Toothbrushes, shampoos, deodorant, razors, hairbrushes and other personal care products are standard in most homes, but for people who are struggling, living on the streets or in shelters, these everyday items take on more of a luxury status.
Once again Haven of Rest Ministries is teaming up with the community to assist people who are homeless and hurting obtain the items. Last year, the program distributed 1419 adult and 75 kids ‘Hope Totes’ as a result of the holiday season campaign.
Among the other items wanted are toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, conditioner, lip balm, socks, combs, shoelaces, hand and body lotion and facial tissues.
Started in January, the items, which should be new and unopened, can be dropped off at any of the locations listed below. The drive will run through March 30, 2012. Thank your for you support.
Haven of Rest’s Donation Drive Thru, 207 E. Market St., Akron
Berean Christian Store, 143 Rothrock Rd., Copley
Berean Christian Store, 110 30th Street NW, Canton
The Galaxy Restaurant, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth
Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St., Hartville
Word of Life Church, 1260 Monroe Ave., NW (suite 5c), New Philadelphia
Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, 2619 County Road 144, Sugarcreek
Cappabianza’s Natural Foods Market, 4946 Darrow Rd., Stow
As the Donor Relations Coordinator for Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron, Ohio, I have a wonderful opportunity to see people at their best. That frequently occurs when they are being generous. Let me give you some examples of what I mean.
It is about three weeks before Christmas as I write this. A lady, probably in her 60’s, came in yesterday. Her organization has been responsible for purchasing or getting donations from others to purchase brand new toys for children who have either stayed at Harvest Home, our women and children’s shelter, or for families that have a connection with Haven of Rest who need assistance with presents for Christmas. This woman’s organization has been responsible for the purchase of 70 (and still counting) brand new toys that were given away to needy children this Christmas. She was so excited. She was as enthused as a teenage girl having a slumber party with her friends! It was just awesome to see the smile on her face and hear the excitement in her voice as she talked about how they did it.
Then there is the man who came in about a month ago to deliver 500 pounds of beef as a donation from his company. He too was so enthused. The smile and sparkle in his eyes was positively infectious. He stayed for a tour and said his company intends to make this type of donation to help us every year.
A Christian women’s group contacted Haven of Rest Ministries to see if we would be interested in hats and scarves they were going to crochet to be given to those who come to us for help. When their group came in, we took a picture of the six ladies who were ambassadors for this ministry of love. Once again, the excitement level was off the charts! There were a lot of smiles and laughter and good feelings. Their group had crocheted thirty hats and thirty matching scarves for men, women and children. The many hours they must have spent creating these gifts for the poor were a small investment compared to their feelings of love represented by these, their gifts to complete strangers.
Earlier this week I had the privilege to go and collect the fruits of the labor of a nearby company. They had undertaken the goal of helping us to re-stock our pantry with canned fruits and vegetables. As I talked with one of the committee members who were responsible for this effort, she told me that they had made it into a competition between the various floors in their building to see which floor would collect the most food. Some members of the winning floor made a point of joyfully sharing that their group had won the competition. Yes, they did win. Haven of Rest and the many people who eat our 600 meals on an average day also won! It was beautiful to behold. In fact they were so successful we filled our truck with literally over a ton of food, an increase of 113% over what they gave the previous year! It was awesome to see and feel their esprit de corps.
The common theme I saw in each of these experiences was a thread of love, sacrifice and selfless giving to others in need. It was a great reminder to me of how to live a happy life.
For over twenty years I ‘ve worked at Harvest Home, a homeless shelter for women and children.
For twenty years I’ve seen children who are homeless experience Christmas with us. I’ve seen the smiles on their faces when opening their presents, often the presents are from people they don’t know. Gifts given by caring strangers who wanted them to have the best Christmas possible.
I’ve seen them sulk when afraid there would be no presents for them under the tree. I’ve seen their faces light up when told, Just wait until Christmas morning - you will see! I’ve even asked them if they had fun at our Christmas Party and did they really like their presents. Often the answer is yes to both questions. But still, I wonder what does a homeless child think about when living at a shelter during Christmas? Are they confused? Are they wondering why they are not in their own home? Do they ask their mother why are all these people living in the same place together? Are they anxious, thinking “Santa” doesn’t know where they are?
I don’t have the answers to these questions. I am not brave enough to ask a child personal probing questions. I guess how they really feel is between them, God, and hopefully their parents. One thing I know in spite of their questions due to the kindness of strangers they have a fun and happy Christmas. I also know that during their time with us they experience the joy of Christmas that goes beyond receiving gifts.
The joy of God’s unspeakable gift: “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Merry Christmas.
Christmas time can be so many things to us. We remember Christ’s birth and God’s precious gift of forgiveness through his Son. Many also remember times with family, church services, presents, decorations, shopping, favorite meals, songs, and movies. For most if not all of us, Christmas doesn’t always match the hype or standard that society would present to us.
For some, family gatherings with smiles and warm memories feel like a dream or something that only happens on TV. The whole package can build up to such high expectations that it’s possible to think that it does not happen in reality. I am always trying to make sure that my expectations match God’s expectations for my life today. Often I realize they don’t.
