Community Newsletter
January, 2020
|
|
How you've helped your neighbors in need on their road to self-sufficiency.
|
|
Giving your best
Maybe two weeks passed and still no child support check—no money at all. I sat at the kitchen table one night, [and said] "It is dinnertime. Right, Mom?”
Without another word, she passed me and walked out the front door of Number Six. She left it open, and I followed her. She walked down five cottages and knocked on the door to Number One—a larger cottage, where an old man and woman lived. Even though they were our neighbors, we had no idea who they were. The old lady opened the door, and I wove around my mother so I could see inside.
“This is my daughter, Kristine,” my mother stated. “We have no food. She’s had nothing to eat but potatoes for a month, and now we don’t even have any of those left. I don’t care about myself, but could you please give her something to eat?”
I don’t remember [the woman] saying anything to my mother or even asking her husband first if she could give us something, but I remember her packing up [the dinner off their] table: the pot roast, the carrots, the gravy, the potatoes. She handed it all to my mother.
At that moment, though, I don’t think [they] thought they were saving lives or forever changing the path of a child. I think they thought they were doing what they were supposed to do when a woman with a little girl comes to the door and says she needs to eat. What more needs to be said or done? They probably figured that it’s just food.
The biggest problem with poverty is the shame that comes with it. When you give the best you have to someone in need, it translates into something much deeper to the receiver. It means they are worthy. [That woman] could have just gone to her cupboard and made me a peanut butter sandwich, and my mother and I would have been so grateful. But she didn’t. She gave the best she had.
If it’s not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for those in need either. Giving the best you have does more than feed an empty belly—it feeds the soul.
|
|
Volunteer with Beverly Bootstraps
Have you been thinking about volunteering? We currently have three volunteer positions available:
Education Front Desk: Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 pm
Do you know someone who wants to give back but is really busy? The Education Front Desk volunteer position might be perfect for them. In this 2 hours/week position, the volunteer will be responsible for greeting students as they arrive for class and doing occasional administrative projects, but will also have free time while students are in class. This position would be perfect for a college student who wants to give back but also needs time to do homework.
Food Rescue Pick Up: Tuesday or Fridays mornings
Beverly Bootstraps has always been committed to feeding people in the community who need food assistance. In this position, you will work with Food Assistance to drive to assigned local businesses, pick up donations in your vehicle and deliver donations to the Food Pantry.
If you are interested in either volunteer opportunity, please click to email
Leslie Colten
, Volunteer Coordinator or call her at 978-927-1561 x 119.
|
|
Become a Sponsor for the Boots & Blooms Gala
Do you work at or own a company that is looking for a way to support local families in need? Becoming a sponsor for our annual gala is a great way to do so. Proceeds from this event will help us continue to provide critical resources to low-income individuals and families who are struggling to make a better life for themselves.
For more information, click
here
for our sponsorship listing contact
Heather Johnston
, Director of Donor Relations or call 978-927-1561.
|
|
Thank you to our community
Thanks to you, the Howard family - mom Carla and her kids Samuel (4), Charna (3) and Xander (2) - had a turkey dinner on their table on Thanksgiving and gifts under their tree on Christmas morning.
The holidays are difficult for so many who already live on limited means. But everyone wants to be able to celebrate the holidays with family.
With your support, we were able to provide a Happy Thanksgiving to 503 local familes and a Happy Holiday to 637 children. We thank you for taking time out of your busy holiday season to think of others and share your holiday joy with someone in need.
From donations of food, holiday gifts, turkeys, books and money, to people’s time, we thank all the businesses, families, individuals, teams, schools, children, churches and other organizations that made this holiday season at Beverly Bootstraps possible.
*name changed and stock photo used for privacy
|
|
Community Yoga
1st Sunday of the Month, at 10am
The Healing Center, 317-319 Rantoul Street, Beverly
The Healing Center
will be holding a Community Yoga class on the 1st Sunday of each month from 10:00-11:00am. This is a basic hatha yoga class where beginners are welcome and encouraged. Practice meaningful, accessible asana, and support a local charity while you're at it! All proceeds will go to Beverly Bootstraps. Bring yourself, some water, and a mat. Mats will be available to borrow if needed!
Suggested Donation: $5-$10 (but any and all contributions are welcome!)
Boots & Blooms Gala
Friday, April 3 at 6:30pm
Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester
Kick up your heels at the Boots & Blooms Gala to give hunger the boot! Enjoy dazzling cocktails, a delectable dinner and a delightful time on the dance floor at the distinctive Cruiseport Gloucester. Not to mention the dramatic floral competition. Tickets and sponsorships available
here
.
|
|
To learn more, click on these handy links:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
