Little ~d's World

BWB Blog!

2012-01-05T10:00:00.001-08:00

Thank you to BWB's Squirt for creating and posting this blog.. http://blog.burnerswithoutborders.org/ she gleaned posts from this blog i keep on the project!!

THANK YOU!!!!

2011-12-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

BWB Detroit Thanks everyone i can think of who has helped us over the last few years...thank you so much...i wish i could express how much your help means to me!

hands together head bowed.

~d

In no order...you are all equally important!

Atelier Gothique
Guilliom Family Foundation
Anthony Guilliom
Allison Guilliom
Max Guilliom
DAMNED
DVS
Joe Ferraro
Christopher Breedlove
Chicago BWB
Carmen Mauk
Lee Anna Mariglia
Jojo Smedo
MI point of View
Bacon- Josh Mac
Carol Kaltz
Jeremy Hocket
Faith Shinaver
Eric Miller
Ro Zielke and Rachael.
Nick Papcun
Jess Zerwas
Dondo
Skinny
Vicky McLellan
Ken Poirier
Barbarba White
Theatre Bizarre
Shawn Matthews
The Schankin family
Adam Layne
Sharon Layne
Madeline Frost
SATORI CIRCUS and the CIRQUETTES
Becca Emerson
Millicent Johnson - Sharable magazine
Liz Lola Teifer,
Anita LeBlanc
Amber Arellano
Paul Fontaine
Justins Natural Peanut Butter
Ian Perotta
Hamtramck Review
Sarah Mackey
Teal bruce
Glad bags
John Wiley
Chris and Kim Castell,
Tom Nardone and his wife
The Dirty Show
Jerry Vile
Love a Cunt
Alyssa bradish
Liz Teifer
Sarah Tacas
Jennifer Allen
Nicole Laney
Sarah Lachowski
Tabi Hojna
Jade Ashekerra
Haley Jane
Chrissie and Garrett,
Tuka and Jane
Mike Mogill
Jessca
Cynthia Cooky Jones
Donna a patron of the Saint Ladislaus Hamtramck Soup Kitchen
The ladies who cook weekly at Saint Ladislaus Hamtramck Soup Kitchen
My old landlord and his brother Chester and Fred Kasperzak for letting me take over the basement to house bins and bins of supplies
Soup at Spaulding for allowing me to come and present TWICE!
Pastor Matthew at Spirit Hope Church
Miss Jerry Andres from Spirit Hope Church for running the clothes pantry
Jimmy Santiago and his secret gifts
Angela newson and aya too
Lisa Forley
Cindy Bartkowiack
Amy Hajec
Susan Hajec
Yassar at ProDiscount Hamtramck
Rachal Timlin
Leslie Blackburn and her daughter Hanna
Kim Rhotan
Aylex Hakuai Araque
Pete Coe
Erin McClain
Craig McClain
Jennifer Gabrish
Detroit Soup.
Marc Beaugard.
CAID
Aaron Timlin
Melody Joy Shatto
Joshua JKanizzle Cunningham
George Barnett
Lisa Forzley
Lindsey Harnish
Studioklinicseven Kristine Diven
Jori Hayner
Charles McMoses
Meredith Nilsen
Molly Vikart
Heather Favrah Fincati
Andrea Brassert
Keisha Smith
Amy Ellias
Angela Pal
Dub Step Circus
Alyssa Martinez
Karen Shirey- sent to me by Peter Pan
Jay Bee- Frank Buck
Peter Pan, the mysterious
Mike Sudz
Amanda Zins
Jim Bates
GRABBERs
Frank Lawson
Michelle Oralee Lewis
Ann McGaffy
Zumbas Mexican Grill
DFG
Donors to BWB Theme Camp 2010 for all the socks and backpacks~
Tiffany Sinacola
Rita and Scott Sinacola
Diane Johansen
Chris Cornwell
Hamtramck Senior Center
Kim Rhotan
Ronnie Parrish
Stacy Parrish and kids
Shari and Bob Rehs and Nina
Dan Trevisan
Sola Obayan
Social Good Detroit
Kaye Marie Zbiciak
Jodi Rogers
Mari Vaydik
Alex Pratt
Melody Joy Shatto
Mabel Costello
Valerie Thompson
Steve Nilsen
Nate Klenk
Tommy Nugent
Carrie Bolton-Sawicki and HERO is the Homeless Empowerment Relationship Organization.
Tim Castañeda, & Zumba Mexican Grille
Pete Coe
Tondochan LaSylvet
Hannah Lewis
Jon Koller
Moose Jaw
A Mayonnaise Graveyard
John Easa
Greg Smith
Alison Kinning
Claire Broderick
Andrea Mattson
Fuzy Tek
Rodney curtis
Garrett Myles Goforth
Gretchen Martin
Brian Lewis

To all my Birthday Wish 2011donors
Bryan Rice
Diane Kobasic
Priya Sarin
Monica Storch
Peachy Von Detroit
Avanti Herczeg
Damian Polack
David Koren
Thomas Jankowski
Scott M Reilly
Paul M. Grinnell
Julia Raskin
Bohdi Bill Bader
Arthur Zukowski
Codrin Cionca
One Space
Sarah Elizabeth Whitman
Aaron Krynicki
Tom Nardone
Judith A Mauro
Nicolle Tsertos
Kyle Carey
Larz Gaydos
Abhik Shah
Brian Lewis
Cynthia Cooky Jones
Thaddeus McKracken
Lindsey Godlove Harnish
Legged OfFour
John Wiley
Paulette K. Michelz

and to each of the countless others who donated and helped that I do not know your names and i am so hoping it did not forget anyone if I did please forgive me!

So much gratitude and thanks and love and wonder for each of you for helping this project…by believing and supporting it..it cannot happen without YOU!!

Happy Holidays from Burners without Borders Detroit

Much love

~danielle

BwB Chicago Winter Ball

2011-12-23T12:42:00.001-08:00

Thank you to EVERY single person involved in organizing the amazing Burners without Borders Winter Ball in Chicago hosted at Eco.

So much gratitude for them collecting items to be taken back to Detroit for the Homeless Backpack Project.

This image may not look like a lot of stuff..but it is...all the packs are full of socks and hats and gloves and my car was full.!!

thank you thank you thank you!!

Old post DIRTY SHOW 2011

2011-12-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

i never posted up this image from a women i did a print for at the Dirty Show..her friend snapped a picture of us at the moment of printing...and send it to me.

They were both really excited and happy when they learned there donation went to help the homeless!

thanks ladies!

Seraphina Black ..thank you!

2011-12-23T12:37:00.001-08:00

A big thank you to Seraphina Black for her continued efforts to Collect for BWB Detroit from her co-workers. who are very generous and give tons of items for the project!!

thank you thank you thank you!

~d

Smokey and Yassar in Hamtramck

2011-12-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

December 22

I was in Hamtramck seeing Yassar at Prodiscount to check out the items i bought from him. he has been doing some bulk shopping for me for the project. been getting small stuff from him for years and he now wants to help..so i give him ideas on what i needs and when he shops he texts me deals and costs!

After Detroit Soup..i asked him to price out gloves..they are nice too i saw them and the thermal socks.. 250 of each..will pick up Dec 24 after i hit up the Spirit Hope Soup Kitchen.

On my way into his store i saw Smokey. his name is not Smokey but i have 'known' him since i moved to hamtramck in 1998. I often buy him fruit and stuff when i shop there. last night i asked if he wanted a back pack and told him what was in it.

I asked him name again..its Charles. He has a speak impediment so its always been hard to hear him. but i can always tell when he says God Bless you..to me!
I went in and grabbed a few more things and can opener as his backpack didnt have one when i checked it like i do all of them..so i am glad i checked..and glad cuz i found MY hat...i must have set it down during the backpacking event and bam it got packed...funny!

Glad i could help Charles out and i am thankful that Yassar is helping us out!

we are all interconnected

xo~d

December interactions on the streets

2011-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Dec 4, 2011 on way to see a movie with Mario. i spied a woman sitting under the bridge at 8 and Woodward..i pulled over hit the hazards and got out..the person was covered in a childs blanket..and i quietly walked up and said hello and asked if i could help with some handwarmers and 2 pair of socks.

A women peeked out..and said yes. I gave her what i had and she was very thankful. She pulled back the blanket and i saw she had no socks on at all. and her coat was thin..i ran to my car and had a red wool jacket and asked her if she wanted it..she did. she was very weak..and very thankful..i asked her name and told her mine..she is Mia

i got back in that car and tried to hold back the tears.. Mario was very understanding. that was his first time with me..doubt it will be the last.

Actually on the way to movie at 8 and 75 we saw a man in front of cars and begging and fronting..and i told Mario i would never stop for someone like that even with him in the car.

After the movie at the same spot was a guy named Jim..and later another woman, her name might have been kim i forget...who both lit up when they saw socks..they were very happy.

December 7

I meet Clif at shelby and fort walking caught his eye..he motioned 4 drink i offered socks his eyes lit up and he blessed me!

December 20

Meet John at 75 and 8 mile..

on the 21st..

i saw kevin by work, he is one of my favorites.though i had to ask him to tell me his name again..we wave to each other every morning he is on the off ramp at Howard...great big smile! ..this day his foot broken..someone ran it over at that corner..ironic.. nice..
i gave him a fuller bag that day with extra loot..yup!

Social Good Detroit event

2011-12-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

I was contacted about a month ago to be involved in this event called Social Good Detroit..where there would be a panel of speakers talking about how to make Detroit Thrive.

It happened on Thursday December 15 at the Red Grape on Woodward.

There were 4 charities invited to talk about our projects and then a silent auction of sports items and chance for us to talk about our programs, sign up volunteers and accept donations....this all happened before or after the talks.

It was an interesting event..mingled networked...had dinner with Harry Reisig..or should i say he bought me dinner and gave me a space to eat with him..thank you!

FatHead supplied a sticky re-usable logo..see picture..that i took to the BWB Chicago Winter Ball! yea. Thank you!

Detroit Soup

2011-12-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

I was invited to present at Detroit Soup on the evening of Sunday December 11.

I accepted as i was honored they liked my proposal. I knew it was going to be a busy day as we had the Homeless Backpacking event from 1 to 4pm.

I got there early with Christopher and Mario with me. On our way in a homeless lady was at the door,her name was Joy. I told Miss Joy what i was about to do and that when i was done i would come out and give her the backpack i had with me.

Heading up the stairs i totally tripped..going up!! and the door guy looked and i laughed and laughed..so did he.. doh! great entry!

The space was all decked out. I knew a handful of people and after checking in just started to mingle.

Met some people and talked to a guy from the Metro Detroit Center for Attitudinal Healing who asked good questions about how much it costs to make each pack..which to be honest i really dont know...Yet! but will hopefully figure out soon with help from someone else this evening i ran into.

We all mingled and talked, and listened to a poet then the presenters got up. I went third. i presented against 3 other groups..the others being Detroit Day from Ann Arbor, a time/work share project in Woodbridge and a project to help handicapped women start their own business.

I was really nervous once i had to stand up in front all the people..not sure why but i felt out of my element, over tired from the day and underfed..so i was me..only more nervous and silly.

I started off on a bad foot i think cuz a friend told me right before i went on that since i am established the crowd might now pick me so i had to make them get it..like get it...i know he was trying to help but i stepped off thought process immediately. I tried to cover what i could in the time i had while fumbling and not sure of what i had just said two sentences ago..it was a mess.

Lucky for me there was a 4 question session after..where i was able to really shine i think and bring home what it really was about instead of me just babbling. being asked direct questions about something i am so passionate about really relaxed me..i even had the crowd laughing at things..though i was still nervous and not exactly sure why they were laughing..but i get that when i get going..people often giggle at me..and with me too!

After all presenters went there was time to eat and mingle more..and i ran downstairs to give my backpack to Miss Joy who was now inside sorting her stuff and able to get inside a bit to warm. She was really thankful!

on my way back upstairs i tripped up again..it was too funny and the same guy saw me..hilarious, i laughed my butt off again!! People asked lots of questions and i talked to the other presenters to about their projects..which are all cool.

When the votes were tallied the main organizer and i feel horrible that i am spacing on her name right now.. got on the stage to talk about the food we all just ate..which was great and thanked everyone and talked about Soup...then the young boy with her read the name of the winner for the evening.

Burners with Borders Detroit was chosen and went on stage to thank him and take the wad of singles and dollars..it was a lot. $690.50 I thanked everyone and told them this was going to be so helpful and told them i would be back in March to talk about how it helped!

I am so thankful people what this project is about and support it so much.
so so so grateful

~d

Christopher Breedlove has video of the event..when ready i will post it here!

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT- great success!

2011-12-23T11:20:00.000-08:00

Wow..the HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT we held on Sunday December 11th, 2011 and it was a big day for us..I am just now getting caught up on thank yous.

My mother and i showed up at the Senior Center in Hamtracmk at noon to help set up...and much to my surprise 13 people showed up as well to help set it up.. i thought i would have 3 people show... it was insane so Detroit in the assembly line style of setting things up for people to be able to come in and fill packs...and boy did they..

over 50 people showed up and we packed over 200 most likely like 250 backpacks!
it was so amazing and inspiring and to be honest kind of overwhelming.. they were all packed in less than 2 hrs..it was just as fast as last year with double the amount of supplies. it was so wonderful to witness as i ran around directing people and answering questions and talking to the seniors who live in the center who were curious about what we were doing. Two residents even came and donated supplies!!

Friends from high school I had not seen in 20yrs showed up with families in tow to help.. people from all aspects of my life... and a handful of strangers too

here are pix to the event ; http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150430278588925.362412.549398924&type=3

That night i also presented at Detroit Soup more on that in the next blog!

Thank you to all the people who donated, collected, fundraised and showed up to help backpacks!!

HUGE BOW to each of you!

McDonald's

2011-12-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

Plan to purchase gift certificate from a Detroit McDonalds where for the homeless Thank you Tom Nardone for this amazing idea to gift.. if your a paying customer you can come in from the cold!

