Another very successful night hosting the teen parenting group at the Wish Closet. 6 moms, 2 dads and a grandma were in to shop with that group and 16 members of the community were also in with their children tonight.
Thanks to Trish and Barb, the room looked amazing and the shelves were fully stocked. Thanks for organizing the tables in the hallway as well.
Lots of big ticket items went tonight including 2 high chairs, a stroller, bedding, boxes of diapers and some large toys. Bags and bags of clothes left the Wish Closet tonight, although if you were to peek in now, it doesn't look like much was taken. Everything from the tables that was not taken tonight was placed in the Wish Closet and is on the baby shelves. Although we had a large collection of boy clothes, there is hardly anything left.
The moms were THRILLED to be able to take a gift bag. Thanks, Bernadette for making those up. The moms felt like it was Mother's Day all over again. We had 4 large prizes to give away as part of a raffle. The recipients were thrilled with these as well. It really was such a treat to see how excited the moms were and how "pampered" they felt tonight.
I know that these moms have access to other clothing in the community. However, the Wish Closet allows them to get items that are in great condition, big ticket items not available anywhere else for free, AND they get to feel spoiled. That really is such a great gift that we can impart.
I drove a stroller and high chair home for a young mom. (The van they come in is limited in space and really only has room for the moms and babes). We arrived at the home before the mom. Dad came over from the neighbours. I explained who we were and why we had come. This dad was incredibly grateful for the high chair. Incredibly grateful. He said that his plan was to go tomorrow with his pension cheque to buy a high chair for his babe. Now he could spend that money on something else for his kids. Christopher wheeled the stroller across the street to the house. The dad carried the high chair and Heather carried the box of diapers. The dad said to Christopher "what's your name young man?" Christopher responded and the dad said "Christopher thank you so much for helping me with the stroller."
A great life lesson for my kids was to see not only this dad's gratefulness, but that he wanted to (and did) repay me for my efforts. He gave us a tomato plant and some bell pepper plants. How is that for Paying it Forward??
During some idle time this evening, and after cleaning up everything that fell off the table after it collapsed under me,
we tallied the number of visitors. There were 137 in the month of April. This month included a PA day AND Easter.
For the month of May, there have been 227 and that included the stat holiday last week! 464 in 60 days!! Well done everyone. These stats show that there really is a desparate need in this community - one that the Wish Closet fortunately fills.
