Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Blessed Night

Things at We Care have never looked brighter.  While everything has been busy, crazy, even scary at times, we have never seen so much love, good-will and generosity then we have during these last two months.  It has been such an honor to do this work with all those who support us, our programs and ministries and our community.

We had a family call us to make a donation - they weren't having a big family Christmas this year because of COVID, so they wanted to donate to us in leu of their normal festivities.  We had another family donate because they have been blessed this year when so many are hurting.  Another man donated in memory of his father and mother, now passed.  Businesses, hard hit by the state-mandated closures, are rising to the need by providing meals, gifts and opportunities for the community to give by providing free food, products, or a discount.  The stories of generosity keep coming in, and we are so humbled by the support, even to the point of happy and grateful tears.

At the same time, we had a dad call in asking for a meal basket - the first time he has ever had to ask for help.  We had another family call us, hard hit by Covid and job loss, with nowhere else to turn for assistance.  An elderly widow called to get help with bills she never had to handle before while reeling from the recent loss of her son; a veteran heating with small electric heaters needed a propane tank installed and a holiday meal; and a single mom working three jobs, needing that small boost at Christmas to make the Holiday just a little bit brighter.  

We Care IS Community - Thank you for your unwavering support! Because of you, we are able to provide for the overwhelming amount of needs we see coming through our office.  We look out at the vast sea of needs, having no idea how they will be filled.  Yet God knows each one and is not surprised.  He meets every need through your love and compassion. Thank you for doing His work right here in our community!   "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement continue to give you the same attitude of mind toward your neighbor"*.

May you be blessed as you have blessed us this holiday season.  Love from all of us at We Care,



Erika Morrison
Executive Director, We Care
*Rom. 15:5

HOLIDAY TRAIN EXHIBIT

ALPINE VILLAGE TREE SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER

This is a fun, free Christmas event with model trains on display for all to see and enjoy!  Enjoy a cup of free hot chocolate!   Sponsor an 18" tree for just $25 and decorate it for the exhibit.  Bid at the silent auction  on the beautiful, hand-made, one-of-a-kind Alpine Village Tree, decorated with ceramic village houses and figurines.  This is a socially distanced event with masks.  All funds raised go directly to We Care's programs and ministries; Donations appreciated.

 

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

The We Care offices will be closed from Wednesday, December 23rd through Sunday, January 3rd.  We will reopen on Monday, January 4th (Bangor will open on Tuesday, January 5th). MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let the Holidays Begin! The We Care Holiday Blessings Campaign is off to a great start!  We have over 250 kids already signed up to receive gifts, and we're still going strong. Kids like Brandon.  Brandon is a six year old boy whose dad came to us for help.  He had been laid off at the start of COVID, and was now working again.  He needed help securing an apartment, and after meeting with him, we were able to find the funds he needed, due to generous donors and other agencies.  Brandon's dad came back a few weeks later, needing a bed for Brandon for the new place.  We were able to give him a voucher to the Faith ReSTOREd Thrift store, where he was able to get what he needed, along with sheets and blankets.  While he was in our office, we also asked if he would be interested in receiving gifts for Brandon this Christmas.  He was very appreciative and couldn't thank us enough!  He didn't know what the future held for them, but was encouraged to keep moving forward, thanks to our assistance. If you're interested in donating to impact the lives of kids and families just like Brandon's, please give us a call.  We are in need of complete holiday meals as well as gifts for kids ages 0 - 16 years.  Donations are accepted at many businesses around town, and will be listed at www.wecare-inc.org/holiday-programs once confirmed.  Can't wait to drop off your gifts?  You can bring them to the South Haven We Care office Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and place them in the bin by our office door. Maybe you or someone you know needs help, just like Brandon's family.  Maybe you're running low on food, need shampoo or cleaning supplies, or need that extra boost with Christmas gifts.  We are here for you!  Please don't hesitate to get a hold of us.  To sign up to donate a meal or gifts, or to receive a holiday meal or gifts, contact Lynn in our South Haven office at 269-637-4342, lynn@wecare-inc.org or Debbie in our Bangor office at 269-427-9581, debbie@wecare-inc.org.  We can't wait to talk to you! Love from all of us at We Care, Erika Morrison Executive Director, We Care INC 269-637-4342x101; 269-351-2803 (c) 06321 Blue Star Hwy, South Haven, MI 49090 www.wecare-inc.org erika@wecare-inc.org

