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Hi, it's Wendy here,
and this you gotta hear:
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September 2023 to September 2024
Gods still doin' it!
September 2024 * Completed our 20th summer, our 19th year supported by the community * Diane Merritt continues to lead weekly Tuesday Bible study * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up for the 2nd year at Westwood mall. We had an early start and a smooth set up. Thank you to Rise Above and all who helped! * We continue to make free laundry soap. Thank you Diane Tracey! * Kids Explosion starts up with our new Kids Pastor Brianna Tuckerman. Kids Explosion has a new neighborhood in Michigan Center. Partnering with Michigan Center Bible Church. *Thank you Granger for your free dumpsters at the Priceless Gift Toy Store!
September 2023* Celebrating our 19th summer, 18th year supported by the community! * Diane Merritt continues to lead weekly Tuesday Bible study * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up at a new location with the Westwood Mall. Thank you to all who helped! * Made 440 gallons of free laundry soap with Reed Manor, Chalet Terrace, and Park Forrest * Partnered with Community Baby Shower again to share quilts, receiving blankets, and Toy Store invites. *Thank you Granger for your free dumpsters at the Priceless Gift Toy Store!
October 2023* Celebrating 19 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 3 neighborhoods Salvation Army, Isaiah’s Hub, and the King Center. Brianna worked as paid staff to help lead Kid’s Explosion * Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 17th year * Toy Store prep at Westwood Mall * First Fruit Groceries continues to serve monthly.
November 2023 * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 18th year. *Trailer provided by Tony Hurst and moved by Bailey Construction for the 4th year *Thank you Your Hometown USA for helping waterproof our trailer! * Toys for Tots partners with us in a new way! They supplied toys as needed during the shopping days of the Priceless Gift Toy Store for the first time ever! *Thank you to the amazing team of 32 people who served 10 days or more to make the Toy Store happen! We have no way to track the thousands of hours people spend in their homes to make the Toy Store Happen! We are so grateful!
December 2023 *Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 3,832 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas with 1,290 Volunteer Days worked! * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 13th year *Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 9th year! * Skating Party with Kid’s Explosion Team! *Thank you Toys for Tots for the 70 boxes of toys for next year!
January 2024 *Greg celebrates 7th year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! *Laundry Angels completes 13th year serving an average of 70 families monthly! * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 20,000 invitations to grow the best pepper plant in Jackson * Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca for the 7th year * Armory Bike Union celebrates 8th year working with us! They are located at Makerspace Building. Thank you John George Trust for helping this to continue! * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * Praying for a college student to run Kids Explosion for the summer. *Meijer donates $2000 in gift cards *Toy Store party to celebrate 19th year completed. Thank you Sandstone Community Church for hosting and Dave Kemler for cooking! * 1st Quilt Marathon. 65 quilt tops made! Thank you Brookside United Methodist for hosting! *Made laundry soap at Jackson Christian Elementary.
February 2024 * Start planning for Annual Prayer Walk * Tammy celebrates 12th year of sewing! Praise God! * Bible Study with Diane Tuesdays. Going through God says yes, we say Amen by Cindy Cox * Continue to partner with the Quilt Guild * KE starts up again in 2 neighborhoods thank you Brianna, Recardo, Anna, and Mike. * Action Jackson helps us make laundry soap. *Partnered with Rebecca at a senior community on Porter St to make laundry soap. *Delivered Big Seed Invitations to area schools for the Big Seed Garden Party.
March 2024 * Laundry Angels continue to work every Wednesday. Women Who Care blessed Laundry Angels with 14,000! Thank you Diane Tracy for a great presentation! * Thank you to all who donated diapers and clothes to our Baby Pantry! * Suresh visits from India. *Start planning for National Day of Prayer. Thank you Mary Lou! * Quilt party at Redeemer Lutheran 119 quilts completed 37 coming from Ruth and team. *Spring break Skate party at Allskate *Hosted group from Westwinds to share ministry.
April 2024 * Priceless Gift Easter is back! Praise God! * We hosted a Toy Store Breakfast. *Big push to help price toys from Toys for Tots. Thank you Spring Arbor Students and Christina! *City wide clean up with Sarah. *Girl Scouts from St Johns came and made Laundry Soap with us! *We were on JTV to talk about the Prayer Walk and National Day of Prayer. *County wide prayer drive. *Rewarded the kid’s efforts from our spring program. *Thank you Jerry Johnson for driving and being a right hand man for 10 years! *Thank you to the Laundry Angels team Diane, Kathy, Jan, Jerry, Mike, Rob, Shelly, Nate, Shirley, Shelly, and Pastor Matt.
May 2024 * Dianne celebrates 11th year helping with our sewing days! * Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on weekend of May 5th *The Big Seed Garden event goes on thank you Grow Jackson, St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Grace Church, & Sticky Fingers Food Truck- Ernest and Wendy *Amber is hired to run the summer Kids Explosion program. We are able to share Jesus at the Shahan and Chalet Terrace! (We have been praying for 10 years!) *Celebrated the National Day of Prayer *Shared at a Lions Club event. *Held a Quilting party at Redeemer Lutheran Church. *Met Rachel and Isaiah Bean who have a huge heart for Kids Ministry.
June 2024 * Summer Kids Program starts up! Kids’ Explosion has 10 parties each week and Star Program meets 5 times in two neighborhoods each week. We brought a portable library, reading help, math kits, and money games at Chalet and Shahan. * Director for St. Vincent DePaul, Mary finishes 5th year and we welcomed John Fenn as the new director *Partnered with Solid Rock Ministries Block Party for 2nd year. *Kids Explosion has a week-long training camp with 42 participants. *Pastor David and June get married! Praise God! *Laundry Angels continues to serve weekly on Wednesday. *Thank you Tammy for feeding the Kids Explosion Team all summer! * Thank you Diane and Tammy for cooking year round lunches.
July 2024 * Summer Kids Program continues! Our team of 42 staff, interns, and volunteers served on average 250 kids every week! *swimming at Vicki’s Pool for the 13th year * Sewing on Tuesdays continue * Laundry angels runs every Wednesday to serve our neighbors. We served 90 families in July! * Thank you John George Trust for your investment into the summer Kids Explosion and Star program! Praise God! *Partnered with Under the Sycamore/ Isaiah and Rachel Bean to do their one day Kids Camp * Partnered with the Back to School Bash as entertainment to 1,000 kids. We ran games and contests every 15 minutes at new venue American 1 Fairgrounds. *Celebrated the life of our precious friend Wendell Culver who is with Jesus now. Wendell and Mary are great partners with our ministry, and a huge help at the Priceless Gift Toy Store.
August 2024 * Finished the summer Kids’ Explosion Parties * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion families at Pleasant Lake! Thank you Brian and Mary * Start planning Kid’s Explosion for the fall *Made plans to have Toy Store at the Westwood Mall. *Bible Study moves to Diane’s house. *The Quilt Guild donates quilts, stockings, and resources for 3 huge rolls of batting. *First Fruits continues to serve monthly for 13 years! Thank you Prime Cuts and Keys Produce for your partnership! Thank you Mike and Rob for all your faithful help in making it happen!
God is so good. There are so many things He has done, not mentioned here, some have been omitted on purpose knowing the donors wish to remain anonymous, others may have been an oversite. We are so very grateful to be able to serve our city in this way. Thank you for YOUR help!
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory!
January 2024
Wow, 2023 is over, and we are looking forward to 2024! God has been so good to us! We have finished 19 years of ministry, and are working on YEAR 20! Thank you Bill and Kathy Latocki for all your help making us look professional all these years, and never a fee!
We were able to provide our Priceless Gift Toy Store for the 18th year, thank you St. Vincent DePaul, Toys for Tots, and Westwood Mall. We were able to set up in the most beautiful space, and with our new shopping carts, (thank you Habitat for Humanity 10 at $10.00 each, and ACE for donating 4) our process was easier than ever! Toys for Tots joined us during our event bringing 6 loads for toys to share! We gave $57,055 just of new toys to the kids we served. Thank you Jackson for being so generous!
We are celebrating the 1,263 signatures in our toy store book. This only represents the work that was accomplished at the store itself. We have yet to figure out how to document all the work that is done at home… we had 31 volunteers with 10 or more signatures, 23 with 15 or more, 19 with 21 or more, 11 with 25 or more, 7 with 31 or more, 4 with 40 or more! It is amazing to witness the way our team comes together, old friends, and new friends to serve Jackson’s kids.
Looking back at this 18th year to share toys, I am amazed at the amount of love and effort that goes into this project! Joann, for example, signed in to our book (40) days, and kept track of all our appointments answered our toy store phone, and gathered dolls year round from St. Vincent for her and Shari to prepare, and made quilts and pillows for all the doll beds, and quilts for the kids too! She has also mastered the skill of binding quilts, and almost single handedly bound ALL the blankets and quilts that went thru our ministry! Praise God!
Thank you Jerry (45) for all the days you show up! Driving our truck for whatever is needed! Laundry, Toys, Moving people, you are a treasure! Thank you Rob (40) for your line ”here I am, how can I help”! Sally (34) for all your giggles, love, support and attention to the small things! Phyllis (33) and Linda (26) for all the beauty you gather and package for our teens, Rosemary (31) and Jake (2) for keeping is in bags and supplies, and still being the head elf! Mike (28) for all the years with First Fruit, and now Kids Explosion, Laundry Angels, Habits, and Toy Store! Rob especially appreciates you! Thank you Diane T (28) for all your help with Laundry Angels, Toy Store, and even Quilts when we are in trouble. Kathy D (25) and Dennis (13) thank you for all the help with jewelry, and making us beautiful – cardboard, signs, doors hanging or not, we are grateful! Jeanie (24) we are so glad you are with us! You have an amazing testimony and you remind us just how blessed we are! Cindie S (24) you are willing to jump in wherever we needed you, and do it with excellence! Don (23) so glad you found us again this year! Kelly (22) Thank you for all your pajamas you shared! Mary (22) and Wendell (1) thank you for all your love and support! The books worked great again under your leadership! Cyndi M (21) Thank you for all the meals! And all the wrapping of gifts, still coming even after surgery! Shirley (21) thanks for keeping the guys in line! Sandy H (21) you are a great cheer leader! Thank you for feeding us! Mary Kelly (17) Thank you for all the help with the little things! Tracy (15) so glad to be with you, and praise God you can walk! Pam (15) Thank you for all your work gathering gifts, and wrapping, and feeding us. We Praise God you are recovering from the accident! Annie (15) Thank you for our 18th year together! You were right- I had it wrong! Laura B (14) still made time for us with all you had to do with your mom’s estate! Sandy G (13) great help again this year with books! Regine (12) you are amazing help with all those big and bulky! Laurie S (12) so glad you found us again! Lynda H (10) thank you for all your help, and for watching over the dolls! Anna (10) so proud of you! Ralph (10) and Nancy (9) thank you for partnering with Westwinds Table on Thursday nights! Sandy A (10) so glad to see you again this year! CJ (9) Thank you for all the help with printing, cutting, the tool bags for teens, and all the other toys!
St. Vincent DePaul’s Director Mary Laughlin plans to retire this summer. We are praying that the new director will partner with us again, like David Kemler, and Mary Laughlin have. St. Vincent has not only donated all the toys from October 1 to December 15 each year, they have also provided lunch every Thursday during our run time. They have helped with whatever equipment we needed, and transported the toys to us all but our 1st year. We are very grateful for this over 18 year relationship and hope to continue it.
Our Armory Bike Union is up and running at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson St. They would love to have volunteers come help! If you are interested you can contact Terry at 517 945-2218. Terry was able to provide more than 60 bikes to give at our Toy Store this year! Thank you Flagstar Bank for your encouragement and help!
Thank you for all the beautiful quilts, and blankets, and stockings, and bean bags, and hats, and scarfs and mittens! Pastor Bev’s husband Pastor Dave donated her fabric stash. We were able to make 137 blankets from just the fleece! Quilter friend Ruth brought us 2 cars full of beautiful quilted twin and queen size quilts! Tammy made beautiful quilts and bean bags again this year, the Diane Stevens and the Quilt Guild made beautiful stockings and baby quilts! First UMC, St. Catherin, St. Paul, St. John-Bridgewater, Ruthann and Noreen thank you for all provided beautiful hats, scarfs, and mittens. Thank you Debbie for all the quilts and scarfs! Joann, thank you for all the quilts and mittens! Dianne and Vicki mended so many stuffed animals and gifts that would have been thrown away! Thank you!
We are planning a Quilt Marathon January 22 thru 25. We will set up at Brookside UMC. We plan to sew 9 to 5pm. We have several totes full of projects that are started. Our goal is to make them into quilt tops or pillows and empty those totes! We would love your help!
Praise God, we were able to make 515 gallons of free laundry soap last year! Thank you to our Laundry Angels Team who helped! We continue to help Jackson smell good most Wednesdays at the Mini Maxi Laundry on Wisner St. Families call on Monday or Tuesday to make an appointment, drivers pick them and their laundry up on Wednesday mornings. We help with 2 loads per person in their family. We serve from 15 to 45 families weekly. Praise God! The 100 women who care plan to give their March gifts to help this ministry! We spend more than $11,000.00 on this project each year. We have a date with the Jackson Christian School for January 29 to help make laundry soap kits by grinding up bars of fels-naptha soap, and measuring the washing soda and borax. We will also make a batch with each class to show them how easy it is to help!
The Big Seed is our next really big event. We are packing 3 seeds into tiny bags, getting ready to invite 20,000 kids to try to grow the best pepper plant in Jackson! Jake Gorczyca has written the story, Rosemary is working on the art. We plan to publish 200 books again this year and give them to elementary schools, and pre-schools to read during March – Reading Month! Our Contest day is May 18, 2024. We will be at 730 Tomlinson St. At 10am we will choose the best plant. The Career Center will grow over 1,000 tomato and pepper plants for us to give away! We are making up seed cards to share free of cost. We will meet the first Monday of each month at 1pm, 224 W. Wilkins St. to plan and prepare for this event. It is tons of fun, and we would love your help.
The Jackson Juvenile home has a garden dedicated to our friend Bill Livernois. He and Bonnie were the founders of Lazy B Ranch. We have been invited to come help get the garden up and running this year. We plan to introduce other community service ideas also, and hope to add a faith component. Years ago Bonnie Livernois and Pat Harvey would go in weekly to be with the kids, but we have not had contact for a long time. Praise God for this new opportunity!
Kids’ Explosion will start again in February! We are hoping to combine Kids’ Explosion with our Habits Program. We will plan on Mondays, share Tuesdays at Chalet Terrace, Wednesdays at the Shahan, and Thursdays at Salvation Army. Praise God we have the help of Brianna one more semester! She is an amazing SPU Student who married Hunter in December, and graduates this spring. Brianna plans to spend her summer working at Michindoh Camp with her new husband.
We PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! We look forward to what is next!
Wendy
September 2022 to September 2023: God's still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September 2023 * Completed our 19th summer, our 18th year supported by the community * Diane continues to lead weekly Tuesday Bible study * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up at a new location the Westwood mall across from American Eagle. Thank you to all who helped! * Made 440 gallons of free laundry soap with Reed Manor, Chalet Terrace, and Park Forrest * Partnered with Community Baby Shower again to share 28 banana boxes full of quilts and Toy Store invites
September 2022* Celebrating our 18th summer, 17th year supported by the community! * Diane continues to lead weekly Monday Bible study * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up. New portion of the building so it required extra scrubbing, painting, and dump runs. Thank you to all who helped! * Made 50 gallons of free laundry soap with Reed Manor, Chalet Terrace, and Park Forrest * Partnered with Community Baby Shower again to share quilts, receiving, and Toy Store invites.
October 2022* Celebrating 18 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 3 neighborhoods Salvation Army, Isaiah’s Hub, and the King Center Brianna and Jaanai as paid staff to help lead Kid’s Explosion * Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 16th year * Toy Store prep at Makerspace/Isaiah’s Hub, 730 Tomlinson St. * First Fruit Groceries continues to serve monthly * Begin a new program called Grand Kids Club partnering with Chalet Terrace and Vista Grande Villa. With Dave Kemler teaching a cooking class. * Spoke at Village Hope Church, Skiff Lake, and Lions Club about the ministry. *KE Team celebrates Jaanai’s last marching band event.
November 2022 * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 17th year. *Phyllis and Linda celebrate 13 years volunteering * Spoke at Jackson Christian about the ministry.
