next step. Mexican orphans get hungry every day, not just during Christmas. And the crisis in Haiti will last far longer than the time the national news networks will allot to it. We tend to become inured to tragedy after the dust settles. But the need will continue on a day-to-day basis.
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deu 15:11
A 2,600 year-old lesson, and I'm still learning!
Friday, January 15, 2010
HilariousGivers is sending Supplies to the People of Haiti
Wow, Looks like 10 Pallets are being shipped to Haiti by Hilarious Givers!
Someone said to Judd, that's all...well, I'm just so grateful we can supply the People of Haiti with 10 Pallets of food, water, muscle milk and some other items we have in our warehouse!!!
I am sickened by what happened to the people of Haiti but we still have hunger and devastation just across the border and people depending on us for food. We only have so much to give. However, every little bit helps, right? Right!
Well, just because we are sending 10 pallets out to Haiti this doesn't mean we're finished helping. We will continue to gather supplies and monetary donations and will continue to communicate with other organizations. Judd has already made connections with other larger Charitable Organizations, which have been around much longer than HG, (all while working a full time 9-5 job.) They have assured us that they have much more to give than we have. They also will be shipping out supplies this week!
I hope that years down the road when HilariousGivers is more established and our connection database has matured, we also can assure the new generation of charitable organizations how to stay focused on their mission, yet help with unforeseen disasters. The Lord will provide!
If you would like to donate to Hilarious Givers or Haiti, please go to our website, www.HilariousGivers.org click on the Donate button and make a donation, please specify if your donation is for Haiti.
Have a Great Day,
Debra ;o)
Someone said to Judd, that's all...well, I'm just so grateful we can supply the People of Haiti with 10 Pallets of food, water, muscle milk and some other items we have in our warehouse!!!
I am sickened by what happened to the people of Haiti but we still have hunger and devastation just across the border and people depending on us for food. We only have so much to give. However, every little bit helps, right? Right!
Well, just because we are sending 10 pallets out to Haiti this doesn't mean we're finished helping. We will continue to gather supplies and monetary donations and will continue to communicate with other organizations. Judd has already made connections with other larger Charitable Organizations, which have been around much longer than HG, (all while working a full time 9-5 job.) They have assured us that they have much more to give than we have. They also will be shipping out supplies this week!
I hope that years down the road when HilariousGivers is more established and our connection database has matured, we also can assure the new generation of charitable organizations how to stay focused on their mission, yet help with unforeseen disasters. The Lord will provide!
If you would like to donate to Hilarious Givers or Haiti, please go to our website, www.HilariousGivers.org click on the Donate button and make a donation, please specify if your donation is for Haiti.
Have a Great Day,
Debra ;o)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The least among us . . ..
We are committed to serving the least among us. Jesus taught that just as we serve the widows and orphans, we serve Him. Until yesterday, finding the least among us has been an easy task. Hungry - no, starving, kids, just a few minutes drive from our comfortable homes were the 'easy target'.
Then came the 'quake. Tens of thousands dead in a moment. Kids wandering the streets, their moms and dads dead. No water. No food. No electricity. No nuthin'.
So now, here we are. The product of the generosity of hundreds of folks waiting in our warehouse, ready to feed hungry kids and their families. I don't think this is a coincidence. In fact, there's not much I think is a coincidence.
On the phone - to our Board of Directors. "Of course! Let's do what we can!"
Then talking to other NGO's who might be heading up cartage to Haiti.
Cut to the chase: The folks up at Operation USA are putting together an airlift out of Los Angeles within the next few days, and would be happy to carry our food and water to those in desperate need. Miramar Freight will deliver whatever we can spare to Los Angeles. 10 pallets of food, water and muscle milk are committed to kids and their families in Haiti. 5 tons of nurtition headed for the Carribean.
I can't remember a time when I have been more gratified to be an American. The face of the Haiti relief operation is going to be the U.S. military. And the muscle and sinew of that operation is going to be American generosity, mostly expressed through NGO's like Hilarious Givers.
