Hope for the Holidays: Ways to help Safe Haven

“We make a living by what we get.  We make a life by what we give.”  -Winston Churchill.

This time of year, folks are checking their Christmas lists, spending time with friends and family, and looking for opportunities to give back to the community.  Safe Haven Family Shelter is greatly appreciative of each and everyone that inquires about holiday volunteering.  This year, our opportunities have slightly changed, due to our expansion.  Currently, all of our volunteer slots have been filled…BUT we still need your help. Below is a list of ways you can give to Safe Haven Family Shelter.

Hope for the Holidays at Safe Haven Family Shelter:

Make a donation online (or by check) to Safe Haven: Your gift of $500, $250, $100 or any amount can make all the difference in ensuring that homeless children and their families have a home this holiday and throughout the year.

Become a Guardian Angel: Make a difference in the life of a homeless family with children by becoming a Guardian Angel member. Join at the Silver ($1,000), Gold ($3,000), Platinum ($6,000) or Diamond ($10,000) level. Each level makes a positive impact on a family completing our shelter or transitional housing programs. Individual donors as well as groups and corporations are encouraged to participate. For more information, please contact Rachael Wilkins at 615-256-8195 or rwilkins@safehaven.org.

Blessings with Bows: Looking for  that perfect gift? Want to honor someone special this holiday season? Make a donation to Safe Haven in honor of your clients, coworkers, friends and family. Donate $10 or more, and we will send the recipient an electronic card recognizing your donation in his or her name. You can include a personal message in each e-card. Makes a great corporate gift.

Christmas Cheer:  Please help us lift the spirits of our homeless families during the Holiday Season by participating in our Christmas Cheer Campaign.  Send a Christmas card to Safe Haven and we will deck the walls to show our families that the community cares.  Make sure to include words of encouragement in the card.  Also, please consider enclosing a small gift for our families.  Gift cards to Target and Wal-Mart will be accepted to help our families throughout the year.  For more information, please contact Rachael Wilkins at 615-256-8195 or rwilkins@safehaven.org.

Current Shelter Needs:  Consider supporting the daily needs at Safe Haven by purchasing the items that we use most on a daily basis.  These include twin and full sheet sets, comforters and blankets, pillows, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils, trash bags, and toiletry items.

House Warming Package: Please help us provide families with things that will warm their living spaces. Many of our families do not have their own household items to move into their new apartments. Needs are pots and pans, crock pot and coffee makers, bedding (sheets, comforter and pillows), and  towels shower curtains, wash rags, dishes and bake ware, utensils (forks, spoons, knives and measuring cups). Examples can be found on our Target wish list, but those are suggestions.  Do not feel obligated to purchase those specific items.

Play Therapy Room: When our building remodel is complete in summer 2013, we will also have a new therapy space.  If you would like to purchase items specifically for our play therapy program, you can contact Tina Collier at tcollier@safehaven.org and look at the items specified on our Target Wish List.

Children’s Play Area:  We are partnering with Bright Spaces to furnish our new Children’s Play Area.  Please contact Stefanie Tinnell at stinnell@safehaven.org for details on how you can contribute to the new space.

See something on this list that catches your eye?  Email us and see how you can help!  Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season.

Stefanie Tinnell is the Community Relations Manager at Safe Haven Family Shelter.