About the Organizations Using Share Packages
Our first shipment went to an organization called HOOP Peru in Arequipa, Peru. The program teaches kids English in an after school program and does a lot to help families in the area called Flora Tristan. I visited the families there during a trip to South America. A couple from New Jersey hand delivered the 50 Share Packages to HOOP during their visit to Arequipa. You can learn more about HOOP by visiting www.hoopperu.org.
Our second delivery was in January 2016 when we took 50 Share Packages to a women and children's homeless shelter in downtown Seattle called Mary's Place. We had some packages for women and several had items specifically for children. The people at Mary's Place were so appreciative of the donation and said they always need items for the families there. Learn more or help Mary's Place by visiting www.marysplaceseattle.org.
In February 2016, we delivered sheets, pillow cases, bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, toiletry kits and other items to Friends of Youth. It's a non profit organization which provides a range of services to young people and their families. Friends of Youth also has a shelter for homeless teens on the eastside (Kirkland, WA). Learn more about Friends of Youth by visiting www.friendsofyouth.org.
I also delivered bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, mending kits and slippers to The Sophia Way which helps homeless women in King County, WA. They have a shelter in Bellevue. In August 2016, I took a second delivery to The Sophia Way which included a dozen toiletry kits for their clients. Learn more about The Sophia Way by visiting www.sophiaway.org
I delivered linen, towels and other things to two organizations in Ballard, WA. You can learn more about The Bridge which provides items and a range of services to people in need in the Ballard area (north of downtown Seattle) by visiting their website at www.bridgecarecenter.org. The other was the Nickelsville Ballard encampment where homeless individuals, families and pets live. Learn more about Nickelsville by visiting their website.
I was happy to take a delivery of towels and bathmats to help our four legged friends at the Seattle Animal Shelter in March 2016. You can learn more about helping animals on their website - http://www.seattle.gov/animalshelter.
In April 2016, I delivered 30 Share Packages to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle next to Children's Hospital. They provide housing for families with kids at the hospital so loved ones can stay close to their children without making a commute to the medical facility. Learn more about Seattle's Ronald McDonald House by visiting www.rmhcseattle.org.
In July 2016, I delivered nearly 50 Share Packages to Rainbow Village in Duluth, Georgia. Their mission is to transform lives for homeless families with children of North Metro Atlanta through a community-based transitional housing program that promotes self sufficiency. Visit www.rainbowvillage.org for more information.
In September 2016, I delivered 24 packages to the food pantry at Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. MIYFS provides individual, family and community services and collaborates with others to develop and deliver comprehensive human services to the Mercer Island community. This organization has special meaning for me - it does an amazing job. Visit www.mercergov.org more information.
In September 2016, I delivered 15 packages along with 2 boxes of clothes to Congregations for the Homeless. Their mission is to end homelessness on the Eastside by helping men make the transition from life on the street to stable, independent living. You can learn more at www.cfhomeless.org.
In September 2017, I delivered 62 packages to The Packaged Good in Dunwoody, Georgia. They were taking a truck full of supplies to help with hurricane relief in Texas. You can learn more about them at https://www.thepackagedgood.org.
In January 2018, I delivered 75 packages to Atlanta Mission - My Sisters House. They are a shelter in downtown Atlanta that keep people off the streets by giving them a place to stay and aiding them with religion to guide their journey. You can learn more at www.atlantamission.org
In January 2018, I delivered 41 packages along with 20 shower caps, 5 shaving kits, 5 sewing kits, 5 pairs of slippers, and 5 sleeping masks to the Atlanta - Ronald McDonald House. They provide a place to stay across form the Children's Hospital for families so they can stay close to their hospitalized children. You can learn more at www.armhc.org .
In late 2018, after collecting donations throughout the fall, I delivered two large boxes of Share Packages to the Atlanta Mission - Shepherd's Inn in downtown Atlanta. The donations included coats, sweaters, shirts, hats, gloves, new towels as well as toiletry kits some of which included socks, shaving kits and slippers. Learn more about the mission at www.atlantamission.org.
In January 2019, I delivered several bags filled with donated toys along with three boxes of Share Packages including 6 family packs to Homestretch located in the CDA Community Center in Roswell, GA. Homestretch guides homeless families toward permanent housing and lasting stability. Learn more about it at www.homestretch.org.
In March 2019, I delivered 30 Share Packages along with other items including slippers, sunglasses and children's books to a north Atlanta neighbor who delivered donations to victims of the tornado that struck Lee County, Alabama on March 3rd killing nearly two dozen people.
In February 2019, I delivered individual and family sized Share Packages to Rebecca's Tent - a nonprofit which offers seasonal overnight services for homeless women. They also offer shelter during the day. They work to provide women with the resources they need to get back on to their feet for a lasting solution. Learn more at www.rebeccastent.org.
In May 2019, Share Package dental kits were delivered to children in the town of Anegundi, a village in the Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Children there are participating in an English Summer Camp program as part of the Anegundi Education Project and one of the American volunteers has also donated items to Share Packages.
In October 2019, Share Packages toiletry kits, dental kits and clothing were delivered to a shelter for homeless teenagers in downtown Atlanta through a nonprofit called Covenant House. They offer housing and support services to young people in need – reaching 80,000 boys and girls across the country every year. You can find out more at www.covenanthouse.org.
Also in October, several boxes of donations were delivered to a representative from the Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) shelter in Lawrenceville, GA. Donations included Share Packages toiletry and dental kits, children's dental kits, shampoo/conditioner and clothing as well as a couple of other donated items from my neighborhood. Learn more about PADV at www.padv.org.
Also in the fall, another delivery of warm men's clothing and toiletry kits were taken to the Atlanta Mission which continues to provide services in downtown Atlanta. We also included several men's suits that were donated by my neighbors in North Fulton. Find out how you can help the mission by visiting www.atlantamission.org.
In November, I received a fantastic donation of dozens of new jackets and fleece sweatshirts from printing company CGP in Norcross and new sweat suits from Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta. The donations went to two organizations I've worked with previously -- the jackets were delivered to PADV's domestic violence shelter in Lawrenceville, GA and the sweat suits and fleece were delivered to homeless teens at Covenant House.
In November 2019, Share Packages received a donation of new and gently used towels which were delivered to the Atlanta Humane Society in downtown Atlanta. The towels will help at the shelter. Learn more at https://atlantahumane.org. A donation of fleece blankets was also delivered to the Humane Society's shelter in Alpharetta, GA.
In April 2020, Share Packages along with a donation we received of new t-shirts and caps were delivered to the Atlanta Mission in downtown Atlanta to be distributed to homeless men.
In June, Share Packages toiletry kits were delivered to Discovery Village (senior living) at Sugarloaf in Suwanee, GA to be distributed to residents on Father's Day.
In July, a box of Share Packages were included in a donation for Feeding America at Addington Place Senior Living in Alpharetta, GA. www.feedingamerica.org
In August 2020, I delivered blankets and pet accessories to the Atlanta Humane Society's Alpharetta location where the items will help the pets waiting for adoption. These items were donated to Share Packages by Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta which helps seniors downsize and relocate. www.atlantahumane.org.
In October 2020, more than 150 Share Packages along with clothing, cups, toys and more were delivered to the Chris 180 donation center in east Atlanta. Chris 180 (Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity and Safety) has centers across Atlanta and addresses a number of issues facing individuals and families today including youth homelessness. I love this line from their website: "At its core, CHRIS 180 is a behavioral health organization that is committed to addressing the social determinants of health to better help individuals, children and adults heal and be able to change directions and change their lives." www.chris180.org.
On October 30th, eight boxes of Share Packages donations were delivered to Hadassah Harvest at Lifegate Church International in Snellville, GA. The donation included toiletry kits and brand new jackets. Hadassah Harvest provides food, clothing and support to those in need. www.hadassahharvest.com.
On December 5th, I delivered four additional boxes filled with 42 new winter jackets to Hadassah Harvest. The jackets will be distributed at "The Gift Atlanta" being held this month in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The event is a collaboration of different organizations dedicated to helping refugees and others in need.