A special thank you goes out to all the kids in SEEK for their heartfelt contribution of $1,000 dedicated to feeding hungry children.  Since our family will arrive with little more than their clothes and hopes for a better future, providing them with nourishing food will be very important.  This donation will allow us to stock a pantry with foods appropriate to the family’s culture, and will help fund their trips to the grocery store until they are able to fully support themselves.  This is a truly wonderful gift.

Thank you also to everyone who signed up to donate used furniture and household items.  An arrangement has been made with A Wider Circle, who will accept all these items now, and then just before our family arrives, give our Housing & Furnishings team priority to select whatever we need to furnish the apartment.  We have Trang Duong to thank for this arrangement, which will let the donors drop off items at their convenience, avoid the cost of storage, assure that we will have everything needed when the time comes, and all while supporting the mission of A Wider Circle in making basic home goods available to families in need.  Great idea, Amanda and Trang!

There is still room in the Volunteer Training, being provided by our partner, Lutheran Social Services, on Thursday 1/12 at 7:00.  This is an opportunity to clarify what volunteers can expect and what is expected of us and to prepare to receive, interact effectively, mentor, and be supportive to our family.  While attendance is not mandatory for volunteers, it should be informative and helpful.  If you are not able to attend, please inform Sue Smith who will brief you on the content shortly afterwards.  Anyone who expects to work directly with our family will be required to submit to a background check.  Names, email addresses and a $30 check for the background check will be collected at the training session.  Those who can’t attend are asked to provide your payment, in advance if possible, to Trang Duong.  Watch for her email for particulars.  After background checks are completed, the process of matching WES to a family will begin, so thank you for your cooperation.  It will help expedite that process and bring our family here sooner.