Four men on our program recently shared how Christmas is different this year than in years past. One of the recurring themes was that this was the first Christmas in a long time that they will be sober. Sadly, past Christmas holidays have been events they would rather forget. However, this Christmas is different. Expectations are different. Great hope is found in Christmas this year. It’s more than songs, presents, decorations, parties and extra days off from work. This year is the first Christmas to celebrate how everything has changed. Getting together with family takes on new meaning, giving gifts has greater purpose, and the songs take on deep importance. This year, whether with family or away, is the year that transformation took root. It is the year that old things passed away and all things became new.
My prayer is that my expectations would be shaped by the One that this season is all about. It’s my prayer this Christmas that those who walk through our doors and are in our circle of influence would know the Christ of Christmas.
I really enjoy seeing God work in individual’s lives. I work in a ministry that requires a lot of work, time, and personal initiative to reach out and help those in need. It is easy to think, “we did this” or “because of Harvest Home, a life is changed.” But the truth is, because of God, a life is changed.
A great example of this is from a lady we have on the Becoming Program, our long-term discipleship program. She rededicated her life while at Harvest Home and expressed interest in discipleship and spiritual growth. When we meet, she shares all the prayers God has been answering in her life, how she takes time each day to walk and pray and how that has grown her faith. She shares the insights God gives her, her growing understanding of the Word, and her love for people and sharing with others the change Christ made in her. This isn’t anything I have taught her God has been at work drawing her, changing her, and transforming her life. I can take no credit, nor would I want to.
It is often said we are instruments God chooses to use to bring people to Him. I agree with this. The facility, the employees, and the donations are all given to God for Him to use. Yet, He is the one gripping the hearts of those He has called to Himself, not us. Careful we must be of ever taking credit of something God has done. I remember learning in Bible College that God doesn’t need us. It was hard for me to hear at first (my selfish desire to feel I was needed was being challenged!) God is more than capable of reaching those that are lost, those that are hurting, and those that are in need. It is a wonder then that He gives us the privilege to be used by Him. We get to taste and see that He is good when we see a life changed. That inspires us, encourages us, and spurs us on to serve Him more, not so we get the glory, but because we have seen God get the glory and it brings us joy. A. W. Tozer is quoted as saying, “He needs no one, but when faith is present, He works through anyone.” May we live out our faith by serving a God that transforms lives.
Aimee Pryor
Assistant to the Director, Harvest Home
Fall is not my favorite time of year by any means, but it is a time when foliage is beautifully displayed with vibrant shades of red, green, yellow and orange. As fall gives way to winter, I am reminded that it is time again for yet another transition. Just as the hot, bright sunny days of summer gave way to cooler temperatures of fall, fall colorful foliage will soon be replaced by snow covered streets and icy cold winds. (Why did my parents choose Northeast Ohio????)
Our lives can also transition very quickly. The Word says our time here is like a vapor – here today and then suddenly gone. I guess that is why how I live my life has always been very important to me. I want my life to count for something more than just an age or number of years on a job – I want my life to have eternal impact. Through my work at the Mission, I help to raise the resources necessary to make eternal transition possible in the lives of people served here every day. When a life is transformed through Jesus, transition happens and eternal life in Christ is born.
While providing food, shelter and care to hundreds of people daily can give them a chance to begin again, another even more powerful transition is offering hope through Christ to men, women and children who may have no hope. It is this kind of transition that makes life worth living.
Toothbrushes, shampoos, deodorant, razors, hairbrushes and other personal care products are standard in most homes, but for people who are struggling, living on the streets or in shelters, these everyday items take on more of a luxury status.
It is about three weeks before Christmas as I write this. A lady, probably in her 60’s, came in yesterday. Her organization has been responsible for purchasing or getting donations from others to purchase brand new toys for children who have either stayed at Harvest Home, our women and children’s shelter, or for families that have a connection with Haven of Rest who need assistance with presents for Christmas. This woman’s organization has been responsible for the purchase of 70 (and still counting) brand new toys that were given away to needy children this Christmas. She was so excited. She was as enthused as a teenage girl having a slumber party with her friends! It was just awesome to see the smile on her face and hear the excitement in her voice as she talked about how they did it.
For over twenty years I ‘ve worked at Harvest Home, a homeless shelter for women and children.
Christmas time can be so many things to us. We remember Christ’s birth and God’s precious gift of forgiveness through his Son. Many also remember times with family, church services, presents, decorations, shopping, favorite meals, songs, and movies. For most if not all of us, Christmas doesn’t always match the hype or standard that society would present to us.
ot of work, time, and personal initiative to reach out and help those in need. It is easy to think, “we did this” or “because of Harvest Home, a life is changed.” But the truth is, because of God, a life is changed.
am reminded that it is time again for yet another transition. Just as the hot, bright sunny days of summer gave way to cooler temperatures of fall, fall colorful foliage will soon be replaced by snow covered streets and icy cold winds. (Why did my parents choose Northeast Ohio????) 
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