December 2022 *Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 3,850 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas with 1,312 Volunteer Days worked! * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 12th year *Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 8th year! * enjoying our driveway and trailer provided by Bailey Construction and Tony Hurst for the 3rd year * Toys for Tots donate for next year’s toy store – 20 boxes * Skating Party with Kid’s Explosion Team!
January 2023 *Greg celebrates 6th year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! *Laundry Angels completes 12th year serving an average of 60 families monthly! DHHS agrees to help support Laundry angels for the 5th year * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 20,000 invitations to grow the best carrot plant in Jackson * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Rosemary Gorczyca *Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca for the 6th year * Armory Bike Union celebrates 7th year working with us! This year has been spent waiting for a new address * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * Praying for a college student to run Kids Explosion for the summer.
February 2023 * Start planning for Annual Prayer Walk * Tammy celebrates 11 years of sewing! Praise God! * Bible Study with Diane Tuesdays. Going through God says yes, we say Amen by Cindy Cox * Continue to partner
with the Quilt Guild * KE starts up again in 3 neighborhoods thank you Jaanai and Brianna, Recardo, Mike, and Fred. * Jaanai 2nd year as our youngest Board member *Began new program 7 Habits Club at 2 neighborhoods. *Weekly soap making on Wednesdays rotating addresses.
March 2023 * All seeds and books delivered to area schools for the Big Seed Garden Party * Laundry Angels continue to work every Wednesday * Thank you to all who donated diapers and clothes to our Baby Pantry! * Community Action Agency 2nd year for getting grant for cases of diapers! Praise God! *Thank you Consumer Energy employees for completing a work day. Helping package for the Big Seed, sort clothing for the Baby Pantry, and make Laundry Soap. * Suresh visits from India for 10 days.
April 2023 * Priceless Gift Easter is back! Praise God! * Beth and DHHS complete 7th year as partners with Laundry Angels * Sponsored couples to attend a Date your Mate Event * Partnered with the Fairy Festival Downtown *Dave Kemler hosts a Toy Store Breakfast. *Spoke at Jackson Christian High School.
May 2023 * Dianne celebrates 10 years helping with our sewing days! * Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on May 7th *The Big Seed Garden event goes on thank you Grow Jackson, St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Grace Church, & Sticky Fingers Food Truck- Ernest and Wendy * Twyla finishes 15th year as volunteer * Partnered with Christy Davis to do spring cleaning and a block party * County wide prayer drive happens *Amber and Kaitlin are hired to run the summer Kids Explosion and 7 Habits programs.
June 2023 * Kids’ Explosion starts up again! Praise God! 13 Parties each week * Director for St. Vincent DePaul, Mary finishes 4th year * Bike Union moves into Isaiah’s Hub thank you Village Hope * Village Hope partners again for the 5th Year helping with Kids’ Explosion’s 2nd week * 7 Habits Program has 3 parties each week. Incorporating a Math Bootcamp into it as well. Thank you Cathy Sykes! * Cascades Baptist did a mission trip with us in June * Jaanai graduates from high school * Celebrated Janice Fairley’s life *Quilt party at Redeemer Lutheran *Partnered with Solid Rock Ministries Block Party.
July 2023 * Kids’ Explosion 13 parties each week * 7 Habits program at 3 neighborhoods weekly * Garden partner Grow Jackson, weeding and swimming at Vicki’s Pool for the 12th year * Sewing on Tuesdays continue * Laundry angels working each Wednesday to serve our neighbors * Wendy goes to Alaska for two weeks. The ministry is closed for a week. Thank you Mary Wood, Amber, and Kaitlin for leading the second week! * Thank you John George Trust for your investment into the 7 Habits Program and the Armory Bike Union.
August 2023 * Finished Kids’ Explosion Parties * Partnered with the Back to School Bash as entertainment to the 1,000 kids. We ran games and contests every 15 minutes * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion families at Pleasant Lake! Thank you Brian and Mary * Start planning Kid’s Explosion * Hosted Bible Study with Diane at Pleasant Lake *Made plans to have Toy Store at the Westwood Mall. Thank you Rosemary and Joann! * Spoke at Rotary Club. * Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran.
God is so good. There are so many things He has done, not mentioned here, some have been omitted on purpose knowing the donners wish to remain anonymous, others may have been an oversite. We are so very grateful to be able to serve our city in this way. Thank you for YOUR help!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!
So what is next? September 25 - November 17: Kid’s Explosion
Mondays – Planning
Wednesdays – 4:30 pm Martin Luther King Center Fridays – 4pm Salvation Army
Mon-9am Bible study with Diane
Mon – Sewing and Baby Pantry open at 224 W. Wilkins 11-3pm
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Toys Oct 1st
Tues 9-4pm, Thurs 9-7pm, Sat 9-3pm- Sort and Clean Toys at Westwood Mall. Nov 24- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs! ONLY 11 SHOPPING DAYS!
by appointment
Free for All Day December 14th 1pm till toys are gone
January 2023
“Imagine…a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that it’s not about them, but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by his story and his heart for their city. They are seed throwers and fire starters, hope paddler’s and grace givers, risk-takers and dreamers, young and old. They link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcasts, seek the lost. They serve together, play together, worship together, live life together. Their city will change because God sent them. They are us.” –by Steve Sjogren
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory!
Can you imagine what God can do with His army of people willing to give themselves away?
Can you envision a book, where 1,314 signatures representing days of work donated to a single goal, to love Jacksons’ children? Can you dream of mountains and mountains of gently used toys being donated? Thank you St. Vincent De Paul, St. Johns, St. Johns UMC, St. Catherines, Abundant Life, Radiant, Sandstone Congergational, Rivertree, Parkside, SAU, Chelsea UMC, Western schools, Book Cottage, ABC Academy, Wee Wisdom & Wonder, and families.
Can you see the countless hours spent sewing, knitting, and crocheting to create mountain of stockings, hats, scarves, mittens and quilts? Ruthann, Tammy, St Catherines, Jackson quilt guild, Diane, Denna, Joann, 1st UMC, 1st Episcopal, Margie, Vickie, Ruth and Debbie.
Can you see a city where businesses come together just to help? St Vincent DePaul donating all the toys given to them from October thru December 15, and providing a beautiful lunch for our volunteers every Thursday for 10 weeks. Granger providing three huge dumpsters to drag away all of our trash. Bailey’s helping to move Tony Hursts’ truck on the driveway they provided together. Waltons Insurance bringing a truck load of new toys they had collected. Placement, JTV, Channel 10 and Channel 47 all giving free advertising. Meijer giving $5,000 and another $300 for the lawn and leaf bags we used. Spring Arbor University sending 63 young strong college students to help us move in and clean toys. Life Span volunteering 57 days with their clients and coaches. Jackson Area Career Center and Rise Above both sending teams weekly, giving each group 50 days total. Jackson Free Methodist team of 8 helping clean toys.
Can you see a group of people who give and give? We had 3 volunteers who served 40 days or more. 10 volunteers serve 30 days or more. 18 volunteers served 20 days or more. 30 served 10 days or more. We had 41 people who served more than 5 days! We PRAISE GOD for these wonderful dedicated people.
We hosted a Toy Store Celebration Party at Sandstone Congregational Church. David Kemler was our cook again this year! What a wonderful feast of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, green beans, homemade dinner rolls, coleslaw, and even 2 kinds of pie, and 2 kinds of cake for dessert!
Laundry Angles continue to serve most Wednesdays. We spent more than $11,000 in 2022 helping in this ministry. Please pray for the resources to continue to be available. We make homemade laundry soap. The recipe calls for Fels-Naptha Bar Soap. We have not been able to find it, and have tried other bar soaps with less than perfect results. Praise God! We found it! The company has been sold, and will soon be available again.
Kids Explosion ran a fall program again this year. We partnered with Isaiah’s Hub, MLK Center and Salvation Army. We have Brianna Humphery and JaAnai Smith as staff to run our program. They did a great job loving our kids and sharing Jesus.
Courtlyn and K.P. were married December 18. Courtlyn led our summer 2022 kids program. We are very happy for them.
We tried something new this fall. We offered a Grand Kid’s Club at Chalet Terrace Club House. Every Wednesday we offered the parents in the neighborhood to come and cook with us. We made our homemade laundry soap once a month to share with our families. We made applesauce, chili, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, and fruit & yogurt parfaits. We didn’t get very many parents to come out and participate, but the day we made applesauce school had been canceled. Instead of hosting for the 4 or 5 parents we had hoped for, we had 30 plus kids to help! Praise God! We had a blast! We found plastic knives, and the kids helped us core and peal the apples. When the sauce was ready to share, the kids were saying it had “nails” in it? They thought the stiff pieces of core were finger nails! We had a great laugh about that!
Our hope was to create a penpal program with Vista residents and Chalet kids. We had a few bumps along the way, but learned a lot for the experience.
Kids Explosion and The Grand Kids Club hosted a Roller Skating Party December 26. We had a blast with the close to 100 people who came! Thank you Pastor Tim and JFM for helping to feed us! Thank you Allskate for your very affordable price! Thank you all the volunteers for helping make the day so fun!
Thank you all for investing in our ministry! Looking forward to see what God does next!
In His service, next to you,
Wendy
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September 2021 to September 2022
Gods still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September 2022 * Completed our 18th summer, our 17th year supported by the community * Diane continues to lead weekly Monday Bible study * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up. We have a new portion of the building, so it required some extra scrubbing, painting, and dump runs. Thank you to all who helped! * Make 50 gallons of free laundry soap with Reed Manor, Chalet Terrace, and Park Forrest * Partnered with Community Baby Shower again to share quilts, receiving blankets, and Toy Store invites
September 2021* Celebrating our 17th summer, 16th year supported by the community! * 3 day quilt party at Isaiah’s Hub/Makerspace, we tied off 88 quilts Thank you Dianne, Tammy, Debbie, Sally, Joann, Diane, Mary, Michelle, Vivica and new quilt friends Lynda, Connie, Larry, Diane, and Shirley * Partnered with the Community Baby Shower – 169 baby quilts, thank you Debbie, Dianne, Joann and the Jackson quilt guild * 103 receiving blankets and burp cloths, Thank you Tammy * 50 small wrap/changing pads, thank you Margie * BenjaMen group announce their plan to help support us! * Priceless Gift Toy Store sets up in Isaiah’s Hub/Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson. We are praying for funding partners to help cover their costs at $50.00/month
October 2021* Celebrating 17 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 2 neighborhoods Salvation Army and the King Center * Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 15th year * Toy Store prep at Makerspace/Isaiah’s Hub, 730 Tomlinson St. Formerly the Dream Center * First Fruit Groceries continues to serve monthly
November 2021 * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 16th year * Group from Wisconsin plan to come help us as a Mission Trip (The Jackson 5) for their 4th year, trip canceled due to covid * Phyllis and Linda celebrate 12 years volunteering
December 2021 * Pastor Beverly Goolsby goes home to heaven, job well done by a good and faithful servant! *Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 3,228 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 11th year, this year, because of Covid – they only drop off their beautiful gifts * Meijer donates $5,000 for our ministry, 12th year of support! Yea God! * Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 7th year! * enjoying our driveway and trailer provided by Bailey Construction and Tony Hurst for the 2nd year * Toys for Tots donate for next year’s toy store – 20 boxes * New Year Eve Party with Kids Explosion Team!
January 2022 * New partnership with Deena – Spring Life Church on Benn Rd. She wants to donate 100 twin size quilts to Youth Haven, We join her every Monday thru April *Greg celebrates 5th year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! *Laundry Angels completes 11th year serving an average of 50 families monthly! DHHS agrees to help support Laundry angels for the 4th year * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 20,000 invitations to grow the best Sweet Corn plant in Jackson * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Rosemary Gorczyca *Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca for the 5th year * Armory Bike Union celebrates 6th year working with us! * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * First attempt at a monthly Toy Store Breakfast! Planned for Busy B, moved to Dennys. * Praying for a college student to
run Kids Explosion, meet with Brian at Spring Arbor University, and Lars at Youth Haven * Work with Rise Above at Vista Grande Villa to make FREE Laundry Soap
February 2022 * We hire Courtlyn Helder to run the Kids Explosion program * Start planning for Annual Prayer Walk * Tammy celebrates 10 years of sewing! Praise God! * Bible Study with Diane Tuesdays. Going through God says yes, we say Amen by Cindy Cox * Continue to partner with the Quilt Guild * KE starts up again in 2 neighborhoods thank you Jaanai and Vivian * Meet with Westwinds Mission Team * Jaanai becomes our youngest Board member
March 2022 * All seeds and books delivered to area schools for the Big Seed Garden Party * Laundry Angels continue to work every Wednesday picking up the laundry in black bags with gloves and masks, and return it clean, as little contact as possible * Thank you to all who donated diapers and clothes to our Baby Pantry! * Community Action Agency gets grant for cases of diapers! Praise God!
April 2022 * Priceless Gift Easter is back! Praise God! We can’t visit but we can send cards and gifts * County wide prayer drive happens, Diane and crew cover North half, Wendy and crew cover the South * Beth and DHS complete 6th year as partners with Laundry Angels
May 2022 * Dianne celebrates 9 years helping with our sewing days! * Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on May 1* National day of prayer event at Austin Blair Park *The Big Seed Garden event goes on thank you St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Grace Church, & Ralph & Nancy * Twyla finishes 14th year as volunteer * Spent time with Suresh, missionary from India
June 2022 * Kids’ Explosion starts up again! We started something new to spent more time with the kids. We called it breakouts. Art, Science, Memory, Sewing, options to spend a 2nd hour with us. Praise God! 7 Parties each week * New Director for St. Vincent DePaul, Mary finishes 3rd year * Bike Union finds out they need to move out of the Woodbridge address by July 1 * Village Hope partners again for the 4th Year helping with Kids’ Explosion’s 2nd week
July 2022 * Kids’ Explosion 7 parties each week with break-outs * Garden partners VGV and Grow Jackson, weeding and swimming at Vicki’s Pool for the 11th year * Sewing on Tuesdays continue * Laundry angels working each Wednesday to serve our neighbors * Get Real kids come to help paint Christmas gifts, make Free laundry soap, and sort for our Baby pantry * Celebrate with Deena – delivering 100 twin quilts to Youth Haven!
August 2022 * Finished Kids’ Explosion Parties * Partnered with the Back to School Bash as entertainment to the 1,000 kids. We ran games and contests every 15 minutes * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion families at Pleasant Lake! Thank you Brian and Mary * Start planning Grandkids Club at Chalet Terrace * Hosted Bible Study with Diane at Pleasant Lake
God is so good. There are so many things He has done, not mentioned here, some have been omitted on purpose knowing the donners wish to remain anonymous, others may have been an oversite. We are so very grateful to be able to serve our city in this way. Thank you for YOUR help!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!
So what is next? September 26 - November 18: Kid’s Explosion
Mondays – Planning
Tuesdays – 4pm Isaiah’s Hub Thursdays – 4pm Martin Luther King Center Fridays – 4pm Salvation Army Mon-9am Bible study with Diane
Mon - Sewing at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Oct 1st
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Isaiah’s Hub/Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson St. 10-3pm Nov 25- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs! ONLY 11 SHOPPING DAYS!
Again this year, by appointment
Grandparent’s Days December 15 1pm till toys are gone
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January 2022
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory!
Praise God 2021 is finished! It is time to take all the Christmas decorations down, and figure out what “normal” will look like for 2022, but before we get too far into this brand new year, we need to stop and say thank you for all God did through His people in 2021.
This was a year of great personal loss for so many. We celebrated the life of Pastor Beverly Goolsby in December. She has been with our ministry serving on our Board of Directors from the very beginning. We have said goodbye to at least 5 of our Laundry Angel friends, and mourned with sisters, wives, and friends of so many this year. We pray the God of all comfort will be with each of you who are starting this New Year missing someone near to your heart.
Toy Store number 16 is finished! We were able to serve a total of 4,478 kids! 2,812 by appointment, 416 grandkids, and 1,250 thru DHHS. Thank you St. Vincent DePaul for working with us to bless our community. Thank you for sharing your toys, meals, tables, truck, and reputation. We praise God for our partner and friend John Willis lll. He is the Director at the new Isaiah’s Hub. We were able to rent the same space we used last year, and we are so very grateful! We are praying in support for this Teen Center and look forward to partnering again.
