Karen got the call from Lissette that Tiffany and her two children, Dior and Darrien had successfully completed all the complex stages of the intake process and would be moving in on January 6th. Karen and Mary Morley had spent almost a full day organizing the Bin earlier in the week and on Thursday Mary came down and helped me pull the items for Friday's set-up. Mary knows what's in that Bin so she was the perfect person to help me pull!
After putting out the call for help Linda Handler, Karen Saeki and twins April and Ashley Hinkle said they were all free and since it was such a small one and we have an upcoming two set-ups in a few days (final confirmation not yet given but hopefully on Wednesday January 11 and Thursday January 12), I asked new member Karen Saeki if she could help with one of those instead and hopefully she'll be available. Linda H. is a kindergarten teacher at Topanga Elementary and she was off school last week and April and Ashley still had some free time before their classes resumed and these three dynamos joined me and had the place looking spiffy in no time! We were finished with the two- bedroom unit by 11:30 or so and wandered over to Bessie Pregerson CDC to drop off some wonderful warm little hoodies and jackets that have been donated recently. All of the families at Bessie Pregerson are on some form of assistance and while most parents work full time, there is little to spare. Program director Sandra Menendez and her second in command, Miss Marloe, assured me that these jackets will be much appreciated by these needy families. While there, Linda, April and Ashley had a quick tour of the facility...we would have stayed longer but the children were being settled for their afternoon naps. We almost had to pull Linda out the door. She LOVES the little ones and they love her!
Here are some photos from our day (remember, to enlarge the photo, just click on it). I'm sure many of you will see some of your donations in these pictures. An added bonus to the set-up was that all were able to meet Tiffany, the mom who was moving in that day. She was a delightful young woman and couldn't wait to settle in, finally, to a comfortable home.
Linda Handler has her work cut out. She chose the kitchen and
as you'll see from the pictures below, did a terrific job.
The kitchen, already looking like the heart of the home.
And here's a shot of the stove, ready for making a big pot of spaghetti!
A welcoming family table with citrus from one of the twin's trees!
Tiffany's bedroom. I hope this young mom is finally able to find
some peace in her new home. Her bed looks comfy!
Never let it be said that we shy away from color!
April and Ashley, starting on the children's room! Early stages.
See pictures below for the great end result.
This is Dior's bed. Fresh new bed linens, darling stuffed animals and dolls and a
Cutie from a Fourth Grader at Topanga Elementary School. I think she'll love it!
Here is little Darrien's bed. The children share a room and it looks cozy and welcoming.
Lots of age-appropriate books and toys and he's got a Cutie, too!
The children's room.
Comfortable, welcoming and at long last, a room to call their own.
I'd like to encourage any of you who haven't been involved in a set-up to consider
joining us one day. They really are fun and give you a hand's on understanding of
just what it is that TWC does.
If you have a couple of spare dollars and can grab any of these things when you're at the
grocery store, or have any of them in your home and they're in excellent condition,
here's a brief run-down on what we currently need.
Remember, everything on this list is needed on an ongoing basis.
With 50 set-ups last year and 40+ the year before, we run out of items quickly and with regularity!
Here's the list of current needs:
Baggies, plastic wrap, foil, laundry detergent, dish detergent, sponges, plastic storage containers, napkins, drinking glasses, brooms, dust pans, blankets (remember to regularly check the end caps for amazing deals and this month there are some great white sales). We're out of table cloths (especially for small dining tables) so check your home supply, cloth napkins, oven pads and mitts, kitchen and bathroom and small area rugs. Because of the amazing donation from the kids at the school in Watts, our canned food supply is in good shape right now, though we do need cereal that children like (cheerios, etc) and jars of instant coffee.
Happy New Year to all of you and thank you for making 2011 such a terrific year for the Topanga Women's Circle.
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