Detroit Soup winnings

2011-12-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

ohh so happy i thought the price i was quoted for gloves was just for 250pairs but it was also for 250 pairs of socks!! i went and looked at them last night...good stuff..thermal socks and big warm gloves!!

so we just got a double plus good bonus and our Detroit SOUP winnings just went twice as far and there is still $ left over to buy gift certs to McDonalds to help please be paying customers and get out of the cold!!

so grateful

The BwB Winter Ball

2011-12-01T08:18:00.002-08:00

Chicago- Friday- December 16- BWB Ball
Burners Without Borders Chicago & ECO present:
The BwB Winter Ball
December 16th | 10pm to Late Night
@ The ECO Collective 15$Donation

A formal evening and dashing affair to whisk you into wintertime. BwB-Chicago & ECO invite you to come out, dress up, and play with us as we all start to bunker down for the Chicago winter!
Featuring the musical talents of: Searchl1te, Jeekos, Spacewülf, Magpie, JBizzle, Ruff Fingers, Marcin, Good Evening, and Ben X. Tea Lounge. Treats by Edible Alchemy. Egon's WunderBar. Poets Who Know It. Live Silk Screening and more being announced soon.

We will be collecting donations for the Burners Without Borders Detroit Backpack Project consisting of: socks, backpacks, winter gloves, & hats. Please- no sweaters or jackets.

If you would like to get involved artistically or as a volunteer please email: chicago@burnerswithoutborders.org

Here is the facebook invite to rsvp; https://www.facebook.com/events/184155771673615/

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT- December 11th, 2011

2011-12-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

DETROIT Sunday- December 11

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT

Tis the season...and we need YOUR help to help others..

WHEN: Sunday December 11, from 1 to 4pm

WHERE: Hamtramck Senior Plaza (thank you Chris Cornwell for donating the space again this year)

We have about 200 backpacks (from a generous donation from the Guilliom Foundation) to fill with canned food, can openers (must have those!), hand warmers, peanut butter packs,ponchos, socks, gloves, hats, hygiene products and whatever else we get donated!

The packing will take place at the Senior Citizens Housing Complex and Henry Ford Health Center on Holbrook in Hamtramck. You will have to be buzzed in by security!

If you have items to donate please bring them..we can always use them
You are are welcome to take Back packs with them if they feel comfortable approaching homeless, if not i will get them all out on the streets.

CLICK HERE for the facebook event or follow the link http://www.facebook.com/events/113992862047430/

Chicago..socks socks and more socks

2011-11-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

was in chicago the weekend before thanksgiving and did not have backpacks with me nor was i loaded with supplies..BUT i had been gifted 3 dozen pairs of socks by Vicky McLellan and those were heaven sent!

I ran into two homeless men driving around town was able to gift them socks and i was so thankful to have something.

Fullton was the first man i ran into, he was standing in a medium and i was able to grab some socks out with the help of Christopher and quickly stop at a green light and give them to him.

The next man was Roy, he was in the alley behind a collective called Ecco. He was rummaging in a garbage can and we chatted for a bit...i didnt have a bag to give them to him and his hands were dirty but he skillfully managed to grab them with his wrists and place them inside his shopping cart so they did not get dirty!

Both men were beautiful spirits and full of smiles!

Thank you Vicky!

PREACHERMAN Hometown Debut

2011-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

PREACHERMAN

Award-winning one man comedy theater show of the Reverend Nuge's journey from pentecostal preacher to atheist street magician finding 'accidental enlightenment' over two trips to Burning Man.

Tix $15 (with 20% of proceeds donated to Occupy Detroit and Burners without Borders Detroit)

WHERE: 15 15 Broadway
1515 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226-211

WHEN: Wednesday, November 23, 2011

TIME: 8:00pm until 9:00pm

NOTE: through a quirk of the law, FOOD and WINE are able to be given away after a benefit performance, however you can not advertise the FREE FOOD and WINE. Therefore I will not advertise FREE FOOD AND WINE AFTER THE PERFORMANCE.

http://reverendnuge.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fZt_-WMwwk&feature=feedu

(thank you Tommy..we love box wine! )

Tax Deductible donation

2011-11-18T10:06:00.000-08:00

Please consider making a year end donation to Burners without Borders Detroit.

As Burners Without Borders Fiscal Sponsor, BRAF is able to facilitate their tax-deductible donations. Please enter the dollar amount you wish to donate below.

The Black Rock Arts Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax Exempt ID #91-2130056.

Please send an e-mail to donate@burnerswithoutborders.org if you want your money allocated to a specific project, and we will make sure it gets there

PLEASE CHOOSE THE DROP DOWN WINDOW FOR DETROIT!!

thank you!

http://blackrockarts.in-merch.com/catalog.php?act=view_prod&i&l&sid&id_categ=5486

Thank you ...MooseJaw!

2011-11-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

Big thank you to Moosejaw for the donation of 100 hand warmers for our upcoming backpacking event Sunday December 11!

thanks Eli!!! xox

EVERYONE please DO THIS!!!!!!!!

2011-11-18T09:59:00.001-08:00

help Burners without Borders Detroit help the homeless this would be great to win.. make a guess!!! please please please and thanks ..PS..dont forget to like there page!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150462245956147&set=a.486077666146.296735.61046571146&type=3&theater

Homeless Backpacking event

2011-11-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!

Tis the season...and Burners without Borders Detroit needs YOUR help to help others..

WHAT: Homeless Backpacking event

WHEN: Sunday December 11, from 1 to 4pm

WHERE: Hamtramck Senior Plaza (thank you Chris Cornwell for donating the space again this year)

WHY: because without people like YOU the Homeless Backpack Project simply can not happen!

WHY2: Because WE are fortunate enough to be able to help others.

We have about 200 backpacks (from a generous donation from the Guilliom Foundation) to fill with canned food, can openers (must have those!), hand warmers, peanut butter packs,ponchos, socks, gloves, hats, hygiene products and whatever else we get donated!

Please note we have had amazing cash donations this year as noted above and from two artists from the DAMNED Exhibition; Atelier Gothique (http://www.facebook.com/gothique1) and MI view (http://www.facebook.com/pages/MI-point-of-View/115162725163871)

All of which have afforded BWB Detroit to have enough supplies for 200 backpacks..that is 2x as many as we did last year! 200 packs is ambitious but we think we can do it!

Thank you also to Justin's Nut Butter and MooseJaw for donations of peanut butter and hand warmers!...and to all the private donations of hats, gloves, socks, food, water and juice boxes to make all of this possible..

The packing will take place at the Senior Citizens Housing Complex and Henry Ford Health Center on Holbrook in Hamtramck. You will have to be buzzed in by security!

If you have items to donate please bring them..we can always use them

You are are welcome to take Back packs with them if they feel comfortable approaching homeless, if not i will get them all out on the streets.

I look forward to mingling with you as we create the backpacks and form new friendships!

If you are not able to make the event...please promote it and Burners without Borders Detroit or....

if you cant make it..please consider making a tax deductible donation to BWB Detroit at http://blackrockarts.in-merch.com/catalog.php?act=view_prod&i&l&sid&id_categ=5486 choose Detroit on the pull down tab!

Thank you ..

Danielle ~doxie Kaltz
Burners without Borders Detroit
detroit@burnerswithoutborders.org
http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/

Check out Burners without Borders Detroit on facebook...'like' us

Thank you again Soup at Spaulding!!!

2011-11-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

Burners without Borders Detroit would again this year like to thank the great folks at Soup at Spaulding for inviting us to present again.

Our hosts the wonderful and lovely Anthony and Allison Guilliom set up a wonderful event. Though not many people turned out ...it matters not...if 2 people show up..you and another and you connect and have a good time..then to me its a success.

we had more than that and i was able to be the only presenter and share what BWB Detroit does and was honored to do so!

Thank you so much for the donations to purchase more items for the backpacks!

~d

Justins Nut Butters...thank you soo much!!

2011-11-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

Burners without Borders Detroit would like to send out a big thank you to Justin's Nut Butter for their generous donation of 300 almond maple butter single serving packs to be added to this years backpacks for the homeless!!!

I wrote them a letter asking for help and i was stunning and pleased they wrote back in my in such a short time..like an hour..no joke and agreed to make the wonderful donation.

We are so happy that they will be in available for our next backpacking event on Sunday, December 11th in Hamtramck at the Henry Ford Senior Citizen Center on Holbrooke from 1 to 4pm..more details to follow!

~d

Another stop at Soup for Spaulding

2011-11-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Burners without Borders Detroit was asked to present at Soup at Spaulding next Thursday November 10 at 7pm for Burners without Borders Detroit. Please come out and share a meal and support which ever cause you choose! thank you for another opportunity.

here is the blog about our last and wonderful visit; http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html

Hand warmer donations!!

2011-11-04T11:36:00.002-07:00

Moose Jaw is donating a few boxes of hand warmers to BWB Detroit! thank you Nick Papcun for the intro!

Thank you MooseJaw!!

Thank you to ATELIER GOTHIQUE at the DAMNED exhibition.

2011-11-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

BWB Detroit is so grateful to Charles and Amy Elias of Atelier Gothique who donated the stunning ring that was raffled off at the DAMNED this past weekend as a prize with the proceeds to benefit BWB Detroit.

Over $600 has been donated to Burners without Borders Detroit

Congratulations to the winner David Cagle...We hope you are as happy as we are.

Please know all the donations go toward direct action on the streets to help homeless.

Thank you to the Devil Girls who sold over 300 tickets to participants of the event;

your all angels..i mean..oh you get it!

Lushes Lamoan (http://www.facebook.com/lushes.lamoan),

Sarah Schropp- (http://www.facebook.com/it.burns.us) ,

Angie Smith (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=665375855) ,

Alison Haling (http://www.facebook.com/tasteslikea1) ,

Lyndsay Martin (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=515283476),

Jessica Grassa (http://www.facebook.com/jgrassa) and

Meridith Lorde(http://www.facebook.com/MeridithLorde) )

DAMNED donation

2011-11-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

JoJo Smedo sold his entry at the Damned!!!!!! The money from the sale is going straight to Burners without Borders Detroit to help provide food and warmth the homeless in Detroit :)

you can view the image here; http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=307126915967450&set=a.274262952587180.85770.115162725163871&type=3&theater

we are very thankful to you for all you do!

MI point of view...

2011-11-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

From Jojo Smedo- introducing a limited edition print 12" x 24"..(total of 10, signed and numbered); price is $200 with $100 from each print going to Burners without Borders Detroit to help feed and warm the homeless in Detroit- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=308329445847197&set=a.274262952587180.85770.115162725163871&type=3&theater

Thank you JoJo for your thoughtfulness!!

random help from strangers

2011-11-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Rachel Timlin and City of Farmington Hills - Special Services Dept (parks and rec) for collecting for the homeless!!

Rachel heard about the project and asked her co-workers to start collecting! Next week i meet with her to get the items which she says are plentiful.

Her co-workers also want to knwo when the next backpacking event will be so they can attend...it will be in early December..more details to come!

thank you!

new backpacks!!

2011-11-04T11:29:00.001-07:00

5 cases of Backpacks were delivered this week to Detroit via a generous grant for Burners without Borders Detroit from Anthony Guilliom and family...thank you so much..your gift will help so many people this winter! small deep bow! xo~d

Satori Circus, Naked girls and the homeless!

2011-10-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

I am writing about a wacky ass fund raising project for BWB in Detroit.. a handful of local artists and performers got together and created a calendar for Satori Circus 2012 with proceeds to support BWB-Detroit’s backpack project.

These calendars are for purchase.

If you want to help support the cause let me know and we can do paypal or snail mail and I can get one out to you.

Please know that this winter is expected to be colder than last and its estimated more people are on the streets. So help in whatever form you can offer is greatly appreciated.

There will be a back packing event next month..stay tuned for details.

Thank you
Burners without Borders Detroit,

~d

Here is a snippet on the project;

http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=5088
and a full press release;
http://www.facebook.com/notes/satori-circus/for-immedaite-release-satori-circus-and-the-cirquettes-2012-calendar/10150326186944777

Drink and Stitch

2011-10-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Teal and her sister (who i call Purple cuz she wears it so much)for knitting a ton of hats to be put in backpacks for the homeless!

People packing backpacks this weekend were impressed by your work and the mother of the bride was inspired to go back to her church in Arizona and introduce this idea to their knitting circle.

I told her i suspected they would not drink...she said oh not beer but they love their wine!! Perfect!

~d

The Bots Wedding and amazing gifts!

2011-10-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday my friend Jo got married Ray in Hart Plaza at the base of the Gateway to Freedom statue. They did so to honor the memory of many slaves who found freedom at the international waters of Detroit..a city they met in and fell in love.

They came in from out of state a few days early and invited many guests..they made Detroit a destination wedding! And they did this in a variety of ways, but why do i bother to tell you that on this blog you may be wondering.

well keep reading..One of those ways was to give a bus tour from 9am to 4pm of the city they love..and this was not a popular location tour...no instead it was places they loved and enjoyed. They showed no ruin porn, but places with wonderful stories.

Two of those places were the Artist Village and the Motor City Java House were they had activities arranged for their guests to participate in if they so wished.

One of those activities was to pack backpacks for the homeless of Detroit. I arrived there with Rosey and we set up an assembly line of items to people to pack into the bags. Shawn showed up with awesome hygiene packs he made from items donated from hotels by the airport!!

Just over 30 packs were made and are ready for the streets and we are so grateful to each and every guest of Jo & Rays who took the time to help out.
We are humbled and amazed at both Jo & Ray for even thinking of making a part of their visit to Detroit and more so as a part of their ceremony. It shows so much about who they are and the couple they are going to be.

Thank you so much..small bows and deep love!

~d

Occupy Detroit and the homeless in Detroit

2011-10-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

This is a really good blog about someones experience with the homeless while they were at Occupy Detroit.

It made me happy to hear it esp as i heard stories about assaults this weekend and no one could tell me if they were by homeless, on the homeless or otherwise. No one could tell me about a sexual assault either, just that they heard about it.

I wrote a response to this blog in the comments. My only wish is that the writer had not listed the locations of the homeless. I work to keep that information private esp. if they are tucked away.

But please take a moment to read this...

http://leavesintheforest.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupy-detroit-getting-schooled.html?m=1#comment-form

homeless is my address, not my name

2011-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Christopher Breedlove who helps run Chicago Burners Without Borders brought me article from Minnesota on his last visit there.

