People are generous. After recent events at Safe Haven, I’m left with a full heart and an even greater sense of hope. The stars aligned on this one and everything fell into place. It all started with our partnership with Alec Miller, the Volunteer Coordinator at Luke 14:12. They will be donating meals to our families as they move from shelter to permanent housing. Moving this partnership forward was made possible with the altruism and support of several key players.

First, we needed a place to store the meals. Gonzalo Hernandez and Omni Hotels generously donated three deep freezers. Second, in preparation for the arrival of the freezers we needed to make space for them in our storage area. Jaime Pawlitschek and the delightful volunteers from DaVita, worked with incredible effort and dedication in organizing and creating space. For the better part of an hour and a half, they took turns dismantling a wooden platform with a stubborn striped screw that just didn’t want to let go. In addition to their physical efforts, they donated much needed supplies for our shelter and other programs. Finally, the juice – B-Lectric and their owner, Bo Green, donated their labor and materials to run the electrical to the freezers.

This food will not only provide sustenance but having meals ready to go will give the families time to be together while they’re settling in to their new homes. As John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” I often say, we couldn’t do what we do without the kindness and generosity of people that donate their time, energy, supplies, talents to Safe Haven, and I say it’s especially true in this instance. This vision wouldn’t have become a reality without the generosity, kindness and effort of everyone involved in this endeavor. From our hearts, we thank you!

Keri Pagetta is the Operations Manager at Safe Haven Family Shelter.