A Place To Call Home
Donation protected
I want to share a story with you…
A few months ago, there was a homeless man in front of the Dollar Tree. He was resting his eyes while leaning up against a column. People weren’t really paying attention to him as he was sleeping. They were just carrying on as shoppers normally would. But then there was a customer who was walking out of the Dollar Tree that noticed a woman talking to the sleeping gentleman. She gently nudged him and said, “Sir, would you like to join me and my boys for pizza?” He looked at her unsure as to what she was requesting. She reassured him again by saying, “We can’t possibly eat all the pizza by ourselves, join us.”
As they are sitting and eating, a dear friend calls me giddy over what she had just seen. About that time, another person had caught wind of the magic happening at CiCi’s Pizza and offered the party another $20 to have a coffee and cake at the coffee shop next door after they were finished eating.
My dear friend Leslie Thomas wrote about the inspirational event that took place on a FB page for the locals. Come to find out, the generous woman was homeless as well. She had caught a ride to town to attend the Lowe’s workshop for her sons.
I asked Tim Sullivan to go with me to scope out the situation. If she is indeed living as people are saying, she needs help. I wanted to make sure she knows that people care and if she allows, we can try to help her.
We made the trip to her property. What we found is what you will see in the pictures attached.
She is a strong woman. Her energy, from the moment we introduced ourselves was that of a survivor. Upon visiting with Christie multiple times, I have learned that she has a bachelor’s degree. She continues to look for a job despite not having a car. She was a manager at her most recent job of 6 years before getting laid off unannounced.
This is where life got tricky for her.
She and her sons, 7 and 12, started out in tents over this summer. Then it began to get a little chilly outside, so they gathered lumber and assembled the makeshift shelter seen in the pictures. The camper is over run with mice that they are using to keep their clothes in. Her kitchen is outside. They have no indoor plumbing, and they all bathe on the front “porch”.
I could go on, but at this point, I am hoping the pictures speak for themselves.
This is the most joyous time of the year for most people. And for others, it is not.
I am aware that we can not help everyone that has a need. There are so many people doing without. But when a situation like this is put blatantly in our paths, it would not do justice to the soul to ignore it.
People give blindly to needy families thousands of miles away, with the hopes that the gift is delivered properly. I would like to ease your mind right now, as to any questions that may be arising as to why you might hesitate giving to this family. I have sat with her, hugged her, and even cried with her around the open fire that she cooks on. And believe me when I say, that your gift will be a life changing one.
I have faith that we, as a people, are capable of many things, and helping those in need is one we are excellent at.
I have found a fifth wheel that I know would impact Christie and her boys life tremendously. The asking price is $5,000.00. A warm place to do homework, a place to shower indoors, and a functional kitchen to cook a warm meal. These things that most take for granted, would be a gift followed by tears of joy and hope. This is what this mother needs in order to feel like she is a part of society again.
I am asking you now, if you are able, please help Christie and her sons get the simple necessities of life so they can stand a little taller, and sleep a little safer.
No amount is too little. If you are financially unable to give at this time, a share of this post is just as valuable as a monetary donation.
A few months ago, there was a homeless man in front of the Dollar Tree. He was resting his eyes while leaning up against a column. People weren’t really paying attention to him as he was sleeping. They were just carrying on as shoppers normally would. But then there was a customer who was walking out of the Dollar Tree that noticed a woman talking to the sleeping gentleman. She gently nudged him and said, “Sir, would you like to join me and my boys for pizza?” He looked at her unsure as to what she was requesting. She reassured him again by saying, “We can’t possibly eat all the pizza by ourselves, join us.”
As they are sitting and eating, a dear friend calls me giddy over what she had just seen. About that time, another person had caught wind of the magic happening at CiCi’s Pizza and offered the party another $20 to have a coffee and cake at the coffee shop next door after they were finished eating.
My dear friend Leslie Thomas wrote about the inspirational event that took place on a FB page for the locals. Come to find out, the generous woman was homeless as well. She had caught a ride to town to attend the Lowe’s workshop for her sons.
I asked Tim Sullivan to go with me to scope out the situation. If she is indeed living as people are saying, she needs help. I wanted to make sure she knows that people care and if she allows, we can try to help her.
We made the trip to her property. What we found is what you will see in the pictures attached.
She is a strong woman. Her energy, from the moment we introduced ourselves was that of a survivor. Upon visiting with Christie multiple times, I have learned that she has a bachelor’s degree. She continues to look for a job despite not having a car. She was a manager at her most recent job of 6 years before getting laid off unannounced.
This is where life got tricky for her.
She and her sons, 7 and 12, started out in tents over this summer. Then it began to get a little chilly outside, so they gathered lumber and assembled the makeshift shelter seen in the pictures. The camper is over run with mice that they are using to keep their clothes in. Her kitchen is outside. They have no indoor plumbing, and they all bathe on the front “porch”.
I could go on, but at this point, I am hoping the pictures speak for themselves.
This is the most joyous time of the year for most people. And for others, it is not.
I am aware that we can not help everyone that has a need. There are so many people doing without. But when a situation like this is put blatantly in our paths, it would not do justice to the soul to ignore it.
People give blindly to needy families thousands of miles away, with the hopes that the gift is delivered properly. I would like to ease your mind right now, as to any questions that may be arising as to why you might hesitate giving to this family. I have sat with her, hugged her, and even cried with her around the open fire that she cooks on. And believe me when I say, that your gift will be a life changing one.
I have faith that we, as a people, are capable of many things, and helping those in need is one we are excellent at.
I have found a fifth wheel that I know would impact Christie and her boys life tremendously. The asking price is $5,000.00. A warm place to do homework, a place to shower indoors, and a functional kitchen to cook a warm meal. These things that most take for granted, would be a gift followed by tears of joy and hope. This is what this mother needs in order to feel like she is a part of society again.
I am asking you now, if you are able, please help Christie and her sons get the simple necessities of life so they can stand a little taller, and sleep a little safer.
No amount is too little. If you are financially unable to give at this time, a share of this post is just as valuable as a monetary donation.
Organizer
Tristan Rhys
Organizer
Mabank, TX