It's entitled "Homeless is my address, not my name- an oral history of homelessness in Minnesota" its a project including photographers and interviewers doing story collection throughout the state to bring a name and face to this very serious issue.

Read more about it here and how they did the project here

a quote for the projects page is very thought provoking; "First person narratives by people living in poverty are often undervalued, as is all too common with experiences of marginalized people."

This is why this project is so touching to me and why i have for long not wanted people to photograph what i do, but seeing this project makes me realize it can be done in a touching and caring way. Thank you CB for showing me this.

Soup at Spaulding..and the mars bar.

2010-12-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

Soup at Spaulding

I was lucky enough to have Soup at Spaulding contact me and ask me to present for the homeless project.

I was able to present on Thursday December 2, 2010 and I was so happy so many amazing people showed up; Faith, Ro and Rachael., Nick and Jess, Dondo, Vicky, Ken and Babs, Anthony and his son Max, Harry R, Chrissie and Garrett, Tuka, Chris and Kim Castell, Tom Nordane and his wife and a bunch more I didn’t know and some faces i recognized from the first time i went.

I knew I had 3 minutes to prep speak and so the day before I wrote up my little speech I had recited it Breedlove and Faith and felt confident it sounded good though a little worried I may get teared up.

Dinner started at 7pm…a lovely squash soup and salad with Avalon bread and hot tea. At 8 is when the people there to pitch there cause are presented to the audience.

Well the person who was supposed to present with me didn’t show up..so I got to pitch mine alone. Which is a weird feeling I must admit, cuz your like well I guess I win by default and well I hope people don’t feel gipped they don’t get a choice. But then I found out. that it didn’t mean I won automatically as anyone had the option to vote to have the money roll over to the next week. So..the competition was on…oi!

This is what I had prepared so I was allowed to read it cuz normally you are not allowed to have anything with you but they figured it was ok…

Hi! Thanks for coming and supporting this awesome event for Spaulding Court! Thank you for allowing me to present! I am honored and humbled to be here.

My name is doxie or danielle….. and I would like to talk about the Back Pack Project for the homeless I am involved in where items are given directly to the people on the streets.

4 years ago I started to see homeless under the bridges on the highways in Detroit and it made me realize I had too much stuff, don’t we all. So I started to fill my car with blankets and food and my clothes and my dads clothes I still had ..then I would stop and take items to the people who I started to call highway men. I soon ran out of stuff so I started to ask friends and family for donations and their stuff and now I bug anyone and everyone! (all eyes on you!).

In 2008 I started a chapter of Burners without Borders- a civic arm of Burning Man that helps where we see a need in our communities …I see that need in Detroit with the homeless.

Then when Ro asked her family 2 yrs ago to give her stuff to help me instead of xmas gifts she created backpacks full of items she was given- how Selfless and genius! I love you!

Now after asking people on the streets what They need we fill more & more packs with things like; hats, gloves, socks and socks and socks, hand warmers, canned protein (fish, meat beans) and veggies, and can openers of course- along with soft granola bars, (imagine no teeth- food needs to be soft) juice and water…then we tie blankets to the bags with scarves.

Then I hit the streets and look for people who don’t go to shelters for whatever reason and there are many! I also keep clothes and coats in my car too to give out if people need them. I am not trying to get anyone off the streets I don’t have that skill set. I am just trying to help out anyone I can with a backpack filled with supplies, compassion and non-judgment to make a night on the streets a little easier.

I blog about most of my adventures so people can see what happens to the donations they give me. …and here is where I hope you can help me in any way you can Because I can NOT do what I do without the help of people like YOU!

Thank you.

And of course I cried my eyes out…I should not have looked at Ro but I did and I dropped my box. I told the audience I am very attached to this project and sometimes I get that that can be not a great thing.

Then I tried to sit down but I was called back up for questions which I had planted Faith and Ro with one each in case I forgot what to say but since I read from my sheet I was ok..

Well then Harry asked me a question about other ways I raise money…which lead to me getting embarrassed and talking about the Dirty Show and how I raise money there!!
And I got to answer about 3 or 4 more questions then people were allowed to vote.

I am happy to say the vote was unanimous and everyone elected to support the homeless cause! I was very pleased. I then told everyone that a bunch of us were going over to the Mars Bar in Hamtramck and to met us for drinks.

It was a good night… and I got to talk to the owner and he told me any time I would like to use his place to just ask…I told him he had no idea what he just got himself into!!

As I was looking up something today I saw this post someone put on Yelp about the Mars Bar from the evening. I met the guy…and I am glad he had a good time!

One review for The Mars Bar
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-mars-bar-hamtramck

Teal and Purple

2010-12-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

so just this afternoon...Teal from Bay City who came to the backpacking party earlier this month with her sister who's name i can not recall but started calling her purple cuz she was wearing a ton of it that day..

so today Teal hit me up and i knew she might as she was staying with Ro (and Rachael) in Corktown after going to Santarchy. She had contacted me earlier in the week to tell me she had a load of clothes for me...and a bunch of hats.

now these are not just any old hats...no no... teal and sister and niece have been crocheting hats and and i guess fingerless gloves and gave me a big back full of them.

Purple told me it takes no time at all.. she can make the fingerless gloves in an hour and a half...yes she makes it sound that easy... i told her i am very impressed and in no way no how could i even start to do the art she makes look so easy.

I told them both thank you very much and that i will look forward to giving out these hand made with love donations!

Erin is a HERO!

2010-12-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

So last year Erin McClain found me..not even really sure how she did to be honest..but I think it had to do with Burners without Borders Detroit on the Facebook page.

It has been a pleasure communicated with her ever since…this year in January she showed up late to the Back packing event in my basement but it was a pleasure to meet her and her husband Craig when they did…they came with supplies too and left with full backpacks to distribute on the streets. I was happy she took some cuz she was one of the few who did as I don’t pressure people to hit the streets but encourage them if they do.

This month she was at Backpacking event on time and again with Craig and she brought her friend Carrie who works with and organization called HERO. She had been telling me about Carrie for some time so it was nice to meet her and she had about 8 packs with her to contribute to the cause.

What Carrie does with HERO is this as she wrote me in a facebook message;

Hi Danielle! I'm happy to help with what I can. HERO is the Homeless Empowerment Relationship Organization. I actually work for the collections company for HERO's clothing and shoe donation program. We have the black boxes all over southeastern Michigan. Their main focus is helping to "empower" the homeless through workshops and classes. All furniture that is given to HERO is used to help furnish housing for those coming through the programs. HERO works through MAP - Michigan Ability Partners and is also the clothing distributor for Michigan Prisoner Release program. I'll probably only have about 10 backpacks to add to the mix for this year - but will plan to collect them for next year! Thank you for doing such great work in the community!!! If I can't make it to do the packing - I'll make sure that Erin has the donations :-)

--
How wonderful is that? Erin made a wonderful connection for BWB Detroit and I am so thankful. I look forward to how Carrie told me she could possibly overwhelm me next year with backpacks…I asked her to try!!

Both of these ladies are now my hero's!

Jessca and her co-workers

2010-12-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

So Jessca who showed up out of no where during MCVR to help run our door for the event has been around helping ever since…and I am thankful she does! Jessca has a huge beautiful smile and a heart of gold and is willing to help you with anything she can. And she recently helped Burners without Borders Detroit by asking her co-workers make donations that she would collect at work and bring the Back Packing Party on Sundy December 5, 2010. And donate they did, she came to the event with a ton of items to help us back the packs with and then some. People helped her bring her collection and others helped her sort them! It was good teamwork! I am grateful to Jessca for being in my life and especially for helping as she has by asking her co-workers to donate. I do hope she told everyone at Coldwell Banker Shooltz how much I appreciate their help.

Mittens for Detroit

2010-12-19T09:50:00.001-08:00

Jimi Santigo is an angel in my life…and I am blessed he has found me.

Jimi is a quiet guy ..don’t really even know him, he is a friend of a friend really yet he helps out Burners without Borders in subtle ways like sending me links to stories of the homeless or topics that are on point.

He also recently informed me contacted a possible source for gloves & mittens. It's a charity called Mittens for Detroit. He told me they wanted more info about the homeless project and sent me his contacts number.

I contacted the person in charge of Mittens for Detroit as he questions that Jimi thought I was better able to answer.

I also found out by searching online that Mittens for Detroit was started by a star of the tv show Detroit 1-8-7, Erin Cummings; its Mission from the website says this; "Mittens for Detroit, the brainchild of Detroit 187 actress Erin Cummings, is a community initiative whose sole purpose is to collect and distribute new gloves and mittens to children and adults in the city of Detroit. "

Here is a bit of what I wrote to Jason the contact for the project;

To answer your questions Jason;

1) How many pairs would you need? That depends on how many back packs i get...i have about 50-60 now..i hope to have another 200 very soon.

2) What organizations get these packages? I started a chapter of Burners without Borders in Detroit where once backpacks are filled with items like; hats. gloves, hand warmers, canned protein, can openers juice..toiletries etc...i hit the streets and look for people who do not go to shelters.

3) How long does this initiative occur?it occurs from around November to March depending on how cold it gets...if the snow and temps drop earlier in the year i hit the streets then, if Spring takes a while to get here i stay out til she does! then i take the summer off from the streets but do small fundraisers throughout the year and start to collect items again in fall and continue through winter again.

Here is a link to the Back Packing party on Facebook; where i just found Mittens for Detroit- what a wonderful program and site!

I hope this answers your questions, here is a bit about Burners without Borders Detroit too !!

-----------

Though I never heard back from them I am really happy that this program exists inside the city! Way to go Erin Cummings…thank you for caring about Detroit.

And thank you Jimi for going above and beyond and contacting the organization with Burners without Borders Detroit in mind…that means the world to me!

Burners without Borders as explained on Causes..

2010-12-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Burners without Borders as explained on Causes..

BWB is under the umbrella of BRAF; which is the Black Rock Arts Foundation. BRAF is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

It is under these two umbrellas that Burners without Borders Detroit operates. On the Causes website BWB is explained as follows…it’s a short concise way of explaining it to someone who may other wise know;

“Burners without Borders is a loose association of aid and action leaders who choose to step in and work together to rebuild communities.

We help make homes happen, the basics of everyday life. Together we help build bridges and survive the basics. We know that just the right mix of people will come together at the time when you will most need it.

BwB evolved after Burning Man 2005 as a response to Hurricane Katrina; today we take on the challenges in the news....rebuilding from fires, survival skill assembly with creative solutions to life-changing problems.

Burning this brightly is not for the faint of heart. This cause is for everyone who respects the community leaders, builders, counselors and architects who create new opportunities from rubble.”

More on my Birthday Wish

2010-12-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Birthday Cause update

With in moments of my posting my Birthday Wish donations started to come in...and have continued to.
As of December 18th the generous donations of the people below have reached $415 of the $500 goal i set.

* Damian Polack Damian Polack
* David Koren David Koren
* Cynthia Cooky Jones Cynthia Cooky Jones
* Thaddeus McKracken Thaddeus McKracken
* Brian Lewis
* Thomas Jankowski
* Scott M Reilly
* Paul M. Grinnell Paul M. Grinnell
* Julia Raskin Julia Raskin
* Diane Kobasic
* Bohdi Bill Baber Bohdi Bill Baber
* Artur Zukowski
* Codrin Cionca
* One Space, LLC One Space, LLC
* Sarah Elizabeth Whitman
* Aaron Krynicki Aaron Krynicki
* Tom Nardone Tom Nardone
* Judith A Mauro

Two people are Not on this list as one misread and didn't click the cause for My Birthday Wish and that was the amazing Mr. Dixon. And another Micheal Spleet did not wish to put his credit card into Birthday Wishes as part of Causes so he paypal'd me instead. The donations would be over $500 if they had been included..and i am honored and humbled people care enough to help.

Thank you very much donors.

Birthday Wishes for the homeless

2010-12-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

Birthday Wish

On December 1, 2010 I created a Birthday Wish with the goal of to raise $500 for Burners without Borders. My wish can be seen here; http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/118809

I sent emails to people in my address book, admittedly and surprisingly I had more in there then I have saved but the Birthday Wish script was able to grab like every email I have ever written too…and boy is there a lot. So yes I took advantage of it and wrote this note to many of them:

Hello, and thanks for checking out my Birthday Wish!

For my birthday this year, instead of getting me a typical birthday gift I'm asking my friends and family to donate $25 (or however much you can afford) to Burners without Borders. It's a great cause that directly helps the homeless in Detroit with supply filled backpacks.

I've chosen Burners without Borders because it celebrates the power of communities making a difference one person at a time!.

Please consider giving to my Birthday Wish, and together we can make the world a better place. If you can't afford to donate, I'd really appreciate it if you'd share this page with your friends.

Thanks for reading this....Bee well and beelieve! xoxo

And thank you because i can NOT do what i do without the help of people like YOU!!

-Danielle ~doxie Kaltz

Learn more about Burners without Borders Detroit here;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100

and i blog about my time on the streets and events and fund raising etc. here;
http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/

Burners without Borders Chicago

2010-12-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

I am still receiving boxes of donated items from the Chicago Decomp on November 6,2010 where the Chicago chapter of BWB collected so many items they filled my friend Sullys rented PT Cruiser. He brought them back to Detroit and Brick brought them to me, there so many boxes...

and this weekend i was out in Ann Arbor and picked up four more boxes of clothing donations from the garage of Shai and Blaja that Shirley brought back that were over looked during the packing the car after the event was over.

its amazing the amount of clothes i have. sure i have said i need to cut back on those donations and just focus on the backpacks but i cant seem to say 'no' to people cuz i know people on the streets need clothes as well as the contents of the packs.

more reasons for me to keep dreaming of getting the Ford Transit to modify with shelves so i can have a place to sort out clothes to size people as i give them backpacks! big dream..but i like to dream big.

Baby It’s Cold Outside! The Atelier Gothique Burners Without Borders Detroit Project!

2010-12-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Baby It’s Cold Outside! The Atelier Gothique Burners Without Borders Detroit Project!

The Amazing due behind Atelier Gothique Charles and Serphina Black the couple who made the amazing donation at the DAMNED show of the ring that was auctioned off and raised over $400 for Burners without Borders Detroit have come up with a project being offered on their website and are advertising it on facebook. The entry is long but worth reading…and the chance to win a wonderful unique handcrafted piece of wearable art is amazing.

