Supporting Women In Need-Cleveland

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
                         ~Maya Angelou

       I sometimes take things for granted. I don't mean to, of course, but I get busy and it happens.

      About a year ago, my sister Lori shared a story on Facebook. It spoke about homeless women's lack of access to basic feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons and pantiliners), and their struggle to take care of  basic needs every month. WHAT? Ration supplies? Use unsanitary options? Go without?!??
       I was appalled on two levels. First, that it’s a reality for some women. And secondly, that it never occurred to me! Some women do not have the ability to meet basic monthly needs. I just never really thought of it.

                        Most people just don’t think of it.

      So, a friend and I began using every coupon we could find to purchase pads, tampons, and liners. We used some great sales and promotions to purchase new bras for women in need. We talked to friends and family and neighbors. We took bras and supplies to a Cleveland area domestic abuse shelter, a temporary residence for teens at risk, and new bras to a local hospital for rape victims that need to leave all their clothes for evidence.
      And then, just recently, I began to work with a New Jersey based organization called Distributing Dignity.
      It’s a dedicated organization doing great things by ‘Lifting Up Women In Need’.
http://www.distributingdignity.org/
http://www.facebook.com/DoubleDorg

As part of a commitment to expand their mission, they have appointed me the Cleveland Coordinator for Distributing Dignity. Yay!!
My area of focus is the following six counties in Ohio - Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina, and Cuyahoga.

                                And I need your help.

I have a good start, but so much to do!! Can you help? Your generous and thoughtful contibutions will be used to:
***** Purchase new bras and pads, tampons, and liners for women in need - it's our mission!!
* Purchase items needed to distribute the maximum amount of supplies to the maximum amount of women in need -  local Donation Drop-Off Boxes, printing and  correspondence, postage, generating giving parties....

Please consider helping women with this very basic need. The seemingly overwhelming mission reminds me of a simple story that you may have already heard:

A person was taking a walk on a beach where thousands of starfish had washed ashore and noticed somebody tossing a starfish back in the water.  "You're not helping," the person said, "There are thousands of them, and it's not going to matter." The tosser sent another starfish sailing back to the water and said, "It matters to that one."

Maybe we can help restore a woman's dignity, one month at a time.

            Please share if you could - THANK YOU!!