Blog-a-thon Day #9

My brain has regained full function after a good night's sleep.

I'm sharing a letter I wrote to family and friends. Kyle has been assembling kits for a local charity, Shoebox Ministry, Inc. for the last year or so. This project is ongoing and so beautifully purposeful.

Dear Friends and Family,

A year or so ago I wrote to you about a community service project Kyle was working on at his day program with his 1:1 assistant, Angelica. He began assembling toiletry kits for Shoebox Ministry, Inc.

Shoebox Ministry, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit service corporation, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shoebox was founded in 1988 with a specific goal of meeting the personal hygiene needs of the homeless and working poor. They are the only agency in the greater Phoenix area that focuses on meeting this very important need. While they are not a shelter, they do distribute the toiletry kits through agencies and shelters that work directly with the homeless and working poor.

I am proud to say that Kyle has assembled approximately FIFTY shoebox kits and has delivered them to a drop off point at a local church.

Kyle has participated in every step of the process of creating the kits.

He and Angelica went around to businesses to collect shoeboxes.

They picked up donations of items when available.

They regularly purchase needed items with donated funds.

Kyle helped organize the materials (with assistance) in the special assembly area created by Angelica at the Day Program.

Almost every day, Kyle assembles part or all of a shoebox. There are 12-20 items that go in a box.

Angelica reports that Kyle has gotten faster and more independent in assembling the boxes.

On Fridays, they deliver boxes to a local church. Sometimes Kyle has to walk a long way carefully carrying the boxes to the office.

The staff at the church, including the pastor, has gotten to know Kyle and personally thanks him for each delivery.

This has been a wonderful project for Kyle. I love that he can work on something meaningful (vs busywork) which helps him improve his focus and motor skills while also giving back to the community. Connecting with people in the community is also a plus. It's great that Kyle can participate in all aspects of the process from collecting donations and purchasing items to assembly and then delivery. There are challenges for Kyle in all these pieces of the project and he has make progress in all areas. Angelica has done a wonderful job of organizing the project for Kyle and keeping it moving forward. She has put a lot of time, thought, and effort into how to make this good for Kyle.

In fact, it has moved forward so much, they are once again, in need of supplies. I am contacting you to ask for your support in collecting items for the kits. There are many ways to contribute. The dentists often have lots of toothbrushes/toothpaste and are happy to donate a box of them. Or, if you see a sale going on, pick up some items for donation. Look through your cabinets and see if you have any unused supplies. Collect items when you are at hotels. And of course, we are in need of shoeboxes.

We will continue to help with funds so Kyle can shop for items at the dollar store too, but any donation of any item on the list would be greatly appreciated.

Kyle and his assistant can pick these items up if you want to donate so hopefully this makes the process that much easier. Just let me know and I can schedule a time for pick up and you can leave them outside the door.

Thank you for your support. I am pasting the shoebox recipe below and you can also visit the website for more info.

Gayle

Assemble the following items into a shoe box and Shoebox Ministry will make sure it is delivered to a deserving recipient at one of the Valley's homeless agencies or shelters.

• 1 regular-size bottle shampoo (or 14 hotel/travel size)

• 1 regular-size bottle conditioner (or several travel size)

• 1 can shaving cream*

• 1 tube toothpaste

• 1 adult toothbrush

• 1 washcloth (new or clean used)

• 1 month supply women's sanitary products*

• 1 deodorant*

• 1 large bar soap (individually wrapped or in bag)

• 1 comb or hair brush

• 2 individual band-aids

• 2 disposable razors

• 1 body lotion (or several travel size)

• 1 pocket-size packet of tissues

• 1 pair of socks (new or clean used)

• 1 mending/sewing kit

1 magazine/reading material

Optional ingredients if available:

◦ 1 small packet laundry soap

◦ 1 shower cap*

◦ 1 bath/shower gel

◦ 1 hair spray

◦ 1 small notebook and pen

◦ stationery with stamped envelopes

◦ other misc grooming items for men or women

*Please vary items accordingly for a woman or man. If making a "family kit" include socks for a man and a woman, and include 2 adult toothbrushes, 2 children's toothbrushes, 2 deodorants and 5 disposable razors.

• Shampoo

• Deodorant

• Monetary Donations 

Quotacious:

"Complain less, Giggle more."

~~Karen Salmonson

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by rolex dateJust, February 02, 2013

You consign gem that those rolex dateJust watches are thoroughly imitated to the pure versions. Their characteristic styles further materials are rolex replica. They're not prepared from estimable mazuma but their quality are very angelic. They are specious from conjugate or conceivably contrasting inexpensive components. A category of them pledge project because a lock of legion years, several of them also keep action longer.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment