Getting Started with Giving

August 21  2016

Where do I start when so much is happening in such a short time! For several weeks, we would arrive at the house early and leave around 6 pm.

Melanie was mainly tackling the incredible about of clothes, both in the 1100 square foot room over the carport and my Mother's closet. She was sorting all clothes into Goodwill or give away clothes, clothes that can be given away at Be Blessed, clothes to send to Uganda, Haiti or consignment clothes. This was back breaking and tedious work! Thankfully, she knew fashion and brands.

Organizing clothes for Goodwill

Melanie putting some clothes in an area for Be Blessed Ministries 

The clothes as the organizing began

Cheron would concentrate mostly in the kitchen, organizing dishes and washing every dish. We saw her standing at the sink 6 hours a day with a smile on her face! As she unloaded the cabinets, the kitchen quickly ran out of counter space.

Cheron washing dishes for days

Micki would come in each day and tell us the plan for the day, how it has changed since yesterday, and who to expect. I always took notes, trying to keep up with all the organizations. Our heads would be spinning each day, just thinking about all the good that was happening!

Janet and I would help wherever we could, but we were mainly trying to organize a large dish closet that was packed with odd and end dishes.We also helped in the kitchen and cleaned out any closets and cabinets.

The Dish Closet....as it became called. This was for replacement dishes,  possibly to be sold

These are just a sample of the 1000+ hats to be used for a garage sale with purses and shoes for
 Elevate Madison Ministries

Several hundred purses ready for Beth to pick up for a garage sale  for Elevate Madison Ministries

We found out today that some of our things were going to be used for a garage sale for a mission trip to Haiti. This is so exciting, but this was just the first of several times the recreation room was filled up and sent off for a need in the community. It quickly became known as the "release room"...a term Micki said often and we came to love! With the large pool table, we would fill the room up and release it all to each organization or mission group!! Soon, the front foyer became a release area also!

The "Release Rec Room".....filling it up to be taken off

 .

We started gathering an patriotic items for a garage sale in Clarksville for Adoption. Goodwill is sending a representative from their cooperate office to assess our amount and figure out how a truck will drive up such a steep driveway. We gathered any bibles we could find to give the women at Be Blessed.