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Samaritan Inn Report - September 2, 2008

Posted by Marc A. Sparks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Sep 02, 2008

Collin County's only homeless shelter

Director's Report

Week 36/2008

September 2, 2008

There are 100 residents, 23 are children.

Weekly Statistics:

Intakes: 8

Graduates: 7

Exits: 6

Program Notes

Thursday is the last day to reserve your tickets for the Ladies Tea and Fashion show to be held on September 7th at Heard-Craig Hall in McKinney. A three course tea is planned and 17 models (from infant to adult) will model clothing from our very own thrift store. Call WinterFawn to reserve your place: 972-542-5302.

The gala invitations were mailed last week and the quarterly print newsletter will be mailed this week- so watch for all the latest Samaritan Inn news.

Two more Gateway apartments were occupied last week; a single Mom and her 6 month old baby went into a one bedroom apartment and a single mother and her two children and her mother went into a two bedroom apartment. As always, this homecoming is incredibly poignant.

The Eldorado Women's Golf Association (from the Eldorado Country Club) recently raised over $3,000 for The Samaritan Inn from their Sassy/Classy golf outing! Thank you ladies!

Thank you also to the many donors who responded to our plea for sheets and towels- this week the need is for toilet paper and paper towels. The shelter is open 24/7 and donations are gratefully accepted at any time.

The VIP Sponsor party at Rick's Chophouse last week was a huge success- over 75 corporate and table sponsors attended and we made several big announcements- Ebby Halliday, Dallas's real estate queen will be our honorary chair, Johnny B from WKLAK radio will be our emcee, Capital One is the title sponsor and 45 of our 50 tables have already been sold. As if that was not enough, the live auction items for the evening have now been set- the highest bidders will win a weekend for two in NYC complete with Broadway tickets and a dinner at Tavern on the Green, a golf trip for two to Pinehurst Golf Resort, a day spent as a fighter pilot and two fabulous dinners for ten with wine pairings offered by Richard Chamberlain and Rick Wells. It is going to be a wonderful evening!

Johnny B was so taken with our mission after a tour of the shelter that he has come up with a great idea, some time during the month of November, he will spend three nights on the street (and broadcast from there) to simulate homelessness and solicit donations for the Inn. November is National Homeless Awareness month.

Travelers Insurance in Richardson recently sold $2.00 tickets to employees who wanted to wear jeans on Friday- almost all of their employees participated and all proceeds went to the Inn.

I will be attending our state conference in Austin this week along with four staff members. I will check email and be available by cell: 972-658-1353; Tracy Westhoff will be in the office.

Story of the Week

Last Sunday a mandatory evacuation was declared for residents of New Orleans as the city readied itself for Hurricane Gustav. Thousands of evacuees headed for Texas and Red Cross emergency shelters were put into place throughout the state. We had a few beds open and were prepared to help if needed, but to date there have been no takers. It was a vivid reminder of Katrina and the 90 evacuees that went through our program as a result of it.

My first day on the job was September 5, 2005; it was also the first day that I met Kenny. I had arrived on the scene after being a stay-at-home Mom for 12 years and Kenny had arrived on the very last bus that left New Orleans. He was scared and, truth be told, so was I. I'm not sure why we bonded, but we did. He even insisted I call him by his New Orleans nickname which was "HipCat".

Kenny, of course, has long since graduated from the Inn and is now living in Collin County. He works as a warehouse supervisor and has had three promotions in the three years he has been there.

This September-like every September since- we will get together and remember our shared new beginning.

Sincerely,

Lynne Sipiora
The Samaritan Inn

"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." -Luke 12:48

Marc Sparks is a leading Dallas Texas start up entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Submit an application for seed funding to Marc Sparks - the Dallas entrepreneur only at www.whoismarcsparks.com.