Read of to their post on facebook;
(http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=459368496147)

Baby It’s Cold Outside! The Atelier Gothique Burners Without Borders Detroit Project!
by Atelier Gothique on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 9:17am

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

This will be long winded I ask you take the 5 minutes from your busy day and please read.

For those that personally know me you know how I get when I feel strongly about something so please read this all the way through this is not like my normal soap boxing!

As many of you know and so many more of you don’t know here at Atelier Gothique we have a personal cause. There are a group of people in which Seraphia and I like to refer to as our “Fuzzy glow-stick cousins” the wonderful Burning Man people. There is one in particular a friend of ours here in Detroit … Doxie…

Doxie is amazing she is one on the most selfless people I have ever met, her compassion, kindness and self sacrifice for others shows us an exemplary example of the goodness of mankind. She does this not for glory or fame or a pat on the back but just to help those in need. As a matter of fact she has no idea about this posting she will find out about it at the same time as all of you. She is also so humble that I am probably going to get my ass kicked for bringing her into the “spotlight” on this.

Doxie has put together and runs Burners Without Borders Detroit (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100)

Now I know there have been many generous souls that help and have helped her in her mission but really she has done so much and worked so hard and given so much of her heart her soul her time her energy her love and compassion she should be commended. So Doxie.. We Love You! You are one of the most amazing human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!

I have posted links to the BWOBD fan page before and asked people to “Fan it” and a few of you did….. I ask again! Its pushing a simple little button that puts a simple little like on your page… who cares if you are not from Detroit…. It may be seen on your page by someone who can make a huge difference and you may even be that person so fan the page!. Link above. Also until they get their website up info on BWOBD can be found here (http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/)

Now what does Detroit Burners Without Borders Do? Well the following are Doxie’s words not ours……

Creating random acts of kindness & service to Detroit Homeless.

1 supply filled backpack @ a time. Always accepting donations!

As we all know Detroit is on hard economic times and its getting harder. This is a perfect time for grassroots community building. This is when organizing our community to network with other organizations in and around Detroit to help those in need is most important.

Detroit Burners without Borders is an opportunity to help others in your area. You do not have to give money (but if you do that would be great) which you may not have instead give of yourself and get out and do community service that not only helps others but leads to building stronger community, networking and friendships with people you might not otherwise come in contact.

If we as concerned and proactive citizens get together to combine forces to volunteer, support and assist others we will succeed in not only building a stronger city and community but what we will accomplish spreading hope to people who will if we are lucky be motivated to join us in making this city one where we can all be proud to say we are from.

So won’t you join us in our up coming events and please brainstorm with us on ways that we can continue to help others! Who in your city do you see that needs help? What organization could use a robust crew of like minded citizens to come in and help them on a project? These events could be one time or on going it matters not…what matters is that they are!!!

Looking forward to burning with you!

Here is also a link to a note that was written on one of the packing parties….

http://www.hamtramckreview.com/2010/01/these-volunteers-for-the-homeless-know-how-to-pack-a-good-cause/

So Baby Its Cold Outside…….

This morning at 6:30am I started another one of my ridiculous work days and while the coffee was brewing I stepped outside and fired up a Djarum Black and was like shit its finally winter here in Detroit and I was freezing my Jewels off. I take solace in the fact that I know in 3 minutes I will be back in my warm home, where Seraphina is sleeping in a warm bed, my daughter my niece are sleeping cuddled up with our cats and all is well and all are ok……. I know that no matter how bad things ever got I would always have a roof over my head and my family’s head. It makes me reflect again back to a meeting I had with Doxie a few weeks ago as we were brainstorming about how we could help those that are not in this same boat.

Soap box…… It pisses me off to no end that I live in the most powerful nation in the free world and yet we have citizens who are lacking the very basic necessities to sustain life there is no excuse!

We have a federal, state and local government and a system that fails and fails badly how is it we can afford trillions of dollars for wars and bullshit but cannot help our very own sustain life which would cost a fraction of the “War Effort”? As a veteran this pisses me off even more!

This is not about well it’s a bunch of junkies on the streets so it’s their fault why should I help them. These are people that lost their jobs and homes due to our outsourcing to countries we should not even allow importation from due to their human rights policies (our governments failure and selling our asses out to big business) . People that lost their homes because they were bankrupt over asinine medical bills they could not pay (Yes we are the only country in the Free world where people lose everything due to ridiculous medical costs). So most of these people that are being helped by Burners Without Borders Detroit are families like yours and mine, veterans, everyday people that fell victim to bad luck, the worst economy since the great depression, illness, and a general failure of our elected officials.

For our friends and fans many of you as a matter of fact most of you are not from metro Detroit, Michigan, or even the United States but please I still want to reach out to you. Think of these people as you fellow man, woman, child kind……

Now here is what I propose but I need your help!

We have 2800 fans on our fan page. I want each of you to suggest our fan page to all of your friends to make this happen fast (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atelier-Gothique/135954156184)

I also want all of you to do me the honor and fan the BWOBD fan page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100)

Time is of the essence I want this to happen quickly! I feel that 3500 fans will be enough for me to get the word out to make a significant impact! During this time I will be setting up with paypal to create a link. Then when we hit 3500 fans there will be a huge posting which we will also ask you to link to and help spread the word!:

The Atelier Gothique Burners Without Borders Detroit Project

We are going to ask you to give whatever you can afford through paypal it is safe and secure and you can even do it in your PJ’s. Every $1 will equate to a number so lets say we have $832 sitting there in donations and you decide you want to skip eating one lunch at some fast food joint and donate $10 that means you will be number 833-842. So in other words every $1 you donate will give you a “Number” because its Paypal we will have your email address!

Now when we hit the number that I have in my mind (Which I will never tell as we want to raise as much money as we can for this cause) We will ask Doxie to randomly pick a number 1 thru our magic number. She of course will have no idea who any of the numbers correspond to.

The generous soul who’s donation number is drawn will have won one of our Concave Saddle Rings© (http://www.ateliergothique.com/ggallery/concave-saddle-rings.html) The single black diamond Grooved Saddle in the upper left corner. Made to your size. This ring has a value of $1,400.00. Now we know that this may not be everyone’s thing maybe you are one of our Fet jewelry fans! So the winner may pick any other piece in our line and they will have a $1400 retail credit! That can be used for anything at anytime……. Did we entice you now?

So just because you do not live in Detroit or the United States for that matter does not mean that you cannot help! Even if you say AG I honestly don’t care about causes but I love your jewelry…. We say well then donate! $1, $5, $10,$20, $50, or even $1000 will put you in a position to have a wonderful piece of jewelry or one hell of a deposit towards the piece of your dreams!!!! We honestly don’t care what your motivation is behind the donation and remember the more you will give the greater your chances of winning are. You can donate once or you can donate multiple times…. So for all of you that have been wanting one of our pieces this is a perfect thing for you to be involved with.

I apologize for the lack of brevity folks but this is a very very important cause and for the price of a venti starbucks latte you can make such a big difference!

We thank you all and now we ask for your help! We need you to help get the fan page to 3500 so we may start this project. So please take 3 minutes from your day go to our fan page, click the suggest to friends and click away… the faster we get there the faster we can start bugging you for the donations to The Atelier Gothique Burners Without Borders Detroit Project

From the bottoms of our hearts we thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for your support with this very important cause!

Atelier Gothique & Seraphina Black

To that I responded;
Danielle Doxie Kaltz “you are so amazing..i am going to cry..that meeting with you still has my brain spinning and i am working on many of the things we talked about!..your suggestions are priceless and i am honored (and slightly embarrassed) by your accolades..thank you both so much...big love and hugs!!”

Today I am still humbled and awe struck that they have been so generous and amazing.
I am blessed to have the people in my life that I do! Aho!

Burners without Borders Back Packing party

2010-11-23T12:53:00.000-08:00

With the winter quickly approaching its time again to gather people together to help pack the donations already collected in to backpacks to get ready for hitting the streets to help out the area Homeless.

We have a bunch of donations already from Burning Man the even, Chicago Decomp and the DAMNED show and from complete strangers who keep finding me and mailing me stuff!!

Feel free to come by and assist in the assembly line of packing. and feel free to bring items to back as well!

If you cant make it please spread the word if you can!

This year the back packing will take place at Hamtramck Senior Center
(which is also a Henry Ford Medical Center- convenience right!)

The address is 2620 Holbrook, Hamtramck, MI 48212.
Sunday, December 5 · 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Enter in the main doors ...and just past the security desk is the room where we will be packing!

thanks ~doxie

Saw Sydney today

2010-11-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

I have not seen him since last winter, he was hanging out outside of Avalon bakery where i always see him. He helped me into my parking spot letting me know when i was just about to hit the curb so that i didn't.

I didnt get out of my car for a bit as i was fumbling and trying to figure out what i had done with the cash i had after going to get gas..and i could not find it anywhere..i got all frustrated and said dont you hate when you misplace something, he agreed

Then i asked him if he wanted a juice, he said yes. I got him an orange juice like i always used to last winter, the colder it gets i do offer him warm drinks but I'm glad he likes juice too!

I had forgotten his name and asked him, he told me and i told him mine. He said he knew and he remembered me from last year! we both smiled and said our goodbyes.

then on the service drive above 94 by the old cass high school i saw someone begging that i had never seen before. and right then i looked in my ask tray and found the cash i couldnt find 5 minutes earlier...and i said to myself if there is a single dollar i will give it away..and there was...so i rolled the window to this guy with very few teeth who had to be about 10 years my junior and whose arm was wrapped and i slipped him the money. i ask him his name..and i told him mine.

Aloe Blacc - I need a Dollar

2010-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbVHbEGerRA&feature=related

this is a very powerful song to me... helps me to remember we all have our story and that some of us need extra help...sometimes its me..sometimes it you.

thank you william and brian

2010-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

i am blessed.. thank you Hamtramck Review for the article they did on me last fall and in 2010. a guy read them kept my email addy all year and just came and donated a tone of tshirt adn gloves and sweatshirt from races he has run all year! thank you william!

adn thanks to brian lewis for the chewy granola bars he donated last night..chewy is good as many people on the streets do not have teeth..so crunchy is not easy for them to eat!

things we take for granted!

Soup at Spalding

2010-11-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

I will be presenting at Soup at Spaulding NEXT Thursday the 18th
Dinner is served at 7. Presentations begin at 8. Voting is at 8:30 (ish)

PLEASE come out and support the project..or another one if its grabs you!

Info about Soup at Spalding .

Because we think the SOUP event they have in Mexicantown is so rad, we've started up our own at Spaulding Court, in Corktown. For those of you who aren't familiar, SOUP is a monthly dinner that raises money to distribute to projects that the dinner guests select.

It goes like this: people come for dinner--soup, salad and bread--and give $5. At the end of the meal, three folks present projects they'd like to accomplish and the crowd votes for a winner. At the currently running SOUP in Mexicantown, all the proceeds (minus the costs of the meal) go to the project.

At Spaulding, we're doing things a bit differently. First of all, Soup at Spaulding happens every Thursday! We split the proceeds from the dinner between the vote winner and Friends of Spaulding Court. Additionally, we post a video of the winning presentation on Kickstarter and in one weeks time, try to raise the same amount the dinner brings in. This doubles the impact for both causes!

If you'd like to get involved with Soup at Spaulding, please contact Aitchemel@gmail.com. If you'd like to present a project, please contact jonkoller@gmail.com. (read less)
Because we think the SOUP event they have in Mexicantown is so rad, we've started up our own at Spaulding Court, in Corktown. For those of you who aren't familiar, SOUP is a monthly dinner that raises money to distribute to projects that the dinner guests select.

It goes like this: people come for dinner--soup, salad and bread--and give $5. At the end of the meal, three folks present projects they'd like to accomplish and the crowd votes for a winner. At the currently running SOUP in... (read more)
Mission:
To raise funds for small projects in our communities and to rehabilitate Spaulding Court at the same time. Also to eat a different soup and salad every Thursday night!
Products:
Soup, salad, bread, and amazing projects.
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/soupatspaulding

Congratulations to Jon Deradoorian of East Pointe Michigan..!!

2010-11-09T14:40:00.001-08:00

He was the lucky raffle ticket winner for the Atelier Gothique ring donated to raise funds for Burners without Borders Detroit during the DAMNED exhibition Halloween weekend!! Over $400 dollars were raised for the homeless project and the back packing party will be on December 5th in Hamtramck!...

Burners without Borders Detroit is grateful to DAMNED III and Atelier Gothic

2010-11-05T11:24:00.001-07:00

Im crying... i just opening an amazing email from Anthony Dvs (and Joseph Ferraro) ... Dämnëd III donated over $400 to Burners without Borders Detroit for the Homeless project!!

The lovely note says; "Those amazing Devil Girls (Lushes LaMoan, Sarah Schropp, Angie Smith, Alison Haling and Meridith Lorde ) sold 196 tickets in support Burners Without Borders! Charles and Amy Elias of Atelier Gothique donated the $980 ring as prize. We all hope this helps!"

You have no idea how many people on the streets this will help! thank you so much!!

I have been so busy and preoccupied with life for the last oh lord the whole year that i have not collected enough donations this year and i have been scared that i would have to really bust some ass this next month to catch up on all i have to do.... this eases my heart so much!

I am forever grateful for this amazing gift because I CAN NOT DO WHAT I DO WITHOUT THE HELP OF OTHERS!!!

thank you to each and everyone one of you for your thoughtfulness and to everyone who donated on all levels

I wish i could hug each of you...and know i will when i see you!

oxo

~doxie

Peter Pan Strikes again!!

2010-11-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

someone wrote me an email that some guy named Peter Pan told her about what i do for the homeless and she listed a bunch of items she has for me; blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, some foam rolls.. all cleaned for people to use!

How amazing..i look forward to meeting this woman and writing that Pete R Pan a thank you note!

Happy All Souls Day!

~d

November is around the corner...

2010-10-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

and that means I wanted to give a heads up that i will be begging for donations of Hats, gloves,canned goods, backpacks etc but figured i might as well give heads up for people to start looking in closets and pantries!

I am also in need of shelving for all the loot i am collecting so if you have or see any at g...arage sales..etc...hook us up! please and thank you! have a wonderful day! ♥

thank you!!!

