Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving already. It's hard to believe that time has gone by so fast. I know as you get older it goes faster and for me this is so true. I've been making it a practice to acknowledge all of the blessings that I have in my life and to be more aware of all that I have to be thankful for, both big and small. I am truly blessed with family, friends, co-workers and supporters of Hope House. 

My good friend and colleague who runs another domestic violence program just lost her husband after a fierce battle with cancer. My heart hurts for her and her family as they struggle this Thanksgiving with their husband, father and grandfather not being with them. I know her and she will remain grateful for all of the support that she has and for the prayers she has coming her way. She will find a way to be positive and supportive of others even as she walks through her own path of grieving. She is an amazing woman—one I am so proud to know and call my friend. I am thankful for her friendship and the guidance she gave to me as I took on the role of CEO of Hope House. She understands and lives every day the true meaning of Thanksgiving and my prayers will be with her today and throughout this holiday season.

I know many supporters of Hope House are facing challenges this year. I am approaching this Thanksgiving with a heightened sense of gratitude for all that I and Hope House have been given. I will continue to hold those who are struggling in the light and pray for a sense of peace and comfort for them.

I am truly thankful to everyone who helps make Hope House a beacon of hope for thousands of people every year. I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo by Jenny Steffens @
http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/

I can't believe that it's already the middle of November and Thanksgiving is here. It's the time of year when we stop to give thanks for all of our many blessings.

At Hope House, we are thankful every day and feel extremely blessed. We are a part of this wonderful community; a caring community that reaches out to us and helps us in so many ways. 

People are amazing in how they give back. The care and concern they have for their neighbors and fellow human beings is heart-warming.

We thank you for thinking of us throughout the year. We couldn't do the work we do without you. We are grateful to everyone who has touched our lives and continues to support us as we work to break the cycle of domestic violence.

We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Photo by Jenny Steffens Hobick @
http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/.

It is that time of year when we stop to give thanks for all of our many blessings. We at Hope House are extremely blessed.

We are blessed to be a part of this wonderful community; a caring community that reaches out to us in so many ways. People are amazing in how creative they are in helping us with our many needs!

Here are a few examples of things that people have done for us in the past that may give you a great idea for how your family, office or church can get involved with Hope House:

- Invite your neighbors over and ask them to bring a new, unwrapped gift for our holiday store. In return, they get hot chocolate and cookies made by your kids.

- Teach a Girl Scouts group how to crochet and have them create tiny blankets for our newborns.

- Hold a wiffle ball tournament with a percent of entry fees coming to Hope House. Get your kids’ schoolmates involved.

Did this list get you thinking creatively? If so, contact our Volunteer Manager, Gretchen, at 816-257-9342 or gschmitz@hopehouse.net to discuss the details.

We thank you for your support and for thinking of us throughout the year. We couldn’t do the work we do without the involvement of our community. We are grateful to everyone who has touched our lives as we work to break the cycle of domestic violence.

We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for at Hope House and it is always good to pause and to give thanks for all that we have. We are blessed to have so many friends and supporters of our agency. Without all of you we would not be where we are today.

I am so grateful for the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board and the staff that works so hard every day to provide quality services to those who have been impacted by domestic violence.

I am grateful to all of the people that have challenged us to do better and who have supported us on our journey. I’m especially thankful to Barbara Potts who had the vision and the courage to start this agency in 1983. She and a group of dedicated individuals still support us today, offering their guidance and encouragement.

So, as you all reflect on your blessings and what you are thankful for, remember that you have made a difference for Hope House. We are able to do what we do because of you, and for that we are grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving.