Additional Donors from the Philly Phreak

I promised before the Philly Phreak to personally write a post about all the donors on my page.  A lovely PNN'er reminded me that I had work left undone and should continue to post about the donors.  Thank You lovely lady...

Shop Rite of Warminster

This is my local grocery store.  It often feels like a second home since I frequent the store several times a week.  Most of the cashiers know me by name so I felt very comfortable asking for a donation.  I had received a sponsor donation from them the previous week for my son's baseball team so I wasn't sure if they could accommodate another donation so soon but they obliged right away.Penny the front end manager quickly agreed that a women's shelter was something ShopRite would love to contribute to.  They told me to engage in a $100 shopping spree on behalf of the shelter.  Shoprite brand diapers and wipes happened to be on sale so this was a good week to get them.  I loaded up the cart with diapers and wipes and went to the register.  The total was more like $140 but Penny said that would be fine and who am I to argue!  I would like to thank Shoprite and Penny on behalf of PNN and the shelter.  Your kindness and appreciation for women does not go unnoticed.  Another great reason to continue to be a patron of the store!  Thank you for improving the community!

Several Ladies Of PNN

I debated on whether these 3 lovely PNN'ers would want to be singles out and decided they deserve to be recognized.  Sally G., Laurie Boris and Leigh all sent $$$ to me through paypal the week of the phreak.  I want them to know what a welcome contribution their gifts were to the ladies.  Their hard earned money was spent at a great sale at Bath and Body works that happened to be having a clearance sale that week.  We managed to purchase boat loads of body sprays, perfumes and lotions for the Red Shield ladies.  What a splurge for them.  Things like that are not frequent donations to the shelter and they so enjoyed them.  Nice to remind them how beautiful they are!  Thank you ladies--your kindness did not go unnoticed.

Neighbors and Friends

As we all know it was a last minute decision to collect donations for the Shelter.  Our lovely PNN'ers would be coming from near and far, by train, by bus and care and all have pretty full schedules as it is.  Difficult to get together donations in such a short time.  I decided to send out a red alert to my friends and neighbors.  Now since I have a pretty extensive contact list (thanks to all the sports and clubs my kids belong to) I felt comfortable asking for some help.  The donations poured in immediately.  Everyone was delighted to drop off items that were gently used.  We agreed due to time constraints I would simply leave my van unlocked and people could drop off on their own time.  I was amazed with the donations.  I do not want to leave them out--so to Betteann, Annette, Laura, Mrs. D., Rochelle, Teresa, Sonia and her sister, Carrie, Leslie, Jonathan, Colleen, Mrs. Sue and to all my kids thank you for thinking of otheres--you can always be counted on.  Jonathan gave the kids of the shelter a prized skateboard and Lauren gave them some of her most cherished barbies.  So to the 2 of you--the children of the shelter wanted me to thank you the most!

The Ladies of the Phreak

The ladies of the phreak I'm sure wouldn't want me to name names but I do want to say that some--gave some great shoes, some--clothing, some--picked up the bar bill for us, some--dazzled us with their computer abilities. some--carried things on a bus, some--in their cars, some--gave us laughs, some--used their comforting words to make the ladies of the shelter feel right at home.  Everyone contributed in some way or another.  So thank you to all of you.  Your compassion and big hearts did not go unnoticed.  It was a delightful event for all.

The Last Contributors are closest to my Heart.

My kids sorted and organized all the donations and threw in some of their own things.  They muddled through with no meals cooked and survived on hot pockets so I could do some errands for the Phreak.  Thank you --I love you guys.

My husband knew that it is almost impossible to get corporate donors to give the PNN'ers swag in only 3 days so he made an executive decision.  He ventured out on his own and contacted an elderly couple who handcraft wooden roses out of shavings and tenderly craft them into  roses for all colors.  Every lady of the Phreak was given a dozen beautiful  roses to remind them they are all beautiful too!  Thank you sweetheart.  They loved them and sent their thanks!

Finally I'd like to thank all the members of PNN.  This wasn't done by a few it was done by all.  Everyone who offered encouragement, congrats and well wishes.  Pnn is a community of support and friendship for so many and we continue to show that those qualities can make a difference.

Thank You Letter From the Red Shield Residence 2

Ok ladies I did my best trying to post this letter.

Everyone should be so proud of themselves.  We had a great time with Rita, Leslie and Vanessa and each other while giving these ladies a much needed break.  See together we can support other women who might just need an offer of kindness or a hand to hold to change the course of their lives.  We had donations of purses, shoes, clothes for women and children, teddy bears, make up, perfume, diapers, wipes, toys, books, shampoo, body wash , toiletries, blankets, strollers, pillows, and anything else you can imagine. 

The look on their faces is something I can't get out of my mind and my heart.  The tears I saw as they noticed the diapers will stay with me a long time.  Imagine diapers bringing that much joy. 

Hopefully this is the first of many events PNN can be a part of in our communities.  Even if you don't live near Philadelphia there are women's shelters all over the US.  Find one , see if a couple of women are nearby and all join together and collect gently used and new items to drop off at the local shelters.  This way the items go directly to the people who need them the most.

I have already starting collecting for another donation in July.  Hopefully some of you can join me if not I will deliver the items from the women of PNN.

I am honored to have been a part of this along with the other women of the PNN.  Oh it feels so good to have done this ....my heart just soars!!!  Thank you to all of you for a job well done!!!!

