A letter from a 10 year old resident of Everyday Blessings'
Residential Foster Care Center, who will soon move into her adoptive home.
To Everyday Blessings
Jan. 12, 2009
I just wanted to say thanks for looking out for me, even when I was a nasty
and hateful little girl. Ms. Tish (full time caregiver) is the most important
because without her I would not know how to be respectful, to obedient, and to
learn how to like each other even through you don’t love them. It is sad to say
that I was really mean and nasty to people who were just trying to help me. They
had nothing to do at all with my life, but just helping. Take advice from me.
Give people a chance. They might just be trying to help you. I've made over 30
friends here at Everyday Blessings. Be nice and see where life takes and brings
you. Thanks to all you special persons.
PROVIDING FOR THE CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS
Many generous individuals, families, business and church groups
provided Christmas gifts for the children and agency needs. Each child's
"wish list" became a reality on Christmas Day! In addition, much
needed bedding, cleaning supplies, etc. assisted Everyday Blessings provide
for 30 young children living at the Residential Facility. Especially helpful
are gift cards, as they allow for special activities all through the year.
All these donors are the community of support that help Everyday
Blessings provide services to abused, neglected and abandoned children it
serves. Thank you so much for including Everyday Blessings in your
Christmas giving.
Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament
Can a church group or club make a significant difference by its support
of Everyday Blessings? You better believe it!
The Knights of Columbus Council 11211 of St. Paul Parish in Carrollwood
chose Everyday Blessings as their special charity for the last eight years.
Their philosophy is "let's stay with one charity over time, and really
make a difference."
Since 2002 the proceeds from their annual golf tournament have helped
Everyday Blessings continue its mission for abused and neglected children.
The financial gift over these years is nearly $40,000!
Everyday Blessings salutes all who worked on these golf tournaments.
Especially, we recognize Dennis Kute, the chair over the last several
years, and his committee members. In a time of economic difficulty their
hard work and commitment resulted in the largest number of golfers and net
income ever for this charity event.
APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.
An average of four children dies everyday in this
country as a result of child abuse or neglect. Children of all ages
experience abuse and neglect, but the youngest children are most
vulnerable and most likely to die from maltreatment.
Child abuse is a community tragedy.
Everyday Blessings asks you to join the community
of support for their work to find safe, stable and permanent homes for
abused and neglected children.
The month of April is designated as Child Abuse
Prevention Month.
It is a time to focus on the protection and care of
our most vulnerable and trusting citizens- the children in our
communities. It is a month devoted to celebrating everything we can do
to create a culture of prevention.
- Help a stressed out parent to cope.
- Encourage your company to support child abuse
non-profit agencies like Everyday Blessings.
- Participate in fund raising events to support
programs serving abused children.
- Donate in honor or in memory of family members
or friends to agencies like Everyday Blessings.
- Do a simple fund raiser for Everyday
Blessings; host a party (anything from card parties to dinners) and
ask participants to come prepared to donate to our work.
- Make a donation to Everyday Blessings, and get
your company to match your gift.
- Foster children so need a loving, safe place
to live.
- Adopt children and give them the “forever home
they so desperately need.
You are invited to COME AND SEE. Everyday Blessings
is located in northeast Hillsborough County off of Hwy. 301 near
McIntosh Road. Call (813) 982-9226 to plan a visit.
A Lesson Learned
Remember the old lemonade stand of childhood? My daughter, Alex
and her best friend, Valerie, both nine years old, wanted to set up
a lemonade stand in front of my house. We live on the thirteenth hole
of the Temple Terrace Golf Course, so I suggested that they set up
their stand on the tee of that hole. One Sunday morning we made
lemonade and fresh baked cookies and they set up their stand.
Initially they were doing it just for the fun, until they made $35
in two hours. They decided that they should put that much money to
good use.
The way they got hooked up with Everyday Blessings was through my small
involvement. I am on a rotation that picks up bread at Panera's and
delivers it to EB. I called and found out the project needed "Welcome
Kits." That sounded like a great idea because it was something they could
relate to; they could buy the things and put the kits together.
After two outings of selling lemonade and cookies, they made $75.00.
They took the money, went to the store and bought everything they felt was needed
for the "Welcome Kits."
They have really learned a lot from the experience. Being a Guardian ad Litem,
Alex hears me talk about life in a shelter, but having the opportunity to
personally experience it has had an enormous effect. They realized that not everyone
has it as good as they do. They are sill talking about their visit. They really
enjoyed playing with the children. The time spent with the kids helped them to put
faces with "Welcome Kits" which made it even more meaningful. They can't
wait to go back. I really feel this very positive experience has started them on the
path of continued community service for the rest of their lives. By Sandy Piccirilli
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