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Thanks to DASH for Raising over $3000 to Benefit We Care! In the spring, the Downtown Association of South Haven wanted to do something fun in light of the pandemic.  So they started a paddle campaign, "We're All in the Same Boat" and gave paddles to each business that wanted to participate.  Over 43 businesses agreed, and each paddle was decorated by a local artist and hand painted.  When fall arrived and the campaign finished, DASH wanted to put the paddles to good use - by having an on-line fundraiser to benefit a local non-profit.  And they picked We Care!  We are so grateful and appreciate them thinking of us.  Our number of family units served has doubled due the pandemic and all funds and donations make a HUGE difference.  And special thanks to all who bid and donated to help make this a success - our community benefits from your generosity! PICTURE, L-R: Tom Feeney (Harbor Light Brewery, DASH), Susan Murphey (We Care Board of Directors), Erika Morrison (We Care Executive Director) and Roxanne Leder (Decadent Dogs, DASH)

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Halloween Fun!  Although Halloween was a bit different this year, it was still a great time for families, the young and the old.  We Care participated in the Bangor Lion's Club Trunk-or-Treat, hosted at Bangor High School.  It was a great crowd with ton's of decorated trunks, fun times and wonderful weather.  Thanks to Debbie McPike and Donna Saucedo, We Care staff, who passed out goody bags.

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HOLIDAY MEALS Each year, We Care provides complete meals for the holidays to families who can't otherwise afford it. We provide meals for both Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you're willing to donate a complete meal, you can include any of the following*: Meat: Ham, turkey or beef Sides: Dressing/stuffing, potatoes, mac and cheese, vegetables, casserole (all ingredients), dinner rolls, fresh cranberries, and/or gravy Dessert: cake mix and frosting (all ingredients), pie, whipped cream, cookies, and/or candy. Place all items into reusable containers, such as a Rubbermaid tote, laundry basket, fabric shopping bag, etc. If you're interested in donating, please contact the We Care office to be assigned a family.  If you would like to be placed on a list to receive a meal, please contact us to be placed on a list to be matched.  SOUTH HAVEN AREA (Serves South Haven, Covert, Glenn): Contact Lynn 269-637-4342 or lynn@wecare-inc.org. BANGOR AREA (serves Bangor, Lacota, Grand Junction and Breedsville): Contact  Debbie 269-427-9581 or debbie@wecare-inc.org. * This is just suggested.  Each item is up to your discretion and funds available.  However, no home-made items this year; pre-packaged only due to COVID guidelines.   Thank you in advance for helping us help our community!

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Holiday Gifts We are in need of gifts for kids ages 0 - 16 years.  Donations are accepted at many businesses around town - click LOCATIONS to find out more.    Some gift suggestions for all ages are: Lego Board Games Stuffed Animals College-themed Apparel Sports Gear or Balls Art and Craft Supplies Stocking Stuffers Hair Accessories, Brushes, etc. Bath sets and grooming kits Rubix Cubes Slippers, Socks, Underwear, PJs ...and more! Maybe you or someone you know needs help, just like Brandon's family.  We are here for you!  Please don't hesitate to get a hold of us.  Contact our We Care offices to sign up to donate a meal or gifts, or to receive. Greater SOUTH HAVEN AREA: Contact Lynn in our South Haven office at 269-637-4342, lynn@wecare-inc.org Greater BANGOR AREA: Contact Debbie in our Bangor office at 269-427-9581, debbie@wecare-inc.org.

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DONATE Interested in helping We Care to continue impacting our community?  Share the love by making a monetary donation, or a physical donation by visiting www.wecare-inc.org/donate. We Care serve over 1000 families a year.  We can only do this because of generous donors like YOU!  Thank you for your support!

Dear Friends of We Care INC,

Here at We Care, we are already gearing up for the holidays!  This year the coming holidays will look a bit different with social distancing, masks, and separation from loved ones. But we're excited that we are still able to serve those in need in our community. 

When Cynthia called our office, she was struggling to find hope and didn't know what to do.  She had been reduced to part time hours at her job due to COVID and with three children, she needed help.  After calling our office at the end of March, our staff was able to help her apply for unemployment, receive food and meals from the pantry and Open Door ministry weekly, and get the personal hygiene products she needed so her limited paycheck could go to pay bills.  A month later, she called us to see if there was any help to fill her propane tank.  We worked with her and her case worker, and she was able to receive a full tank. 

