Several posts ago there was a request from a youth worker in the City for a couple of coats.

I then found out about another organization called Youth in Need, so I sent an email asking for people to please check out this blog and Show us something Good.

And boy did she EVER.

Tracy Winkler in Arnold organized a coat drive, a coat drive that has amounted to so many coats her entire car is stuffed full as is mine and they will be delivered tomorrow, to both the St. Louis City Juvenile Courts and to Youth in Need.

Amazing, simply amazing.

These photo's are the second batch of coats, the first was just as big. 

On December 5th from 9am - 12pm at the Hazelwood Baptist Church, anyone in need of coats, or clothes and gently used toys may come and help themselves to what they need.

There will be items for men, women, children and infants.

They will receive a trash bag upon arriving and will be able to fill the bag.

There will be no checking of who "really" needs it.

They will also be given gift baskets.

The church address is:

Hazelwood Baptist Church

6161 Howdershell Rd.

Hazelwood, Mo. 63042

New Request

I received an email today with this request .....

Everyone is experiencing some economic difficulties. In my community we are at a 12.1% unemployment rate. We are trying to help a couple of families here in our area. The husband is working 40 hours, his wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer and they have 2 young children. The other family is a single father with 2 daughters. Our goal is to be able to provide Christmas dinner, toys, clothing and to pay utilities for these families. I am asking for your help to do this. If you could help by sending any amount we would greatly appreciate it. $1, $2, $5 anything will help. I believe that we are a blessed nation and I would not ask if I did not believe in you too.

If you are able to help in any way, please leave a comment here or email me directly at:

MicheleLFelton@aol.com

and I will get you in contact with the appropriate people.

Thank you!

I just found out about this organization. They offer free house cleaning to women who are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, so that they have one less thing to worry about.

Amazing.

If you are in need of their services or if you know someone who is, check it out.

Cleaning for a reason

If you are not in need of their services, be thankful and maybe do something to show them something good!

Stop what you are doing right now. Find a pen, now throw it across the room.

Now, get up and go get it.

Now, be thankful you can do that. Think for a moment about all the people that can not.

Support Dogs is a wonderful organization that trains service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities and they also have trained therapy teams that serve the community. Please check out their website if you would like additional information on the services they provide. You can also get information on how to apply for a service dog.

Do you have a wonderful loving canine companion? Sign up for a touch class and you and your four legged friend could go visit hospitals and nursing homes etc to bring a little love and happiness into some places that could sure use more of that.

In the meantime, Support Dogs could use some assistance ... please look over the list here and if you can help that is fantastic, if not but you know someone who can forward the information along. Let's Show them something good!

You can reach me at MicheleLFelton@aol.com if you would like additional information.

Kennel/Canine Care Needs:
Laundry and dishwasher detergent
30 gallon garbage bags
Gift cards to PetSmart, PetCo, Sam’s or Costco
Chew bones for large breed dogs: white nylabones, Dental Chew S-Shape,
Galileo, Double Action Chew, Knot bones
Key chains to be used as retrieve items (convention giveaways etc.)
Rubbermaid 4-shelf storage unit (deep, wide width for dog food bags)
Milkbone brand dog biscuits (all sizes)
Plain yogurt

Office/Administrative Needs:
20#, 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper, color paper (pastels, hot colors welcome)
Auction items and empty baskets
CD/DVD- RW
Heavy duty paper shredder for office use
Gift cards Schnucks, Dierberg’s, Shop ‘n Save
Digital camera
2 Navy blue polyester banquet size tablecloths
24x36 white foam core boards

Are you aware that YOU have the power to change the life of an abused or neglected child?

Their entire life.

You can be the voice of a child when they don't have one.

Voices for Children in St. Louis City is always in need of people who have an extra 10 hours a month (really, it is not more than that at all) to step up and speak up.

I have personally been volunteering with them for several years now and have had the honor of working with 4 children. It is a powerful and life changing experience.

If you would like more information you can contact them directly at:

www.voices-stl.org

Or as always, you can leave a comment here or email me directly at MicheleLFelton@aol.com and I will get you information or direct you to the appropriate person.

Thanks!

First Baptist Church in Arnold is participating in a program called Operation Christmas Child. Their goal is to fill 1000 shoe boxes with treats and toys for children.

I have attached a link for you to view. If you would like to donate a box you can contact them directly, or email me and I will be happy to give you additional information.