This year was much like last year, still trying to protect each other from the virus. We once again followed the St. Vincent DePaul’s lead on rules, and stayed away when we didn’t feel well. We were so very blessed by Michelle to find a computer scheduling program we could add to our web-site! Praise God! It was SO MUCH EASIER to manage then the way we tried last year. Michelle planned a training day to show several of us how to manage the program, and we had only 2 people attend, (and one of them was me). I thought we had wasted her time, then it became clear, JoAnn was able to handle the management and phones on her own…. No team needed…Latockis worked to get us up and running on the web site, Michelle to answer all the questions that came up, and one person, JoAnn on the phones! It worked! Parents could schedule their own appointments, and those that needed help were hundreds of calls instead of thousands!
We found a modest increase in the number of volunteer days worked. 1026 signatures in our sign in book. That number is up from 2020, but still down 500 from 2019. We found that 31 people worked 710 of those days. We find working this ministry is such a great example of how God’s kingdom is meant to work. We are able to watch each person work with their whole heart in areas of gifting or interest. We started calling it their “super power”.
I would like to highlight those 31 leaders and thank God for their hearts to serve our city in this way. Jerry (42) was so very faithful to be always present to drive our truck, making pick-ups and deliveries of people, product, food, cardboard or whatever was needed. This was not just noticed at the Toy Store, but also our Laundry ministry, and many area food pantries. Thank you Shirley (30) who worked next to Jerry most of those days!
Shari (35) and Rich (25) have been wonderful! They have fed us weekly, stored toys, managed the battery area, sorted and managed the doll area, handled the new room, represented us in the community, and helped make tons of decisions. Rob (34) has a favorite line “Hi honey, how can I help?” He made himself available for any errand we needed, and helped with the batteries. Sally (34) is a delight to work with. She kept lots of hands busy sorting all the little things, and connecting them to the big things they were supposed to come with. She has a great sense of humor, and lets us pick on her about showing up in time for lunch. She and many others spent so many hours at home cleaning and sorting…praise God!
Rosemary (32), and her sons Jake and Luke have become backbones to this operation! They have supplied tons of bags, all sizes and shapes to make us beautiful. Rosemary has the superpower to make new so many toys we would have otherwise thrown away…puzzles, doll furniture…so many items in her box that she brings back looking perfect! We call her our head Elf. We praise God she doesn’t just sit on a shelf!
Phyllis (32), Linda (21), and CJ all asked Thrivent for grants to help our teens. They were approved, and we had plenty of teen gifts for the first time ever! Thank you Krist Farms, and Bath & Body Works for all your gifts to our older kids. Mary K. (30) found us again this year and was such a blessing cleaning and sorting toys! Thank you ladies for all the cookies, brownies and Birthday cake you shared with us.
Mary C. (27) came back after a health scare! Praise God for bringing her through. She was so helpful with rides for Michelle (27) and Vivica (16). She also headed up the book section again this year! Michelle, Vivica, Sandy A (13), Eric (13), and Sandy G (12), were all a part of those top 31 volunteers that worked so hard to make this all happen. Please join us in praying for Eric and his parents Jerry and Joan. Eric became very sick during the Toy Store and we missed him very much. This was their family’s first year with us. We have enjoyed their company, help, patients, and Jerry’s cookies oh so much.
Laura (26) was named assistant Elf by Rosemary. She helped keep our floors clean, and jumped into any area that needed help. Connie (21) and Larry (21) found us last year, they helped keep the Big and Bulky area clean and organized. They also faithfully help with our Laundry ministry. Kathy (21) and Dennis (11) came back again this year. They help keep our signs looking great, the jewelry all beautiful, and find time to work batteries and help with the little things! Sandy H. (21) needs to be named our head cheer leader! She bubbled over with joy bringing her Sandstone Congregational church with her!
Kelly (21) came back for her 2nd year with us. She wrapped 1,000 pairs of pajamas with a stuffed animal! Kelly also helped with drinks and snacks. Cyndie (19) brought us mountains of new jewelry for our girls. She and Pam (12) found a corner to work and made beautiful gifts to share. Pam also helped feed us, and make beautiful our “lunch corner”.
Annie (16) came again! She has been with us all 16 years! Carol (15) and Don (12) from our Laundry ministry came to help. We found Don’s super power is stain removal! Carol was a huge help in the Big and Bulky area! Ralph (12) joined us even with a huge health scare, Praise God for the restoration of his health and strength! Jan (12) and John (10) are now a regular part of our team. Jan helping Shari with the dolls, and John working next to Rich with the batteries.
We are so grateful for the groups who came to help this year! Rise Above came their 2 planned days and did such a great job, they agreed to help us again on our last day! Their strength and youth were a huge blessing! Thank you Lumen Christi, Parkside, and St. Johns also schools that came to help us. Skiff Lake, Sandstone Congregational, Brookside UMC, Trinity UMC – Bridgewater, Trinity UMC, Rivertree, Radiant, Jackson Free Methodist, Chelsie UMC, all wonderful help in this ministry.
Thank to our business partners: Latockis for making us look professional, Granger for 3 huge containers to take care of our trash, Culligans for watering us, Baileys for moving our truck around on that great driveway you donated. Toys for Tots, Busy Bee’s, UPS, Your Hometown USA, Cottage Book Store, Grass Lake Chiropractic, Dr. Jessica at Summit Orthodontics, Copper Nail, and Dollar General for sharing all those beautiful new toys. Tony Hurst for the truck we use, and investing in us. Meijer for your promised support.
We were able to run our Kids’ Explosion program September to Thanksgiving. We have enjoyed the help of our Spring Arbor Student Lydia. We were able to serve 3 neighborhoods, First UMC, MLK Center, and Salvation Army. Diane showed us THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE by Sally Lloyd-Jones and we all fell in love with the way this presents the LOVE of Jesus to our kids. We got so excited, we purchased 1,020 of them, and shared them with each family at the Priceless Gift Toy Store!
Laundry Angels continues to serve every Wednesday. PRAISE GOD!!! 2021 was the very first year it paid for itself!!! Jackson Free Methodist, Summit 7 Day, DHHS, and the United Methodist Women helped to underwrite more than $8,000.00. Praise God!
We continue to host sewing at the Mission House. We are so grateful for all the quilts, hats, mittens, scarfs, stockings, pillows, and burp cloths produced by our wonderful partners! Thank you to the Quilt Guild, Dianne, Tammy, Diane, Ruthann, Margie, Phyllis, Joann, and Penny for all your hard work. Also, many others partnered who made gifts for the toy store. Thank you all so much! We are looking forward to building new friendships with the Spring Life Wesleyan Church. Dana’s goal is to provide twin size quilts for Youth Haven to give to the children they serve.
If we have overlooked your name or contribution, please know we are so very grateful to have your help serving the King. In uncertain times, I am so glad to know God says we can still find Him if we seek Him with our whole heart.
Blessings,
Wendy Wight, Director 517 740-8444
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Not to us, but to YOUR NAME be the glory! God’s still doin’ it! 16 years finished!
Praise God! I am so glad we serve a God who never changes! I am so glad to know no matter what is going on all around us, He is still on the throne! He is never surprised! Even if all the mountains fall down around us, He is still with us.
2020 was a year to be remembered. So many changes in the way we do life, never in our lifetimes ....but GOD.
One ministry that continued all through 2020 was the Laundry Angels. Lots of people needing help to get their clothes clean. We settled into a pattern of every Wednesday. Praise God for sending such a wonderful, faithful team! Thank you Jerry, Diane, Connie, Larry, Carol, Teresa and Beth for all the help!
We started a fall Kids’ Explosion semester. We partnered with YMCA and Salvation Army. We had to cancel when I was exposed to covid. Praying to start again in March.
We decided to go ahead with the Priceless Gift Toy Store for the 15th year. We used the rules for St. Vincent DePaul as a guide line. Everyone wore masks, and attempted to stay 6 foot apart. The Hub shared their space at The Makerspace building, and we started to move in September 15. We had one really noticeable difference this year. We needed to get the same job accomplished with fewer volunteers. 2019 brought us 1527 volunteer shifts worked, 2020 only 929 shifts. Missing 598 people, 39% less help. Praise God! The people who did come to help were amazing! Department of Health and Human Services served 1,162 kids with our toys, Grandparent day we served 194 grandkids, 3,104 kids were served by appointment, giving us a total of 4,460 kids!
We determined the only way we could responsibly run the Toy Store was to serve families by appointment. We decided to serve only 4 parents every 15 minutes. Lacey set up a spread sheet, and agreed to answer our phone, and make appointments. We are so very grateful for all her hard work, the task however was so much bigger than one person. CJ and team in Clarklake jumped in to help, along with Pearl, Vicki, Deb, and I. I remember one day working only on making appointments, and realizing we had missed 47 calls. We believe we will continue with appointments in the future, but will be looking for an online system where parents can schedule for themselves, with a phone number to assist.
We changed the way parents shopped this year. When items were chosen, they went directly to their car. Rosemary helped us purchase lawn/leaf bags to serve as shopping carts for our parents. This allowed us to operate with much less exposer to each other. Parents were given the leaf bags to drag around and fill, and instead of us keeping track of lots of different shopper’s items, when the bag were full, they loaded it into their own car. Thank you Kevin, Jerry, Rob and team for all the ways you assisted to make this happen!
Meg called and asked if we could give out pajamas this year. She did a drive at her church, in Michigan Center and brought us 6 big bags full! Kelly and her sister have been collecting pajamas for several years. They partnered with us, Kelly and team chose a stuffed animal for each pair, wrapped them together and labeled each by size. Keys produce shared their plastic crates to create a great display.
God is so good! He protected us from Covid during this project. Rob (my husband) and I were the only ones to get sick. Rich and Shari, Sally, Jerry and team continued to work hard and carry the load. We praise God for their leadership. Rich and Shari provided meals for the team each Saturday, lead the battery team, doll sorting, cleaning, and kept the new area beautiful. Jerry used our truck to keep us organized, and Sally, always a song and a giggle helped make it all fun.
St. Vincent DePaul continues to be our partner in this project. They sent truckloads of donations weekly. Thank you Mary for the weekly lunch you provided. Thank you for the use of your tables, and dollies, and all the coffee supplies. David came back from retirement to help us run in my absence and all the open days. He made tons of reminder calls, and was the first person to greet the parents with our Annie by his side. They both have been working the toy store all 15 years.
Tammy, Dianne and the Jackson Quilters, Mary, Ruth Ann, Debbie, Margie, Joann, Phyllis and many more all worked so hard from home to supply stockings, quilts, hats, scarfs, and mittens. Thank you all for the beautiful work of your hands.
Our Church family is where most of our help comes from. New Jerusalem’s Pastor Bob came with his team all the Thursdays in October and November! They fed us lunch, and helped clean through the mountain of toy donations. Praise God! Sandstone Congregational Church team came several days to help! Sandy is a wonderful cheer leader! Thank you Pastor and team. Jackson Free Methodist’s Penny cleaning tons of big and bulky toys, and feeding us several days, Pastor Tim, and Justin & Michelle’s home group came several days to help. Brookside United Methodist has a strong and faithful team! Thank you Mary, Sandy, Celia, Pearl and team. Westwinds Ralph and Nancy, and Radiant Churches Kevin, hard workers for the King, kept us organized! The “Jackson 5” came again all the way from Wisconsin for a mission trip
Bennett Community Church sent us the Gorczyca family. Rosemary’s talents are amazing with beautiful doll beds, repairing toys, and finding creative ways to solve problems, keeping us in bags...all sizes! Also from Bennett, Larry and Connie helping with Laundry angles and the Toy Store. Redeemer Lutheran’s Phyllis and Linda are amazing again this year with the beautiful teen gifts and keeping our puzzles wrapped. Tracy Jones helped many days with a smile also from Redeemer.
Queens sent us Carol and Teresa, both from our Laundry Angles Ministry. Dennis and Kathy from Skiff Lake Bible Church joined in the fun again this year. Lacey from Village Hope, Annie from Salvation Army, Jerry from Grace Church, Carrie and Diane from Rivertree, Chelsea UMC brought truckloads of beautiful toys, St Catherine, Dave’s church brought over 100 beautifully wrapped new gifts, and help from Samantha’s family. Samantha set up on line giving for teen gifts through Amazon. Thank you all who helped!
Pastor Hines from Lily Baptist Church gave a challenge to Jackson Churches to help us, and promised a match from the SEMA pastor group. Stewart from Good Things Going on in Jackson, JTV and Channel 6 all helped get the word out.
Jackson Area Career Center’s Sidney and team came weekly when school was open. Old friends Vicki, Cammy, Laura, Paula, Mary, CJ, Becky, ...and new friends Harriett, Charlenne, Barbra and Gary, Debbie, Joy... each one of you came to help people you may never meet have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you so much!
Thank to our business partners: Latockis for making us look professional, Granger for 3 huge containers to take care of our trash, Culligans for watering us, Baileys for storing and moving our truck around on that great driveway you donated last year. Toys for Tots, Walton Insurance, Cottage Book Store, Chelsea Chiropractic and Dollar General for sharing all those beautiful new toys. Tony Hurst for the truck we use, and investing in us. Meijer for the gift cards.
If we have overlooked your name or contribution, please know we are so very grateful to have your help serving the King. In uncertain times, I am so glad to know God says we can still find Him if we seek Him with our whole heart.
In His service
Wendy Wight, Director 517 740-8444
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September 2019 to September 2020
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 14th year supported by the community * Diane Merrit continues to lead weekly Monday Bible study *Weekly trips to the Kibby Road Garden finish up for the summer * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up – Thank you Western Optionsprogram for all your hard work! * Beth leads Bible Study Wednesdays with lunch
October * Celebrating 15 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 4 neighborhoods *Redeemer Lutheran Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 13 th year * Toy Store prep at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson St. Formerly the Dream Center * F irst Fruit Groceries continues to serve monthly * Dare to Share teen outreach day partnering with Village Hope Church teaching teens to share their faith * Marriage Matters asks us for a proposal to continue helping marriage in Jackson. They called and said we were one of the non-profits chosen to receive some of their assets * Reed Manor partners with Laundry Angels asking us to come make our homemade laundry soap for their residents * We share our story with Village Hope Church and the Lyons Club
November *125 Thanksgiving Boxes go out through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 14th year * Parkside students help with toys again this year! * Sydney’s team from Jackson Area Career Center come weekly to help *Northwest Schools help decorate shopping bags for our toy store * Group from Wisconsin come help us as a Mission Trip (The Jackson 5) * Myesha Jones brings group from Jackson High to help at the Toy Store * Local pastors gather to form Building Jackson Marriage *Consumers Energy group spends the day with us at the Priceless Gift Toy Store * Greg Adams and the M.O.V.E. group come help * Phyllis and Linda celebrate 10 years volunteering
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 3,991 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 9th year * 1,000 large personal care bags were made with the help Hallmark * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $2,000 for toy store, 10th year of support! Yea God! * Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 5th year! * Hurst Foundation supports us again, and Tony Hurstdonate a storage trailer. * New driveway provided by Bailey Construction and Tony Hurst * Toys for Tots donate for next year’s toy store – 100 huge boxes! Praise God!
January * Greg Hardrick celebrates 3rd year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! * Allskate helps with party for KE Celebration *Laundry Angels completes 9th year serving an average of 45 families monthly! DHHS agrees to help support Laundry angels for the 2nd year * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 20,000 invitations to grow the best Purple Bean plant * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Rosemary Gorczyca *Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca for the 3rd year * Christmas Party for the Toy Store at Bethany House * Armory Bike Union celebrates 4th year working with us! * Bible Study with Beth Wednesdays, Pizza & Salad with Jesus * Pastors gather weekly to plan for Building Jackson Marriages * Village Hope Churchhosts our first set of classes * We share our story with the BENJAMN group* Board meets for Annual planning meeting
February * KE starts up again in 5 neighborhoods * Start planning for Annual Prayer Walk * Tammy Farler celebrates 8 years of sewing! Praise God! * Dr. Laura invites us to share with her students at Spring Arbor University * Building Jackson Marriagescontinue to partner with Village Hope Church * Bible Study with Diane Tuesdays. * Rob retires from Vista Grand Villa after 30 years. *We continue to partner with the Quilt Guild * All seeds and books delivered to area schools for the Big Seed Garden Party
March * Covid closes all schools and activities, asking everyone to stay home * United Way asked us to continue helping families with laundry. They offer their financial support and volunteers. We change from once a month to 3 days per week. We pick up the laundry in black bags with gloves and masks, and return it clean, as little contact as possible. * Interfaith shelter is closed temporally. Laura Stephens and team open a temporary shelter at Calvary United Methodist. We partner for laundry weekly.
