When the flood waters came, one young, single mom with four children lost everything. FLOOD I mean EVERYTHING! Homeless, car-less, and no where to go ... until one person said, "I CAN HELP!" Then another person stepped forward and said, "I can help!" And then another and another. I am so proud of our church and the people that make up our community. This is a note I received from the organizer of the "Courageous film Fundraising Event for Alicia."
WOW! When I ask you all to pass it on, you all PASS IT ON! I want to thank everyone for forwarding my email! What started as an email to about 20 friends in the hope of having a small event to raise enough money for a downpayment on a used car for Alicia ended up in a huge event with over 720 people showing up to watch Courageous, meet Alicia and her children and show their support. I received countless e-mails and phone calls from people as far away as York, Northern Lebanon, NY, and Washington DC wanting to help. (Victory) Church bought Alicia a car and a lot of kind people stepped forward to help me keep Alicia in hotels until the fund raiser last night. She is on a lot of waiting lists, but all the shelters are at capacity. Homelessness is a real problem in our community!
With the money we raised last night and all the donations that people have been sending me in the mail, Penn and I should be able to pay Alicia's rent and utilities for a whole year!! Alicia is a very strong, motivated woman and has already found work for herself, and Mary Kay replaced her lost start-up kit and her sales manager is helping her get back into Mary Kay sales. A very kind woman, named _ is helping Alicia with childcare and she is slowly getting her life back together after a string of very unfortunate events!
Last nights event was very heart-warming. Thanks to everyone who attended, made baked goods, sent donations and spread the word! All the cheerleaders from pixies to varsity cancelled their practices last night and came out to our event. The girls helped at the bake sale, then organized a cheer for the firefighters. We went into each of the four packed theaters, asked all the firefighters to stand, everyone applauded and the cheerleaders did a cheer for them. A really fun tribute!
Alicia and I are meeting with someone from the Transitional Living Center about housing today, as well as some realtors. YAY!
This whole experience has been very eye opening. I am happy that we live in such a supportive community, but I am also shocked that there are so many people experiencing homelessness. As a board member of the Lancaster Project for the Needy, I am embarrassed to admit that I had no idea how hard it is for someone to find a place to sleep at night once they are homeless! Alicia spent a few nights in a mold infested abandoned house with her children before we put her in the hotel and that is because the homeless shelters are all full.
The Project for the Needy also supports the Community Homeless Outreach Center in Lancaster and we are having a fundraising Gala for them on Friday November 4th at Lime Springs Farm. If anyone is interested, please let me know.
Thank you again for spreading the word!!
Peace,
_______
All it takes is ONE! Not 500, not 1000, just one. But when that one starts, it spurs others and another, and before you know it, there is an avalanche! BE THE ONE!!!!
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