I spent some time on the telephone with a counterpart of another aid organization - his response when I told him 10 pallets was "why only 10?" The 'why' is we still have thousands of kids under our wings, who will go hungry if we don't keep our eye on the ball. Our mission is primarily feeding Mexican orphans and the children of migrants right here in our back yard. If we lose sight of that, then the mission is flawed. The 'among us' part is important. The Haiti operation is acute, but will go on for months; the Mexico operation is right here, right now, and for the forseeable future.
So tomorrow morning, I'll be composing Bills of Lading for this month's outreach and transmitting them to Mexican customs. And Saturday, we'll be loading pickups and vans with much-needed supplies for our supported Mexico missions. Life goes on, and so do we.
If you have been considering making a monetary donation to Hilarious Givers, there hasn't been a better time before now. We'll take all the help we can get. We're still tax-exempt, and we're still broke. But God is good, and we take our strength in knowing we doing what we can for 'the least among us'.
Then came the 'quake. Tens of thousands dead in a moment. Kids wandering the streets, their moms and dads dead. No water. No food. No electricity. No nuthin'.
So now, here we are. The product of the generosity of hundreds of folks waiting in our warehouse, ready to feed hungry kids and their families. I don't think this is a coincidence. In fact, there's not much I think is a coincidence.
On the phone - to our Board of Directors. "Of course! Let's do what we can!"
Then talking to other NGO's who might be heading up cartage to Haiti.
Cut to the chase: The folks up at Operation USA are putting together an airlift out of Los Angeles within the next few days, and would be happy to carry our food and water to those in desperate need. Miramar Freight will deliver whatever we can spare to Los Angeles. 10 pallets of food, water and muscle milk are committed to kids and their families in Haiti. 5 tons of nurtition headed for the Carribean.
I can't remember a time when I have been more gratified to be an American. The face of the Haiti relief operation is going to be the U.S. military. And the muscle and sinew of that operation is going to be American generosity, mostly expressed through NGO's like Hilarious Givers.
I spent some time on the telephone with a counterpart of another aid organization - his response when I told him 10 pallets was "why only 10?" The 'why' is we still have thousands of kids under our wings, who will go hungry if we don't keep our eye on the ball. Our mission is primarily feeding Mexican orphans and the children of migrants right here in our back yard. If we lose sight of that, then the mission is flawed. The 'among us' part is important. The Haiti operation is acute, but will go on for months; the Mexico operation is right here, right now, and for the forseeable future.
So tomorrow morning, I'll be composing Bills of Lading for this month's outreach and transmitting them to Mexican customs. And Saturday, we'll be loading pickups and vans with much-needed supplies for our supported Mexico missions. Life goes on, and so do we.
If you have been considering making a monetary donation to Hilarious Givers, there hasn't been a better time before now. We'll take all the help we can get. We're still tax-exempt, and we're still broke. But God is good, and we take our strength in knowing we doing what we can for 'the least among us'.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday, January 13
The word is out! We published our schedule for pickups on Sunday, and we're getting a big response. That means that there are lots of volunteers who will be coming to the warehouse during the next few days to load pickup trucks and vans with food and sanitation items to take to the less fortunate.
Already there are hiccups - a community supported by Club Dust is lacking in transport, but not in need. So, an appeal was e-mailed, and another mission stepped up to volunteer to take a load of food to a community sorely in need. It's really humbling to see the guiding hand of God in our work. We see this sort of intercession throughout our mission.
As an example, we received a shipment of Coca-Cola 'vitamin water' donated by Convoy of Hope on Monday. We had just loaded the last case of drinking water on Saturday. We went from zero drinking water to 42,500 pounds of drinking water. And 'in the nick of time'. Is there a pattern here?
And I got a telephone call from Strong Tower Ministries yesterday. There are 20 pallets of medical supplies which have been donated to serve Mexican missions. Are we interested? You Bet!
These are only two examples of the encouragement we receive every day.
I shouldn't be surprised. Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. And all along, I recognize that His will is being accomplished through folks like the readers of this Blog - we're all instruments in His hand.
Already there are hiccups - a community supported by Club Dust is lacking in transport, but not in need. So, an appeal was e-mailed, and another mission stepped up to volunteer to take a load of food to a community sorely in need. It's really humbling to see the guiding hand of God in our work. We see this sort of intercession throughout our mission.
And I got a telephone call from Strong Tower Ministries yesterday. There are 20 pallets of medical supplies which have been donated to serve Mexican missions. Are we interested? You Bet!