I Promised I Would Not Forget Them

On June 6th I had the priveledge of meeting some really awesome women.  I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely ladies of PNN and the wonderful inspiring women of the Red Shield Family Residence here in Philly.

We emptied the van of all our many donations and entered the shelter.  There were women sitting by the entrance with tears in their eyes watching the parade of boxes and bags.  I was confused to say the least at first and then someone explained.  The women had seen THE CASES OF DIAPERS.  To you and I this may not seem to be something to cry over but these women are allotted so many diapers per day per child.  There are simply not enough to go around. I can't even imagine.

We introduced ourselves to the ladies who would be joining us for dinner and away we went.  We chatted as we drove and tried to make them feel confortable and included.  Which I believe we more than achieved.  We chatted about their children which totaled 10 and 2 more on the way.  Rita, Leslie and Vanessa were charming, funny, strong, beautiful women who had been handed a hard road to travel. Leslie was hysterical over the antics of Hipchick and Kimber and never once stopped laughing.  Rita told us her new baby would be a boy and welcomed the sooner the better.  Vanessa's children were 17 and older and she held back just a little.

I had the chance to speak to Rita alone outside the restaurant.  She asked me quite frankly "why did all of you do this for us?" I told her anyone of us could have been her and women are supposed to help women.  All of us stumble through life at times and all we need is a little hand to get right back up!  She asked if all of us lived in fancy houses-I told her no.  Many of us could be just a few weeks or months from walking in their shoes if we lose our jobs or our health.

She told me of her struggles and her hopes for a home of her own.  She is a strong lady who I believe will make it and one day walk into her own kitchen!  I felt at home with Rita and shared some of my own personal struggles with her.  She didn't judge me or look at me funny.  She said she would pray for me and hoped I could find peace within my heart.

I have to say that what started out as all of us helping them turned into them helping me!  Those women truly touched my heart.  When the meal was over we took them back to the shelter and said our goodbyes.  I gave each of them my cell number and told them to call me if they needed me.  Thing is I can't say goodbye.  I can't forget them and I think of them daily. 

I thought I was strong.  I thought I had it bad some days.  I had no idea really.  These women are some of the strongest women I have ever met.  Talk about life handing you lemons--these women talked about the lemondade they were trying to make not the lemons.  I was inspired and in awe once again by the power of women.  Really we are all the same regardless of color, religion, age, finances or ethnic background.  We are all women putting our pants on one leg at a time hoping for a brighter day for our families.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND...I have decided to do it again next month.  I have already started collecting gently used items and diapers of all sizes. I have put the word out in my neighborhood.  ANYONE who would like to join me you are more than welcome.  I plan to drop off the items and maybe take a few women out for lunch. I am shooting for July 11th.  Hope to hear from some of you local ladies.

PHILLY PHREAK 6/6/09

1.) THAT'S ALL OF US SITTING IN THE LOUNGE. 

PICTURES NUMBERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

2) KIMBER, CANDY (THE WAITRESS) AND HIPCHICK   3)THE TEDDY BEARS MY FRIEND JANET WARD DONATED    4) THE HANDMADE WOODEN ROSES MY HUBBY BOUGHT FOR ALLTHE PNN LADIES   5)ALL OF US AT DINNER WITH THE LADIES WE MET FROM THE RED SHIELD FAMILY RESIDENCE  6) THAT'S THE BACK OF MY E-150 VAN CHUCK FULL OF DONATIONS.

In addition to the fine work of the pnn ladies I must thank all my neighbors and friends who came through for the shelter in only 3 days!  The residence ladies have touched my heart and I will not forget them --I have a little something in the works!!

Check out this Woman Who Donated to the Philly Phreak Swag

On June 6th we all know that some of us had the pleasure of attending the first official PNN gathering.  One of the lovely donations for this even was a very cute RUSS TEDDY BEAR.  Janet Ward donated one for each PNN lady to add to the swag and sold us over 40 others at below cost!  The kids at the shelter were overjoyed!  There is a story behind the bears...she is not just the teddy bear lady!

Several years ago Janet's father died "POPPIE."  she was overwhelmed by grief and needed to use that grief wisely.  Soooo she decided to buy hundreds of Teddy Bears and sell them in honor of her Dad and donate all the $$$ including what she paid to a charity--she chose a cancer foundation.  She did manage to sell quite a few bears and help out cancer research.  That she has time at all to do this is amazing since she takes care of her mother full time (who has lifetime schizophrenia and now Alzheimer's), her surprise child who is 2(she has a 24 yr. old) and works part time from home.

Janet still sells bears--IN HONOR OF SOMEONE SPECIAL BEARS-at an extremely low price of $5 each plus shipping.  Shipping is $6 for 1-2 bears and $12 for 3-4 bears.  These are cheap enough anyone to buy to honor their someone special whether they are here with us or passed away!  I myself have given them as gift to special people in my life!  A Teddy Bear has the power to lift the spirits of any age and put a smile on their face.

So with that in mind I thought I would pass along her info. so that if you're interested you can get yours.  All the $$ is donated to charity so in essence you will be helping more than one person.

You can contact her directly at jmw0913@aol.com. You can pay her through paypal at the same email address through paypal.com or send her a check @ 36 harcourt lane Hatboro, pa.  19040. 

Thank you Janet for lifting the hearts of so many children at the Red Shield Family Residence.  You truly are a wonderful lady.  On behalf of all my friends here at PNN--WE THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!