The set-up today for the Patterson Family went very well, thanks to the super help given by Paulette Rapp, Sue Forbes and Mary Morley.  Pat Lester had hoped to join us but was called in to work. She stopped by the Bin before we left with her usual great contributions.  Fresh groceries for the family, beautiful flowers from her garden, some great kitchen tools and books and toys for the children, including two little baskets which she had filled with some fun things for little Justin and Rianne.

I can't remember who donated this lovely quilt, pillow shams and bed skirt, but it really looked comfortable and welcoming in the Mom's room.

I loved the children's room. Rianne on the left and Justin on the right.  Cuddly, stuffed animals and the darling Cuties made by the Fourth Graders at Topanga Elementary School created a cozy welcome.  Pat Lester's baskets can be seen by the side of each bed and I'm sure the children will love what's inside.  Lots of books for them in the bedside table will hopefully help foster a love of reading.  

Here's the chest of drawers in the children's room.  The darling framed picture of the Lab was drawn by one of our volunteer's daughters and hopefully the children will be inspired by the art supplies, crayons, colored pencils, paper, etc. that we left for them and create their own beautiful pictures.

There were lots of clothes in the drawers for the children, plus a few cute dresses, a jacket and some jeans for Rianne.  Brand new games for them, 

including indoor bowling that 

Pat brought this morning.

 

 Paulette set up the  bathroom and it looked terrific.  Here she is putting her finishing touches in place.  I can't believe that I don't have any pictures other than this one of the bath because there was something really serene about the color palette. 

Below are a couple of shots of the kitchen.  

The fridge and the cabinets were filled with some wonderful food for the family.

 

 

I love these bright place mats and the beautiful flowers that Pat brought for the set-up.  The vase?  
A brightly painted coffee can!

And then a committee from the Salvation Army wanted to come up and see what a 'decorated' unit looks like.  Here's Paulette chatting with one of the ladies.

We weren't the only ones taking pictures!  Here's the new 

Director at the Westwood Transitional Village, Diane Good, 
laughing with me about

 the duelling camera action going on!

 Mary Morley is explaining just what it is that we do.

Notes and pictures were taken and we felt most satisfied that the 

Patterson family will love their new home.

Before we left, Lissette Maldonado brought up a couple of thank you notes 

from the Cotton Family and their daughter, Evyn. 

They read as follows:

Thank you very much for all of the things you left in the apartment for my family.  Your help in this difficult time in our lives was truly a blessing and it helped our transition move along a little smoother.  Our daughter, Evyn, was really excited to have her own room with accessories!  once we are thru the program, we hope to be able to bless someone as you have blessed us.  It meant so much to come in and be able to cook a meal for my family.

Thank you, The Cottons

And then another note from 14-year old Evyn.

Ladies at Westwood,

Thank you so much!  I Love my room and everything that is in it! 

I love the clothes, shoes, conferter [sic] and even the stuff that was on the dresser!  I greatly appreciate everything. Thank you for letting us stay here.

Evyn

As Mary Morley said after reading the notes, this makes me want to do more.
Knowing how greatly the small things we do are appreciated by these families
is all the encouragement we need.  

Keep up the good work, Ladies of the Canyon!