These are only two examples of the encouragement we receive every day.
I shouldn't be surprised. Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. And all along, I recognize that His will is being accomplished through folks like the readers of this Blog - we're all instruments in His hand.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday, January 10 2010
It's bright and early, it looks like we're going to have another spectacular winter day in Chula Vista. The forecast is for temps in the low 70's - and although the sun is not up yet, the sky in the east is that beautiful, soft blue we get in this part of the desert southwest. Another blessed day in this greatest country on God's green earth!
I spent yesterday morning in our first excercize of assembling loads of food for pickup by orphanages, churches and other feeding ministries in Mexico. We get tons of food in by the truckload on pallets. One pallet might have half a ton of cases of green beans with potatoes, another 2,000 pounds of rice which have been packed into 30# bags by volunteers from a partner church, and so forth. When a pickup or van arrives driven by a volunteer to take the food to a mission, we need to provide an assortment, based on what we have available and the population being fed, enough to fill the pickup, but not so much that we have to re-stock. And we have to get the pickup loaded expeditiously so we're not interfering with the 18-wheelers which are coming and going during this process. So how to assemble manageable loads?
In the past, Miramar Transportation has been donating the time of warehousemen to assemble loads for us - I would compile a list of what we needed, and they would - presto/changeo - have a pallet ready for the driver to pick up. But our success has gotten in the way. Our volume has become so large, and the demand on the resources of Miramar Transportation has gotten so great, that we are changing our M.O.
Our generous sponsor has given us a warehouse space that is dedicated solely to our mission. Along with that comes the responsibility of assembling loads. Miramar Transport is still donating forklift drivers, a computerized inventory system, pallets and packing, (not to mention free cartage to get the stuff to San Diego). But the task of serving the drivers who pick up food for the kids is now ours.
The first big test came yesterday. Calls for volunteers were sent out, plans for assembling loads were made, and energy was wasted in useless anxiety in an appropriate measure. When I arrived in the parking lot at our new warehouse, I was greeted by a small crowd of enthusiastic men, all ready to get to work. We got the warehouse opened, discussed the plan, made some last-minute adjustments (Thanks, Mark!), and got to work.
And so, at the end of the day, I received the gift of being able to relax and reflect on the events of the morning. I am so blessed to have the support of volunteers, contributors, and my life partner, Debra, in fulfilling this mission.
I spent yesterday morning in our first excercize of assembling loads of food for pickup by orphanages, churches and other feeding ministries in Mexico. We get tons of food in by the truckload on pallets. One pallet might have half a ton of cases of green beans with potatoes, another 2,000 pounds of rice which have been packed into 30# bags by volunteers from a partner church, and so forth. When a pickup or van arrives driven by a volunteer to take the food to a mission, we need to provide an assortment, based on what we have available and the population being fed, enough to fill the pickup, but not so much that we have to re-stock. And we have to get the pickup loaded expeditiously so we're not interfering with the 18-wheelers which are coming and going during this process. So how to assemble manageable loads?
In the past, Miramar Transportation has been donating the time of warehousemen to assemble loads for us - I would compile a list of what we needed, and they would - presto/changeo - have a pallet ready for the driver to pick up. But our success has gotten in the way. Our volume has become so large, and the demand on the resources of Miramar Transportation has gotten so great, that we are changing our M.O.
Our generous sponsor has given us a warehouse space that is dedicated solely to our mission. Along with that comes the responsibility of assembling loads. Miramar Transport is still donating forklift drivers, a computerized inventory system, pallets and packing, (not to mention free cartage to get the stuff to San Diego). But the task of serving the drivers who pick up food for the kids is now ours.
The first big test came yesterday. Calls for volunteers were sent out, plans for assembling loads were made, and energy was wasted in useless anxiety in an appropriate measure. When I arrived in the parking lot at our new warehouse, I was greeted by a small crowd of enthusiastic men, all ready to get to work. We got the warehouse opened, discussed the plan, made some last-minute adjustments (Thanks, Mark!), and got to work.
It turned out that we had just the right number of volunteers. I am always surprised at how Hilarious Givers is always provided with exactly what we need to fulfil our mission. If a few more had shown up, we would have been getting in each other's way. A few less, and we would not have been able to finish. I don't know why I worry about this stuff.
