Service Project - May 2013
Chaired by Tamara Passey
All I can say is THANK-YOU!
Okay, this is a blog, so you know I will say more than that. But there have been so many moments this week that have left me speechless! (What, you didn't think that was possible?) Several moms who brought donations shared that they really didn't like Mother's Day but were happy to be able to give to another mom.
"I feel like no matter what else happens this Mother's Day, I will be happy knowing there are moms getting a little lift."Wow! I hadn't thought of it from that perspective. I'm thankful they shared their feelings with me.
Making the deliveries was a highlight. I wish I could have brought everyone along to feel the tangible goodness of all the contributions.
Speaking of highlights. . . here a few of the gift bags. Yes, they are glowing. How could they not with all the love that went into them from your generosity?
This
little wagon at Phoenix Children's, courtesy of our guide Lynze, saved
our arms from having permanent gift-bag-handle indents.
He we are in the lobby, Judy and Alyson helped me get some last minute donations into the bags!
Lynze gave us a tour of the tremendous new building at Phoenix Children's. They have amazing services there for children and their families, including a school, a library and a Garth Brooks donated "Zone" where patients can play pool, watch movies and so much more!
The gift bags at Phoenix Children's went to moms who are with a baby in the NICU. Lynze shared how community donations like these really touch the families who receive them.
***
Here
we are later in the day at Banner Desert, with nurses in the
Ante-Partum unit. Twenty more gift bags went to mothers who are there
waiting to give birth until they are far enough along.
 |
| Melody Wagner & Me in the center surrounded by awesome nurses and hospital staff! The man in the group is Aaron Fritz who helped coordinate this effort on the hospital side of things. |
Before we left the nurses were already delivering the bags to moms!
***
Forty
care packages filled with goodies, journals, and gift cards to give a
little comfort and cheer to mothers this Mother's Day.
Thanks
to everyone who donated, shopped, picked-up, dropped-off, shared,
emailed, called and cared for this project. We were also thankful to
receive support from the following local business:
Massage Envy
Paradise Bakery
Pei Wei Restaurant
Safeway
********************************************************************************
Back to School Service Project 2013
Chaired by Mari Goodman
We have been a licensed foster family for the past 8
years. During that time, we have had the
privilege of caring for 11 different foster children in our home. Some have stayed for as long as 18 months,
while others were only here for a few days.
It has been one of the most learning and growing experiences our family
has had. A parent's love is not limited
to feelings toward biological children.
For us, that love was there for each little one, regardless of their
length of stay in our home. We loved
them, helped them, taught them, then worked with them to be reunited with their
families. People ask me how I did
it. Sometimes I wonder that myself. But it was an experience that taught me the
love of family (whatever that looks like) transcends barriers, is wider than we
can comprehend, and is all encompassing.
The common theme for each of these kids is that they just
needed someone to care for them. Regardless
of the specific circumstances that brought them into foster care, their
families are struggling, and helping those families rebuild takes work. The state tries to help, encouraging the
parents, looking for extended family to care for the kids, and offering resources for
both the kids and the parents. Many
times, the state does fall short, but they are trying to make these situations
safer for the kids. Often state
resources are insufficient to meet the needs of these children. I've seen several instances where extended family
members take in children - which is called Kinship Care. These amazing families care for these kids
because they want them to be able to stay with their own families. The state funds for kids in Kinship Care are
close to non-existent. Imagine the
strain on these families financially, to take in extra children and then not be
given enough funds to truly take care of them.
Sometimes it is just one child.
Most times, there will be several children ranging in age from newborn -
18 years old.
Why did I share all this with you? The service project I am spearheading for
Arizona American Mothers is to help some of these families here in Coconino
County be able to send the kids in
their care to school with clothes, backpacks, shoes and basic school supplies. I would appreciate your help in making this
happen.
Over this next week, I am collecting extra school supplies,
clothes (and yes we will accept gently used clothing!!!!), backpacks, gift cards to
purchase clothing or supplies, and on-line donations to PayPal to the email
ArizonaAMI@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to let me
know you have donations I can pick up from you, please contact me at the
Arizona American Mothers email - ArizonaAMI@gmail.com. If you are not in Coconino
County and still want to help with
this specific project, the easiest way is through the Arizona American Mothers'
PayPal account. If you have items you
would like to donate, send me an email and we can see if we can figure
something out. I will be down in the
Phoenix area towards the end of the month and could pick items up then
if you have something to contribute.
I know these families, the children, and all those who work with these families and kids will appreciate any
kind of help they can get.
*************************************************************
Arizona AMI had Eventful Year 2011!
This past year, 2011, has been a great one for the Arizona
Association of American Mothers! Our
Arizona Mother of the Year Myrna Sheppard and Young Mother of the Year Shawni
Pothier appeared in articles in an Arizona
magazine as well as local newspapers.
They wrote articles about the principles of good motherhood for the newspaper,
and President Janeen Wright's award
winning short story, "Mom of 5", was published in a Utah newspaper. We were all so proud when our own Shawni Pothier
was selected as the 2011 National Young Mother of the Year!
Myrna Sheppard represented American Mothers in parades
throughout the state, and she and her family were awarded the Best of Parade in
Equestrian Entries in the Mesa Veteran's Day Parade!
Power of
Moms Retreat
YMOY Shawni Pothier brought the Power of Moms organization
to Arizona in
November, and Janeen Wright and Myrna Sheppard served as panelists to assist in
a variety of workshops throughout the retreat.
Power of Moms presenters, including AZ AMI members Myrna
Sheppard, Shawni Pothier, and Janeen Wright (3rd, 5th, and 6th from Left.)
Power of Moms joined with AZ AMI at Retreat to put together
relief baskets for homeless expectant mothers.
Relief Baskets delivered to homeless by AZ AMI Past President and organizer Janeen Wright and former AZ AMI Secretary Karen Kiene.
Relief Baskets delivered to homeless by AZ AMI Past President and organizer Janeen Wright and former AZ AMI Secretary Karen Kiene.
