It is my sincere hope that you and yours have many blessings for which to be thankful this season.  I am thankful for you!

Gratefully,  

Leigh

Financial success? You can bank on it!

Independent Financial and Family Promise partnered again last month to host financial literacy classes at the Day Center!  The first class, for adults, focused on budgeting.  Is that new television a "want" or a "need"? What are some methods for saving?  The second class, for children, covered decision making.  Some of the children decided they would rather check out that new book from the library instead of buying it, while other children decided they would buy the candy rather than save their money. Everyone learned, had fun, and enjoyed dinner and treats!  Special thanks to Larsha' Thomas and True Shaw of Independent Financial for leading these great classes!

The next financial seminar, hosted by Cadence Bank, will cover Fraud Protection.  It is at Habitat for Humanity THIS THURSDAY, November 3rd, from 6:30-8 PM in Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church (901 N. Grand Avenue in Sherman).  Everyone is welcome to attend, child care is available, and refreshments will be served! 

Independent Financial will host our final financial class of the year on Tuesday, December 6th at the Family Promise Day Center (901 E. Houston in Sherman).  The topic? Holiday Spending!  (Please note that this is a date change from what was posted in last month's newsletter.)  Hope to see you there!

Texoma Christian School Care-a-thon blesses Family Promise!

We are so thankful for our ongoing relationship with Texoma Christian School!  Last Friday, eight 6th-grade TCS students and their teachers, Ila Rigdon and Mitsuko Lee, braved the rain, the dust, and a teeny-tiny ribbon snake to perform nothing short of a miracle in our storage shed!  TCS classes participate in service projects that benefit local organizations.

These servant-hearted helpers include: Karah, Reagan, Braeleigh, Cristal, Abigail, Macey, Meredith, and Mercy. They sorted and organized dishes, pots, pans, kitchen utensils, bed frames, and other donated items, so that families setting up new homes will be able to select much more easily the items they need. Thank you so much for this blessing, ladies!

Tioga Student Council Celebrates Sock-tober!

For the second year in a row, the Tioga ISD Student Council has held a tremendous "Sock-tober" event benefitting those served by Family Promise.  All month in October, Tioga students collect new socks.  At the end of the month, Tioga ISD representatives deliver the socks to Family Promise for distribution throughout the year to those in need.  With perfect timing (as we had given away nearly all our sock supply), Student Council Sponsor Charla Schaffer delivered 1009 pairs of socks to the Day Center yesterday!!  WOW!!!  More than a thousand thank-yous to the Tioga ISD Stu-Co for ensuring that infants, children, and adults in Grayson County will have warm, cozy feet this winter and beyond!  You are making our community a better place!

SSMC Lone Star rides again!

If you love motorcycles or if you know children that might enjoy seeing a great group of riders, you won't want to miss this!  SSMC Lone Star will be making a delivery to the Day Center early Sunday afternoon on November 13th (901 E. Houston St. in Sherman).

The Seventh Sin Motorcycle Club is a non-profit organization comprised of law enforcement, veterans, and other individuals, to be an example of honor and integrity in our community.  They support social, educational and charitable programs such as Family Promise.  For several years, they have helped us provide Thanksgiving meals/assistance to area families.

They will arrive sometime between 1-3 PM and typically only stay about 15  minutes before riding off to make their next delivery.  We will have an exact time closer to the date, so if you are interested, please call Leigh at 903-271-1088.  These folks are so kind and generous, and we truly appreciate them!

THANK YOU to our Host and Support Congregations!

We are so thankful to our Host and Support Congregations for providing hospitality, food, and shelter for our guests.  You are making a difference in our community! 

Special thanks to First United Methodist church in Sherman for opening their doors to our 12 guests for the two Open Host weeks in October!  Thanks, too, for all the people who brought food during those two weeks!  We had more offers of food than we needed!  Thank you!

Good news:  With your love and support, one of our current guest families (a grandfather, his daughter, and her 3 children) plans to graduate from the program this Thursday!  We are happy for them to have made this progress!

Thank you to our November hosts: Trinity Baptist church in Sherman, Georgetown Baptist church in Pottsboro, Park Avenue Church of Christ in Denison, First United Methodist church in Sherman, and Fairview Baptist church in Sherman.  You are showing God's love to our neighbors!

Do you know this person?

Do you know a person that works well with people and has a heart for those who are struggling?  Maybe this person doesn't want to work full time but is looking for something meaningful to do for about 20 hours per week?  If so, please have them call Leigh ASAP (903-271-1088) to discuss being a case manager for our guests in the rotation program.  Maybe you need a new challenge in your life?  Think about it!  You, or that person you know, can make a difference in families' lives.

"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us--and He has given us everything." 

Thomas Merton

"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count."

Neal A. Maxwell

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with Thanksgiving." Psalms 69:30