Operation Christmas Child

You can reach me by leaving me a comment here or you can reach me by email at MicheleLFelton@aol.com

Thank you!

Adopt a Family

It is the time of year again, that ALIVE is reaching out to help those families in need during the holiday season. The Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program helps families affected by domestic violence enjoy the holidays. This special program helps underprivileged St. Louis area families fulfill their holiday wishes, by providing gifts and corporate in-kind donations from members of our community. This year we are experiencing 60% increase in the number of people we are serving, so we expect to have greater-than-usual need for donor groups who will adopt. Each sponsors who choose to "adopt" a family will be provided with a description of the family including the first name and age of each member and a wish and need list. Please contact Elizabeth or Cathy for more information or to sponsor a family: Elizabeth 314-993-7080, alivestl@sbcglobal.net (St. Louis office) or Cathy 636-583-9863, alivefc@sbcglobal.net (Franklin County office) If you would like more information about ALIVE and the many services they provide, please click their link to the right. Thanks!

I have a request for help with some over due gas and electric bills.

The woman in need is a single mom of three daughters who is not receiving any child support.   She and her ex split up in June and she moved to another home with her girls, her new start was destroyed when she discovered that he had not been paying the electric or gas bill as he had promised, which she is still responsible for, and now is due to have her gas turned off this month on the 28th.

She was also recently involved in a car accident that totaled her vehicle, and the driver at fault left the scene of the accident.   

Her gas bill is $403.87 and Electric $321.55.   If you are able and willing to help please contact me and I can give you additional information and contact numbers to the utility companies.  You can reach me by email at 

MicheleLFelton@aol.com

Thank you!

**  I also want to thank this particular woman, she has offered to donate some coats her daughters have outgrown to help fulfill another request, so I want to thank her for showing us something good, even when she is struggling!

Water Bill

I just spoke with the Water Company in Arnold.

They have a request for help with a water bill. They typically send requests to the churches in the area, but the problem is that right now there are so many needs and not enough money in any one organization.

The woman in this situation lost her job and has two foster children. She has filed for unemployment and is looking for work.

The water company is working with her and allowing her to pay what she can.

Taking this burden off her shoulders and allowing her to start fresh will at least give her a little bit of hope.

We can do that.

The balance of her bill is 240.21. I am not asking that you pay the whole thing, if you can and you want that is fantastic. If you want to pay a portion that would be wonderful also.

You can email me if you would like more information at MicheleLFelton@aol.com.

If you want to make a payment you can call Dee Marty at Public Water #1 in Arnold, the number is 636-296-0659 or reach her by email at dmarty@pwsd1jeffco.org

**** edited to add Thank you to Katrina who showed us something good! She called and made a payment towards the bill and the new balance is 215.21. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

**** edited to add Thank you to Anita who also paid towards her bill, the total now is just around 100.00. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Request for Homeless

I have a request from a church in the City that serves the homeless.

They serve breakfast on Saturday mornings, usually hard boiled eggs, a piece of fruit and bread. If any one would like to donate a grocery gift certificate to buy eggs and fruit it would be greatly appreciated. (Panera donates the bread... big shout out to Panera!!)

They could also use socks and T-shirts to give to the homeless that they serve. I am sure maybe they could use blankets as well, it is starting to get cold outside!

If you can help let me know, you can either comment here or reach me via email at:

MicheleLFelton@aol.com

Thanks!!

Winter Coat request

I have a request from someone who works with families, most of them do not have a winter coat. They need both adults and children's.

Anyone have any gently used coats they are willing to part with?   Or does anyone want to buy one or lots more to donate?

If so, let me know and I can either pick them up and deliver or get you in touch with them.

You can either comment here or reach me via email at MicheleLFelton@aol.com.

Thanks!

Hello and Welcome

I have often been told that I am just one person and I can't change the world.

I disagree. Each of us individually can do amazing things. We live in the Show Me State so let's do just that, let's show everyone how we can change the world.

Everyone wants to help, we just don't always know how. I will provide the information and you can do what you can, in whatever way you choose.

For now, I have started a list of organizations to the right that can always use a helping hand, in the form of money, or the donation of your time or talents. If you have any suggestions for other organizations you would like to see added please let me know.

If you know of someone or of a family who needs something let me know that as well.

Little by little, one by one, we will change the world.