On the evening of November 7 I attended an awards dinner given by the Yavapai County Community Foundation to honor philanthropists in the county. Two women – Diane Iverson and Leigh Downing – were honored as Community Benefactors for their work in co-founding and operating the Open Door agency.
Many people in the area do not know of the incredible services Open Door, located at the Prescott United Methodist Church and administered under the aegis of ICCJ, provides to the homeless and needy in Prescott. Food, clothing, showers, a mailing address …..all are provided cheerfully and with dignity to the recipients.
The people who come twice a week to Open Door often need all kinds of help - a roof over their heads, clothing, food, furniture, kitchen utensils, school supplies ….You name it and Diane will attest that it has been asked for. Previously I was under the impression that furniture was not accepted. NOT TRUE!!! There is minimal storage space but the reality is that any furniture items brought in are claimed virtually instantly. So before you discard or contribute any clothing or household items elsewhere, please check with me or with Open Door (776-9294) first. The need is indeed immense……
PPWC and Christmas gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble
Although there has been a nice response to my appeal last month, we still need additional helpers, especially on the weekend before Christmas. Please contact Ann Huelle to help with this project.
Helping the community on Christmas Day
Every year St. Luke’s Episcopal Church serves a holiday dinner on
Christmas Day. This year, as always, they are in need of volunteers to help
prepare and serve the meal, as well as clear up afterwards. Anyone interested in
doing this should call Jodie (contact office for phone number) Leave
your name and phone number and she will call you back to discuss what you are
willing to do and to schedule a timeslot for you. Alternatively you may call the
church (778-4499) and leave a message for Jodie with the volunteer manning the
phones. Be sure to tell Jodie that you are a member of Temple B’rith Shalom!!!
I have contacted the hospital. If any help is needed, the Volunteer department will call Bev Jorgenson. Please let Bev know if you are interested in helping out.
Susan Lorant
Social Action Chair
Editor’s note:
As Susan will be out of town until December 17th please contact the alternate people listed in her article At Temple B'rith Shalom we take the mitzvah, the commandment, of Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World, seriously and personally. Our members don’t just send donations to organizations. We volunteer our energy and our time. Members of Temple Brith Shalom are actively involved in the following local organizations: