March Birthday Service Project: Bring The Giving Tree to Oaklawn Language Academy

March Service Project announcement!!!!!! Our project just went live on StartSomeGood! Check it out, share with your friends and contribute if you can so I can start some good. We only receive funds if we meet our goal. 

http://www.startsomegood.com/venture/ebonis_birthday_bookapalooza_4_oaklawn/campaigns/show/bring_the_giving_tree_to_oaklawn_language_academy

February Service Project: Volunteer

Go to a nursing home and read to residents. Sign up and help serve a meal to guests at a local shelter or soup kitchen. Make handmade Valentine cards for guests at a residential treatment program. Reach out to your local museums and inquire about volunteer opportunities, there are plenty! Park and Rec departments also have multiple volunteer needs. The possibilities are endless! Pick an organization and/or group of people and dedicate your time to help others in need. Share pictures with us (13Days4Love@gmail.com) with a brief description of how you are helping others and we will post on our page.

January 2015 Service Project Update: Warmth 4 The Homeless

Thank you Pop (a.k.a. Tyler's grandfather a.k.a. my dad), Cedric Steele and Vanessa Haywood for your donations of hats, scarves and gloves for today's service project.  The men and women that chose items were very grateful for the much needed items to keep them warm! #CommunityOfGiving #Warmth4TheHomeless #13Days4Love #IntentionalParenting #HelpTheHomeless #Service

November Service Project: Desserts 4 Thanksgiving Update and Thanks

Thank you Onica Fuller, Karitsa Kerns, Donyell Stroud Aycock, Meeka J. Clay, Sidney Logan Echevarria, Candace Taylor-Anderson, Lee Richardson, Sylvia Richardson, Imani Smith, Kim Flanders, Angela Lindsay, Sahnia D. H. Oates, Rachel Bellotti Adams, Brittney Bogues, Takierra Hopkins-Cole, Victoria Garriett Lampkin, Tamra Berry, Lisa Hollis, Christina Mateo Landry, Kameka Rowell-Hall, Kimberly Norton, Kristy Perry & Carlenia Ivory for your generous donations for Desserts 4 Thanksgiving. Based on the pictures that were shared, 52 desserts were donated to the Charlotte Rescue Mission. It took us several trips from the car to the kitchen to get all of the desserts we had to deliver in. We went around lunch time so the guests were lining up outside of the cafeteria. After our first trip we heard one of the guests ask the gentleman that worked there what we were doing and he explained the project to them. With each trip they said "thank you all" and "bless you all". I'm sure if you reflect back on your Thanksgiving meal, one of the highlights was one of the desserts that you had (many homes have multiple desserts). Thanks to the generosity of all that participated, the guests at the Charlotte Rescue Mission also had choices for dessert.

If we left off your name please forgive us and share with us your pictures or email us so we can include you in our thanks. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

Tyler's Birthday Service Project: Bounce 4 Books

Tyler wanted to do an activity that involved physical activity in a way that helps people, specifically other children. Well April 13-19 is National Library Week, and we have been frequenting the library recently checking out books, so we decided to do an activity that benefitted children through the library. 

Join us at BounceU Charlotte on Wednesday, April 16 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Admission is $10 per child (adults are free) and all proceeds will go to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation's Summer Reading Program. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to the library you can do so online, https://give.cmlibrary.org/pages/securegiving. You can designate your donation directly to the Summer Reading Program by selecting 'Other'. Also if you would put In Honor of Tyler Lewis so the library knows you are donating because of Tyler's Birthday Service Project that would be greatly appreciated. ***This is NOT a birthday party so please do not bring gifts!***

Why did we choose the library?
During the summer months, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library sees an increase in books being checked out thanks to the popular Summer Reading Program.To meet the demand, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is hoping to be able to purchase an additional 10,000 books for their Summer Reading Program.

In 2013, the 15,591 school age children and teens who participated in Summer Reading read more than 213,448 hours. Plus, 2,771 pre-K children signed up for Wee Read, a program dedicated to building reading skills with little ones who aren’t quite readers yet.

Summer is of particular interest because children who read during the summer months can avoid losing up to half of what they learned in the previous school year compared to students who do not read during June, July, and August.

For the Library, it is important that children are not only reading, but reading books they truly love. However, they continue to find some books spike in popularity so quickly that they cannot keep them on the shelves. For instance, the young adult book Divergent has 277 people on the waitlist. Students could wait all summer to check out this book.

Join us in helping the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library by giving today to the 10,000 Book Challenge.

We hope to see you Wednesday!

