Volunteering with Hope to Home started for me with collecting linens at home that were still in good shape, but no longer needed. I had a teenage son who had grown out of “Star Wars” sheets, pillowcases & comforter along with other gently used linens so I was able to put several linen kits together. I dropped these off along with a microwave and new towels/washcloths purchased @ Costco to someone who was taking a load to Hope to Home Warehouse that week.
A couple weeks later I put several kitchen kits together, buying what was needed to complete them @ Dollar Tree. While collecting things for the kitchen kits, I had stopped by the storage closet of our family business that had some kitchen things to be donated. I saw 4 powder blue plates that didn’t go with anything else and asked if I could take them. I threw them in the back of my SUV. I would be taking the kitchen kits, some lamps and other household items that next Saturday when my teenage son and I would be volunteering @ the warehouse.
When we arrived that Saturday, we pulled up and were helped by volunteers to unload our SUV packed full of items. We were then asked if we both wanted to go on the deliveries that day. A large van was loaded with all the things needed to furnish (4) homes or apartments that day. And when I say furnish these homes, I mean when you first arrive there is usually nothing but the individual or family there, usually an empty home. When you leave that home, the home is furnished with beds, furniture, all the cupboards in the kitchen full with pots, pans, glasses, dishes & silverware and the family is given a Bible. That day was such a rewarding and moving day. My son helped unload the truck and a friend from church rode with me in my SUV. The first home an elderly lady was inside and overjoyed that we were bringing in all the things she would need to have a home. After bringing in the last lamps and setting up her bed along with filling her kitchen, she was presented with a Bible and she stood at the door in tears. It was nothing like I had ever seen. So many volunteers had come together for this moment.
Our next stop was a nice new apartment complex that was on the second floor for this family of 5. When my friend and I arrived there was a single mom with 4 children that according to her had been either living in an unsafe motel or their car. She was so grateful. There were only a few sleeping bags on the floor of this apartment. My son helped bring in twin mattresses while others set up bed frames. To my surprise, one of the young boys came out of his room with a pillow/Star Wars pillowcase. He had the biggest smile on his face and he hugged the pillow like it was gold. (Something that was in my storage closet not being used that now meant so much to this young boy who had not even had a bed).
My friend and I ended up in the kitchen unloading boxes only to find 2 of the beautiful blue floral plates were broken. There were 6 plates, now only 4. At that moment I ran to my car remembering the 4 powder blue plates I had put in the back of my SUV. Could they still be there? I opened the back and under some things, there were 4 powder blue plates. I brought them in the kitchen and they were a perfect match! All I could think about was God knew. He knew when I saw these plates in the business storage closet that they didn’t belong. God had his hand in this every step of the way. My friend, my son and I were amazed and blessed to be a part of this day that also blessed so many others!" Becky