April * Priceless Gift Easter is canceled due to Covid * County wide prayer drive with Diane’s Bible study * Beth and DHS complete 4th year as partners with Laundry Angels * Continue to do laundry 3 days each week
May * Dianne Kline celebrates 7 years helping with our sewing days! * Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on May 3rd * Start planting our two community gardens *The Big Seed Garden event goes on outside with social distancing thank you St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Grace Church, & Ralph & Nancy Herberg, * Twyla Wright finishes 12 th year as a wonderful volunteer
June * New Director for St. Vincent DePaul, Mary Laughlin finishes 1st year * Wilkins Garden and Kibby Garden volunteers swim in Vicki’s pool for 9th Year * Bike Union still going! Bike shortage and parts hard to get.
* JPS Free lunch program asks for help making weekly food deliveries go out to 200 families! Grant ran June, July and August. Thank you to DHHS and all who volunteered to make deliveries! * 100 Women Who Care called to announce we were chosen for their June charity…combined gift of $10,000.00
July * KE in 7 neighborhoods, Gardens, sewing, laundry angels, & First Fruits all continue strong * Village Hope Teens spend the week on a Mission Trip to Jackson * Spring Arbor University donate 3 semis filled with dorm furniture to our neighbors! Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped deliver. Praise God! * Our Board welcomes Riley Kidd and Jackson H.E.A.T. to partner with our ministry *2nd year partnership with Harmony Baptist Church for our summer outreach
August * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion families at Swains Lake! * Harvest Gardens and wrap up for winter * Planning meeting for 15th Priceless Gift Toy Store. We are back at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson (The old Tomlinson School) Partnering with The Hub* 3 day Quilt Party at The Hub, finished 65 quilts! * Village Hope Church announces Dare to Share teen event and asks us to be the Community Outreach partner for the 2nd year.
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Praise God for all the ways He showed up in 2019! Praise Him for His faithfulness and unfailing love! What an honor to work for the King of Kings, and watch Him move to bless our city, especially the children.
In September Frank and Lorrae Drechnowicz retired from our board after 15 years of service. We met at their church to give them a plaque and celebrate their time with us.
We restarted our “All In” Bible study with Diane Merritt. We meet Monday mornings 8:30am and were able to continue all the way to Christmas week.
Wednesdays, noon to 1pm, we are reading Robbie Dawkins, “Just Do What Jesus Did”. Beth Squire leads “Pizza with Jesus”. We would LOVE to see Jesus come to Jackson in POWER like Robbie sees.
September – November we ran a 9-week, 4-day-per-week Kids Explosion program.
What a blast! We had about 120 people join us for our end of year roller skating party.
Our Laundry Angels Ministry has doubled in size. We require both more volunteers and more quarters to keep up. By October’s Laundry day, we had spent over $8,000 doing ministry that had not been covered in 2019. We had been using savings donated in other years. We all know you can’t continue forever with more going out then comes in, BUT WE WORK FOR GOD! Reed Manor called about our First Fruits Grocery Program, I asked the caller about help with Laundry Angels. They had some stipend dollars. If we could teach 6 -1 ½ hour classes in the next 3 weeks, we could be awarded up to $600.00. We found class times, 2 mornings each week, and made FREE laundry soap. When our 6 visit commitment was finished, people had taken all the soap we made. We continued to visit weekly until the Toy Store opened. All together we made 100 gallons of FREE laundry soap to share at Reed Manor in 2019. Praise God! In January they gave us a check for all $600.00. Praise God! We plan to continue these visits weekly.
Dare to Share came to Jackson in October and Pastor Matt from Village Hope hosted.
We were the Community Outreach Leaders. The event taught the kids a great way to use the G.O.S.P.E.L. to share their faith in Jesus and invite others into the family. Teams of kids went
all over our city, parks, nursing homes, the bike union, and our toy store.
In October we received a call from Marriage Matters. They were dissolving and needed to find non-profits to disperse their assets. “Would you be interested in writing a proposal sharing how you would use our assets?” Bob Harvey, Sally Benedict, Mary Collver and I went to work. October 31 the call came in. “We plan to give you our 30 box library and $25,000.00 to continue marriage classes in our city.” Praise God! We are calling our new adventure “Building Jackson Marriages” - visit the site at: BuildingJacksonMarriages.org We started the 1st 6-weeks Thursday, January 23. 6:30-8:30pm at Village Hope Church. We are sharing Mark Gunger’s “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” with dinner - plus rides and child care if needed. The 2nd 6-week video series is planned to be hosted by the Hub at their new home in the Makerspace. We are looking for a May/June partner the host the 3rd 6 weeks. Call me if you can help in any way: 740-8444.
Pastor Tim from Jackson Free Methodist contacted us about their new discipleship program. Could we help them be busy for Jesus in our city? They chose Laundry Angels as their ministry and took over the month of November. Praise God! Not only did that save a whole day close to the Priceless Gift Toy Store opening, but they also used their own soap, quarters, and bags. Praise God! What a huge timely blessing. Pastor Tim also came to the Priceless Gift Toy Store and asked his Facebook friends to come help opening day.
October brought our Toy Store team back together. Each person with their own gifts and
talents to share. We all agree this Toy Store was our best, most fun one yet! We had special groups join us from Western Options Tops, Lyons Club, Consumers Energy, Jackson High, Wisconsin Mission Group, Greg Adam’s MOVE group, Chelsea United Methodist, Parkside, Jackson ISD, Skiff Lake Bible Church, Jackson Community Foundation’s YAC group, Lifespan, New Jerusalem, Jackson Free Methodist, Sandstone Congregational, Brookside United Methodist, Northwest, and Rivertree. We had a total of 1,527 volunteer signatures, 400 more than last year! Praise God!
One of our challenges with the Toy Store this year was storage. We had destroyed our trailer last year, and the Bike Union’s move gave no space for the future. December 14 we needed to be completely out of Makerspace, but where would we go? Late in October, Tony Hurst said he had several trailers and we could use one of them! Praise God! God always comes through for us. Tony and Mr. Bailey (Bailey Construction) came to discuss where to place the trailer, and noticed another problem. We had developed 2 large mud holes behind Makerspace from our toy deliveries. Together, without being asked, they decided to donate a new driveway! They dug out the mud and replaced it with a hard surface. We were able to finish the toy store with NO CARS LOST! Praise God! And thank you Mr. Bailey, Mr. Hurst and team.
I love to watch God bring the people and resources we need together. He brings each one with just the right skills, at just the right time. What a blessing you each are!
Thank you to the team who came together in August to plan, and the team who worked so hard one August day to move us out of the Armory Bike Union into the hallway at Makerspace. Thank you to the team who came in September to move our fixtures around, and screw them all together. Thank you to all who added new shelves this year! Thank you to all who donated toys and supplies to make all this happen! Thank you to all those who sorted and wrapped the books. Thank you to those who washed, dressed, and combed the dolls hair. Thank you to all who tested batteries, and changed batteries, and scrubbed and cleaned toys! Thank you to all who took toys home to sort, clean, paint, rebuild and launder. Thank you to all those who have that special eye for display. They helped keep our mountain of one of a kind toys as attractive as possible! Thank you to all who washed and sorted the mountain of stuffed animals. Thank you for all the hours you spent washing and sorting the tiny things. Thank you for all the bath bombs and beautiful teen gifts! Thank you for all the homemade stockings, jewelry, quilts, pillows, bags, hats, scarfs, and mittens! Thank you to all who fed us! Thank you for all the trips to the cardboard recycler. Thank you for all the rides you gave each other and our parents with their treasures.
Praise God, with all your help God has completely healed our financial deficit!
We start 2020 healthy and strong!
What is next? We have been getting calls from Moms who need car seats. We looked into where to refer them, but found that Jackson currently has NO PROGRAM! We need to fix this. There is a government program that requires a 4-day, out-of-State training. Please pray for God to send partners to be trained and help stand in the gap for the children.
Thank you for every time you saw the next need and you said “yes, I can do that”! You are an amazing team for Jesus. I am so honored to work next to you and to love our city in Jesus Name!
Sincerely thank you for your part!
~ Wendy Wight, Together We Can Make a Difference
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September 2018 to September 2019 Gods still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 13th year supported by the community * Sisters in Ministry 12th Annual Conference * Diane Merrit continues to lead weekly Wednesday Bible study * Weekly trips to the Kibby Road Garden finish up for the summer * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up – Thank you Western Options and DaVinci Tops program for all your hard work! * Share our Ministry story with Dr. Laura’s class at Spring Arbor University * Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran Church finish 81 quilts! * Partner with Jackson After 5 to share Jesus with neighbor ladies * Baby Pantry leader Regine marries Noah Khon * Wendy’s computer and 3 briefcases are stolen. Photos of the men using our credit card at Walmart are no help.
October * Celebrating 14 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 4 neighborhoods * Reading at Salvation Army Mondays, Tales of the Kingdom * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 12th year * Toy Store prep at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson St. Formerly the Dream Center * Monthly parties with Kids Explosion Interns * First Fruit Groceries continues to serve monthly.
November *125 Thanksgiving Boxes go out through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Allan B. Copley Trust awarded us $3,000, this is the 5th year they have helped with our ministry! * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 13th year * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 8th year * Baker College partners again with the Toy Store * Parkside students help with toys again this year! * Sydney’s team from Jackson Area Career Center come weekly to help.
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 4,835 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas * 1,500 large personal care bags were made with the help of Northwest School District, decorating each bag. Thank you to our friend Mary Collver, and team* Dolls redressed by Kathleen and Susan Sampson, and the community * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $2,500 for toy store, 9th year of support! Yea God! * Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 4th year! * Hurst Foundation and Tony Hurst donate to help with our ministry. This is the 5th year they have helped us! * Allskate helps with party for KE Celebration * Moved the puppet stage from Father’s House Church to carriage house in anticipation of our summer program * Toys for Tots donate for next year’s toy store – 100 huge boxes! Praise God!
January * Greg Hardrick celebrates 2 year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! *Laundry Angels completes 8th year serving an average of 45 people monthly! Two new partners, DHHS and Young Business people through the Jackson Community Foundation * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 20,000 invitations to grow the best Butternut Squash, * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Jackson Area Career Center Students! *Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca for the 2nd year * Christmas Party for the Toy Store at Bethany House * Armory Bike Union celebrates 3rd year working with us! * Bible Study with Beth Wednesdays, Pizza & Salad with Jesus.
February * KE starts up again in 5 neighborhoods * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * Start planning for Annual Prayer Walk * Tammy Farler celebrates 7 years of sewing! Praise God! * Rob and Wendy have a wild adventure going to Florida * Dr. Laura invites us to share with her students at Spring Arbor University * Action Jackson helps again this year with our Big Seed Project * Bible Study with Diane Mondays.
March * March reading month partners with The Big Seed to read and invite kids to garden, Thank you MSU Extension, Master Gardeners, and St. Vincent DePaul * Big Seed changes advertising from billboards to banners, Thank you Jackson County Fairgrounds, The Airport, St. Stan’s Church for letting us hang on your fences * Kids recruited for making Easter gifts to deliver to elders in nursing homes all over Jackson. Thank you C.J.’s team for making tons of phone calls! * Jackson Quilt Guild continues their partnership. We share our story at their meeting * Team travels to Greenville to hear Robbie Dawkins speak about healing.
April * Easter baskets delivered, Izabella is a hit in 3 different Senior Centers! * Another Semester of KE finished * County wide prayer drive with Diane’s Bible study * Beth and DHS complete 3rd year as partners with Laundry Angels * Ted steps in to type all the First Fruit orders! Praise God! * Rob and Wendy celebrate 25 years of marriage in Hawaii!
May * Dianne Kline celebrates 6 years helping with our sewing days! She also makes starter kits for our homemade laundry soap! * Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on May 19th * Start planting our two community gardens *The Big Seed Garden event with 48 volunteers served 119 families, totaling 431 people with 159 small gardens and 81 portable gardens, thank you St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Grace Church, Eatons & Ralph & Nancy Herberg, Girl scouts & families * Twyla Wright finishes 11th year as a wonderful volunteer * David Kemler wraps up his official 15 year partnership with us as the leader of St Vincent DePaul * St. Vincent surprises David with a secret retirement party celebrating his 17 year career * New partnership with Harmony Baptist Church for our summer outreach * Bike Union building is sold to Jackson County. We have until July 1 to move * St. Vincent agrees to purchase sale ready bikes at half price to help facilitate our move! Praise God!
June * New Director for St. Vincent DePaul, Mary Laughlin starts * Ice cream and treats passed out in neighborhoods to advertise Kids Explosion * Summer KE 6 parties start up partnered again with Free lunch program * Kibby Garden volunteers swim in Vicki’s pool for 8th Year *Wilkins Garden parties partner with Sydney’s job training program and Y.M.C,A pool *Clarklake Community Church hosts KE training parties * Sharron Donley provides adult lunches again this summer! Praise God! * Bike Union moves out of building into 5 garages. Terry keeps everything going with Save our Youth for the summer.
July * KE, Gardens, sewing, laundry angels, & First Fruits all continue strong * Armory Bike Union volunteer Berry Poor passes away after a heart attack. We will miss him very much! * Radiant Church has community day and partners with Bike union to recycle bikes, build a new flower box at mission house, and move 18 beds, 14 dressers from Spring Arbor University to our neighbors! Praise God!
August * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion summer team at Swains Lake! * Harvest Gardens and wrap up for winter * Planning meeting for 14th Priceless Gift Toy Store. We are back at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson (The old Tomlinson School) * Moved all our shelving and equipment from old Armory building to Makerspace! Thank you to all 21 sweaty volunteers * 3 day Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran, finished 69 quilts! * Jackson Free Methodist has outreach and reconnects us with past intern * Village Hope Church announces Dare to Share teen event and asks us to be the Community Outreach partner.
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!
So what is next?
September 23 - November 22: Kid’s Explosion Mondays – 4:30pm First United Methodist Church Tuesdays- 4:10 pm- Hunt Elementary Thursdays- 4:30 pm – Martin Luther King Center Fridays- 4pm- Salvation Army
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Oct 1st
Mon-Sewing at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Makerspace, 730 Tomlinson St. 10-3pm Nov 29- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs! ONLY 10 SHOPPING DAYS!
Parents can shop Wed-Sat 1-5pm 12/5 and 12/12 till 7pm Grandparent’s Day December 14 1pm till toys are gone
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Not to us, but to YOUR name be the glory!
God’s still doin’ it!
January 2019
Praise God for all He is doing in our city, and for allowing us to work as His hands and feet for another year! This letter notes the finish of 14 years of ministry in Jackson. We are so grateful for your support to allow us to continue to reach into homes all over our city with the love of Jesus. We are excited as we look forward to the future to see what God has for us next!
September through December we were busy with our Priceless Gift Toy Store. We were able to love 4,835 kids with Christmas gifts. Praise God! We had our BEST YEAR YET! We partnered with Makerspace and were able to go back to the old Tomlinson School. We had the middle of their building. They allowed us to use the back of the building for deliveries. We have some repairs to do on their lawn in the spring, but the flow of toys worked great! Having 6 class rooms and a storage hall was WONDERFUL! We didn’t have to build our own walls! Parking was not a problem.
We had 1,127 volunteer signatures this year at our Toy Store. We ask people who come to help to sign in, so we can track how many days work it takes to move the mountain of toys. This number is a small representation of the actual work it takes because not everyone signs in, and a lot of the effort is done off site. For example, all of the time and effort to sort and wash the small toys, sew quilts, and stockings, make hats, mittens, scarfs, and transform dolls, repair puzzles, recycle bikes, make jewelry, launder the stuffed animals, and rebuild doll furniture in people’s homes are not included in this number of days worked.
