Help Out with My Annual Donation Drive

Shirley Grundy Memorial Donation Drive to assist women just like you and me trying to do right by their children. Women giving women a HAND UP!

It's that time again.  I collect for the shelter every year at Christmas. My sweet Mother died in July and she was my inspiration for starting this long ago. She helped everyone. So in her honor I'm renaming this The Shirley Grundy Memorial Donation Drive to lend a HAND UP to the Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence Shelter located in Philadelphia at Broad and Fairmount Streets.

This drive is also in memory of any and all of YOUR MOMS who have passed on or are fighting a disease that is taking over their lives. Especially Alzheimer's. My Mom had Alzheimer's...it's the long goodbye. It stole her from me ...before she was ready. Our Moms reached out in ways every day of their lives....we need to do this....to keep their lessons to us alive!

SOOOOOOOOOO with that I need your help! I've met these women. I've cried with these women. They've touched my heart. I guarantee they'll touch your hearts too! These women are not addicts, alcoholics, losers or lazy. Each woman MUST learn to help herself here. She may or may not have taken a wrong path before....but who of us hasn't made a mistake? Who of us hasn't needed a HAND UP once or twice in life?

I've met women there who used to be drug users but have long since quit and are working their programs 100%. I have met women who lived with abuse, women who lost everything because they got cancer and their jobs weren't there after treatment, young girls whose parents said to have abortions and if they didn't to get out, women whose husbands just walked away from five kids, women who lost jobs and homes due to the economy and the list goes on. Really aren't we all just a few paychecks away from their shoes. They just had no support systems like family to fall back on and here they are!

The women who live there MUST save 75% of their income in order to save for their own home along with attending life skills programs. These are parents just like you and me who have just taken more than their fair share of life's curve balls. This leaves very little leftover for things like DIAPERS AND WIPES. These have to be rationed and most kids are rationed only 3 or so per day. How heartbreaking is that?

Sooooo, I am asking for donations of diapers, wipes and a small $5 gift for the mothers. The mothers...well we all know Moms go last ....we take care of our kids first. So I thought why not ask all of you to take care of the Mom gifts. Just something small to let them know they are important too and we're all cheering them on for being responsible parents when they are struggling so badly.

We're also collecting GENTLY used clothes, shoes, purses, boots, coats, gloves, bed linens and baby items. We are collecting socks, kid's PJ's (hint...Walmart always has these on sale on Black Friday), new and used toys, unopened bottles of perfume or make up, shampoo, conditioner, baby wash and shampoo, bottles and anything else a family could use. No appliances for household furniture.

Several years ago a little boy asked me for Noritos???? I just looked at him. He meant Doritos. Seems NO SNACK FOODS are in the shelter budget! NONE! So non perishable snack foods and juice boxes are good too! Believe me the smiles on those kids faces says it all.

ALSO...I'd like to be able to take a few Moms from the shelter out for an inexpensive lunch so they can just have a few hours to be women. To feel special for a change. We all know how hard it is to be a parent. So here's what I'm planning. ANYONE of you who would like to join me...each one of us will pick up the tab for one woman and we'll take them out to lunch close to the shelter on the day we deliver the diapers. I'm hoping to go December 4.

Ask everyone you know to donate. I know right now so many are struggling. We can't afford to donate tons of $$ when our wallets are screaming but most of us can afford a few diapers, wipes and gift from Five Below. This will really make the difference in their lives. Something we've all taken for granted...diapers...is a luxury most of the time for these Mothers. Just this small donation...can truly change the course of their day. Remind them that there are people who care.

A kind word, a kind gesture can truly brighten someone's day and bring a smile to their face. After all isn't this what Christmas is all about. It's not what we get that matters....it's giving from our hearts.

Anyone who wants to donate or come along can contact me through email brancato11@comcast.net or leave a comment below.  Anyone who can't go to lunch but wants to sponsor a shelter lady that's okay too!

Last year my daughter Brianna used this drive as her Graduation project. She spent several days at the shelter and believe me it opened her eyes. She sorted all the donations and did some serious research. Several of her friends went on donation day and sat with 18 year old Moms. Real eye opener!

This year I am fortunate that a lovely young lady has offered to take this on for her Graduation Project....KATIE PLUNKETT. Katie will be spending several days at the shelter. She will be doing research, taking pictures and making her video. Katie will be my right hand man for this year. Katie will spend countless hours sorting donations, labeling, boxing and preparing gift bags. That is a hard job for an active high school student, is on Varsity Basketball and has a job. My hat is off to Katie for taking this on!

DONATIONS can be dropped off anytime from now till November 30 in front of my garage at 236 Kipling Drive, Warminster, Pa. 18974. If you are unable to drop off contact me and we will pick them up when we get a chance.

Great chance to spend this day as a Mother/Daughter Day. Please no kids under the age of 11 or 12 as they may be confused by the surroundings.
Any questions please don't hesitate to ask me or KATIE PLUNKETT.

Thank you and God bless you! I just know your hearts will feel the way mine does.