March Monthly Service Project Part 1: Community Birthday Celebration

My birthday request was by asking people to volunteer for four hours during the month of March.  So how do you think I spent my birthday....yep, by volunteering. Every year I take off of work for my birthday to spend the day celebrating myself.  This year I spent the day having a spanish lesson, parent/teacher conference, massage & facial and then I threw a party.  Not just any party, but a party for the children that attend an after school program where I have volunteered a few times this year. What is a party without favor bags?!?!?  So I reached out to friends and family asking for donations to go in the swag bags and boy did they come through!!  A big thank you to the following people that donated items for the 36 swag bags and prizes that were given to each child:

- Donyell Aycock
- Alfreda Belton & Microsoft
- Lara Harris & Project L.I.F.T.
- Kevin Henry & Snyder's-Lance
- Warren Hollier
- Denada Jackson & Project L.I.F.T.
- Arden McLaughlin & Charlotte Public Library Foundation
- Cynthia Parker-Ham
- Beverly Spainhour
- Nancy Stroud
- Liz Thomas-Hollier
- Jada Wellman & WBTV

Everyday when they arrive at after school they have two writing assignments; one is a cursive writing exercise and the other a journal topic.  The executive director let me choose both items for the day and I chose the following:
Cursive Writing Exercise: 'I am unique because......'
Journal topic: 'Describe what you can do to help your community. Be specific!'

It was definitely a busy but very FOURfilling day.  Happy Birthday to me!! Who else is going to help me celebrate this month?!?!?

February Service Project: Valentine Card making session

Yes it has been some time since the last post but we were busy with The Pillow Project and I will do an update on the number of pillows and pillow cases donated, our visit to My Sister's House in Charlotte and The Healing Place in Raleigh, as well as the newspaper article about The Pillow Project that was written in the Raleigh paper.

But this post is about part of February's service project.  February has two components and one is making Valentine's cards for nursing home residents. This Sunday, February 9 there will be 2 one hour card making sessions in uptown Charlotte (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm and 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm). Space is limited so you must RSVP in order to attend/participate. If you would like to bring your little one to make cards, send an email to 13Days4Love@gmail.com with the subject line Valentine Card RSVP.  In the email you must include the name(s) of your children and specify which time slot.  An email with the location will be sent as confirmation. You must stay with your child, you will not be able to drop them off and leave.

Pillow Project: Men's Shelter of Charlotte Visit

This evening Tyler and I met with the Community Resource Coordinator, Jennifer Coates, at the Men's Shelter of Charlotte and had a tour of the facility.  The Men's Shelter actually has two centers (N. Tryon Street and Statesville Avenue), both shelters combined currently average about 325 men per night. During the bitter cold this week, MSC provided overflow (increasing the shelter capacity – including additional mats on the floor) to shelter 85 more men. During our time talking with Ms. Coates we learned more about some of the services the shelter provides in addition to housing. One of the things she shared is that even with the additional men this week because of the cold,  they are still seeing about 100 less people than this time last year and at the height of the economic recession.  That speaks to both improving economic conditions and a strong focus on MSC's new equation: Income + Housing + Support = End to Homelessness.

Let me take some time to reiterate something that has been said numerous times but can't be said enough, people are homeless for various reasons and assumptions should not be made. When we arrived, men were checking in for the night.  Many of them came from jobs or weren't expected to arrive until later because of work schedules.  Yes, there are people that are homeless that are employed. Some of the men have various medical conditions. If you are fortunate enough to have insurance, you still see your bill and the actual cost of medicine and medical treatments and you know there is nothing cheap about it!  Some people have medical conditions that are such a financial burden that they aren't able to afford housing.

The location we visited was the N. Tryon Street location and at this site they provide three meals daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  On average they feed 300 people per meal at a total cost of $500.  Having only a kitchen manager and a part time cook, they rely heavily on volunteers to come in and assist.  This evening a local church brought their own food and prepared dinner for the evening's guests which is something they welcome groups to do.  Some groups know the meal they will cook but provide the shelter with a list of ingredients needed and the shelter will purchase them.  When they don’t have volunteer groups, the part-time cook steps in, as do many of the men who live there.  They become the shelter's volunteers, especially for breakfast.  Many of them are very committed and get up at 4:30 am to start preparing the meal! 

One of the resources available to the guests is the Housing & Employment Resource Center (HERC). Here the guests have access to computers to search for housing and or jobs. This is a heavily used resource while guests are there.  Because not all of the guests are knowledgable about using computers, the HERC relies on volunteers to man the room in order to be open.  Ms. Coates shared a story of an older guest that needed to apply for work and as most jobs require now, you apply online, there aren't paper applications.  She had to sit with him and enter his information because he didn't know how to use a computer.

One of the board members is a chiropractor and comes to the shelter to provide his services at no charge to the guests to help with their back problems suffered from sleeping in/on less than desirable locations and positions. Dentists will come and provide cleanings and needed dental services at no charge to the guests. As we were leaving a man arrived that comes to help guests looking to receive a GED. There is a woman that comes and works with guests that are veterans to assist them with receiving benefits entitled to them as well as educate them about services or resources that are available for them.

