Thank You KW

"Leaving him right before Christmas is the toughest thing I've ever done. 

I never felt quite at home in KW but as my boys and I start our new life together, we'll always have the best memories of this city and how people came together for someone they didn't know to help make this life change easier for us. Thank you so much!" 

- Ashley

Dear KW,

Every time I've used my social networks to ask for something, whether it was winter coats, clothes, toys or money to help those in need, you've come through in spectacular fashion. Last year it was evident as you helped put on the best Christmas party ever for the teens from ROOF, as you donated 1000 pairs of socks towards street outreach and with the 160 bags of used clothing you donated for the FoodLove clothing closet.

I often get notes of thanks and encouragement, folks telling me what a great job I do, and I appreciate those notes so much BUT I do have to remind people every day,

I'm only the organizer of the stuff. 

It's the people around me who are giving that make what I do possible.

You all are amazing.

Two days ago I asked for 5 handfuls of lego for a boy in need. 2 bins full of lego plus gift cards, clothing, dinky cars, colouring books, candy, books and other toys are what ended up in my living room. When I met with the family on Wednesday night, they were overwhelmed. Today, they don't know that I'll be coming back with more.

To Jacki, Wes, Gillian, Daisy, JR, Hogg Mechanical, The Printing Place and Dr. Snyder's office... To Karen, Jane, Michelle, Britney, Dr. Sears, Marilyn, Sandy and Pat... To Carla, Mr. W, Grapesavers, Candice and Joel...

THANK YOU

for your donations. And thank you to everyone who retweeted, posted on their facebook pages and asked friends for help. We have come together and made a significant difference in the life of a family who doesn't know what their future holds.

This is why I do what I do. To be changing lives and to be surrounded by such a warm, giving community... it's the best thing a girl could ask for.

Thank you all for helping me, help others. 

I couldn't do it without you.

Melissa

LEGO needed urgently

KW Friends,

In the wee hours of the morning I met Ashley and her 2 sons, Daniel and Caleb. The 3 of them are fleeing from an abusive family relationship.

Daniel is 9 and severely autistic. Ashley says that they only thing that calms Daniel down is Lego, he plays with it constantly. As they were leaving last night, they didn't get any but the few pieces Daniel had in his backpack.

Daniel needs some Lego pieces to help him adjust to the big changes that are happening in his life. If 5 KW families can each donate a handful of lego, Daniel will have enough to help him through this transition and help him cope.

If you can donate a small amount of lego, please let me know. I can pick it up in KW this evening or can give you an address to drop off. Let's rally and help this boy with a rough life make this big change a little easier.

Warmly,

Melissa


**this was pointed out to me and I thought I should clarify: Ashley, Caleb and Daniel are NOT this family's real names. Of course, it is a safety concern and these are the names they have chosen to use at this time.**

Street Love, Food Love, KW Is Awesome...

I was already a blog post behind before last night came along. Now after the events of last night and today... this might be a long one.

Tuesday night, I was out with my street ministry team and a man named Wally came running up to us. Wally is a long time street person and has a special connection with many members of our team, including me, because he is just so darn sweet and grateful for all the little things. Wally is also a pretty incredible musician.

So anyway, Wally comes running up and he's carrying a large case with him. Our team leader, George, immediately recognizes that it is Wally's accordion that he has finally gotten out of pawn. Wally motions to our little coolers on wheels and asks if we have a spare frame around that he can use to pull his accordion because it is so heavy. Well we don't, but I do have one of those fabric shopping carts from Zehrs and so I tell Wally that after I take the apples out of it, it's all his.

Fast forward 2 hours later and we're just about done for the night. I turn to George and gasp, "my keys were in that cart." Prayers from team members and racing hearts, we head towards downtown to the place that Wally usually sleeps. He's not there. We find some other people who tell us where he may be BUT he might be in something of an awkward/bad situation right now. George and I leave the team and head off. Up a block we see a figure crossing the road, the unmistakable gait of Wally. We break into a run to catch up. Wally sees us and says "YOU! I've got your keys!" Then he took us into a small restaurant/bar and returns my keys that are my entryway into everything I do.

Thank you Wally, for loving me, for being kind and keeping my keys safe.

*******************

Last night was the second pitch meeting for the KW Awesome Foundation. In a nutshell, some generous people pledge $100 each to reward ideas that will make our community more awesome. The winner gets $1000 to put towards their idea and EVERYONE walks away with contacts and ideas on how to make THEIR awesome idea come to life.

I spoke about FoodLove, although saying "spoke" makes it sound like I had an impressive speech that knocked every one's socks off. What actually happened was I showed up with only a giant bag of trail mix bars and FoodLove flyers. My "speaking" was more like barely stumbling through some heartfelt words that only begin to describe how incredibly awesome FoodLove actually is. My legs were shaking uncontrollably, I thought I was gonna puke or pass out and I had tears in my eyes the entire time. If you've seen my earlier post on overcoming my social anxiety you may understand why I was so nervous and scared. This was a huge step for me.

At the end of the night, after some great pitches on a giant watergun fight, rockets, needlework, neighborhood greening competitions, a young dancers dream of getting to LA to dance and a KW version of Dear Photograph, I won the $1000. I swear it, me, knocky-knees-about-to-barf-cries-all-the-time Melissa won $1000 to help expand my FoodLove program!!! This is AMAZING and WONDERFUL and AWESOME! I received so many kind words of support, hugs and MANY MANY offers to bake for the upcoming Aug 21 FoodLove hospital trip.

I am WAY beyond grateful and humbled that so many people believe that what I do is a great enough idea that they want to be a part of it. I am so thankful that there are folks out there who are willing to part with their hard earned money to make things like FoodLove and bubble fights and dancing dreams come true. The trustees of the KW Awesome Foundation are truly amazing people.

I received over 75 messages of support through Twitter, a bunch of phone calls and so many emails I've barely begun to wade through them. One such email has offered me, "a 1 year membership to Toastmasters, to be mentored by professional speakers, to learn how to speak in front of a crowd because I recognize that you have an amazing way with words and a very big and genuine heart that needs to be shared with the world." I don't know if I feel the same way but thank you, email writer, for loving and believing in a girl that you've never met; YOU are what makes KW so awesome.