December 31, 2008
December 30, 2008
The news is beginning to fill with stories of the ball dropping in Times Square, and a new year's arrival.
Around here, things are back to normal. The phones have been ringing, and a steady parade of clients have come walking through our doors. Having several program staff take vacation means that I'm talking with more clients than usual. And, it is a good thing. Seeing the looks in their eyes and feeling their anxiety as they contend with a crisis situation makes our work and mission all the more real. Throw in that I'm our resident translator for Spanish right now, and this definitely qualifies as interesting.
I'm happy to report that some of the phone calls have been our donors wanting to do some year-end giving. Thank you, and wahoo!
The end of the calendar year is always an active time, and this year is no exception.
December 24, 2008
Wow...it is quiet. The phones are hardly ringing here at our offices, and the doorchime has been unusually quiet today. And, I'm thinking that is a good thing. While we are in the business of helping people address dire situations and build more stable futures, sometimes the staff need a break, too.
For unoccupied phone lines and limited foot traffic, I am grateful.
December 19, 2008
The Washington Post had an interesting article this morning about how the downturn in the economy has had an interesting affect on people. Our friends and neighbors have somehow become...
More Frugal and yet More Generous
at the same time
December 15, 2008
It's On!
It's Toy Drive time and our office is overflowing with goodies for all of the kiddies.
Every last empty space in our office has been used as we struggle to fit all of the bags of toys and bicycles. It's always inspiring to see how the spirit of the season is alive and well.
And a big thank you once again to Amparo, who did most of the organizing for the Toy Drive, as she does every year. We will miss you as a staff person but look forward to seeing you back again as a volunteer. These children's activities wouldn't be the same without you.
Lending A Helping Hand
Hi, everybody. Shannon here with a slightly off topic post. Today I attended a "Nonprofit 911" session in DC, where more than 400 people gathered to brainstorm how the nonprofit sector can respond to our current economic climate, and the surging demand for services.
As I looked around the room, I saw many familiar faces, and I knew that they were in their position because they believe in helping people. Then, as I stood on the Metro platform to come back to the office, I saw an elderly woman on the other platform. She was dragging a suitcase up the escalator (which wasn't working). Clunk, clunk, clunk was heard throughout the station as she heaved the bag up each step.
Sure enough, a young fellow came running down the steps and asked if he could help her out. He let her go up first, and he lifted the bag off the escalator step and carried it all the way up for her.
That simple gesture brought a huge smile to my face. I know nothing about the young man, but I know that what he did not only helped the elderly woman, it also reminded me that people are good at their core - - whether they work at nonprofits or not!
December 11, 2008
Toy Drives R Us
by Amparo O'Connell
Program Administrator
These are hard times for most everyone! We all talk about the economy, declining retirement funds, job losses and recession… and it is the holiday season, a time of economic crunch even in good times. The prospects are gloomy. Toys for Tots have announced that this year those that benefit from their drive will only get one toy per child instead of the customary two. However, we at Good Shepherd Housing are not concerned. We have, as always, the support of our generous community.
For the last three years, Good Shepherd has benefited from the Chamber of Commerce “Fill the Chamber Toy Chest” drive and there were always generous donations. This year, in an effort to make the donations more personal, the Chamber launched the “Adopt-A-Child for the Holidays” drive. We presented a list of 62 children from Good Shepherd Housing and Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services, and the list was published on November 18. The calls and e-mails began on that same day and have not stopped coming. In less than three weeks, we had sponsors for every one of our children! The outpouring of support and generosity for the most needy in our community is palpable.
This week the gifts started coming, our conference room is becoming a toy store of sorts and everyone around the office is excited. We received and delivered gifts for the first of our kids. Many hours still need to be spent checking and preparing the donated gifts for delivery. This is arduous work but satisfying nonetheless. Knowing that those efforts will put a smile on a child's face is the best reward anyone can anticipate.
Maybe the new president will bring a solution to our economic woes. But for now, it is reassuring to know that we have a community and neighbors who will rise to the challenge, even in the toughest of times to support those facing hardship. We cannot be more thankful!
December 9, 2008
Shannon, do you have a can-opener in your desk?
Interesting question. Not one that is usually posed to me by my coworkers. The short answer is no. And why did they ask? Because we no longer have one in our office kitchen.
A few days ago a homeless woman came in seeking help. Because we don't provide emergency shelter, we couldn't offer her a place to sleep that night, but she did say she had some cans of food, but no way to open them. So, our assistance to her was simple and a bit off outside our usual realm of resources. Our staff gifted her what she needed in order to eat.
Do we have a can opener now? I have no idea. Does the situation continue to run through my mind? Absolutely.