It is amazing to see how this ministry has grown! We have a core group of about 40 people who come back day after day, year after year to make sure this event is available. These precious ones are all in for a specific part of this ministry, each one comes with gifts and talents and a passion to serve that is remarkable. Here are some examples: Connie, Sheri and team cook for our volunteers. Mary, Wendell and team have taken the responsibility of sorting and wrapping all the books, filling all the hygiene gift bags, and this year added keeping the stuffed animals beautiful. Phyllis and Linda work endlessly to wrap gifts for teens. Richard, Mike and team made sure everything that needed a battery was working. Sally and team sorted and cleaned all the little toys to make bags of stocking stuffers. Cammy and team take out load after load of dirty stuffed animals and return them like new. Rosemary is our head elf this year! She has a gift to be able to repair puzzles to look new! She and Dennis took home broken doll furniture and kitchen centers and made them BEAUTIFUL! Kathleen and Susan single handedly refurbished all the dolls that were donated! We had a team of ladies who made Barbie doll clothes to help. Last year Celia joined us and started making book buddies, matching books with stuffed animals. The list is wonderfully long, and these are just a few examples.
We met as a Board of Directors last Sunday to look to our future, 2019. You have new save the dates/prayer cards sent with this letter. I am excited in anticipation for what God has planned next for us.
We plan to meet with Kids again, Sunday through Saturday in our Kids’ Explosion program. We have a new partner, First United Methodist Church will host parties on Mondays this semester. We continue to partner with Christ’s Kingdom Ministries, Martin Luther King Center, Vandercook Elementary, Hunt Elementary, and Salvation Army.
Laundry Angels has 2 new partners. DHHS, and the Community Foundation have joined us to help provide quarters. We continue to help those who cannot help themselves monthly. We have a special opportunity to share the LOVE of Jesus in this hands on way. Today, I believe we will share the “Father’s Love Letter” with all we serve in this ministry. It is amazing how God opens the hearts of people when we are willing to meet their physical needs.
We have 2 Bible Study groups meeting weekly. Mondays at noon (no food provided) we are meeting with Diane. We are calling this study ALL IN. We are going deeper into what God has for us. Wednesdays at noon (pizza and salad provided) Beth is leading us through FREEDOM FROM FEAR. You are welcome to come and join in.
The Big Seed garden fair preparation is in full swing! We are packing 3 Butternut Squash seeds into small bags to staple to our invitations. Jake and Rosemary are working on our own book to read again this year, the Career Center is working on the artwork and growing all our veggie plants. This is our 11th year with this project, and it is still FUN!
We have a beautiful new castle puppet show in carriage house number 1! It was built by The Father’s House Church for their Kids ministry. Makerspace asked us to move it when we left, and it is now safely in its new home! I LOVE to read “Tales of the Kingdom” to the kids! I am very excited about all the possibilities this new play space will bring! We have had several offers for people to help make puppets, but I believe God will bring a partner who is great with this kind of ministry.
Yesterday I heard an alarming thought. According to a recent survey, there are 100,000 non-believing people in Jackson County. We also have a Gang problem in Jackson. Too many young black men have died from guns. We have a drug/heroin problem in our city. Too many of our young adults are dying from overdoses. This morning as I wake up, my heart was asking God what we can do about it… He said “that’s why I created you”. I believe prayer changes things. I believe God has us right here, right now, to bring His Kingdom to our City. I am asking Him to wake us up, and bring forth Prayer Warriors. We know so many people in our city…through the toy store, or kid’s ministry, our laundry, or our baby pantry… I am praying for partners to come forward, and help me pray over them, name by name. I’m not sure what this all looks like, but I am not willing to just shake my head and do nothing.
Sincerely,
Wendy Wight, Director
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September 2017 to September 2018
God’s still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 12th year supported by the community * Sisters in Ministry 12th Annual Conference * Diane Merrit continues to lead weekly Wednesday Bible study * Weekly trips to the Kibby Road Garden finish up for the summer * First Fruits Groceries continues to serve groceries once a month. * Priceless Gift Toy Store gets set up – Thank you Western Options and DaVinci Tops program for all your hard work! * Share our Ministry story with Dr. Laura’s class at Spring Arbor University * Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran Church
October * Celebrating 13 years since God gave the vision for our ministry * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 5 neighborhoods * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday Morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 11th year * Toy Store prep moves to Bethany House, 1000 Porter St. Formerly the St. Joseph home for Boys * 2nd God’s Love Conference partners with WOW (Women of Worth) Reset for a fun weekend
November *125 Thanksgiving Boxes go out through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Allan B. Copley Trust awarded us $3,000, this is the 4th year they have helped with our ministry! * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 12th year * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store for the 7th year * Baker College partners again with the Toy Store * Parkside students help with toys again this year! * Sydney’s team from Jackson Area Career Center come weekly to help
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 4,815 children from Jackson and many surrounding areas * 1,500 large personal care bags were made with the help of Northwest School District, decorating each bag. Thank you to our friend Mary Collver, and many more* Dolls redressed by Kathleen and Susan Sampson, and the community * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $5000-for toy store, 8th year! Yea God! * Knights of Columbus help with kids’ coats for the 4th year! * Hurst Foundation and Tony Hurst donate to help with our ministry. This is the 4th year they have helped us! * Allskate helps with party for KE Celebration
January * Greg Hardrick celebrates 1 year as Missionary with Mighty Men and Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! *Laundry Angels completes 7th year serving an average of 30 people monthly! Thank you for all the quarters! * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 25,000 invitations to grow the best Popcorn Plant in Jackson, Thank you Men’s Garden Club for your support these 7 years! * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Jackson Area Career Center Students! *Book written and illustrated by Jake and Rosemary Gorczyca * 5th year for our Billboards promoting the Big Seed! * Christmas Party for the Toy Store. David goes to the hospital for burns on his hands * Armory Bike Union celebrates 2nd year working with us!
February * KE starts up again in 6 neighborhoods * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * Start planning for National Day of Prayer and Annual Prayer Walk * Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran Church * Tammy Farler celebrates 6 years of sewing! Praise God!
March * March reading month partners with The Big Seed to read and invite kids to garden, Thank you MSU Extension, Master Gardeners, and St. Vincent DePaul * Kids recruited for making Easter gifts to deliver to elders in nursing homes all over Jackson. Thank you C.J.’s team for making tons of phone calls! * Share our ministry with Rotary Club at Steve’s Ranch * Summit 7 day Adventist Church honors our ministry, Greg and Pricilla Hardrick, and Twyla Wright for their service to our Community
April * Easter baskets delivered * Another Semester of KE finished * County wide prayer drive with Diane’s Bible study * 2 Day Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran Church * Beth and DHS complete 2nd year as partners with Laundry Angels *
May * Dianne Kline celebrates 5 years helping with our sewing days! *Annual City Wide Prayer Walk on May 6th * National Day of Prayer partners with Grace Church * Start planting our two community gardens *The Big Seed Garden event passes out 250 gardens- with help from MSU Extension, St. Vincent DePaul, Jackson Area Career Center, Eatons & Ralph Herberg, Girl scouts & families * Twyla Wright finishes 10th year as a wonderful volunteer
June * Continue to move donated beds * Kids Fest sharing summer plans with Jackson Kids *Ice Cream social- New Jerusalem (Dance Contest), Trinity Wesleyan (Serving ice cream), * Summer KE 17 parties start up- partnered again with Free lunch program * Kibby Garden visits partner with Vicki’s pool for 7th Year *Wilkins Garden parties partner with Get Real and Y.M.C,A pool * Wed Bible study continues with Diane *Clarklake Community Church hosts KE training parties * Sharon Donley provides adult lunches for the summer! Praise God!
*Mission Camp comes to us from 5 states! They paint the house, and carriage house outside, and some inside too! They re-work our front flower bed, and welcome us to a wonderful Spaghetti Dinner at Spring Arbor Free Methodist,
July * KE, Gardens, sewing, laundry angels, & First Fruits all continue strong * Joy comes to provide weekly Art Classes * 11 friends from Wisconsin come to help us with our ministry for 4 days!
August * Camping Trip with Kids’ Explosion summer team at Swains Lake * Rosemary Corsica hosts at the Community Wide Back to School Bash, serving more then 700 kids! * Harvest Gardens * Planning meeting for 13th Priceless Gift Toy Store. New address, Makers Space, 730 Tomlinson (The old Tomlinson School) * *2 day Quilt Party at Redeemer Lutheran, finished 100 quilts by September 13!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! And Thank You for investing in us!
So what is next?
September 30 - November 16: Kid’s Explosion
Sundays – 10:30am Christ’s Kingdom Ministry
Sundays – 2pm Park Forest
Mondays – 4:30pm Tales of the Kingdom @ Salvation Army
(Something new – reading from the 3 book set)
Tuesdays- 4:30 pm- King Center
Wednesdays – 2:30 pm Townsend, VCL
Thursdays- 4 pm - Hunt
Fridays- 4pm- Salvation Army
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Oct 2nd
Mon-Sewing at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Makers Space, 730 Tomlinson St. 10-3pm
Nov 23- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs!
Parents can shop Wed-Sat 1-5pm 11/29 and 12/6 till 7pm
Grandparent’s Day December 14 till toys are gone
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January 2018
Pulling my thoughts together to figure out how to say Thank You…I can hear Evie, my favorite singer in High School, singing “My Tribute” How can I say thanks for all the things You have done for me? Things so underserved, but You gave to prove Your love for me! The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude! All that I am…or ever hope to be! I owe it all to thee! To God be the glory!
Can you believe we started this wild adventure October of 2004! Can you believe that is 13 years ago! God is SO GOOD! He has provided everything we have needed to do what He has called us to do!
We celebrate 2017 as it ends.
• We praise God for Diane Merritt’s time with us to look into God’s word, to see all that was accomplished at the cross. Diane has been with us from the start!
• We praise God for allowing us to add Greg Hardrick as a part-time missionary through Mighty Men. Greg has completed his 1st year with us as staff.
• We praise God for allowing Mary Wood to continue her dream for an All American City of Youth. Mary has completed her 1st year as part-time staff.
• We praise God for our 12th year as the Priceless Gift Toy Store! For Bethany House, Pam Dill who was willing to work with us. 2017’s store served 4,815 children, 1,490 families. With the help of 368 volunteers who worked more than 954 days! We can only report the people and days where we signed in…..this doesn’t include all the work that is done in people’s homes, or our mission house on Wilkins Street.
• We praise God for the Kids’ Explosion Team who help young people learn from real Bibles! We praise God for our new sites – Vandercook Lake Elementary, and Hunt Elementary. We are excited to be able to go back to Tomlinson, partnering with Makers Space.
• We praise God for Great Start’s new program to help families get connected to Jackson’s resources. For their team that includes Greg and Pricilla Hardrick, Twyla Wright and Alice Walker, all partners of this ministry!
• We praise God for sending all the help with Laundry Angels to be able to continue! Dianne Kline has prepared the soap for us to cook up as needed. We are still missing Helen! She went to see Jesus this summer. We are grateful for all the volunteers who take time out of their schedules to drive people with their laundry.
• We praise God for Regine Keys and her Baby Pantry completing their 1st year with us at Wilkins Street.
• We praise God for the Armory Bike Union completing another year serving our city! They were able to donate 168 bikes to the Priceless Gift Toy Store!
• We praise God for our 2nd God’s Love Conference in October. We were able to partner with W.O.W (Women of Worth) and had some wonderful speakers.
• We praise God for a great party at Allskate on Christmas break. Thank you all for the help with pizza, and cookie decorating!
We look with anticipation at 2018! We are watching for where God will lead next!
Thank you for investing in this ministry. Each one of you have played an important part, whether it was serving on our Board of Directors, volunteering your time and energy, or investing you resources, Together…..we can make a difference.
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January 2016
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! Praise God for His faithfulness to us again this year! Thank you for INVESTING IN OUR MINISTRY!
We felt God’s heart for teens, and followed His lead to give a “God’s Love Youth Conference” in October. We invited 100 teens to spend the weekend with us. We talked about how BIG God’s love is toward them, and how He has rules about sex BECAUSE He loves them, not to be mean. We partnered with Salvation Army and Jackson Free Methodist to let the kids sleep and shower. We partnered with the Hub (Westwinds), Father’s House, Summit 7 Day Adventist, Village Hope, Trinity Wesleyan, and Rivertree churches to provide meals for our youth. We partnered with New Tribes to provide a movie and testimonies of MIRACLES in Jackson. We partnered with Birthline, they were already hosting a conference about Biblical Sexuality. For fun, we partnered with the YMCA, Allskate, and Resale Depot. Each of our kids have 3 prayer partners for the next year. Praise GOD!
Kids’ Explosion finished our Fall semester just in time to start up the Priceless Gift Toy Store. We CELEBRATED the kids who memorized their verses with a roller skating party at Allskate Dec 30. We had 160 people come to the party!
The Priceless Gift Toy Store kept us BUSY October – December 17. We (360 volunteers who worked 888 days) were able to bless 4,620 kids with Christmas! Praise God! We hosted the toy store at The Dream Center. It was a wonderful space! God is so kind. Both my Mother and Dave Kemler’s Mother went home to be with their Lord this season. Even with their passing we were able to finish what we had started. Praise God!
We are excited about what God is doing next! Here are some of the things we are looking forward to:
*Overcoming Poverty - phase 1 – Mary Wood leading 18 weeks of small group studies to give participants tools for success. Phase 2 - All American City of Youth Business training with adult supervision.
*Kids’ Explosion Feb – April -12 weeks of parties to share Jesus with our kids.
*Christian Skate Nights at Allskate February 15 and April 18. Come make new friends who love Jesus too!
*Annual Prayer Walk – May 1 – covering every street in our city with prayer
*National Day of Prayer – May 5 – reading through the entire Bible aloud in our downtown park
*The Big Seed garden party and community garden kickoff – May 21 – challenging our youth to learn to grow food – this year a cabbage!
Blessings!
Wendy Wight, Director
224 W. Wilkins St, Jackson, MI 49203
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September 2014 to September 2015
God's still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 10th year supported by the community * Sisters in Ministry 9th Annual Conference * Diane Merrit continues to lead weekly Wednesday Bible study and lunch * Weekly trips to the Kibby Road Garden finish up for the summer – 554 gallons of produce shared with our families! Praise God! * First Fruits Groceries continues to serve groceries once a month. * Shared our ministry with Love INC. at First Baptist Church * Joined Julie Watrous at M.I.S. for the Community Covenant for the soilders. * Kids’ Explosion starts again in 6 neighborhoods with a new partner Cozy Community in Vandercook Lake * DaVinci High School sends groups each month to do community service * Dolhem Center invites 20 kids to come enjoy nature free!
