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!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
These volunteers for the homeless know how to pack a good cause
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.
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
CLOTHING RESOURCES
can help with people in general or people who need clothing for interviews or wedding.
http://julieslist.homestead.com/ClothingResources.html
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
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
im allowed to dream...how else can i figure out my goals!
http://www.clickondetroit.com/family/5572140/detail.html
aluminum insultor
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!
---
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!.
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!.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday January 10, 2010- Packing Back Packs
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
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
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Gleaners Fundraiser was a success
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
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
Monday, December 14, 2009
BIG PHAT THANK YOU!!
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
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
Friday, December 04, 2009
LOVEBAGS!!!!
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!!
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
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
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
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Gleaners fundraiser at Cafe Felix Dec 14--come on out!
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.
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;
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Burners without Borders....fan logo test
this is a test to see what this will look like!! please post it if you support BWB..and i hope you do!!
thanks
thanks
Friday, November 13, 2009
Manual
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
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.
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.
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