2010-10-15T11:01:00.001-07:00

to Pete R. Pan ..who ever you are...the man from the UP who found out about the project and send me a box full of stuff!!

without people like you this project could not be done!

thank you!

Detroit Burners without Borders collection box at Decomp

2010-10-01T09:59:00.001-07:00

(Thank you to Beaker for posting this!)

It might be hot in Cali (stop posting your triple digit temps on
facebook already!) but it's starting to get cold here in Michigan. And
many of our fellow residents don't have the basic necessities we take
for granted -- things like warm shelter, clothing and food. For the
past couple years, Detroit Burners without Borders has been handing
out hundreds of backpacks filled with necessities to the homeless in
Detroit... and doing it in true Burner gifting fashion -- with a smile
and a conversation while treating the recipient as a person rather
than a mere transaction. Won't you help?!

Detroit BwB will have a collection box at this weekend's Decomp,
probably at the greeter's station. We're looking for:

* backpacks
* warm gloves, socks, hats, hand-warmers
* emergency blankets
* canned food, can opener
* granola/cereal bars, juice, other small food packages
* toiletry packs

Remember that every little bit helps and together we can make a
difference! (geez, that sounds so trite but it really is true)

Thank You,
Beaker.

ps. Some links for the curious:

Detroit BwB Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100

Main BwB page with projects worldwide:
http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/

BURNERS WITHOUT BORDERS COLLECTING KEVLAR & BACKPACKS ON PLAYA

2010-08-28T08:24:00.001-07:00

BURNERS WITHOUT BORDERS COLLECTING KEVLAR & BACKPACKS ON PLAYA

Mr. Breedlove writes:

"Hey Burners!

Grindin, Packin, Plannin, Movin, Shakin, and gettin ready for the Burn ... maybe you're still wondering how you can participate out on playa this year...

****COME DONATE YOUR EXTRA KEVLAR/FIRE TOYS & BACKPACKS (& SOCKS!)***** to BwB this year.....Help us make a difference in peoples lives!

Donate to the MotoMoto Project: Will Ruddick has an amazing project happening in Kenya. Transforming the lives of street kids through the art of spinning fire. MotoMoto needs your extra kevlar and old fire toys. In Will's words: 'Kevlar is the biggest item we need on a regular basis. Any left over fire equipment (heavy on kevlar) is rad.'

Donate to Detroit's Homeless Backpack Project: doxie from Detroit has been working hard on creating a relief project for the homeless in Detroit. Backpacks are stuffed with clothes, blankets, gloves, canned food, socks, hand-warmers, local shelter information and other essentials to brighten the recipients day. Detroit's project is always in need of Backpacks and Socks! The backpacks must be in working condition and it'd be nice if the socks were clean or at least clean by playa standards.

We will be accepting donations at Burners without Borders (3:30+Esplanade) this year during our Activity hours from 12pm-5pm. Make sure you come by and check out what BwB has been up to recently, and how we're getting active even on playa. Stop by, listen to live music, do some screen-printing, and donate to the cause!

Can't wait to be dusty with you,
Mr. Breedlove
mrbrdlv@gmail.com"

wow.....

2010-08-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

ok so i have not written in ages...but i have been doing the project no less. who has time to write when your so busy right. no excuse, i know.

so somethings that have happened... i didn't even write about my birthday where instead of gifts i asked for donations to pack in back packs... i had no jokes over a few hundreds pairs of socks, hand warmers and bottles of water and food..it was amazing and i am blessed by the people in my life... next year my bday party will be a bigger event to raise more awareness and get more donations.

i have had people my birthday theme and give me the donations. (Joe you are a god for doing this)

i have people contacting me all the time now asking to meet to give me supplies.

Burners without Borders Detroit on facebook is going well. please consider becoming a fan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100

The DAMNED exhibition collected canned food for the project last year. http://thatdamnedshow.com/2009/10/an-interview-in-times-the-detroit-blog/

and this year they are amping up the pot by collecting cans and proceeds from the Atelier Gothique jewelry raffle tickets. ..and they gave the project its own page. i am humbled and honored. http://thatdamnedshow.com/bwbd/

This year at Burning Man back packs and socks will be collected at the end of the event and shipped to Detroit to fill!

Last weekend the Frank Buck Freak Hunt in Chicago collected socks for the project, thanks JB and Blove!

overall its been a year where i have been blessed to have so many people contribute to the project so that i can continue to do this.

I wish i would have kept up on the blogging throughout the year..hopefully this winter i will do better.

wish me luck!

bee well
&
beelieve

~d

last night

2010-02-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

i picked up Jean Wilson from UPR (United Peace Relief) and Aaron Timlin from the CAID and headed to ann arbor to find the homeless tent city Camp Take Notice
that Catherine Jun from the Detroit News wrote about.

I even had to call her for specifics on their location and she
gave rather good ones. she told me there are about 7 tents.

on the Exit ramp I saw a guy at the end of the exit ramp...tons of cars..i honked and
hoped out and he followed me to my trunk and i gave him a back pack
and asked him where the camp was he told me where across the 3 lanes
of traffic and down the hill into the woods. i asked if he lived there
he tole me no but he told me someone is usually there.he told me to
park on the side street..i told him i was heading to apple bees, jun
suggested that and told me to be careful crossing the road..so nice

i asked him his name he told me Chuck i told him mine and thanked him.

we parked and heading up the embankment, poor Aaron did not have on
winter boots, jean and i are all decked out in winter clothes and
boots.

i went to the trunk but we decided to not take back packs but come
back if needed for them

we see a path in the snow and follow it.and cross the road through
traffic..to the other side where there is another path in the snow.i
decide to run to chuck after i waved at him and him back.i tell them i
will catch up.

chuck and i chat ..i ask if he is not living there where is he
living..he told me he got off the streets,in a room...took him years
he said to get through the system but it finally happened..i asked if
it was that difficult he told me unbelievable.

i gave him my extra pair of gloves and headed toward the path down the
other side of the exit ramp cuz Aaron was signaling me to come.

i caught up and we followed a well defined path in the snow into the
woods to a clearing where there was a nicely painted sign for Camp
Take Notice
and words underneath that Aaron pointed out the first letter of all of
them spelled out 'mission'..nice. i have a picture of it.

jean is ahead of us and at first i notice the kitchen area, yes they
have one..and tents laid out all around it ...about 8 then 3 farther
back into the woods too. it all very extreme camping.

i call around and follow the paths to see if anyone is around, no answer.

i ask if they mind going back and getting the backpacks to leave here
and Aaron suggests a note too. jean is taking video and images of the
area..we slowly head back. i take 2 more pix..something i do not
normally do btw.

we load up and i have 14 packs so we trek them back and leave them
with the note in the kitchen area. i tell them who we are and why we
stopped and about the event coming up in Detroit in june ot create a
homeless squat community in Detroit and that we would like to help
them as we know they have 30 days to move, less actually, and that we
would like to have them at the event..or even to move to Detroit but
to come to the event regardless, yes i would figure out travel. i left
my number.

we headed back and went out to eat at the cass to talk about how to
help and brainstorm and make things happen in detroit!

!!

well last night i got a text from them: "Camp Take Notice just got back en masse and discovered your gifts! amazing! Thankyou"

i wrote back telling them i hoped they were useful

the wrote back again today from Camp Take Notice; one young man said. this restored his faith in humanity.& they acknowledge the work put into the packs!! GO TEAM!! for helping back so many awesome back packs!

i wrote them the i have more supplies if that was not enough and told them i can beg for more stuff if they tell me what they need. ...i cried at their text!

so happy that a connection was made....

well just now i googled the words on the sign i took a picture of;

Michigan Itinerant Shelter System Interdependent Out of Necessity and found a blog by them which is not too up to date..but i do plan to follow!

http://missiona2.blogspot.com/

i do NOT normally take pix of my project...but i did last night...
here is a communal kitchen where we left the back packs

and the article said they had 30 days to move....so considering you can NOT see them from the road...my guess is someone from the shopping center where you could tracks in the snow showing people went to the parking lot that way ..called and complained...my guess

hoping to stay in contact with them

i just found a video on them from faux news;

Time for the Dirty Show again- come visit the Cunts!

2010-02-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

Dirty Show and the "Love a Cunt; Titties and Clitties" fundraiser....come get a body print!!

Its that time of year again..... and I will be at the Dirty Show for my fourth year in a row! come by the next twoo weekends on Friday and Saturday, and get printed!! we are in the back area through the 10 foot tall vagina...yes...that is what i said.

"Titties and Clitties" by the Cunts

"Titties and Clitties" offer you the experience of being the subject of an intimate performance piece where you are the canvas, the medium and the art!

Every woman is a unique and lovely creature just as every breast and cunt is
unique and incredible, therefore each single print made from your body will be a one of a kind impression of the foundation of your femininity.

Some of us produce very abstract results while others are very anatomical but all of them are beautiful!

Come and create a distinct and extraordinary piece of art that speaks of you from the most erotic places on your body.

Love a Cunt

This year I am raising money for the Homeless Pack Back Project...and the new Chapter of Burners without Borders in Detroit look us up on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140622&id=139544484100#!/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100

and like say about the word CUNT. this is a very derogatory word in our culture and that is Exactly why i use it ....to take away its power. Historically this word was not used to insult women but it was considered in some past cultures as very positive and i know many women who use this word freely to help dissolve the negativity it now has and reclaim the word.

2010-01-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

January 12, 2009 i decided to write a few companies two in Michigan asking for donations. i have never asked for company donations ..its beggin on a whole new level.

I hit up two i will not yet mention..still waiting to hear back from them but i will write about wrote a letter to Grabbers asking for handwarmer donations. i described to them what i do and all about the backpacks and the event to pack them. and sent them the Burners without Borders Detroit facebook page link
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burners-without-Borders-Detroit/139544484100)

And not even a week later...the same exact day i gave out my LAST handwarmer i got an email from them informing me that they have agreed to help by giving donations as it follows their concept of “Sharing the Warmth”. YEA!! Nice timing!
http://www.warmers.com/

and they asked that i ....

Please help us increase awareness of our products and brand by communicating the following discount code to friends and attendees of your event.

Enter discount code during checkout: GRABBERE2010...

and get 15% off will be applied to total order along with free shipping

Code valid until 06/30/2010

SWEET!!! thank you so much!!! so very nice of them!!
Sorry i missed you guys at the Plymouth Ice festival!

These volunteers for the homeless know how to pack a good cause

2010-01-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

These volunteers for the homeless know how to pack a good cause

http://www.hamtramckreview.com/2010/01/these-volunteers-for-the-homeless-know-how-to-pack-a-good-cause/

By Ian Perrotta

Review Staffwriter

It looks like Mother Nature finally got the memo and winter has arrived. Fortunately for Detroit’s homeless, the Burners without Borders organization was already here.
What exactly does that mean? It means that thanks to the organization, over 100 of the local homeless population will be provided with a survival backpack to help combat the harsh Detroit winter.

It all started back in 2005, after the Burning Man festival in Nevada. That was the year of Hurricane Katrina, and when festival revelers saw what was happening – or more precisely what wasn’t happening – they banded together in an effort to help the citizens of New Orleans. Those “Burners” sought to minimize the devastation caused by the hurricane by lending their expertise in survival camping to the victims of the storm, as well as pitching in wherever else their help was needed.

Flash forward five years, and not much – other than location and organization size – has changed. Work continues to be donated where needed, and chapters have sprung up on five continents.

Locally, the Detroit chapter has been a pet project of Hamtramck resident Danielle ‘doxie’ Kaltz. Last Sunday (Jan. 10), she hosted a “Backpack Packing Party” in the basement of her Trowbridge apartment, and with the help of over a dozen volunteers stuffed over 100 backpacks with some basic survival essentials.

“We’ve been real fortunate that the winter has been mild, with no negative-degree temperatures and overwhelmed shelters so far,” says Kaltz, “but that doesn’t mean help isn’t needed.”

That help can certainly come from the backpacks, which were put together by an assembly line of volunteers. Each backpack was stuffed with socks, gloves, a hat, juice, water, a Nutri-Grain bar, four-to-five canned goods from various food groups, a can opener, a toiletry pack that included toothpaste, a toothbrush and ChapStick, and a poncho. FEMA emergency blankets were then tied to the packs with a scarf to finish them off.

“The backpacks are a great way to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” Kaltz told the group of volunteers. “They make it easier and safer to approach the homeless. Especially if you’ve never done it – all you have to do is roll down your window and say ‘Hi’. Just be sure to ask them their name, and tell them yours. It makes them human.”

That’s the type of enthusiasm that literally has strangers coming up to Kaltz and offering to assist her endeavor. Indeed, several volunteers were unacquainted with Kaltz before Sunday, and even the supplies came from people eager to help. The actual backpacks were purchased with a generous cash donation, and over 300 pairs of gloves came from Angela Palaian, who collected donations for the backpacks at two recent events she coordinated.

“The fact that doxie is intuitive enough of a person to walk outsiders through such a foreign process – fundraising, organizing, and street outreach – speaks a lot about her humanity. This is exactly why I want to do things for her. She knows how to treat people with love and respect.”

The backpack packing event was so successful in generating donations that there were actually several bags of clothes and other supplies that were unable to be packed away. Nothing went to waste, not even the bags that the clothes came in. The extra supplies were donated to the United Peace Relief, which will distribute them throughout the homeless community utilizing a bio-diesel bus under the guidance of Jean Wilson.

If you’d like to help the Burners without Borders cause, feel free to contact Danielle Kaltz at doxiedetroit@gmail.com or call her at (313) 608-4580.

Free or lost cost CLOTHING RESOURCES

2010-01-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

CLOTHING RESOURCES

can help with people in general or people who need clothing for interviews or wedding.

http://julieslist.homestead.com/ClothingResources.html

Need this page updated..and expanded

2010-01-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

if i had more time i would create a resource page for services like this on a website that lists ALL the Non-profits in the city so they can network and know of other groups out there so they could pool resources, network and not have so many small repeat services but band together to create stronger more far reaching ones ..

im allowed to dream...how else can i figure out my goals!

http://www.clickondetroit.com/family/5572140/detail.html

aluminum insultor

2010-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

I got this email in December from a guy who had read about me in the Hamtramck Review..interesting idea!!