October * Celebrating 10 years since God gave the vision for our ministry, made a photo thank you with song to share at partner churches * Share Thank You Viedo with Trinity Wesleyan, House of Prayer, Redeemer Lutheran, and Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 8th year * Toy Store prep happens now at the new DREAM CENTER formerly known as Tomlinson School
November *10 year thank you viedo visits Cornerstone Christian, Father’s House, New Jerusalem, Rivertree, and Villiage Hope churches * 125 Thanksgiving Boxes go out through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 9th year * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store 4th year * New Jerusalem helps toy store in a new whole day way *Spring Arbor Free Methodist help at toy store, sewing, and at Kids’ Explosion for their Servalution week * Jackson Citizens for Change host a “Street Store” at our MAD house *
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 4,253 children from Jackson and many more in Detroit * 1,500 large personal care bags were made with the help of Northwest School District, decorating each bag, our new friend Mary Collver many more* Dollies redressed by Janet and the community * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $5000-for toy store, 5th year! Yea God! * River Tree Church great help with toy store * 3 Party busses takes families to Lansing for KE Celebration * 10 year thank you viedo goes to Westwinds and Christian Assembly * Photo Prayer quilt gets started for Bill and Bonny Livernois *
January * Laundry Angels completes 4th year serving an average of 30 people monthly! Thank you for all the quarters and homemade soap! * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 22,000 invitations to grow the biggest Cucumber Plant in Jackson * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Jackson Area Career Center Students! *2nd year for our Billboards promoting the Big Seed! * Christmas Party for the Toy Store *10 Year Thank you Viedo goes to St. John’s Lutheran in Bridgewater, Brookside United Methodist, and St. Catherines in Concord. * Aktion Club, Sam’s Club, Goodwill, Davince students, and friends from Vista Grande Villa all help put together our seed packet invitations for the BIG SEED* Citizen of the Year dinner * Spring Arbor Universiry seniors Stacey and Brook start their internship program with us* We say goodbye to Bill Livernois as he meets Jesus face to face*
February * 10 year Thank You Viedo goes to Oaisis of Love and Ist United Methodist * Kids’ Explosion starts up again in 6 neighborhoods * Thursday Dance Team starts up at Dream Center * Board meets for Annual planning meeting * Prayer walks start up at Department of Human Services * Start planning for National Day of Prayer * Twyla represents our ministry at Homeless Connect
March * March reading month partners with The Big Seed to read and invite kids to garden *Rob Wight gets a new hip, while interns Stacey and Brook keep the ministry moving forward * Northwest School district decorates Easter plates for our elders * Kids deliver easter gifts all over Jackson
April * Easter baskets delivered * Another Semester of KE finished * SAFM service day- Kibby garden and CT * County wide prayer drive with Diane’s Bible study * Visit Eatons New business partner
May *Matt Shepler & Bill Latocki start work on Jackson’s Good News- a Christ centered newspaper * Annual city wide prayer walk on May 3rd *SAU interns Stacey and Brook end their program and graduate *National Day of prayer- 365 readers read the entire Bible in 15 min St Mary’s 4th & 5th grade singers- I surrender all *First fundraiser at Culvers restaurant KE singers perform as volunteers run food and bus tables * start planting our four community gardens *Priceless Gift Toy store plans for 2015! Distributing toys at Dream Center
April * Help kids at St. Mary’s with Easter Baskets for their adopted grandmas and grandpas, they are part of the 1,700 gifts delivered to our nursing homes this Easter * Spring Arbor Free Methodist help spread cardboard, compost, carpet, and plant fence posts on the rainiest day in April for our new Kibby Road Garden!* Thank you to Daugherty Tree Service for all the compost * Quilt party at Redeemer Lutheran Church * Trinity Wesleyan kids help tie quilts
May * Acts 4:9 Church help stretch fence for the Kibby Road Garden * THE BIG SEED Garden Fair promotes sunflowers * Jackson Area Career Center donates plants for BIG SEED * May 19th 3rd Annual Prayer Walk for the city of Jackson * First Fruits finishes 1 year of local food selling $60,038.00 * God provides a new van! * Checked out Fire Up kids ministry program in Lansing * Planted garden
June * Start new KE summer season * 4th year partners with Village Hope Church * 4th year Thursday afternoon training hosted by Clark Lake Community Church, dinner hosted by Jackson Free Lunch Program 2nd year * BEST SUMMER YET-great fellowship with our interns, great swimming, great fun * 4th year with the Free Lunch Program, Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays kids can come eat free with us * Partnered with Fifth Third Bank for E Bus day *Trinity Wesleyan Kid’s Camp makes decorated flip flops for KE gifts * First day of summer vacation Ice Cream Social * Kids Fest celebrates summer at the Jackson County Fair Grounds with games and music all day long!
July * 13 KE Parties happening each week – over 600 kids come our 2 biggest weeks ever! * Kelly and Deb finish 4th year of bookkeeping – thank you so much * Weekly garden parties with 3rd year swimming at Finley’s family pool * Deeper Still Bible study with Diane * Mission trip from Clarkston Michigan adds lots of excitement the hottest week of the summer!
August * Finished Summer KE *Three day retreat for our KE Interns *4 recipients from Salvation Army Day Camp earn $25 awards for Father’s Love Letter totaling 30 Awards! Our youngest winner yet is Chris who said it all at only 5 years old. Every child in the Salvation Army program with Annie Quested 2013 has said the Father’s Love Letter! Praise God! Great Job Annie and Team! * Vet Prayer Quilt number 890 given * Lansing Fire Up comes to us! Michelle, Megan, Ralph, Lansing team, and our interns all work together tomake wonderful wooden guitars for Kids Explosion and put them to the test!* Summer Monday Grandma Days at Arbor Manor come to an end with a quilt party * 50 Fruit of the Spirit Quilts finished and delivered * Consumers Energy awards 5 Partnership Park Nonprofits over $10,000 and 250 volunteers for their first volunteer workday, they partnered with us helping Wash Tub Laundry repair their 17 broken machines! Doubled the size of our garden, painted the Carriage House Doors, and collected blankets, clothing, toys and personal items for our ministry! * Papa Jim goes to heaven * Lazy B weekend for the girls * Dream Center Block Party * Lil’ Mama’s Quarter Store gives out 500 items to families!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! And Thank You for investing in us!
So what is next? September 30-November 22: Kid’s Explosion
Mondays- 4pm Cascades/Frost Elementary School 4:30pm- Together We Can Make a Difference Tuesdays- 4pm- Bennett Elementary School Wednesdays- 4pm- Northeast Elementary School Thursdays- 4:30pm- Chalet Terrace Club House Fridays- 4pm- Salvation Army
4pm- McCulloch/Southridge Park
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Oct 1st
Mon-Sewing at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Dream Center 730 Tomlinson 10-3pm Nov 25-27 Set-up Toy Store at St Vincent’s Center 1501 E Michigan
Nov 29- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs!
Parents can shop Tue-Sat 1-5pm Thursdays till 7pm
Asking God for 2000 copies of God Guides to give as Christmas gifts
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September 2013 to September 2014
God's still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September 2013* Completed our 8th year supported by the community * Da Vinci High weekly prayer walk continues for a 4th year * Sisters in Ministry 8th Annual Conference * 5th year partnership with The League Michigan * Boys and girls- Lazy B Ranch weekend trip *Journey to Better health continues weekly to teach us healthy cooking, eating habits, and Bible study *Jackson Area Career Center helps keep printing costs low!* Acts 4:9 helps to pull the fence for the new Kibby Road Community Garden – addition provided by Consumers Energy * Tammy Farler and team continue to make Fruit of the Spirit Quilts for the Kids’ Explosion Team *Girl’s Song of Solomon overnight purity retreat
October * KE running as an after school program in 6 neighborhoods weekly * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 7th year * Priceless Gift Toy Store preparation happens for 2nd year at the Dream Center * Promote toy store in schools and churches all over our city *Partner with Northwest Schools for Make a Difference Day – they decorate our gift bags for the Toy Store, and the Holiday food giveaway * Diane’s Bible study group makes a prayer drive surrounding Jackson County
November * 125 Thanksgiving Baskets given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Spring Arbor Free Methodist partners with Toy Store prep for “Servealution Week” * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 8th year * Chelsea United Methodist fills the toy store with workers and gifts for the 4th year * First Fruits delivers holiday boxes including turkeys and pumpkin pies * Diane Kline and the Sewing group continues to meet during toy store!
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves almost 5,000 children from Jackson and many more in Detroit * 40 Parkside students come to help at the Toy Store for the 1st time* 1,500 large personal care gift bags made * 125 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $5000-for toy store, 4th year! Yea God! * Celebration Dinner for workers at the Priceless Gift Toy Store * made thank you cookies for the Career Center *3rd year YMCA Party Bus goes to the Lansing Center for Kids’ Explosion Celebration hosted by Lutheran Teen Conference * Lutheran Teens donate a bus full of goldfish, raisins, breakfast cereal, pretzels and personal care bags for each participant!
January 2014* Soup cook Helen Alcenius celebrate 5th year of great soup * Homemade laundry soap made for Laundry Angels completes 3rd year! Thank you Helen! *Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 22,000 invitations to grow the biggest Tomato plant in Jackson * Laundry Angel still serving an average of 30 people monthly for the 3rd year * Bible Study with Diane Merritt changes focus – reading through the Bible in one year challenge
February * Wendy’s Mom has stroke – morning prayer walks stop temporarily * Kids’ Explosion Parties start back for a 12 week semester in 6 neighborhoods * Applied for Jackson Community Foundation grant to cover costs of our Garden Projects, and won! * Met with Bob and Michelle Reed to discuss ministry ideas – they commit to First Fruits protein bags, and Summer Kids’ Explosion! Praise God! * Nete Olney and friends from Sam’s Club work hard to assemble seed packet invitations for The Big Seed. Their combined efforts also award us $3,000 for our work with gardens! * Good Will Industries help finish the invitation assembly job! * Quilt tying party at Redeemer Lutheran Church, thank you Pam Vreeland and team
March * March reading month partners with Master Gardeners and The Big Seed to read WHO GREW MY SOUP?, inviting kids to garden, Thank you to Ben and The League * JTV interviews Dave Kemler and Wendy about The Big Seed * Homeless Connect party lets Jackson’s hurting families know about our services *Springhill Camp provided a weekend retreat for interns and leaders
April * Help kids at St. Mary’s with Easter Baskets for their adopted grandmas and grandpas, they are part of the more than 1,700 gifts delivered to our nursing homes this Easter for the 7th year * The League partnered kids with elderly for Easter gifts * Northwest school district joins in the Easter celebration by each child making a basket for a grandparent!* Spring Arbor Free Methodist Servalution Sunday helps prepare Kibby Road Garden for planting! * Jackson Community Foundation grant provides our 1st Billboard!
May *4th City Wide Prayer Walk moves to the 1st Sunday * Spring Arbor Students come on board with Prayer Walk and host a worship party at the end of the day * THE BIG SEED gives away 400 small or portable gardens * Jackson Area Career Center donates plants for BIG SEED * First Fruits adds a new partner – Pollys and Barb Leitch offering a Protein bag * Chalet Terris plants a Community Garden for kids * Girl Scouts come several Saturdays to help in many ways * Trinity Wesleyan’s Kunz family and Crawford family join Kids Explosion team for the summer * Kids’ Explosion gets a new logo from Bill Latocki! * We order new yard signs to advertise Kids’ Explosion * Recognized John Ward for his efforts to partner with us for the last 7 years as he retires from teaching at the Jackson Area Career Center Graphic Arts Department
June *Stony Lake Lutheran Camp donates for 32 kids and 3 adults to enjoy a FREE week at Lake Michigan! Praise God! * Start new KE summer season with Twyla Wright leading a team for the 3rd summer * Spring Arbor Free Methodist Youth help with Action Jackson Mission Trip* SAFM Youth help with Laundry Angels and Lil Mommies Quarter Store to raise money for Laundry * 5th year partners with Village Hope Church for Kids Explosion and vacation Bible school raised money for support * 5th year Thursday afternoon training hosted by Clark Lake Community Church, dinner hosted by Jackson Free Lunch Program 3rd year * 5th year with the Free Lunch Program, Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays kids can come eat free with us * First Fruits celebrates completing our 2nd year with Keys Produce and Prime Cuts providing healthy- local food!
July * 15 KE Parties happening each week – 511 kids came our biggest week * Kelly and Deb finish 5th year of bookkeeping – thank you so much * Weekly garden parties with 4th year swimming at Finley’s family pool * Bridge of Life helps with Kids’ Explosion Party
August * Finished Summer KE * Lazy B’s Ranch provide a wonderful weekend for the girls on our team *Kibby Road, Wilkins Street, and Chalet Terris gardens grow more than 500 Gallons of Produce! Praise God, and thank you to all who helped make that happen! Special Thank you to Deb and Dave Stoner who tilled and planted, loved and weeded and Vicki Finley who allowed all our hot and sweaty workers to get cooled off in her pool * Vet Prayer Quilt number 1044 tied * 69 quilts tied - 2 day event at Redeemer Lutheran Church
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! And Thank You for investing in us!
So what is next?
September 29-November 21: Kids’ Explosion
Mondays – 4pm Interfaith Shelter
Tuesdays – 4:30pm Chalet Terrace
Wednesdays – 4:30pm Arbors at Lakeside
Thursdays – 4pm Cozy Community VCL
Fridays – 4pm Salvation Army
4pm McCulloch School/Southridge Park
Priceless Gift Toy Store collecting Oct 1st- December 13 - Celebration Party January 3, 2015 Mon-Craft at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Wed – Bible Study with Diane at noon 224 W. Wilkins
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Dream Center 730 Tomlinson 10-3pm
Nov 22-26 Set-up Toy Store at St Vincent’s Center 1501 E Michigan
Nov 28- Dec 13Toy Store Runs!
Parents can shop Tue-Sat 1-5pm Thursdays till 7pm
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Thanks for another great year!
Wow! Can you believe it is 2014 already? Praise God! He is still good! He is still in charge! Thank you for your partnership in our ministry. Let’s take a few minutes to look back and remember what He has done in the last few months.
Priceless Gift Toy Store - Thank you St. Vincent de Paul for our 8 years together. We were able to serve 4,219 children this year, with the help of 344 volunteers who served 814 shifts! Thank you to Father’s House/The Dream Center who housed our preparation again for the 2nd year. We were able to not only fill our St. Vincent Semi, but Jackson Rental gave us use of a trailer about 1/3 of the Semi size, and filled that also. Praise God for sending Spring Arbor Free Methodist during their Serve-a-lution week. They were a huge help, and lots of fun. We partnered with 2 new groups of people who needed community service hours, and were so very blessed to make new friends, and share Jesus while we worked. We were able to build 1500 gift bags of personal hygiene items to share with the families we serve. Thank you Meijer for your $5,000 in gift cards for the 4th year.
Our volunteers really enjoy working with the Toy Store. For many of us, the toy store IS largely how we celebrate Christmas. We get so very many hugs, and tearful whispers “this is the only Christmas our family will have”.
There are always a few stories that stand out…. Like the day Ben from the League came in with coats from the Northwest’s coat drive and asked if we needed them! We had one half hour of frenzy as families picked out just what they needed. One of the coats had a rip under the arm, so we repaired it. The family who waited for the repair decided it wasn’t just right for their child, so the coat left was laying over a box in the back for an hour or 2. One little mom came from work, dressed in her uniform, but with no coat. When she had finished shopping for her 5 children, we asked if we could help her carry her gifts to her car. She said yes, and we asked where her coat was. She said she had none. Did we have one for her? We were standing right next to the box where the repaired coat lay. The only coat left! She tried it on, and it fit like a glove! Praise God!
Please join us and pray for the health of some of our volunteers, Arlie, Bill, Elaine, & William who need God’s healing touch.
My personal favorite time of this project is when we have depleted every item prepared in advance. The truck is completely empty; the work area is all clean and neat – with no toys in sight. People start praying for toys to come, and God sends TOYS! This year was no exception! The last day of the toy store, we had 7 groups bring in their gifts! This project truly takes an army. Thank you for the part you played! Praise God for the way He sends us just what we need, right on time.
God Guides Books – We asked God for 2,000 of these books to share with our families. Thank you! He provided every penny needed. The books were shared both through the Toy Store and our Food Pantry partners.
Sewing Class – This year something amazing happened. We worked the toy store, and kept the weekly sewing group going at the same time! Praise God, he sent Diane Kline who loves to sew, and has a desire to start something like our sewing group right in her Brooklyn home. Diane, Tammy, Nancy, Twyla, Helen, Vicki, and others kept busy right up to Christmas! We plan to sew on Tuesdays, from 9 to 3. Come join us!
Kids’ Explosion – We finished the fall semester right as we moved into the Toy Store. The children who learned their Bible verses were invited to join us on our 2nd Annual Party Bus! 72 of us headed off to Lansing again – to party with the Lutheran teens. We had a blast! Each child had at least 1 teen who hosted them through the party time. The kids enjoyed a bounce house, blow-up obstacle course, crafts, pizza, and even a rapper named Agape to share his story and songs with us! On the way home, the group gave us a mountain of goldfish crackers, raisins, pretzels, cereal, and hygiene bags! Thank you Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army for your help with transportation! Our next semester will run Feb – April. Come help share Jesus with our little ones!
Wednesday Bible Study – We have to stop meeting to let the Toy Store happen, so now we are starting up again with Diane Merritt leading. Join us at Noon. We are challenging everyone to read through the Bible in one year. We have copies of the plan where 15 minutes each day, some old testament, some new, some Psalm and Proverbs gives us a balanced diet!
First Fruits Groceries – We continue to provide great food at a great price with Keys Produce and Prime Cuts. We praise God for all the faithful volunteers who come to gather orders, transport & sort veggies, transport meat, remove the cardboard, and deliver to our homebound customers. Thank you Bill Latocki for making us look great month after month!
Thank you for your financial support. With your help, we were able to love our city again this year. Praise God, and thank you!