Ms. Coates shared with us that the Executive Director, Carson Dean's vision is to be able to get enough men transitioned into permanent housing that there would only be a need for one shelter.  Ms. Coates shared with us that 240 men have moved to more permanent housing since July 1, 2013.

The Men's Shelter is always in need of volunteers as well as financial donations to allow them to continue providing the services and resources they currently offer.  If you are part of a church group, civic/social organization, work group or just a group of family and friends that is looking for ways to help the community through service, consider volunteering at the Men's Shelter of Charlotte.  You can help in the kitchen with cooking food or passing out trays; you can help supervise the HERC for an hour or two a month; bring cards and board games and host a game night with the guests; contribute through the Pillow Project; collect and donate items you use daily for personal grooming (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.).  As you can see the possibilities are endless and the need is great.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Community Resource Coordinator, Jennifer Coates, 704-334-3187 x103. She has been great to work with and not only excited that the Men's Shelter of Charlotte is part of the Pillow Project but also for the other shelter's benefitting in Charlotte and the other cities participating.

I don't feel you can truly LIVE in a community and ignore those that need help, reside maybe, but not live. If you can….shame on you.  We use the expression, "you're only as strong as your weakest link" all the time to motivate people in a work setting to give and do their best and help each other.  Does that not apply when there is no monetary or tangible benefit to those helping to strengthen the team?

One of my reasons for doing monthly projects/volunteering with my son is so that he sees the blessing in being able to give, not look at it as a burden.  To be able to help others through the priceless resource of time as well as financially, IS a blessing.  Just as we can compare ourselves to other families and look at the things we don't have and can't do, we have what we need and enjoy many extras in life.

Shirley Chisolm said, "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." Are you paying your rent?

The Pillow Project - January 2014 service project

In 2013 Tyler and I did a monthly service project either benefitting a designated organization/group or  volunteering.  Although he was only 7 at the start of the year, I knew he was able to understand service and the importance of giving back by helping others (in a future post I'll share my personal reasons why community service and volunteering are and have become vital to my emotional well being).

We have already started planning our projects/activities for 2014 and are starting the year with the Pillow Project.  This will be the same as what we did in 2013 except on a larger scale, we are reaching out to you to join in with us.  The Pillow Project will benefit three shelters (The Relatives Inc, My Sister's House and Men's Shelter of Charlotte) in Charlotte, NC, one (The Healing Place) in Raleigh, NC, one (IRIS Center) in Baton Rouge, LA and one (The Homeless Voice) in Hollywood, FL by donating new pillows and pillowcases.  Many of us take for granted laying our heads down in our own beds, let alone, on fresh linens and pillows.

In order to have an impact we need your help and the help of your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. You can easily participate one of two ways: by purchasing pillows and pillowcases and giving them directly to us (we'll coordinate with meeting you and we will take to the facility) or you can purchase via the online wish list (if you select Ship to Home, they will be sent directly to the designated facility). We WILL NOT accept money to be used to purchase items, only pillows and/or pillowcases.

Below are links about the shelters so that you can see the group of people they serve as well as the number of beds.  We thank you in advance on behalf of the children, women and men that will be able to lay their heads on new and clean linens and pillows because of your generosity.

Charlotte, NC: Wish List (items will be sent directly to Men's Shelter of Charlotte)
The Relatives -The Relatives is a system of resources that helps children and youth find shelter and support.

 My Sister's House -The mission of My Sister's House is to provide a program and housing for single homeless women in a safe environment, which provides resources to improve mental health, physical health, financial health, spiritual health and legal health and empower the residents with the tools needed to become self-sufficient and end their homelessness. 

Men's Shelter of Charlotte -We serve over 500 men per night, 365 days a year for less than $20 per guest per night. Each man we serve has access to all of our services for that cost. 

Raleigh, NC: Wish List (items will be sent directly to The Healing Place of Wake County)

The Healing Place of Wake County - Our mission is to offer innovative recovery and rehabilitation to homeless alcoholic and chemically dependent men and women through a continuing mutual-help program. The program is specifically designed to rekindle the client's desire to return to a meaningful and productive life. 

Baton Rouge, LA: Wish List (items will be sent directly to IRIS Center)
IRIS Center - Shelter for up to 60 women and their dependent children. Services include free room and board, counseling, residential support groups three times per week, emergency transportation, children's services and emergency financial assistance. 

Hollywood, FL: Wish List (items will be sent directly to The Homeless Voice)
The Homeless Voice - Their mission is to provide the homeless population access to shelter, food, employment opportunities or referrals, as well as access to social services all toward the aim of enabling their return, if possible, to self-reliance.

Atlanta, GA: Wish List (items will be sent directly to My Sister's House)
My Sister's House  -Provides Emergency Shelter, Temporary Shelter Programs and Residential Recovery for 264 women and children.