Helping to build a brighter future for people in need


November 2014
In This Issue
Inspired by a Lucky Suit
Because of YOU
Coming Up
 
Please mark your calendars for...



Annual Campaign in November
Today we kick off our Annual Campaign which is a critical part of enabling Circle of Hope to not only maintain what we are doing for the infants, children, women, and men we care for, but to expand what we do for them.  If you are on our mailing list, you will be receiving a letter in the mail in the next day or so.  If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, please click here to e-mail us and say "Please put me on your mailing list."


      
Special Requests
If you have any of the above, please drop them off at 65 Rosemary Street during any of our              
DROP-OFF TIMES:

 

Monday, 9-10 AM 

 

Tuesday, 4-5:00 PM

Wednesday, 9-10:00 AM

Wednesday, 3-4:00 PM

Thursday, 10-11:30 AM  

 

Saturday, 9-11 AM   

 

If you would like to make a financial donation to Circle of Hope, click here

 

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You Must Hear This...
 

  

It's notes like this that motivate us to work harder.  You, our supporters, will especially be moved by these words...

 

"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you to everyone at Circle of Hope, for getting a wonderful order to me today. I've given the clothing to two families so far, and they are so happy and grateful."

 
 
Beckie Tachick
Case Manager
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program   

Go To Crew Update   

 

As you know very well, we collect clean, gently-worn clothing to deliver to Boston's most vulnerable children, women, and men.  The thing we cannot accept "previously worn"  understandably is underwear.  New socks are also needed.  We simply cannot get enough.  Last week we found ourselves without ANY of these precious undergarments in our inventory, so we put the word out to our Go To Crew.  Once again, you saved the day with your deliveries.  Thank you Go To Crew!  

 

The Go To Crew is a small group of supporters who receive an e-mail if a special need arises.  Being a member of the Go To Crew does not obligate its members to donate every time there is a need.  If you would like to be a member of the Go To Crew, or know someone who would like to be on this e-mail list, just respond to this e-mail, or click here.

 

 


Dear Friends of Circle of Hope,

After a record-breaking week of 11 deliveries from Circle of Hope I am reminded of the words from a poem by Robert Frost, "But I have promises to keep.  And miles to go before I sleep.  And miles to go before I sleep."  Circle of Hope has been keeping promises to those in need across Greater Boston for the past 6 years.  Included in those 11 deliveries we fulfilled the needs of 4 newborn babies whose moms are in homeless shelters, delivering warm blankets, baby buntings, teeny hats and clothing, along with a note welcoming the baby.
 
When Long Island Shelter for men was evacuated and abruptly closed on October 9th we reached out to our network of partners throughout the city to try to find the 450 displaced homeless men and get clothing to them.  By the end of October we had delivered warm clothing, socks, and coats to St. Francis House Shelter, the Episcopal Lunch Program near Boston Common, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, and the South End Fitness Center where 250 men are sleeping in a make-shift shelter.
At Circle of Hope we are on the move to clothe the homeless and bring hope in difficult times.  Our drivers have made some intrepid journeys to where we've never been before as we serve those who have been displaced from Long Island Shelter and also answer new calls for help.  Your support has never been more important.  You make it possible for us to provide clothing and necessities to our most vulnerable neighbors.

In this issue as you read about our Annual Appeal, I hope that you will thoughtfully consider a financial contribution to support and sustain our mission.  Thank you for believing that everyone deserves hope and help.
 

With deepest thanks,


Barbara Waterhouse
Executive Director 

Inspired by a Lucky Suit       

 

We were all forever changed when we heard the words of Toddye Anderson, an Ambassador of Project Hope, who told her story of becoming homeless and overcoming it.  The recent gathering was an appreciation night for Circle of Hope volunteers.  As she began to speak, Toddye removed her jacket because it was quite warm in the room and someone remarked how nice her suit was.  She said, "This is my Lucky Suit."  As it turns out, the suit she wore that night was the one she wore on her first job interview after receiving support from Project Hope.  It was the one that she wore in her first job, and she still continues to wear it today in her growing role as a Supervisor at Children's Hospital.  We found out later that she received the suit from Circle of Hope.  Wow.

 

It reaffirms that what we provide to children, women, and men can help change lives.  The coats for boys and girls so they can warmly walk to school...the towels for a mother caring for her family in a domestic violence shelter...a nice shirt and slacks for a disadvantaged young person to apply for a job.

 

Toddye Anderson

Starting today, we kick off our Annual Campaign with a renewed vigor for our mission of helping Boston's most vulnerable families and individuals.  We are truly inspired by the Lucky Suit and with your support will strive to help more people like Toddye raise themselves out of homelessness and in to the self-sufficient life they aspire to achieve.   

 


Because of YOU...
Because of people like YOU, Circle of Hope is able to help hundreds of people in Boston area homeless shelters and programs serving refugees and disadvantaged youth.  Here are some of our stories from this month...

What a birthday!  Thank you.                        
 

Thank you to the businesses who supported us during the month of October to help us celebrate our sixth birthday.  1) Marriott Residence Inn for hosting our birthday cocktail party and also Linda Kickham of J. Hilburn, Ellen Sheetz of Etcetera, and Andi Yanoff of Stella and Dot. 2) Treat Cupcake Bar for naming COH as the recipient of October's Treat Others Well cupcake. 3) Not Your Average Joes for giving us Tuesdays so that supporters could dine and donate 15% back to COH. 

And thanks to you, our friends, who came to our party, or purchased a cupcake or dined at Not Your Average Joe's.   We love you!  

Supporters Finding Fun Ways to Give to COH   
 
 
This month we have been blessed with monetary donations in some very creative ways.  One supporter of COH sold a dresser to a friend who she felt awkward taking money from, so she asked them to make a monetary donation to us!  Another supporter of COH was asked by a friend to act as a wedding liaison the day of her daughter's wedding.  Here again it felt awkward to accept payment, so a financial gift was made to COH instead!  And lastly, we received a generous financial donation from the company of one of our supporters.  He made a formal request asking that we be considered and we were pleased to receive the gift. 

Thank you, Laurel       
Note from Laurel Fireman
Little Laurel Fireman, age 4, received $10 from her grandfather.  And although she was very pleased to receive the gift, she decided that she wanted to take four of those dollars and donate them to Circle of Hope "for kids". 

We are so touched by Laurel's generous heart.


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