Till Jesus Comes, Wendy
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September 2012 to September 2013
Gods still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 8th year supported by the community * Da Vinci High weekly prayer walk continues for a 3rd year * Sisters in Ministry 8th Annual Conference * *4th year partnership with The League Michigan * Boys and girls- Lazy B Ranch weekend trips *Journey to Better health continues weekly to teach us healthy cooking, eating habits, and Bible study* Weekly trips to the Kibby Road Garden finish up for the summer – 397gallons of produce shared with our families! Praise God! * First Fruits Groceries continues to serve groceries once a month. * Circle of friends meets with us to see how they can help again this year * Purchased first 146 Heaven is for Real books
October * KE (KE - Kids’ Explosion) starts running again as an after school program in 6 neighborhoods weekly * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday morning Prayer for our Pastors celebrates our 7th year * Family Life Radio’s Servant Saturday helps clean toys for the 2012 Priceless Gift Toy Store * Priceless Gift Toy Store prep happens now at the new DREAM CENTER formerly known as Tomlinson School * Promote toy store in schools and churches all over our city * KE Dance team @ Dream Center * $15,000 donation for Heaven is for Real books and sweat shirts for teenagers at the toy store * Uncle Ray on Hospice –lots of visits, quilts, and hugs * Quilt at Trinity Wesleyan Thanks Deb! * Habitat for Humanity shares 2 garden sheds with us for our new 3911 Kibby Rd Community Garden! * Thank you Tony and team who helped move the sheds! *First Church of the Nazarene Boy Scout Troop helps move tons of carpet from the old Kibby Garden to the new!
November *First Fruit Groceries sells $9,180 of groceries this month! * 250 Thanksgiving Boxes go out through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries Thank you Acts 4:9 for your help * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 8th year * Latrice tries to fill a city bus with toys * Chelsea United Methodist Church helps toy store 3rd year * New Jerusalem helps toy store in a new whole day way * Presbyterian teens from all over Michigan help with toy store * Great group of teens from Spring Arbor Free Methodist help at toy store
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves almost 5,000 children from Jackson and many more in Detroit * 1,500 large personal care baskets made * Dollies redressed by Janet and the community * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and 1st Evangelistic Church * Meijer donates $5000-for toy store, 3rd year! Yea God! * River Tree Church great help with toy store * Village Hope Church youth group helps with toy store * Trinity Wesleyan Church kids help at Toy Store * Josh Parker Prayed for salvation* Celebration Dinner for workers at the Priceless Gift Toy Store * Party bus takes families to Lansing for KE Celebration * KE Intern Christmas Party at YMCA
January * Laundry Angels completes 2nd year serving an average of 30 people monthly! Thank you for all the quarters and homemade soap! * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 15,000 invitations to grow the biggest Sun Flower Plant in Jackson * Beautiful art for BIG SEED done by Jackson Area Career Center Students! * Lil’ Momas Quarter Store raise money for Laundry Angels * Uncle Ray goes to Heaven
February *Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University adult classes start: Thank you Kevin, Sheryl, Tom and Spring Arbor Free Methodist! * Teen Dave Ramsey Class on Saturdays * Janette Interns for the semester *Kevin and Janette and team get the Jackson Map on our web site for the Prayer Walk!
March * March reading month partners with The Big Seed to read Parable of the Sunflower, inviting kids to garden *Partnered kids with elderly for Easter gifts, * Springhill Camp provided a weekend retreat for interns and leaders * Dave Ramsey adult class is completed * Career Center designs words on fabric for Fruit of the Spirit Quilts and prints 500 KE t-shirts for us!
April * 4th year of morning Prayer Walks around our schools and city * Help kids at St. Mary’s with Easter Baskets for their adopted grandmas and grandpas, they are part of the 1,700 gifts delivered to our nursing homes this Easter * Spring Arbor Free Methodist help spread cardboard, compost, carpet, and plant fence posts on the rainiest day in April for our new Kibby Road Garden!* Thank you to Daugherty Tree Service for all the compost * Quilt party at Redeemer Lutheran Church * Trinity Wesleyan kids help tie quilts
May * Acts 4:9 Church help stretch fence for the Kibby Road Garden * THE BIG SEED Garden Fair promotes sunflowers * Jackson Area Career Center donates plants for BIG SEED * May 19th 3rd Annual Prayer Walk for the city of Jackson * First Fruits finishes 1 year of local food selling $60,038.00 * God provides a new van! * Checked out Fire Up kids ministry program in Lansing * Planted garden
June * Start new KE summer season * 4th year partners with Village Hope Church * 4th year Thursday afternoon training hosted by Clark Lake Community Church, dinner hosted by Jackson Free Lunch Program 2nd year * BEST SUMMER YET-great fellowship with our interns, great swimming, great fun * 4th year with the Free Lunch Program, Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays kids can come eat free with us * Partnered with Fifth Third Bank for E Bus day *Trinity Wesleyan Kid’s Camp makes decorated flip flops for KE gifts * First day of summer vacation Ice Cream Social * Kids Fest celebrates summer at the Jackson County Fair Grounds with games and music all day long!
July * 13 KE Parties happening each week – over 600 kids come our 2 biggest weeks ever! * Kelly and Deb finish 4th year of bookkeeping – thank you so much * Weekly garden parties with 3rd year swimming at Finley’s family pool * Deeper Still Bible study with Diane * Mission trip from Clarkston Michigan adds lots of excitement the hottest week of the summer!
August * Finished Summer KE *Three day retreat for our KE Interns *4 recipients from Salvation Army Day Camp earn $25 awards for Father’s Love Letter totaling 30 Awards! Our youngest winner yet is Chris who said it all at only 5 years old. Every child in the Salvation Army program with Annie Quested 2013 has said the Father’s Love Letter! Praise God! Great Job Annie and Team! * Vet Prayer Quilt number 890 given * Lansing Fire Up comes to us! Michelle, Megan, Ralph, Lansing team, and our interns all work together tomake wonderful wooden guitars for Kids Explosion and put them to the test!* Summer Monday Grandma Days at Arbor Manor come to an end with a quilt party * 50 Fruit of the Spirit Quilts finished and delivered * Consumers Energy awards 5 Partnership Park Nonprofits over $10,000 and 250 volunteers for their first volunteer workday, they partnered with us helping Wash Tub Laundry repair their 17 broken machines! Doubled the size of our garden, painted the Carriage House Doors, and collected blankets, clothing, toys and personal items for our ministry! * Papa Jim goes to heaven * Lazy B weekend for the girls * Dream Center Block Party * Lil’ Mama’s Quarter Store gives out 500 items to families!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! And Thank You for investing in us!
So what is next?
September 30-November 22: Kid’s Explosion
Mondays- 4pm Cascades/Frost Elementary School
4:30pm- Together We Can Make a Difference
Tuesdays- 4pm- Bennett Elementary School
Wednesdays- 4pm- Northeast Elementary School
Thursdays- 4:30pm- Chalet Terrace Club House
Fridays- 4pm- Salvation Army
4pm- McCulloch/Southridge Park
Priceless Gift Toy Store Starts collecting Oct 1st
Mon-Sewing at 224 W. Wilkins 10-3pm
Tues, Thurs, Sat- Sort and Clean Toys at Dream Center 730 Tomlinson 10-3pm
Nov 25-27 Set-up Toy Store at St Vincent’s Center 1501 E Michigan
Nov 29- Dec 14 Toy Store Runs!
Parents can shop Tue-Sat 1-5pm Thursdays till 7pm
Asking God for 2000 copies of God Guides to give as Christmas gifts
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From Wendy's personal FB Page August 28, 2012:
Garden Party this Wednesday! 11-5pm, Bring a passing dish for a picnic lunch, your swim suit and towel.. We plan to dig up the potatos and put carpet away for the winter.....The kids have harvested 220 gallons of produce so far!!!! We hope to finish up for the summer with our kids before school starts. It will be tons of fun!
Priceless Gift Toy Store is gearing up for a wonderful 8th year! Our precious friends at Father's House have purchased the Tomlinson School, and are calling it the Dream Center! We will partner to do the prep work for the Toy Store at that location. This means no stairs! Praise God! We will start working hard October 1. Toy store will be open for shoppers Nov 23-Dec 14.
Check out First Fruits Groceries! We are delivering Jackson's local Meat from Prime Cuts, and veggies from Keys Produce. 113 boxes sold this month! Praise God, and check it out!
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September 2010 to September 2011
Gods still doing it!
Each September we attempt to hold still for a few minutes and remember what God has done through the last 12 months. It is a time to stop and say thank you to all who have invested in us, and show you what we, with God’s help, have done with your investment.
September * Completed our 6th year supported by the community * Da Vinci High weekly prayer walk begins* Sisters in Ministry 6th Annual Conference * Canned garden produce * Second year with Salvation Army for KE Intern Training * (KE - Kids’ Explosion) *Second year partnership with Mary Ann Magiera from The League Michigan * Boys and girls- Lazy B Ranch weekend trip *Journey to Better health continues weekly to teach us healthy cooking, eating habits, and Bible study * Teens learn to can pickles *Jackson Area Career Center helps update Payday games
October * KE running as an after school program in 7 neighborhoods weekly * Friday Night Pizza Parties with Interns for KE Training * Redeemer Lutheran Thursday Prayer Group celebrates our 5th year * Family Life Radio’s Servant Saturday helps clean toys for the 2010 Priceless Gift Toy Store * New building for the Priceless Gift Toy Store (back on Greenwood) *Thank you Ben Latocki and Dr Vanteau South Africa sends missionaries to us! * Promote toy store in schools and churches all over our city
November * City of Zion completes 2nd year as food pantry – Thank you Acts 4:9 for your help! * Angel Food Ministries 6th year delivery * 275 Thanksgiving Baskets partnered with Christ’s Kingdom Ministries * Priceless Gift Toy Store opens for the 6th year \
December * Priceless Gift Toy Store serves 6,656 children from both Jackson and Detroit * 1,700 large personal care baskets made * 768 Dollies redressed by Janet and Barbie * 250 Baby Quilts made by the Postal Quilters * 250 Christmas Dinner Boxes given through Christ’s Kingdom Ministries and City of Zion * Meijer donates $5000-for toy store! Yea God! * God gave vision for new Laundry Angel Ministry-thank you Wellspring * YMCA partners to celebrate Interns *Bob and Pat Harvey catch vision of doubling KE with 2nd missionary and team
January * Soup cooks Carol Campbell and Helen Alcenius celebrate 2nd year of great soup *learned how to make laundry soap for $1 per gallon! Thank you Helen! * Celebration Dinner for workers at the Priceless Gift Toy Store * Community Gardeners plan for THE BIG SEED with 8,000 invitations to grow the biggest pea plant and Cascades Elementary create coloring books. * Laundry Angel serves 1 single mom family weekly * Pastor Chuck from Jackson Free Methodist introduces Pastor Pricilla
February * Acts 4:9 Church serving as sponsor of Mission: Wardrobe 2nd year providing great clothing for the children in elementary school * Men’s Garden Club, Mr. Owens and my big brother help support the BIG SEED * Partner with Rivertree Church for Family Night at the YMCA * Laundry Angel opens to whosoever will with free laundry service weekly partnership with Washtub Laundry- Brooklyn Exponent and St Catherine’s in Concord to fund *Vista Grande Villa Wellness Fair and Quilting Parties *KE Interns join fun at Waterloo family camp and swimming party thank you Herbergs and group! *Sisters in Ministry Volunteers Breakfast
March * March reading month partners with The Big Seed to read Princess and the Pea, inviting kids to garden thank you to princess Mary Ann Magiera and Princess Pebbles *Partnered kids with elderly for Easter gifts
April * Help Interns throw their own Prom for 20 of their friends – thank you so much all who helped, that was an unforgettable night for all who attended * 2nd year of morning Prayer Walks around our schools and city * Help kids at St. Mary’s with Easter Baskets for their adopted grandmas and grandpas, they are part of the 1,700 gifts delivered to our nursing homes this Easter * Kayla goes home to be with the Lord
May * THE BIG SEED gives away 547 small or portable gardens * Jackson Area Career Center donates plants for BIG SEED * Scrapbook Prom with Interns * May 15 First Annual Prayer Walk for the city of Jackson-80% of city covered even in 42 degree weather and rain! *Jill Paz commits to join our team as 2nd KE Team Leader- Pastor Pricilla and Jill partner for KE in Spanish
June * Start new KE summer season * 2nd year partners with Hope Church * Thursday afternoon training hosted by Clark Lake Community Church, dinner hosted by New Jerusalem Church * BEST SUMMER YET-great fellowship with our interns, great swimming, great fun* Kid’s Fest 7th year * our 6th Outreach at the King Center * 2nd year with the Free Lunch Program, Tuesday kids can come eat free with us between English and Spanish KE parties * Chelsea Church comes to Jackson for a mission trip –throwing a party for memory work at Clark Lake Boat Club
July * 16 KE Parties happening each week * Kelly and Deb finish 2nd year of bookkeeping – thank you so much * Weekly garden parties with swimming at Finley’s family pool * 1st year partner with JPS @ Cascades summer school/ After School options * Cooking class takes road trip to Ann Arbor whole foods * Deeper Still Bible study with Diane
August * Finished Summer KE * Second Garden Tour * Three day camping trip for our KE Interns – thank you Marble Springs, Brian, and everybody else! * Party for Salvation Army Day camp last day * Gave $25 awards for Father’s love letter to 1 recipient totaling 21 * Vet prayer quilt number 583 given
Thank you to all who helped with Kids’ Explosion this summer!
Mondays – YMCA, Indian Village, and Southridge Park
Tuesdays – Together We Can Make a Difference (English and Spanish), Sun Valley, and Ashton Ridge
Wednesdays – Salvation Army, Loomis Park, Shahan Apartments, and Arbors at Lakeside
Thursdays – King Center, Cascades Elementary, and Chalet Terrace
And Intern Training at Clark Lake
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE! And Thank You for investing in us!
So what is next?
September 30-December 9: Kid’s Explosion
Mondays- M.A.D. House- 224 W. Wilkins from 4:30-5:30pm
Tuesdays- Sahan Apartments Club House from 4:30-5:30pm
Wednesdays- Northeast Elementary School from 4-5pm
Thursdays- Chalet Terrace Club House 4:30-5-30pm
Fridays- Southridge Park Club House 5-6pm and Salvation Army 4-5pm
Priceless Gift Toy Store
Tues-Craft at 224 W. Wilkins 10-4
Thur- Sort and Clean Toys 1501 E Michigan 10-4
Plan Toy Collections all over the City
Nov 21-23 Set-up Toy Store at 1501 E Michigan
Nov 25- Dec 15 Toy Store Runs!
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Yea! - God did it:
4,507 children received Toys for Christmas!!!
Read What Happened at Jackson's Together We Can Make a Difference Ministry House
Series of emails from Wendy Wight: (scroll to the bottom to see PHOTOS)
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: TOY STORE IS FINISHED!!!
Date: December 21, 2008
ALL GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!! THE 2008 PRICELESS GIFT TOY STORE IS FINISHED!!!
4,507 TOTAL CHILDREN SERVED, 1,500 PERSONAL CARE BASKETS DELIVERED, 246 FAMILIES HELPED WITH CHRISTMAS DINNER.
Praise God! Jackson, you have been such a blessing to so many people!!
Thank you Lord for the 505 baby blankets. We had home made, new baby blankets to give 12 of the 14 days the toy store was open! Thank you POST OFFICE QUILTERS!! You Rock!!
Thank you Lord for the 3,815 Christmas Stockings that were made by many hands! Pam, and the helpers through FAMILY LIFE RAIDO, and many more! We have 333 left as seed for next year.
Pam came into the house yesterday and asked if we could expand next year to nursing homes to give Grandmas and Grandpas a chance to gift their grandchildren? (for just a minute, I felt like a new mom being asked when I will have my next baby)
Oh God you are so, so GOOD! Last night I crashed a Christmas party in progress, and found a wonderful YEA GOD story! Jeanette and "kidos" form Acts 4:9 (a local church) brought their hand made gifts to our toy store, 60 marshmello guns, and 100 brain teeser puzzles tons of batteries, and as they were leaving, they overheard Pastor Bev asking a young mom about the heat problem in their home. Jeanette got contact information, the group did a house check, and Lord willing, the family with 5 kids, and another comming after Christmas, will have both a furnace and hot water heater that realy work.
THANK YOU ALL WHO HELPED PROVIDE CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR 100 FAMILEIS ON THE EAST SIDE WITH PASTOR BEV AND DAVE GOOLSBY, AND 146 FAMILIES AT OUR NEIGHBOR CITY OF ZION. God is doin' it, and HE is using HIS people.
Pastor Dave Goolsby has been given an opportunity to double his personal gift to a local food pantry. If you would like to help him make the largest investment possible, he will need to do this by December 28. The money must be given in his name, so there will be no tax benifit to anyone helping him. If you are interested, please contact him at 517 768-8077.