So a few weeks ago when we started looking at our holiday programs, we immediately thought of Cynthia!  Our volunteer gave her a call to see if she'd like a Thanksgiving or Christmas Meal basket, or participate in our Christmas gifts program(s) for her kids.  She broke down in tears and said that she couldn't even begin to thank us enough for all we had done, and now to help her with this as well - she was so grateful and appreciative.  Although she was working a few more hours each week, she had so many bills to catch up on that she was still so tight on funds.  She said that these holiday ministries really help and it gave her the motivation she needed to continue to work and get caught up.  What a blessing - for her, for the donors and for our community.

We continue to make a difference in our community through this remarkable organization.  No matter what you're going through, there is always a sliver lining.  Take time this season to see the beauty and blessings around you - of fall, the changing colors of the landscape, and enjoying family and friends even if it's via Zoom...  I pray that we will all see the blessings and find contentment during this holiday season, for “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”*

Blessed because of your continued support,

Erika Morrison
Executive Director, We Care INC

*Philippians 4:12

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Milton Berle, Comedian

Dear We Care Friends,

The last five months have been a crazy ride.  As an essential service, with over 12 pantries and programs still being utilized during the COVID-19 crisis, we have been busy.  We are getting over 1000 requests for help each month, and have been able to meet every single one.  This was no small feat and it was because of the support we have received from you - our community. 

We Care is working hard to "build doors" - that is, finding new ways to provide for the needs of our neighbors during this stressful time for so many in our community.  The USDA is subsidizing products from participating retailers, to go to food pantries.  We have been consistently receiving 144 boxes of dairy products through Prairie Farms Dairy and 60-75 boxes of meats through Gordon Food services each week, distributed through our pantries.  That is a lot of families served!  This takes many volunteers, time and space to be able to host these distributions.  We would like to thank Senior Services, Moore Pharmacy, Country House Furniture, Pennzoil, First Congregational Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church for helping make this a successful opportunity to help our neighbors in need. (Pictured above, top center and bottom left)

We have also been busy writing grants to help supplement the donations we have received.  We had several grants from the Southwest Michigan Cares program, thanks in part to the South Haven Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Michigan. We also received a grant from AT&T for our Covert Food Pantry at Lily of the Valley Church; grants and donations from the Rotary Club of South Haven; Meijer for our food pantries; and more.  We appreciate their support and the funds received are directly applied to helping those in our community who are struggling.

Our Medical Equipment loan program has been wonderfully facilitated by Casco United Methodist Church.  We have appreciated them and the coordinators over the last decade - Carl and Joyce Andrews and Larry and Kathy Yankee - that made this program so successful.  The We Care office will be assuming the coordinating aspect and welcome your donations and requests for equipment. (Pictured above, bottom right)

We started a new fiscal year on July 1st.  All donations are tax-deductible and all funds go to help our neighbors in need.  Ready to make an impact on your community?  Go to www.wecare-inc.org/donate to make a donation!

We also have a brand-new website!  Take a minute to learn all about We Care and see the new pictures and exciting things.  Visit www.wecare-inc.org to learn more about who we are, what we do, our ministries and programs, and location.

If you need anything or know someone who does, please give us a call.  We are here to help and we want to bring you encouragement and hope.

All our love and support,

Erika Morrison
Executive Director, We Care INC
269-637-4342
erika@wecare-inc.org

We Care would like to thank the following people for helping to collect thousands of Personal Hygiene Products throughout the South Haven Community.  The May Day collection benefited the We Care pantry located at First Assembly of God in South Haven.

• Scott, Harrison and Garrett Smith 
• MaryLou Callan 
• Eduardo Crotte 
• Doug Ploen
• Chad LaRowe
• Gayle and Jim Slattery
• Norm and Carol Bailey 
• Joan Hiddema
• Art and Kris Ayers
• Julie Ludwig
• Bev and Larry Brown
• Donna and Ron Goodrich
• Dani and David Veenstra
• Mary Gahan
• Nancy Van Wynen
• Mary Taie
• Corban and Eli Morrison
• And Rosalie Plechaty, for coordinating the event on behalf of We Care INC.

