Working in the mental health field for Lake and Porter Counties for almost the past year, I have seen some tragic circumstances affect many families, most of them not any fault of their own.
I recently was having a conversation with a school therapist who has worked with a family for 4 years in Lake County. She was frantically searching for resources for a particular family that had been struck with a catastrophic event for the second time in six months. The family lost their home and almost all of their possessions in July due to a fire. And, just as they were getting back on their feet, another fire struck their grandparents' home the day before Christmas (where they moved after the first fire).
They have lost everything once again, including all of the newly bought and donated household items and clothing to replace the possessions previously lost. If there is truly a deserving family in need, it is this family. I am reaching out to the ValpoLife community in a dire effort to get some resources or donated items together for this family. Neither they nor I are asking it to be new or in pristine condition, just anything you would be willing to donate to a family in need.
I know Christmas has just past, so maybe your family is cleaning out closets in an effort to make room for new; or maybe you can find it in your heart to donate the sweater you haven’t worn in a year or possibly the old backpack your child refuses to wear because of the color. The family’s sizes are:
Mother: Pants size 10-12, Large Shirts, Large Underpants, Shoes size 8 ½, Bras size 38 C
Daughter: Age 16, Med or large shirts, Medium underpants, Pants size 9, Shoes size 9, Bra size 36 C
Boys: ages 12 and 11, Shirts kids large, Pants size 12 kids, Coats size 14, Backpacks, the boys wear boxers
If you can find it in your heart and are still feeling the spirit of the season, please email me. I am more than willing to pick up anything you want to donate or you can drop it off at the ValpoLife office. Anything you are willing to give is more than they have at this point in time. I know the family will be eternally grateful, as would I. Thank you in advance. For more information, contact Christine at christine.fuller@regionalmentalhealth.org..
Photo Credit: Howard Lake Flickr