The Christmas shelves are all put away. The carpet is cleaned, and rolled, and hung from the rafters. The furniture is all back in place. Everything has been mopped once (Carole will mop 2 more times before she is happy). We are now ready to celebrate Jesus with our own family. Thank you Fred, Mike, Mike, Mike, and Rob for all your efforts yesterday!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
In His service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: 2 DAYS LEFT
Date: December 18, 2008
ALL GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!! GOD'S DOIN' IT!!!
463 KIDS YESTERDAY, NEW TOTAL 3,915. YEA GOD!!
1500 BASKETS!! 54 STILL NEED SHAMPOO, 50 SHAMPOO SHOULD COME TODAY FROM 2ND HARVEST.!!!!
Thank you Lord for all the people you have sent to help move this mountain!! Yesterday we added 12 business partners that Abbie Smith had drawn in. Abbie heard about us through the Cit. Pat. and brought all her energy, and friends, and co-workers to help! Thank you all who know Abbie! What a blessing you have been this year!
With Abbie's contacts added, the new business-school-church total on our card is 96. Last year this total was closer to 60. Thank you God for all the people you are drawing together!
What a blessing to see our neighbors faithfulness to finish this job. This is Linda's 4th Toy Store! Mary mans the door for all 3 years at our 224 W.Wilkins address. Carole is still holding down the Kitchen, and scrubbing up the messiest of the toys. Miss Elaine has been added this year. She is able to look through all the little pieces and make stocking stuffers out of what most of us couldn't. New also this year is Fred! Frank decided that Wendy's car shouldn't haul cardboard away this year, and made me promise to let it wait for him. Fred came along and has helped Frank with not only this project, but daily cleans the sidewalks and driveway, and gives shoppers rides home, and helps move the toys from outside to inside. Thank you God for each person you bring. Our old friend Keith is back from last year! Pat helped most of yesterday, and Trisha not only folded LOVE LETTERS all night to get us ready, but has spent countless hours changing batteries, wrapping baskets and helping where ever she could. Thank you Lord for each person who has given of themselves to bless Jackson.
Thank you Lord for Janie, who helped bring Thrivent money to finish the baskets, and worked all day telling no one it was her BIRTHDAY yesterday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANIE!! You are very much loved.
Today we prepare and give 200 Christmas dinners. Pray for us!
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: Detroit Gifts
Date: December 16, 2008
YEA GOD!! THANK YOU JACKSON!!
Yesterday Rev. George arrived at 3pm, and by 3:15 we had loaded all that God had provided. Thank you for the coats, we shared 27 of them. Thank you for the food, we shared what was brought to the house and a check for $500. Thank you for the stockings, stuffed animals, hand made airplanes, socks and underwear, new hats, and all the zipper bags of soap and shampoo. We had 20 trapper-keeper folders that we shared for the guys who are back in school. Thank you all for the loving response to these presious ones.
Yesterday, the last $100 gift certificate turned into money. Thank you all for your help.
Today's big goal is to make as many as possible of the 400 baskets we have left.
We plan to give 200 family Christmas Dinners on Thursday. Please pray for us to find the best prices on the things we still need.
In HIS service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: ONLY 3 TOY STORE DAYS LEFT
Date: December 14, 2008
YEA GOD!!! THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP AGAIN TODAY!!!
Only 166 kids served today,so we had time as a team to find 350 stockings & Love Letters, 200 medium size new stuffed animals, 96 black bags, 100 weekly pill dispensers, new pens, and start collecting hotel size soap for the Detroit homeless vets. God brought 7 bran new coats, and a start for the food baskets. Brooklyn's Julie W. is networking her friends who are supporting the military, and David from St. Vincent will both help Rev. George make stronger connections in the Detroit area.
Rev. George will bring a truck to our house on Monday at 3pm to take our gifts back to Detroit. Thank you for all the love shown to these precious men who gave of themselves for us! We are asking God for a coat for each of the 50 men who don't have one now. We are asking God for gifts for their 200 children. We are asking God for food for the school age families Rev. George has on her list. We know Detroit has been hard hit. They need our prayer, and if God leads, our gifts.
Thank you God for all the help today from our neighbors, Westwinds and RIVERTREE Community Churches. We had about 1 hour where we needed to pray warfare and sing in God's glory. We asked God if there was something unholy in the house and reminded ourselves who we are, and where our power comes from. The attack left with one of the shoppers. Lord we pray you surround that situation with your love and glory. We pray you break the power of the enemy in the life of that person, and bring them into your kingdom.
As we work together, we have become painfully aware of many families with young adults who are homeless right now. These are our own children, church families, who's young ones have chosen a way their parents cannot support. Please pray for God's wisdom, forgiveness, love, compassion, help, and revelation for these precious ones and their families so very close to our hearts.
The baskets we were expecting today never arrived. God knows why.
So, 3,453 total kids served, including the 350 Detroit vets and their kids. Baskets still stand at 1,116.
Thank you to all who are praying, sweating, and giving. God is using HIS people to accomplish HIS work in Jackson. Thank you for your obedience to HIS voice.
In HIS service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: 4 DAYS LEFT OF THE TOY STORE
Date: December 13, 2008
ALL GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!
2,940 KIDS SERVED!! 1116 BASKETS READY TO GIVE!!!
THANK YOU GOD! NO MORE FIGHTS SINCE THAT FIRST DAY!!! MANY DONATIONS COMING IN THE BACK DOOR AS WE SEND THE PARENTS OUT THE FRONT!!
Thank You Lord!! We have only 3 more $100 gift cards to sell!!
Help me pray for Rev. George. She is a minister in Detroit who works with 150 Vietnam Vets. She gives them a Christmas party every year. This year's date is Dec. 19. The toys she shares with them for their families come through Toys for Tots, as of yesterday, Detroit has NO TOYS FROM THE TOYS FOR TOT EFFORTS to share with her. When the workers go to the boxes, there is nothing there.
Rev. George's first prayer is for coats. She has 50 over men who don't have a winter coat. Her next prayer if for food. Her pantry cupboards are empty. Her last request from Daddy, as we prayed and cried together was for their children. She will be in Jackson on Monday. We will share with her from the toy store. There are 10 St. Vincent DePaul Stores in Detroit that she hasn't partnered with who can help with the coats and maybe some food. We are working quickly help her network. Please pray that God will so bless the cries of this woman, that lives will be different through her faithful service.
Yesterday I watched a wonderful thing happen. We have a neighbor who comes occasionally to steal. Sometimes he ask for things like soap or toilet paper, well, yesterday he came in and handed me his toy store coupon and number for the line. He said he tried to come to take things for kids he doesn't have, but couldn't. He handed me the papers and apologized. He warmed himself for a few minutes and said "Miss Wendy, what I really need is a roll of toilet paper". I went to the pantry and gave him some. He said thank you, then "Miss Wendy, there are 2 people in my house with colds. This paper will last alot longer if I had some Kleenex too". I looked and we had Kleenex to share, As he started out the back door, he stopped and said "We really appreciate what you all are doin' here. You may never know how much it means to this neighborhood." I had to ask him to wait a minute and went to get him a FATHERS LOVE LETTER. I told him he may not need toys, but this letter was especially for him. I asked if I could hug him, he said he would like that.
STORIES LIKE THAT ARE WHY WE SPEND 3 MONTHS EVERY YEAR TO SCRUB DIRTY DONATED TOYS! HIS HEART WAS MADE READY TO RECEIVE THE LOVE LETTER, NOT LIKE A TRACK FROM A STRANGER, BUT AS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE FROM A HAND WHO HE KNOWS HAS BEEN DAILY DOING ALL WE CAN TO MEET NEEDS.
Please pray for a new family in town. They came for a job here that dissolved as they drove into town. There are 7 in this family. Pray for their daughter Lori, she has a health condition that demands she use a port to eat and take her meds. Yesterday her father called and said the port is plugged, and their local Dr. was not available. They also need food, and most important work. This family left good jobs in the south to come here. They believe God called them to Jackson, and so do I. The Family have a burden for Jackson's christian business people. The prayer they are fervent about is not Jackson's church, but her christian business people to be real about their faith at work, to invite God into that space, to begin to go to work early to pray! To invite their co-workers into that prayer time, saved and unsaved, to allow God to show up and show off. I believe this family brings another piece of the puzzle called NEW JACKSON. We have been meeting Tuesday mornings for 1 1/2 years. There is a group growing of people crying out before the Lord for our town, and country and world. The next meeting will be in January.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT, YOUR DIRTY HANDS, AND TIRED BACKS. GOD'S DOIN' IT THROUGH HIS PEOPLE.
Just 4 days left. YEA GOD!!! - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: ONLY 5 TOY STORE DAYS LEFT!
Date: December 11, 2008
YEA GOD!!! WE ARE ON THE FINISHING SIDE OF THIS MOUNTIAN!!
Today we served 401 children. This brings our total to 2,703 children. Yea God!!!
Thank you to all who have prayed, helped, and financaly supported this effort!!!
We have used every piece of wicker available from our house, St. Vincent DePaul, and Encore. Thank you for all your donations. 1116 baskets made as of today.
Saturday we are expecting 400 baskets from the Flint St. Vincent DePaul's Store. They are comming to Lansing, and our St. Vincent will be going to Lansing too. Thank you Lord for the free ride for the free baskets!!!
Wednesday we were given 13 $100. gift certificates. We are still looking for 7 more to turn into cash. Thank you all for your help with this!!
Thank you all who helped clean out the Robinson Road pole barn. Every toy has been brought to the Wilkin Street address. Yea God!!!
Thank you to all who helped with the baskets so far! All have been brought home from City of Zion's basement. We are looking for the best buy on shampoo, still missing at least 300. Bars of soap, 300 more, 200 more tooth brushes, 300 Toothpaste, 200 more washcloths. Thank you God, you will do everything you want through your people!!!
Thank you all for your prayer support. God will bless as we continue to pray.
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: Toy store update
Date: December 9, 2008
Thank you to one and all who have been praying, helping, supporting in any way!
As of today we have served 1,894 children through the toy store. We have made 975 baskets. Praise God! He's still doin it!!!!
We have supplies for about 50 more baskets, then we will have depleted both our wicker basket, and shampoo sorces.
Thank you Dawn Williams, and Kathleen Sampson who helped Annie Bartag with Trellis Gardens (a portion of Vista Grande Villa) make baskets yesterday. The residents had a good time helping and singing Christmas Carols. They also have a bunch of toys that need battaries and will continue to work on them.
Wednesday 4pm will be our next attempt to move the toys from 318 Robinson Road to the Carriage House on Wilkins St.. Our last attempt got snowed out.
We are getting ready for the food giveaway in 2 places next week. Thank you Westwinds for all the gift cards to help fill these baskets!!!! Thank you Acts 4:9 for the money given in November, we still have almost half to go for Christmas!
Wednesday 8am Meijer will present us with 13 $100.00 gift cards from their efforts. We have food sources like 2nd harvest much cheaper then we can find at Meijer. If anyone would like to trade cash for a gift card, that money will go for filling the Christmas Boxes as effectively as possible.
We have decided to end Kid's Explosion Mon-Thur groups this week instead of next. We couldn't find enough help for next week to keep it going. Thank you to all who have helped!!!! We will re-tool and be back with the Kids in February.
Thank everybody for all the prayer support!
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: Day 5 Toy Store
Date: December 5, 2008
Yea God! Today the team served another 240 children, for a 1,606 total so far!
Thank you Dave Kemler and crew who ran the store without me today. They did an excellent job! Every one was smiling when I could finely join them from the Angel Food Orders. Yea God!
Dawn Williams is back!!!!!! Thank you Lord!!!! She has strict insturctions to visit California only AFTER THE TOY STORE IS FINISHED IN THE FUTURE!! just kidding, When we wrap the baskets that are ready in the dinning room, we will have a total of 903 so far. PRAISE GOD!
We are all out of washclothes, and low on toothbrushes, soap, deoderent, and toothpaste. We will be able to build some baskets tomorrow, Daddy, thank you for providing just in time for each need!
Monday we will go to Vista Grand Villa from 2-4pm to help our friends at Trellis Gardens build 50 baskets. Dawn is looking for a few partners to help if your schedule allows.
Saturday 2pm we plan to clean out the pole barn on Robinson Rd. We will be helped by a group from Star Commonwealth. This is their 2nd party with us. They have already spent an evening cleaning toys.
Kid's Explosion is still goin strong! Thank you to all you faithful servents.
Thank you for your prayers! That is the most valuable investment you can make in us. We can feel the warmth like a blanket when we are prayed for.
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: 4th Day at the Toy Store
Date: December 4, 2008
YEA! GOD'S STILL DOIN IT!!!
275 KIDS TODAY, 1,366 KIDS TOTAL SO FAR!!!
PRAISE GOD FOR ALL THE HELP!! PRAISE GOD FOR ALL THE TOY GIFTS!!!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO GAVE OF THIER TIME, ENERGY, TOYS, AND CASH!!!
841 BASKETS READY TO GIVE, all out of toothpaste, toothburshes, deoderent, and whole bars of soap. Thank you God for all you have done, and all you still doing.
Still need to move the rest of toys from Robinson Road.
Thank you for all the prayer support, We can realy feel the difference when the prayer cover is in place.
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: Toy Store Day 3
Date: December 3, 2008
Thank You one and all for your prayer support, labor, and love!
GOD'S DOIN IT!!!!!
Today we served 308 children, for a total of 1091 this far. We have built 700 baskets, thank you CKM and Parnell Elementary. Diane and Diane prepared maybe 100 more ready to wrap today, Pastor Bev ordered shampoo and t.p,. to come tomorrow.
The flavor of the house was much better today. Thank you for all your continued prayer. It is the only power that we can depend on!
We have one more truck load to move from the pole barn on Robinson, Thank you to all who have helped move the mountain! We hope to move the rest tomorrow morning, with volunteers from St. Vincent.
Today we recieved 4 skids of new toys through Catholic Charieits, who recieved them from Sam's Club. They are beautiful! The parents are shocked and amazed at the generosity of Jackson!
Western's Destination Imagination group brought gifts today. They helped last year and they are back!
Acts 4:9 brought hand made marshmallow guns and brain teaser puzzles put together beautifully packaged by their church kids. They also provided batteries, many pounds of batteries, and deodorant and lots of encouragement!
Christmas Dinner Boxes - the empty ones - 100 have been delivered to City of Zion for storage. Acts 4:9 will take 30 to CKM when decorated, 10 CKM will decorate, so we are still looking for help with 60 for CKM.
2nd Harvest Christmas order we plan to place Tuesday, 10am, with Pastor Bev's lead at City of Zion. Pray for us as we double the food pantry efforts.
Kid's Explosion has continued! Praise God for the faithfulness of His people. George, Elaine, Leann, Megan, and others are still goin strong! Leann will help until she leaves town December 13. Please pray for us, Monday December15, and Wednesday December 17 we need one more up front person to help MC.
In His Service - Wendy
From: differencemakers6@gmail.com
Subject: 2nd Day Toy Store
Date: December 1, 2008
GOD IS GOOD, AND HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS!!!!
Thank you all for your prayers! Our 2nd day was much sweeter. First day 475 kids, 2nd day 308 for a total so far 783. Our next big job is to move all the toys from the pole barn on Robinson to the carriage house. There is enough room now. We have exausted our almost free shampoo supply by the end of today. Instead of getting it for .15 per bottle, we will now be paying closer to 1.00 each. Pray for wisdom and resorses. The thrivent insurance group would like to donate $700.00 to the cause. Just in time! Frank and Lorae were such a blessing these 2 days taking away all the cardboard and seeing the project from fresh eyes.
Thank you all!
God's Doin It!
In His Service, - Wendy
From: "Wendy Wight"
Date: November 29, 2008 9:27 AM
Subject: Toy Store First Day
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US !!!!!
Yesterday was our first day of this years toy store. It was the most challanging yet. We had 2 fights in the front yard as people waited for their turn, and one on the inside between the helpers. Please pray for our safety as we finish what we have started. Please pray for the people we serve to understand that as they recieve, someone else has given. Please pray for our eyes and hearts to grow the the size required to do this well. Please pray for the Holy Spirits presence in the house to be like oil between us.
The better side of the story is We have a beautiful Christmas Card in the front yard, We hope to add the group names today. Thank you Diane! and Carl! We had Christmas Carols and a recorder playing non stop yesterday as people waited. Thank you Margaret and David! We had a total of 22 volunteers who helped make this all happen!
All for now - Wendy
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