Thanks to all
Lori Moore - SOS Community Relations
Friday, January 25, 2008
ONCE AGAIN, the generosity of the community has made another successful holiday drive for SOS possible. This year donors and volunteers helped 32 families whose lives were interrupted by sexual or domestic violence, abuse or neglect in Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Osage, Greenwood, and Morris Counties. Thanks to the generosity and thoughtfulness of donors all of our families had their basic needs met and were able to have a few extras such as toys, books, or music.
Many people or businesses adopted a family and shopped from a wish list to provide new gifts personally chosen for family members and were able to drop them off at a holiday space generously donated by Flint Hills Music. Some donors gave monetary donations which allowed us to fill in the gaps and buy much needed items such as undergarments, pajamas, socks, and coats. Still more donors brought in stocking stuffers, personal hygiene items, or food.
A special thanks goes out to First United Methodist Women, ESU Nursing Program, ABATE, The Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, Thomas Transfer and The Delane Drive Neighborhood for doing toy and gift drives which allowed us to provide extra toys, household items, and grocery cards for the families.
Holidays can be a difficult time for those who have left or lost their homes because of violence. The support of the community allowed families to forget about their disrupted lives for a moment and have a holiday together. Spending time together is a crucial part of starting the healing and rebuilding a new, safer family. Thanks to all the donors and volunteers who made the holiday drive a success and touched so many lives.
Lori Moore
SOS Community Relations