The result is a full measure of loads, ready to be put in the trucks and vans of volunteers, and sufficient to meet the demand of January pickups. Space is cleared and ready to receive incoming loads for the rest of the month. We have 'a system' for accomplishing this task in the long chain of getting food from donors to kids.
Maybe as important as all of this, several of our adolescent and young adult kids spent a few hours in selfless labor, meeting the urgent needs of needy children in our community - kids that they will never meet, but who, nonetheless, will have a bond with their brothers in Estados Unitas - the most fortunate society in the history of mankind. These volunteers set aside basketball and video games for a few hours and made a difference. And their dads had a chance to show real leadership and serve as examples of what Christian manhood is all about.
And so, at the end of the day, I received the gift of being able to relax and reflect on the events of the morning. I am so blessed to have the support of volunteers, contributors, and my life partner, Debra, in fulfilling this mission.
Thank you, each and all!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Pleas for Help at the Warehouse ;o)
Well, today is Saturday January 09, 2010 and my Darling arouse early this morning and headed down to the warehouse with fresh donuts in hand. He spent part of the past week creating an invitation/flier, which he e-mailed to a few, used an e-mail server we have to e-mail some out and posted some at his daytime job. All this to raise awareness and solicit help in his mission…Helping the less fortunate in Mexico. I personally wish he would have put in bold letters “FREE DONUTS” in his flier, because we all know Donuts on Saturday mornings are a big hit ;o) Well, for some of us “Carb Addicts” .
So many people are afraid to cross the border, so this affords people the perfect opportunity to serve the less fortunate in Mexico without crossing the border. Now how cool is that? There’s always more than one way to skin a … apple???
So, this is his first attempt to get volunteers to help organize the inventory at the warehouse and my mind is spinning. Of course I have to let worry enter the equation … what if he gets too many hands, this could be a hindrance for him and if he gets to few hands to help, well… I guess that’s just another obstacle for him to overcome and I want so much for this to be a positive experience for Judd, he pours his heart and soul into this mission. When all I really need to remember is… all things are possible thru God, he may not give us what we want but will certainly give us what we need.
Anyway, there will be many more opportunities to serve in this type of event if you missed this one. I’m real excited and curious to see how his plea for help has turned out. Stay Tuned…
So many people are afraid to cross the border, so this affords people the perfect opportunity to serve the less fortunate in Mexico without crossing the border. Now how cool is that? There’s always more than one way to skin a … apple???
So, this is his first attempt to get volunteers to help organize the inventory at the warehouse and my mind is spinning. Of course I have to let worry enter the equation … what if he gets too many hands, this could be a hindrance for him and if he gets to few hands to help, well… I guess that’s just another obstacle for him to overcome and I want so much for this to be a positive experience for Judd, he pours his heart and soul into this mission. When all I really need to remember is… all things are possible thru God, he may not give us what we want but will certainly give us what we need.
Anyway, there will be many more opportunities to serve in this type of event if you missed this one. I’m real excited and curious to see how his plea for help has turned out. Stay Tuned…
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Midweek musings
I visited our new warehouse location yesterday - and I'm stoked! The level of receipts and deliveries got to the point that we were interfering with the operations at Miramar Transportation, who is the generous donor of our San Diego warehouse space. So, we have been given a new space (near where our stuff used to be stored) where we won't be underfoot. Chris, the warehouse manager, has done a masterful job of building shelving and setting aside space for us to handle our donations. We won't have to struggle with the TSA regulatory requirements, that means we can actually have our volunteers in the warehouse assembling loads of food and other goodies for shipment to the kids! I know - this all sounds mundane. But it's major. We couldn't even come close to paying for the space, manpower and transportation involved, and this is a step forward. There's nothing exciting about logistics, but there sure is something exciting about the gratitude of the kids we feed and the tireless missionaries we supply.