E-News Letter: June 1, 2020 - "On the Bright Side."

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Fom the Director Dear We Care Friends, Every cloud has a silver lining.  During this crisis in our community, state and world, it is hard to see the blessings through the burdens of unemployment, loss, need, stress, fear and discouragement.  There are so many people who are hurting, it can seem that any act of kindness is just a small drop in an ocean of need. I encourage you to always be on the look out for small glimpses of joy, of hope, and of deep peace because I guarantee that they are there. We had an example of this just last week.  Michael walked into the Personal Hygiene pantry in South Haven on a Wednesday.  One of the volunteers walked up to him with a warm smile and asked how he was doing.  Mike responded that he was great!  In fact, he wasn't there to get anything, but wanted to make a donation instead.  "You all have always been here for me. I know that whenever I have a need, I can come and you'll help me," he said.  "I'm doing good now, and I have a good job, but I know there are a lot of people who are struggling.  I want to help them out, because I know what it's like.  Thank you for blessing me!" And he handed the volunteer $50 and with a big grin and an air-hug, headed out the door.  The volunteer immediately went and told the rest of the crew and everyone sat for a minute humbled at this small but powerful act of genuine blessing and kindness.   Taking notice of these bright spots in a dark time requires very little effort, but simply a desire to see the good in the world around us.   When things seem bleak, it is then that it is the most important.  God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of  power and love (2 Timothy 1:7).  When these two things mix, it's a wave of blessing for everyone around it. In this dark time, we are here for you.  There is no act of kindness and love that is too small.  Each one makes a huge difference.  If you'd like to give back or have a need, please give us a call.  And if we can't help, we'll find someone who can.  Maya Angelou said it best, "Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you and always be true to yourself." Take care, dear friends - Erika Morrison Director, We Care INC NEWS AND NOTES MAY DAY COLLECTION THANK YOU to all our generous supporters.  May 1st, or May Day was celebrated with an all-community collection benefiting our personal hygiene pantry in South Haven.  We can't thank you enough for all that you donated!  The pantry was pretty much empty, but you filled it back up.  Thank you from all of us at the pantry and We Care.

 

GOLF FUNDRAISER Our Golf Outing 2020 fundraiser may be cancelled, but we have the privilege to auction off a round of golf for four players at the Warren Course at Notre Dame.  Here is a letter from the Chairman Joe Guiltinan: "To all golfers who support We Care: Last year’s We Care Golf Outing benefited We Care's 35 pantries and ministries by raising over $9000. We thank you for your support. Although we had to cancel this years golf outing in light of the Covid-19 virus, in preparation for the event we had obtained a complementary round or golf for 4 (including carts) at the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame – the site of last year’s Senior US Open.    To help support We Care, we are auctioning this item online. The certificate is valid through November 22, 2020. Tee times can be made online up to two weeks in advance or click here for more info on the course: Warren Golf Course. To place a bid, send an email to Erika Morrison at We Care (erika@wecare-inc.org).  Bids must be received at We Care by midnight June 14. The minimum bid that will be considered is $200. On June 15, we will notify all bidders of the result of the auction. If two or more bidders have submitted identical high bids, each will have a chance to bid again. The person placing the winning bid will receive the certificate by mail. If you are not interested in making a bid, please consider forwarding this email to a friend who might have an interest. Thanks again for all your past support. Joe Guiltinan, We Care Golf Outing Chairman"

 

To all our donors -  Thank you for your generous donations during this Covid-19 crisis.  Because of you, we have been able to meet over 1000 needs a month - we have over doubled the amount of needs we meet each month.  Your support allows us to continue this much needed work in our community, providing food, shampoo, laundry detergent, soap, utility help, a listening ear and so much more.  We can't do it with out and we are SO grateful for you!

We are excited to announce that the We Care offices will have a soft open starting June 15th (Bangor office will open June 16th).  Although the triage-type way we've been doing things has been working during this crisis, we have missed seeing our volunteers, clients and being together in person.  We will be open to phone calls and donor walk-ins, however will be closed to client walk-ins until July 1st, when we will be open to everyone - as long as things continue to progress well with our state.  This will give us time to make sure we have everything arranged and situated for a safe and sanitized return for everyone.  We will also have some new procedures in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.  Thank you for your patience and support during this time!