Wheels of Blessings July Newsletter

Besides giving this very exhausted man a sandwich, lots of water, and Gatorade, he also got the t-shirt you see in the photo (he was shirtless when we first saw him) and a pair of shoes. If you look closely at the photo, you can see he had on an unmatched pair of shoes. One red, the other black. The red shoe was very worn; the black shoe was in slightly better shape, but fading fast. The shoes and several shirts he received were brand new, donated by you. The man was overwhelmed and gratefully gave us hugs. We extend those hugs to you, our donors. You are clothing and feeding the hungry, the disspirited, and giving them the joy of something new. And more broadly, you are letting them know people care.

Sisters of Mercy Grant Expands Wheels Outreach

As reported in recent newsletters, Wheels of Blessings will launch its Nurturing on Wheels (N.O.W) outreach programming in mid-August, just a few days away!

To the right is a glimpse of the pamphlets describing the program.

We are pleased to have volunteer Claudina Ghianni, a Nurse Practitioner, serve as a consultant and our outreach first aid/caseworker, Jake Kauer leading this program.

The Sisters of Mercy awarded this grant to Wheels of Blessings to make a positive impact in the many people we serve each month.

This addition of the NOW program, with basic first aid and referrals to agencies like the Health Department and Kintegra to assist with more serious issues, is a next step in helping the unhoused. We will distribute hydration, mosquito sprays, bandaids, saline, cooling, warming packs and more to our friends.

We are grateful to provide yet another 'spoke of the wheel' to keep the blessings flowing.

Pictured: Jake Kauer

In other updates, Board member Judy Dobies is working with the City of Gastonia, local non-profits and agencies such as Kintegra, Partners Mental Health, and several churches in planning a winter warming center.

The efforts of Sr. Carolyn, Carolyn Bergman and the Board has helped give Wheels a reputation as a leader and respected collaborator in Gastonia.  

1 Corinthians 12:26:

"If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."

As also mentioned in an earlier newsletter, Wheels Board member Mary Wright began a "Charlotte extension" several months ago. She has several volunteers who pack care bags and take them out to the unhoused they see in Charlotte.

Left: Dorothy Ciscero

Below: Susan Helle & Ann Kilkelly

Not Pictured: Tyra Jipson

Finally, please remember in your prayer the struggles of our unhoused neighbors.

They endure the physical hardships of heat, rain, mosquitoes, cold, and hunger. They also endure the psychological hardships of stereotyping, judgments, hopelessness, trauma, and

so much more.

We recently found this cardboard "tent" in the woods, someone's home.

Your generosity and support mean so much to so many. Our bright green shirts get noticed, and many call us by name, just as we call them by theirs. The love we exchange reminds us that this world is better because of the simple human need to love and care for one another.