Samaritan Inn Report - December 2, 2008

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

Collin County's only homeless shelter

Director's Report

Week 49/2008 December 2, 2008

There are 103 residents, 30 are children.

Weekly Statistics:

Intakes: 11

Graduates: 3

Exits: 1

Program Notes

Speaking engagement at St Peter's Episcopal Church in McKinney last Sunday at the 7:30, 8:30 and 10:45 services

Our holiday mailing is out and it was a heroic feat- 25,000 pieces of mail were folded, stuffed, and stamped by an amazing group of volunteers.

Christ Church in Plano recently sold $1,000 worth of our truffles at their annual 'Gifts with a Purpose' event held last weekend.

Thanks to Hannah Jones of Allegiance Title Co. who will provide a wreath for every door on every apartment at Gateway! Allegiance Title will also have a Christmas party tonight and all guests will be asked to make a donation of a gift card to the Samaritan Inn.

Griffins Jewelry store, located at Central Expressway and Virginia, raised over $3,000 for the Inn with their recent diamond raffle!

The Love Life Foundation made a donation to the Inn last week and is sending over a professional photographer to take Christmas photos of Samaritan Inn families.

United Way designated donations to the Samaritan Inn for the month of October totaled $14,551

The new Watters Creek Mall, located in Allen, has donated a kiosk to the Samaritan Inn, where we can sell truffles throughout the month of December. This is a tremendous opportunity, but will require a great deal of volunteer help to insure that the kiosk is staffed daily. Interested in taking a shift? We welcome teenagers. Please email Cheryl at cherylspofford@thesamaritaninn.org.

We are currently looking for two people, groups, families, businesses or Sunday School classes who are willing to adopt two Gateway apartments. This means providing the basic furnishings for the apartment and preparing it for the family that is slated to move in. Furnishings can be new or gently used. If you're interested or have questions please call Casey Bond at (972) 542-5302 or check the Gateway tab at our website: www.thesamaritaninn.org.

Story of the Week

Brittany and her husband Barry, both 19 years old, came to the Samaritan Inn in late August. They have two children ages 15 months and 5 months. They had moved from Louisiana to find better employment opportunities and had planned on staying with a friend while they looked for work. Soon after their arrival the friend indicated that there simply was not enough room for all of them and asked them to leave. Their caseworker helped them enroll their children in daycare, with the assistance of Texas Work Force, and they both found full time jobs in mid September. Since that time they have been saving their money and attending a variety of classes at the Inn on parenting, budgeting and coping. Recently they made a deposit on a two bedroom apartment in McKinney and today they will receive the keys! In their own home for Christmas- that was their goal and they did it!

Sincerely,

Lynne Sipiora
The Samaritan Inn

Dates to Remember

Friends of The Inn Thrift Center Sidewalk Sale-

Saturday, December 6, 9am-5pm

103 E. Univertsity Dr.

McKinney, TX 75071

(972) 547-5567

The Friends of The Inn Thrift Center is having a sidewalk sale this Saturday, be sure to stop by for unbelievable bargains!

Volunteers will be needed at the thrift store during the holiday season; this is a great opportunity for high school students to earn green cord hours. If you're interested call Janet Warren or Debbie Moore at (972) 547-5567 Tuesday thru Saturday, 9am to 5pm.