---

I had hoped to send you this before the frigid weather came...and was only reminded by having my gas meter removed yesterday for either updating to digital or because of tampering...I've gotten both reasons...Monday they will install a new meter...removal could have been Monday too, but they're stupid ***holes (sorry)...till then it's 37 degrees in my living room, and counting down.

So I have taken out the aluminum foil and have lined my hat and gloves...aluminum foil is an excellent insulator and retains body heat, but doesn't work so well on feet because it shreds from the walking, but might be OK for keeping feet toasty while sleeping...I'll try tonight.

Spread this tip to those you come in contact with...if you haven't already. Perhaps I could leave you a few rolls of HD aluminum foil at Cafe 1923 with your name on it...or some other place of convenience to you.

--Gary F.
Hamtown

Well then no kidding he left me 4 rolls of heavy duty foil!

necessity IS the mother of invention!

Detroit Threads

2010-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

hats off to Mike at Detroit Threads for having a Free box outside his store in Hamtramck for people to get coats and cloths.

I have pulled few coats out of the box for the homeless and taken them directly to the streets!

Keep it up!

lesson learned...but still concerned.

2010-01-24T14:39:00.000-08:00

Random memories of November

I stop at Avalon often in the mornings..yea I know it’s a pricy habit I cant afford but I do not make time to cook for myself..of that I am very guilty.

Well there is a guy who is often outside in the mornings and I cannot remember his name but he often asks for money I tell him I will buy him something instead …he always asks for orange juice. Most times he is there when I come out but once he was not and I have not seen him since..i do hope he is ok..

I got a ton of socks from the gleaners fundraiser and I keep packs of them in my car at a time and hand them out to people at lights as it’s a quick interaction and hand off on my way to work..i do this with handwarmers too when I have them!

Oh I made a BIG mistake this year…by giving Miss Cheryl my phone number..no no no ..i will not do this again. She called my many times on many days when I asked her repeatedly to only call me on Thursdays so I could find her after I got of the soup kitchen at St. Lads so I could give her what ever I got hot that night. She never called me on Thursdays but let some heart wretching messages about needing my help and asking me to come to her home. She lives in the projects by Hamtramck. I never went even though I did try to call back, no answers…most likely the calls were made from pay phones, yes some still do exist. Mostly in poor neighborhoods where people can not afford cell phones. This went on for about a month then she stopped calling.

i do hope she is ok.

2010-01-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

But back in mid November

Dates are fuzzy as it has taken me so long to type these blogs up.

Most Saturdays I have a ritual of going to Eastern Market and shopping, I just love to start my weekends this way.

Sarah L and I have been going together for some time now and on a few occasions she would hit the streets with me afterwards.

She also had to path idea of hitting up distributors for bulk food about to go bad so we could get at a discount after we had bought a case of oranges the guy said he couldn’t really give a discount.

So we went to a guy she has worked with and he gave us a case of nanas to give out..no charge! Thank you sir!

I took Sarah to NSO (neighborhood service organization) on Third at MLK. There are always people around there and we would give out whatever cloths I happened to have, what ever food she happened to have from her job in a pro kitchen and the food we would get from market in bulk.

Well one day we were giving out oranges and this guy was yelling at us to come over to him across the street and in the field where he was sitting. I told him to come over to us and went on with distributing. After we were done and had a few oranges left he was still yelling at us and I asked her if she would be cool with going over there.

We went over and the loud mouths name was Marcus and his other friend Joe. Joe was an ex-marine and he and I had a very nice conversation about what I am doing and what he is doing and how he is making ends meet. He was very respectful and someone who I felt as a grandfatherly figure.

Sarah little did I know was not having as nice a convo as I was. Marcus was dealing on her and calling her a lesbian cuz she was not interested. Nice guy.
I know she can handle herself but I had called him out earlier for being rude and yelling to us and for being lazy and lying. Joe liked that about me and I would have called him out about being out of line to Sarah had I know too!

The Next week Marcus was there again this time he came up to us and I told him he better mind his P &Q’s…he was sassy but he did!.

Sunday January 10, 2010- Packing Back Packs

2009-12-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

Hello!!!

Sunday January 10, 2010 is the date where we, that could be you too, will be packing all the backpacks I got donated earlier this year and all the ones i have collected since.

We have about 100 so far as well as tons of canned food, can openers (must have those!), ponchos, socks, gloves, hats, hygiene products and blankets.

The packing will take place at my home and people are welcome to take Back packs with them if they feel comfortable approaching homeless, if not i will get them all out on the streets.

I have bags and bags of clothes too that need sorting; womens, children, men, coats, clothes... many of which will go to UPR (United Peace Relief Detroit) so they can distribute at a big event they are planning.

I look forward to mingling with people as we create the backpacks and form new friendships! Hope your among them!

~d

Gleaners Fundraiser was a success

2009-12-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

Gleaners Fundraiser

Monday December 14th, 2009 a great group of people gathered at Cafe Felix to raise money for Gleaners Food Bank.

Many also brought socks and food to help support Burners without Borders Detroit. Just under 100 pairs of socks were collected to help keep homeless warm!

Here is a link the images I took; http://capzles.com/#/39fe20aa-f3c8-4a0c-a8d8-7e560c3f6cd3/

Thank you to everyone who showed and donated it was a wonderful evening!

~d

BIG PHAT THANK YOU!!

2009-12-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

I would like to Thank Angela Pal for her helping Burners without Borders this weekend during her awesome DUBSTEP CIRCUS event held at the Leland.

She collected donations of food and hats for the cause and dropped off 5 boxes at my place last night!

The event was a huge success, stay tuned for future parties http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195461586430 (this page has video of the event!)

Here is a great link to the event by Phototastic; http://photasticimages.net/blog/2009/12/14/the-dubstep-circus-womp/comment-page-1/#comment-258

THANK YOU to EVERY Person who donated! i am grateful!
~d

LOVEBAGS!!!!

2009-12-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

ahh i just learned about this site!!

lovebags.org
http://www.facebook.com/lovebagsorg?ref=ts&v=wall

they do what i ask people to do... keep food in your cars and give it out ...

they use plastic ziplocks in stead of backpacks like i do... i like the idea of people having a way to carry their belongs..but both totally work!! yea!

i hit them up in an email and hope to hear from them!!

~d

ps. i need socks!!

December 5th- Homeless Vet Chair-ity event

2009-12-04T08:04:00.001-08:00

Its Tomorrow!!! finally here...Mercy Street (who i divulge i am on there board as a volunteer member) has all the chairs in the Tangent Gallery and they look Great!

Chair-ity Ball is a play on words. As you read this, up to 100 ordinary chairs are being transformed by a wide range of artists into both abstract art and functional, arty chairs, for Metro Detroit homes, studios and gift-giving. We've had a ball working on them. Online preview is available at www.mercy-street.com. All chairs are to be sold through live and silent auction, with sales to benefit the Michigan Veterans Foundation and Veteran's Haven, organizations that assist homeless veterans in southeast Michigan. Mercy Street is staging this important community event, because while only about six percent of folks in Michigan are veterans, vets reportedly make up about a third of Michigan's homeless population.

There will be both a live and silent auction, music, food and a cash bar. Dress code, smart casual. Kimberly's Catering will provide the food while Charles Wickins,The English Auctioneer, will spice up the auction. We may also have a surprise celebrity emcee on hand. Also to be presented for auction at the Chair-ity Ball, sponsored by HOUR Detroit, the Westchester Barbershop, Haven, the Plymouth Coffee Bean Company and Mudgie's Deli, will be a veterans memorial sculpture. Valuable sports memorabilia will be up for auction as well, and prizes will be offered for the most compelling chairs. This will be a fun evening, and we invite you to join us.

Save the date of December 5, 2009. The time: 7-10 p.m. Location: Tangent Gallery, New Center Area. Address: 715 E. Milwaukee, Detroit, MI 48202.

Reserve your tickets by calling 734-276-1842. They are only $10 per person until the week prior (through November 27), and $20 thereafter, and at the door.

http://sites.google.com/site/chairityball/

http://detnews.com/article/20091130/ENT05/911300352/Chair-ity-Ball-to-aid-homeless-veterans

http://www.journalgroup.com/Wayne/10412/chairity-event-to-aid-veterans

Gleaners fundraiser at Cafe Felix Dec 14--come on out!

2009-11-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

Amazing friends of mine are putting on a fundraiser for Gleaners

Wont YOU come! its 1/2 off martin night! ~d

Please join me December 14th, from 6-9 PM at Cafe Felix for a gathering
in support of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan.

There is unprecedented demand (http://www.freep.com/article/200911220300/NEWS06/911220433) for food support across the entire Metro Detroit are...a. We ask you to help by bringing a monetary donation to our benefit gathering.

Cash is best- as it allows Gleaners to leverage more food and feed more people than
with canned donations. As added incentive, an anonymous donor will match up to the first $1500.

We suggest a $10 donation, although please feel comfortable giving at the
level that makes sense within your own budget. You can use Visa/MC
or bring a check made out to: "Gleaners Community Food Bank of
Southeastern Michigan" with your name, address and phone number. We'll
have forms available to ensure you get a tax deduction and Gleaners
will send you a receipt.

In addition, please bring socks or gloves (really).
Our friend Danielle Kaltz has made it her mission to feed and
clothe homeless in Detroit. She is hoping you can help with a donation
of men's socks, which she can distribute to people living on the
street. These are critical to keeping people warm this winter as they
can be used on both feet and hands.

Please bring family and friends to share a coffee or martini
(half-off!). The more the merrier, and the greater the impact! More
than just a charity event, we also see this gathering as a way to build
community and get to know new and interesting people.

Ypsilanti SOS needs help;

2009-11-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

From the Ypsilanti SOS;

Dear Friends,

We are in desperate need for volunteers to be van riders. These giving individuals ride in our vans to keep our children content and quiet so that we can have safe rides to and from our daycare center in Ann Arbor. This is a description of this selfless service:
7:30 am – volunteer would need to be at 114 N. River St.,Ypsilanti, MI (the SOS Crisis Center). Volunteer will ride in the van and help with the children. Volunteer will stay at our daycare until11:30 am when a staff member would be able to drive the volunteer back to River St. During this time, the volunteer will help with the children at the daycare center. If the volunteer could get a ride from the daycare center then he/she would be finished at about 9:30 am.

Afternoon riders – These volunteers would have to be a tour daycare in Ann Arbor, MI at 4:30 pm. They would help us with the children and return to 114 N. River St.,Ypsilanti, MI at approximately 6:30 pm.

We need help for each shift 5 days a week. Can you help us? Call me; we need you!

Our licensing requires that we must have these riders.
Please help us. We are DESPERATE!

Mimi Weisberg
Volunteer Recruitment Specialist
SOS Community Services
101 S. Huron Street,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197Phone:
734.961-1210Fax: 734.485.8739
SOS Line: 734.485.8730SOS
Housing Crisis Line: 734.484.4300

Want to reach out to homeless families and children and others in crisis in your community? Visit www.soscs.org to find out how you can volunteer and donate.

Burners without Borders....fan logo test

2009-11-24T05:55:00.001-08:00

this is a test to see what this will look like!! please post it if you support BWB..and i hope you do!!

thanks

Danielle Kaltz is a fan of

Burners without Borders Detroit

Create your Fan Badge

Manual

2009-11-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

November 7 2009

Meet sarah in the Market after wrangling koi and dogs on the island. She was with Lisa…we all chat and shop and then after Sarah and I decide to walk the Dejuindre Cut. And its still gorgeous outside..and as we approached the end we could see construction workers and I started to get worried as I could not exactly recall if Manuals place was directly at the end or not…well I tried not to get upset and asked if she minded if we go look and as we were heading there the field next to the workers was empty…my heart sunk until we come over the small hill and I could she his shack.

It is much smaller than last winter, like it had been torn down. He was not home. But his shopping cart was. I was so happy his place was still there I started to cry as we continued our walk. I asked if she was cool going around the block as I like to take new routes. And I am glad we did cuz a man was approaching us from down the second block and it ended up being Manual!

I spoke his name and asked if he remembered me. Mind you he speaks Spanish and damn it all to hell I have not yet learned to speak it so we have a language barrier. I speak to him about coming around again as the weather gets cold and ask about his shoes. He has on good boots! I tell him I will see him soon, he tells me ‘everyday’ I tell him we shall see. And he gives me a magazine he has in hands..its some ladies mag. I take his kind gesture and introduce him to Sarah and we part ways.

I was very happy to see him and he looked healthier than last year..but it was not winter yet and living in his shack esp in the worse condition it was in was sure to take its toll.
Spent the next few hours sharing life love and stories with Sarah who is a sage for her age and someone I am so grateful to have in my life…to be called her friend.

I am blessed with some amazing people in my life and I am so glad I now understand that I can call on them in my time of need, or when they call on me, to accept there love and support and challenges and pushing and listening and words and just no non-sense bull shit to help me to continue to become the person I know I can be. To each of them I am honored.

Friday night 11-7-09.. a doozy

2009-11-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

That night I was on my way to Union Street for Christophers (not Breedlove) birthday gathering and I dropped off soup and bread to four guys I meet on the street. And then after dinner I ran into Larry the 5gallon bucket drum guy- he is a regular in the Corridor. I told him we meet last winter at Avalon a few times, he remembered me. I told him I had no money but if he would like my leftover I would gladly give them to him..and I tried to remember what I had but completely space..and he was like ‘its all right-it will not go to waste’ I then ran to my rental and got him some canned chicken noodle soup and a loaf of bread.

I remember the first time I saw him a few years ago she scared me to be honest. He has a haggarded face and a mean scrowl and just looks angry. Well fuck he might be right. I am glad though that I have gotten over my fear of him and I really do like the fact he plays though 5gallon buckets even if they are loud as fuck and don’t have a great rhythm..who cares he is at least working at something and giving back in a way if you ask me.