Speaking of missionaries, I got a message from an angel in Rosarito who helps us feed hundreds of working poor families, Cindy Pesina. Christmas is a little different along the railroad tracks and in the migrant camps in the hills of northern Baja. Cindy posted "It's really humbling when people win a raffle and choose soap or toothpaste as their prize!" So, of course, Debra found a source of donated soap and shampoo and we have been working with them (in Florida) to get a supply for our kids. It's a done deal as of yesterday - all the soap we want, but we have to pick up the tab for shipping. We'll raise a few hundred dollars to finish the deal, but we're going to be able to help some impoverished mommies keep their kids clean and healthy.
Speaking of missionaries, I got a message from an angel in Rosarito who helps us feed hundreds of working poor families, Cindy Pesina. Christmas is a little different along the railroad tracks and in the migrant camps in the hills of northern Baja. Cindy posted "It's really humbling when people win a raffle and choose soap or toothpaste as their prize!" So, of course, Debra found a source of donated soap and shampoo and we have been working with them (in Florida) to get a supply for our kids. It's a done deal as of yesterday - all the soap we want, but we have to pick up the tab for shipping. We'll raise a few hundred dollars to finish the deal, but we're going to be able to help some impoverished mommies keep their kids clean and healthy.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
First post of 2010
We're at the time of the year when we're supposed to be making resolutions. For the WHOLE YEAR! I don't know what's going to be happening between now and dinner. Why make promises I know I can't keep? (Jesus' half-brother James got it right. Check out James 4:13-15.)
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't reflect on the past year and re-adjust our goals. What are some worthwhile goals for Hilarious Givers during the coming months? How can we best serve 'the least among us'? That will be a topic of discussion at our next meeting of the Board of Directors. Do you have any ideas?
Here are some of the things we've been kicking around:
Refrigerated storage. The produce distribution markets start their days while we sleep. By 4:30 or 5:00 am, their day is over. Fruits and vegetables that are not on the way to your supermarket are garbage. So, our landfills get overfilled while kids are hungry. The irony is that a large portion of that food was harvested in Mexico by the very migrant families we serve. We could make a real impact if we had some way to store days-old produce until we can get it to the kids.
Farm animals. Debra found a wonderful mission which is raising money to buy farm animals for impoverished kids in Africa. Great work! But we don't have to go to Africa to find improverished kids; we feel that our efforts are better spent right here. We have discussed with Pastor Escobar at Village of Hope the possibility of donating a small herd of goats and a few chickens to help his flock be more self-sufficient. Fresh milk and eggs for the kids! Pastor is very enthusiastic at the prospect; he has identified a volunteer to help teach husbandry to the kids.
Improved Outreach. We will continue to search for ways to increase our visibility in the community. We need warehouse volunteers, adventurers to take day trips south to deliver food, contributers to help with the financial burden, and food packers, canners and producers to share their surplus.
So, if any blogsters (did I just make up a word?) out there want to help with these efforts, or have suggestions about how better to spread the Good Word by sharing our abundance, let us know.
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't reflect on the past year and re-adjust our goals. What are some worthwhile goals for Hilarious Givers during the coming months? How can we best serve 'the least among us'? That will be a topic of discussion at our next meeting of the Board of Directors. Do you have any ideas?
Here are some of the things we've been kicking around:
Refrigerated storage. The produce distribution markets start their days while we sleep. By 4:30 or 5:00 am, their day is over. Fruits and vegetables that are not on the way to your supermarket are garbage. So, our landfills get overfilled while kids are hungry. The irony is that a large portion of that food was harvested in Mexico by the very migrant families we serve. We could make a real impact if we had some way to store days-old produce until we can get it to the kids.
Farm animals. Debra found a wonderful mission which is raising money to buy farm animals for impoverished kids in Africa. Great work! But we don't have to go to Africa to find improverished kids; we feel that our efforts are better spent right here. We have discussed with Pastor Escobar at Village of Hope the possibility of donating a small herd of goats and a few chickens to help his flock be more self-sufficient. Fresh milk and eggs for the kids! Pastor is very enthusiastic at the prospect; he has identified a volunteer to help teach husbandry to the kids.
Improved Outreach. We will continue to search for ways to increase our visibility in the community. We need warehouse volunteers, adventurers to take day trips south to deliver food, contributers to help with the financial burden, and food packers, canners and producers to share their surplus.
So, if any blogsters (did I just make up a word?) out there want to help with these efforts, or have suggestions about how better to spread the Good Word by sharing our abundance, let us know.
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