Even later that Friday night…on way home I exit off of I75 at Holbrook and see a cop car pulled over to the left at the light talking to a person who I figure must have been beggin on the corner as its getting more and more regular in the past few weeks. I roll down my window to listen but cant really hear anything. The light turns red but they don’t pull away so I decide to pull in front of them and make a left in hopes that they will pull away, again they don’t. At this time I notice at this time it’s a woman so I want to wait for sure now.
I pull into the Coney, which btw has been celebrating it anniversary for like 3 months now…just take the banner down!..and I pull out the exit back onto Holbrook and wait for the cops to go away…its like 5 minutes before they do and I see this person coming toward me then notice there belongings at the light where they must have been begging. I pull up and flip a bitch and ask if she is hungry. She tells me yes and I hop out and pop the trunk and start to give her soup and bread…then she says to me..’I doubt it but area you going into Hamtramck?”, I tell her yes why..and she asked me for a ride. I ask her where to and just to the 75 service drive and Caniff…exactly the way I go home. I tell her to get in..and guess what…she got in the back seat too. WTF? Safer maybe?

We chat as I drive her. I ask her name, its Cheryl and I tell her mine. She asks if I am married, I swallow hard and tell her no. (a question I got asked a few times at the soup kitchen and like 5 times since over this last week…I never get asked that ? so why now?)
She then asks if I have babies..i look at her and gently shake my head. She tells me she an 8 year old and that she is 49 and she just got them a small place over in the projects on the other side of 75. I tell her I am proud of her and wish her well, she was proud too you could tell. She told me she will be looking out for me and will notice my hair …I told her I will be looking out for her as well…and I will be!

Bomb scare

2009-11-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

Friday on my way to work 11-6-09 I was running late as is par of the course..or mind you I just don’t worry when I go in…I just stay later if I am late..which is everyday. So anyways I came around off Cass to Third by the MGM Casino after going to Avalon for breakfast. And while there I decided to not use cash but debit my food, which I thought to myself was odd cuz if I have it I like to use it but not this day, I might need it.

Well fast forward to about 3 blocks from work and I see a rolling suitcase sitting on the curb unattended. I instantly thought of Europe where that shit don’t fly and they will shut down areas and call in the bomb unit..i remember when it happened at the Heathrow Airport when I was there in 92. Dumb ass American not getting why I was being pushed out of a store and having its doors slammed shut and being sectioned off to a secure area..i must have looked like an idiot cuz someone asked “You’re an American right?” I was like uh yea..and they explained there was unattended luggage found (most likely by and American!) and the airport went into crack down mode.

So yea I see this luggage…and I see a guy walk past as I drove up..he barely noticed it. i pull over cuz I see tags on it and then I see a woman walking up and I ask if it is hers. She tells me yes and then I see her grab it and continue to walk away. I start to drive away happy it has a home when I look back and see another piece of luggage on the road. She must have forgot it? I’m confused. I toss the car in reverse and ask her if she meant to leave that and she said she was going back for it.

You see she was walking half a block with half her luggage and going back getting the other pieces, of which she had 3, 2 on wheels one not and then repeating the whole thing over again. I asked her where she was going assuming she just got off Grayhound. she told me Ford Field..i did the map in my head and figured it would take her like 4 hours. I looked at her and motioned to the back seat and told her to throw her bags in and get in. She looked at me stunned but was happy to get in. Mind you she got in the back seat which I felt bad about but she was content with all her luggage.

She told me I must be a good church going lady because I was doing the work of god helping her out. Inside my head I told her I was the farthest thing for god but instead of telling her that I asked her name. It was Jean, I told her mine and we chatted while I drove her the bus station at Grand Circus Park, you know the one with the two statues of dead white guys. (Pingree being one of them)

She told me she came from Saginaw and seemed embarrassed. I asked if she was on the streets long, she told me no and was heading to a Shelter at 32 mile road..whoa quite a distance to travel but she seemed to know what she was doing. She told me she missed the bus and NSO shelter the night before and that it was expensive to get a lift from there back to grayhound to sleep.

I pulled over on the side of the ‘other dead white guy’ statue and a cop car pulled up right behind me. Too bad I thought I am getting out and put on my hazards, I motioned to them I would be a moment and unloaded Jeans belongings. I had also before I got out reaching in and got the cash from my bag that I had not used for some reason at Avalon and was so happy that I had not as I realized why. We hugged goodbye on the curb and I tugged the money into her hand. She looked at me with such gratitude and tried to give it back, no luck Ms. Jean and I wished her good luck as she thanked me and blessed me…she thanked me and blessed me. hmmm

St. Lads Soup Kitchen - November 5, 2009

2009-11-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

St. Lads Soup Kitchen

Started volunteering at St. Lads soup kitchen in Hamtramck last Thursday because I figured if they contacted me to give me all the left over loaves of bread from their weekly kitchen the least I could do was offer to help them.

I had found out through Amber at work that our job actually offers 16 hours of community service a year…BUT no one tells you about it …somehow she learned and told me so of course I jumped on board and since St. Lads had just hit me up .. I filled out my application with there info and asked to have the 16 hours split into 3 hour increments. So I leave work at 1pm covering me from 1 to 4pm when I leave work so I can have 5 Thursdays to be at the church kitchen at 1:30pm to help prep the food. Which they do pretty much all from scratch.

Mind you that was not a great day to start cuz I was an emotional fucking basket case but I told them I would be there and I planned on not letting them down…trying not to let everyone down in my life right! (oh self floggin.)

Well I got there and the lady who contacted me Donna was not going to be there and I was told to ask for Pat. There was a room full of ladies in there 50’s 60’s and 70’s all bustling around preparing food cutting veggies, sorting bread (omg the amount of bread donated by a bakery on Mc Nichols is amazing), cooking soups and hams and pork chops and oi

I was introduced to everyone and promptly forgot every name except the two Pats. And was put to work making ..no joke..coffee. I tried to explain to them I do not drink coffee but they had a new machine and no one wanted to learn it….yea.. ok. I asked if people liked it light or strong…and I instantly realized by all the answers I got that no one in this room agrees on anything…and I have a feeling that happens often. A little old lady who kinda reminds me of my maternal grandmother told me to make it so she can see the bottom of the cup..that confused me…what the hell kind of cofffe is that...So as you can guess I made coffee too strong! And Sophie, I did remember her name, gave me a hard time and told me I might not be welcomed back. I was told to ignore she cuz she harasses everyone. I gathered that very quickly and looked forward to seeing how she operates.

I was put to work cutting pies, peeling taters, and a bunch of other stuff I cant recall all the while suffering from a UTI that decided to start on my way walking there and I had no Azo Standard on me..ie..i was in a mess of pain and had to excuse myself like 10 times to the bathroom to either cry or try to pee…tmi..i know -whatever .

The doors opened at 4pm…and the people piled in. we served baked ham, boiled potatoe, salad, soup, bread and pie ..oh and milk…quite a bit of food. And open to anyone who needs a meal not just homeless folks. Most the people were white but you tell they were not recent immigrants nor where they from the eastern block as the poles have a certain look to them from that area. But all were polite and thankful. One guy got out of hand and the priest had to have a talk with him.

Everyone was allowed to take 3 loaves of bread or 2 depending on who you asked. And that is par for the course there I figured out quickly too. One person tells you do something one way and 30 seconds later another is telling your wrong and do it another way..it was confusing to say the least and in my fragile state oh my god..but it was funny too like a Laural and Hardy skit. (part of me wonders why I wrote that and not Abbot and Costello cuz I liked them as a kid and L&H..i disliked the fat guy cuz he was soo mean to the little guy- but I really liked Costello the chubby guy and not Abbot the skinny mean guy..hmm wonder if they changed it up on purpose so as not to seem too much like L&H..or I am thinking about stupid stuff right now for no reason…ok shut up!)

So yea 50+ people came through..all have to sign in before they get food, sometimes they can get two servings. The kitchen is only open til 5:30 used to be 6pm but with it getting dark they changed it. At the end I went to get my rental cuz they had a ton of bread to give me and Pat had taken me into the store room and gave me like 48 cans of chicken of soup. All of which I gave out over the last week and ran out Tuesday, good timing.

Using Facebook Mobile and Twitter

2009-11-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

October 2009

Using Facebook Mobile and Twitter to my advantage..something good can come from them.

I think it was last month I set up my mobile accounts so I could upload from my celly to these two social networking sites…and no not so I can tell you what I had for lunch or what the woman in front of me at Kmart is wearing (is Kmart still around?- couldn’t think of a store..not much of a shopper)

But instead I figured since this year I don’t have a partner in crime to take to the streets with like I did last year and getting people to come on a whim is not easy to do…hard enuf to know when I am going to do it ..or I do it directly after work now cuz its dark so soon. (talk about the dark later oi)

So I set it up cuz I was going to meet a guy named Neil who read about me in the Hamtramck Review section of “get to know your neighbor” where they highlighted the homeless work I do. So along with St. Lads he wrote to the email in the article (doxiedetroit@gmail.com) to contact me.

This guy has a house in Hamtramck that is getting foreclosed but his friend who lived there had a ton of XL and XXL men’s clothes. He told me the day he would be there and I told him I would meet him. Then the am I brave or stupid gene kicked in and I realized I don’t really have anyone to get my back on this….so I signed up for mobile uploads. Posted the address I was going to and went.

The house was tore the fuck up, in various stages of construction. But I did not sense anything wrong so I went in …we chatted for what was quite a long time and we went through the clothes and bedding and I felt my celly go of a few times but felt safe.

Then he asked if I normally do what I did today by going to strangers places..and I admitted to him that I do not and that I set up a mobile thing-a-ma-bob on Facebook, he didn’t know what it was I was not able to explain well enough…telling people what I was doing and that is why my cell phone was going off. And that I needed to check in. I took a call from Christopher telling him I was ok and would be out soon. We loaded my Mimi (oh how i miss her) with stuff and continued to talk outside. I could see Gypsy had called and texted as well as Sputnik and another friend.

I knew I was past due for checking in..so I bid my adieu and texted the troops. I guess I didn’t realize that people were actually watching and timing me…but I am very grateful that they were. Gypsy was ready to call the cops and come looking for me. (thanks doll!)

Neil was very nice, he was out of work and had hoped to get into fixing and renting then the bust happened. He will be starting school in February to work on Wind Turbines to get in on the new industry. I told him about my friend Paul Masters who does that same thing and makes bucks…and was in Alaska all summer installing them and sending me pic from 300 feet in the air on them…scary..and cold.

It was a pleasure to meet Neil and I am thankful for all the large clothes as those are the hardest to come by. He wrote me an email the week MiMi was stolen to give me another address on Evaline where he left another page of clothes on the porch for me. I retrieved them just last week after all the car drama and pulling my brain out of my ass and getting back to the project.

The Season has started.

2009-10-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

on my way to work this morning i stopped at the light on the service drive and saw a homeless man in a wheel chair with a sign telling passers by that he was homeless and asking for help. i was bummed cuz i had no food to share with him.

I tried to make eye contact with him to acknowledge him and we finally did. At that moment I simultaneously reached in my bag for a dollar as I read the small sign that he had propped on his big sign...it told drivers to drive careful and blessed them.

i pulled my car to meet him and handed the dollar out the window and asked his name, i recognized him at that time. He told me his name is Amir and I told him my name and I reminded him we met last winter one night on the service drive by 14th. (it was a night that dft and I picked up a woman from MLK cuz a man was harassing her and took her to the place of her request)

His face lit up and he remembered me, He remembered i had gotten out of my car to get in my truck to get him food and a blanket and covered him. And told me I also helped him on the 75 service drive as well. i told him i would be out again this year and asked what size shoe he wore as i saw he was in socks and sandals.

He told me 10 or 11 and i told i would be on the look out. We started to say our good byes and then he blessed me...and you know what? I felt as if I had been touched...no I know I was!

I cried tears of joy the rest of the way to work...Thank you Amir, thank you!

Making Change in Chicago

2009-10-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

found on the streets of Chicago..

honest..and really nice penmanship too!

DAMNED exhibition and BWB & a gig for you?

2009-08-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

he art experience DAMNED II is coming up on Thursday October 29th and Friday (Devil's Night) October 30th...

this year I will working with DAMNED II doing production and they have offered to help Burners without Borders do a food drive at the door, they did this last year for another organization. ..this is a great opportunity for BWB Detroit to ramp up donations at the beginning of the winter season.

Another great opportunity is that we are looking for some help...have a look and see if you are interesting in a quick gig.

thanks
~doxie

Subject: Servers & valets needed for DAMNED II pre-Ball dinner

22 attendees are needed for the exotic 6-course dinner served presentation
style before the DAMNED II Masquerade Ball

(Presentation style where each course plate is presented and served
individually)

Needed:

- 10 servers to roll out cart for each presented plate to their assigned
table and placing plates before each of 8 diners at table

- 10 table valets to service diner needs (refilling glasses, etc) and
placing finished plates onto cart for removal

- 2 drink servers to bring any possible bar orders to table valets

Elegant uniform will be provided. $7/hr rate with free VIP admission for you
plus guest after dinner to formal masquerade ball and Jill Tracy
performance.

Must be available exactly 6-9pm on Friday October 30 2009 at the Tangent
Gallery/Hastings Ballroom in Detroit

Serious professional- minded applicants only. Female and male equally
employed.

Send personal information, JPG photo and any related experience to:
- Hide quoted text -

server09@thatdamned show.com

Deadline midnight October 16 2009.

2009-07-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

Interesting link on poverty statistics worldwide;
http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html
its a very embarrassing reflection on our country..
which unless you are daft you should already know about..this
just gives the numbers.

this link it to a site that exhibits art down by homeless
http://www.communityworks945.org/Artworks945/subShell.html

“A City to Yourself”

2009-07-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

a highlight of the filmmaker Nicole MacDonald for the upcoming fundraiser for Burners without Borders...

WHAT:

A film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald; “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w) followed by a special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers)

WHEN & WHERE :
July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI

(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)

Buy presale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=98437072738

WHO:
Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide
Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)

About the films:

A City to Yourself by Nicole MacDonald. In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?

Filmmaker Nicole MacDonald was born on the East side of Detroit. She is a filmmaker and artist (her landscape paintings have been in shows from the Scarab Club to the Detroit Artists Market), makes her living as acting director of the Detroit Film Center and a freelance videographer.

This year her film was one of the 125 films selected for competition in the Ann Arbor Film Festival, an international festival is known for art and experimental films. The film was shot between the years of 2005 and 2008 where she saw many changes occur in the city from building demolition to the planting of flowers. “It was one of many contradictions … I tried to document in my film,” she says.

The film has won the John Michaels Award at the 31st Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale, Ill., which awards films for community activism and social consciousness and was accepted to the Washington, D.C. Independent Film Festival and Media City International Festival of Film and Video Art in Windsor.

Nicole lives in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighbor and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, where she studied philosophy and anthropology. She is positive about Detroit and appreciates the kind of rural tranquility in an urban setting. She sees Detroit as something of an escape from the congestion and pollution of the surrounding suburbs.

DUST & ILLUSIONS

2009-07-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

DUST & ILLUSIONS; a history of Burning Man

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- July 6, 2009

WHAT: Special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin, (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers) with a preview of the film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w)

WHEN & WHERE:

July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI 48203

(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)Buy pre-sale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets

WHO: Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)

About the films:

Dust & Illusions looks at 30 years of history of Burning Man all the way back to the late 1970s deep into the origins of the event. Through 21 interviewees the film presents the philosophies that fueled the creation of the festival, and its evolution from a small gathering of friends to the largest “counter-cultural” event in North America. It offers a new perspective of the meaning of the event, and questions whether its organizers are more concerned about making sure the show is ready when the gate opens or if they still truly engage in building a community and fostering art

A City to Yourself In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?

About Burners without Borders:
Detroit Burners without Borders is an opportunity to help people on our streets ease the discomfort of homelessness. You do not have to give money, instead donate goods, better yet give of yourself and do community service that not only helps others but leads to building stronger community, networking and friendships with people you might not otherwise come in contact.

Contact: Danielle Kaltz
Email: doxiedetriot@gmail.com
http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/

Help the homeless this weekend and have 24 hours of fun doing it !

2009-06-12T14:32:00.001-07:00

The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk is an event that promises to transform Detroit this weekend into a multi-media production. It will be 24 hours of events around the city performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers, artists and You! Come play a part in having fun, networking and helping feed the cities homeless.

Spacewalk is a 24 Hour will be a festival that will roam throughout the city and is a participatory event, the more you are involved the more fun you will have. Through the support of local organizations each individual, businesses and non-profit organizations will work together to produce the event.

It will help promote local organizations, community services, and churches to change the city's energy with the help of individuals like you. Part of the mission this weekend is to spread Felicity through the city and everyone involved.

The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Belle Isle Fishing Area at noon then with a program and map in hand, Spacewalkers begin their own odyssey. After or even before events on Belle Isle participants can choose any number or all of the events which include a Health Fair at the Church of the Messiah from 10a m to 3pm. 24 hours of yoga will be available in the gazebo at Eastern Market, an Art car parade will happen up Woodward toward the Artist Village and the Redford Theatre then back down to the city center for additional events at Campus Martius, Heidelberg Project and Spirit Farm among others. Be sure to check out the interactive http://tinyurl.com/ncn2as map for a list of events.

The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the city all day and night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless at NSO provided by a number of generous people and local organization, all are welcome to help.

The woman leading this ambitious event is Warrior Girl, who you can see perform in the Superhero Soap Opera, a Seaholm High School grad who has worked with Cirque de Soleil and recently came home to metro Detroit. She's a performance artist and activist who's lived all over the world. She is working closely with Boulevard Harambee to help see this dream of uniting Detroit come true..won’t you join her!

Homeless Advocate Goes High Tech; Eric Sheptock

2009-06-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

Homeless Advocate Goes High Tech

by Pam Fessler

here is a link to a story on NPR about a homeless man gone digital for the cause of homelessness. Inspiring!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105047997&sc=fb&cc=fp

His personal blog... yes he has a blog and twitters; http://www.ericsheptock.com/

U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless

2009-06-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is from August of 2008..but i am just now learning about it..

U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless

Michael H. Hodges / The Detroit News

U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless

By Michael H. Hodges The Detroit News

As final-year art projects go, Stephen Mills' was a little unusual. Most every art-and-design senior at the University of Michigan was pulling together a thesis that involved a painting, a statue or something more conventionally artistic.

Mills?

He designed and built a shelter on wheels for homeless people.

"I pretty much just decided I wanted to do something different," Mills says by phone from New York City, where he's now looking for design jobs after graduating in April.

"And I liked the idea of the project bettering somebody else's life."

In a puckish touch, Mills christened his creation the Homeless Utility Vehicle — or HUV.

Confused about the connection between fine arts and a mobile homeless shelter? Mills will emphatically assure you that he considers himself to be an artist and an industrial-arts designer.

But the truth is there's plenty of precedent for artists engaging in this sort of socially motivated, functional design.

Mills tips his hat to a 1980s project by the New York artist, Krzystof Wodiczko — best-known for video projections on buildings and monuments — who also designed a sleeping-shelter vehicle for those living on the streets.

Judging from Internet images of Wodiczko's vehicle, his metalwork might have been a bit more elegant than Mills', but the latter built in one big improvement over its predecessor: You can push Mills' HUV and still be enclosed by the arching roof, and thus largely protected from the elements.

It's basically a very large shopping cart with a clear-plastic roof and a comfy, insulated sleeping panel — and storage — on the bottom.

Whether or not this prototype ever makes it to the homeless population, of course, is up in the air, though Mills is trying to pursue grants that might underwrite production. He estimates about $900 of materials went into the prototype. But, as he notes, the HUV project wasn't conceived as a solution, but rather, "a concept piece to explore the issue" of homelessness.

Well, it's art school.

But if the HUV isn't meant as a substitute for a real home, it could, Mills and some homeless advocates believe, be a useful substitute for sleeping outside in bitter cold, since its compact size allows one's body heat to warm it up.

As a test, Mills spent one night in the vehicle in March with the temperature in the low teens, and reports that — with a blanket — he was perfectly warm. (If it ever went into production, Mills envisions that the HUV would come with blankets.)

Deb Pippins — part of Washtenaw County's Project Outreach Team for the homeless — wishes she had the HUV around when dealing with one particularly challenging client.

"We work with a lot of people with mental illness," Pippins says, "and in one case, it took five years before this woman would accept decent housing from us."

The HUV, she suggests, might have been a useful half-step that homeless woman might have agreed to much earlier — and certainly would have been a big improvement over sleeping in the woods, which is where Pippins says many of Ann Arbor's homeless can be found at night.

Nor does she think HUV production is out of the question.

"There's a lot of funding for innovative projects like the HUV," Pippins says. "I would hope Stephen could get funding. The HUV may be a Band-Aid on a broken social-service system, but it's a useful Band-Aid and could save people's lives in the middle of winter."

At U-M, the dean of the School of Art & Design, Bryan Rogers, salutes Mills' design for combining "a social conscience with the practical needs of those who could use the vehicle."

But he sees a larger utility, and one more intimately connected with what we normally call art — the HUV's ability to force passers-by to do a double take, and perhaps in the process, reanimate the largely dead discussion on homelessness in this country.

"If something is thought-provoking," Rogers says, "I call that useful. And the HUV says, 'This is real. We have homeless people. Let's make this work, as long as we have them.'"

another video...i would like to see one where it can be converted to a bike!

Krzysztof Wodiczko Homeless Vehicle Project

2009-06-04T13:20:00.001-07:00

i really like this artist ..worked with him in the 90's at Wayne State for an exhibition...never knew about this homeless aspect of his work..
its interesting...and i really like the idea of making something like this in a bike form...like the artist did in my next blog!

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT

2009-06-04T09:44:00.002-07:00

JUNE 13-14, 2009

24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit

DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.

The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."

The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.

We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.

For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.

This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.

There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.

For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.

# # #

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT

2009-06-04T09:44:00.001-07:00

JUNE 13-14, 2009

24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit

June 1, 2009

DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.

The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."

The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.

We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.

For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.

This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.

There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.

For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.

# # #

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT

2009-06-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit

June 1, 2009

DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.

The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."

The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.

We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.

For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.

This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.

There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.

For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.

# # #

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.

Back Packs..and more

2009-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

so ok ..this guy Greg..who i met through work cuz he likes beer and Detroit..and wanted pictures of Detroit Beer..and dogs...(dont ask!) so anywho

i met this guy and we got to talking went out for a few beers and meals and he is a fan of the city too...and i told him about my homeless project and he wanted to help..

well the other day asks what i need i tell him backpacks...not long after he sends me links to wholesale places on line and i do a bunch of searching and find some really great deals...

so i got :

72 -15.5'' Backpack

72 Can Opener - Stainless Steel w/Plastic Handle

and 96 rain ponchos

and they came in the mail yesterday...and i have a crew of people willing to help me pack them up when i get the rest of the stuff i want...

yea!! and to boot Greg is also making a donation toward buying the stuff i just ordered!! BIG PHAT THANK YOU!!!!

this is going to be cool for next year..and how awesome that i can get it done now and be ready!

yea!!

Blankets!!!

2009-04-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I met up with Hannah, Gypsys sister, at her old place up in Brightmoor! you read that correctly!

and why? well get this she had a ton of and i mean a ton of government issued Department of Justice disaster blankets and i could take as many as i wanted from her.

She also had a ton of clothes and toiletries and all sorts of stuff for a homeless project she used to do with a church.

Sadly i no longer have the jeep, rip, and my car is soo soo tiny so i borrowed Dans car which is not much bigger than Mimi. I did manage to get 63 blanket, all from recycled materials i might add, into his car plus all the toiletries; which were things like razors, soap, toothbrushes, paste, tissue...

it was an awesome score...and i thank you Hannah and Ben for allowing me to get what i could...

I helped them load up the van they were borrowing so they could take the rest of the stuff down to NSO...i hope that went well!

now to get 63 backpacks!!!

April 7 and 8th, 2009

2009-04-08T19:35:00.001-07:00

April 7th
I did my two big posts about Michelle Rougeau!

April 8th, 2009

Had dinner with Mr. Josh aka Bacon about his amazing trip to Vancouver. While eating at Marias on Joseph Campau in Hamtown..btw its awesome you should go!

He told me had a bunch more cloths from his co-workers and yet knew I was done taking stuff so wondered what to do. I told him I see UPR post they needed clothes and got word from Jean Wilson who heads the Detroit Chapter that she would take what I had as I still have so much.

I texted her to tell he was coming and he loaded up my stuff in his truck to take to her! Sweet!! So I am almost clothes free. I checked just a bit ago to see what I have left in Mimi and mostly its mens pants!!!! Bonus!! And a bunch of Woodward Dream Cruise shirts…brand new!! And new gloves and hats!! Score…can you tell I never know what I have…its like Christmas every time I open a bag! So after this trunk full I go to food and hygiene packs for the summer.

Josh is going to ask co-workers for toiletries for me! Do you have any? Let me know if so and get them to me..so I can get them to people who need them! Think razors, mini-hotel soaps, shampoos, lotions..come on I know you steal them. Pooners. (tampons), other feminine stuffs…condoms….plastic combs, anything like that! Please and thanks!

April 3 2009

2009-04-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

thinking I will stop clothes… and have pretty much decided that I will pass out what I have and be done with clothes until fall. If I even decide to do clothes again. I would rather I think stick to just the back packs filled with usefull stuff like I have made; can openers, hand warmers, hats, gloves, I want to get more rain ponches and stuff like that…that all makes more sense to me.

So I have a ton of stuff to unload, Mimi is full and so is the hall way inside my building. I am so surprised my landlord has not given me shit about it or my neighbor. (he is especially tolerant of my mess in the hall)

I have a shelf I found in the alley in the basement but I have not had time, or taken it, to put the thing together to store all my loot. Need to get plastic bins for food stuffs so no critters are attracted! bad enough i had a mouse probably in my pantry post Bman...amen it wasnt during the time i have had all this pre-packaged food around ...would have been a mouse delight and a poop party for sure. (little bastards poop like you would not believe!..ee)

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 –

2009-04-08T19:28:00.000-07:00

Meet Kenny again outside of Avalon he was getting change from some guy in a van who had me blocked in. while that guy fumbled and looked for coin I climbed into Mimi and got out a prepackaged chicken meal combo pack that Cooky gave me. He was then nice enough to guide me out as I was parked between two huge SUV’s and could not see shite!, thank you Kenny!

After that I went to Port Huron and on my way back I got off at Cadiuex to run an errand. And must to my surprise there was a guy at the top of the ramp on I94, I was not prepared to see somewhere there so by time I saw him my car was rolling up the ramp so I reached backed and grabbed food sadly the light stayed green and I didn’t want to stop the flow of traffic so I kept going. I felt bad esp since I was going into Grosse Pointe and knew I would not see any more people hanging on corners in need. I did though see more houses for sale than I have ever seen, but no homeless…I’m sure they are not allowed there…shooed to the border of Detroit…move along not allowed here.

March 31st, 2009

2009-04-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

been chatting online with this dood; Detroitblogger John.. i had read his stuff on Johnny Redding we found each other on facebook and or myspace...have mutual friends and obviously care about this fucking town or do a fine job faking it.... so this cat and I are supposed to go out and hit the streets, he has a friend who has befriended the homeless and knows of some places..and am all about safety in numbers now...we have been trying to get schedules to match up is a bitch though! Some day. read his stuff
http://metrotimes.com/archives/browse.asp?byline=Detroitblogger+John

Saturday, March 21st , 2009

2009-04-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Went back to NSO the next day . to make sure I did not have a fear and to get rid of the stuff I had in Dans car.

Saturday, March 28th, 2009- SPARC set up an event to coincide with Detroit Day so a few of us showed up at the Detroit Dream Projects Temple to clean up the area and help pitch in. Afterward Cooky gave me more loot; two more bags of easy to open and divide food! Chicken in can meals, fig newtons, trail mix bars, m&m’s cuz she remembered me saying candy is a hot item..and it is!

I have been giving out the food on my way to work for the last week; Kasen and the other guy at the top of Lodge and Howard exit, and new guys I have never meet downtown.
March 30

I ordered about 2000 seeds for the Seed Bomb making party at the Spirit of Hope Church at Grand River and Trumbell. We made a few hundred and I bought a wrist rocket to shoot mine!! While there my buddy Mike Mogill was there ..he actually got the word out through Detroit Synergy for the event. And Beth (stealth cunt) brought a bunch of clothes, flannel jackets for me but that Tuka from the church said would be useful there! Instead she gave me a bunch of hand warmers which are always a great thing to have! Thank you darling cunt wait to see you again!