“My two oldest ones haven’t really had a birthday party since they were babies. And my 8-year-old has only had one real birthday party when she was 5 years old. I stopped celebrating my birthday almost 13 years ago.”
This heartbreaking comment came from one of Simple Needs GA’s furniture clients, a mom with a boy and two girls. Can you imagine being in such financial need? One of our board members doesn’t have to: She grew up poor and often had to watch her birthday come and go without any recognition from her family. But something great came out of that tough experience: Her idea for SNGA’s now-thriving My Birthday Matters program. We’re so happy to be able to provide birthday presents and other useful items to hundreds of children, including those in the family described above. “We have done more than 150 birthdays so far this year,” noted SNGA Founder Brenda Rhodes. “The total for all of 2016 was 139, so MBM is growing nicely.”
Meanwhile, our furniture program has nearly doubled: We helped 66 families throughout all of 2016. “So far in 2017, we have helped 105,” Brenda said, “and we still have a couple of months left!
Your generous donations and volunteering make it possible. Thanks so much for your help of people in need!
UPCOMING DONATION DRIVES!
Our next monthly Donation Drive is Sat., October 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please consider bringing some donations (see below for needed items) to our Marietta warehouse. And even if you aren’t able to bring any this month, feel free to stop by for a tour. We find that those who come by understand our programs better and often have “ah ha” moments on items they can donate.
If you can’t make it on the 21st, don’t forget that we have added a Donation Drive (same time and location) on the first Saturday of every month as well. The next Donation Drive dates are Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 16. Mark your calendar!
Right now we’re running low on furniture and some household items for families coming out of homelessness. We need to restock gently used (no major damage, no stains) mattresses, box springs and frames of all sizes; dressers/chests of drawers; table and chair sets (or just tables if no chairs); couches and love seats; recliners; nightstands; end tables; coffee tables; small desks; bookshelves; TVs (tube or flat screen); TV stands; small entertainment centers; washers and electric dryers (prefer no front loaders); microwaves; and DVD players. We are also accepting gently used kids’ clothing for winter and summer.
Please send photos to Brenda@simpleneedsga.org if you have larger items to donate; we will arrange for you to drop off or a pick up. For a full list of items that our clients need, please click here.
Birthday and other needs are posted on our SignUpGenius. Thank you for your support!
WE STRUCK OUT ON BOWLING. SORRY!
We had previously announced a bowling event on Oct. 22 at AMF Marietta Lanes. Unfortunately, some unforeseen circumstances intervened and we have been forced to postpone the event. If you happen to know of anyone who was planning to attend but may not have received notice about the cancellation, please notify that person for us! Stay tuned for the reschedule! We apologize for any inconvenience.
GREAT HANDS ON ATLANTA DAY!
Thanks so much to the awesome volunteers (a total of 59 adults and 31 kids!) [pictured] who helped out at our Marietta warehouse of Oct. 7 for Hands on Atlanta Day. We had a great turnout of SNGA regulars and board members, as well as Hands on Atlanta team leads, volunteers and friends. HOA board members Grant Givens and Kenneth Jones also came to the warehouse for HOA Day and were a huge help!
Most of these generous folks hailed from either First Data or UCB—two companies that have been big supporters of Simple Needs GA. Throughout the day, the volunteers tackled a host of projects. They put together Comfort Kits, assembled chests of drawers, sorted new books and other donations, wrapped birthday gifts and made no-sew blankets, to name only a few. The action was nonstop!
They even sent us some nice notes after the event:
“Thank you again for organizing a great day of service – I really enjoyed getting to know Simple Needs GA and look forward to finding additional opportunities for us to support you again in the future.” – Ally, UCB
“Everyone was very complimentary of the projects that they assisted with and all of the wonderful work that your organization does! So glad that we could partner with your team again!” –Susan, First Data
“We were thrilled to have UCB and First Data help us out once again!” said SNGA Founder Brenda Rhodes. “Great folks who were willing to jump in and help with anything. We cannot thank them enough.”
IT’S DIAPER DAY!
Diapers are a burdensome cost for many families in need. One way you can help is by taking part in Diaper Day in Cobb County: On Oct. 23rd, the Diaper Day Committee will once again collect diapers at Glover Park on the Marietta Square for distribution to area non-profits (including Simple Needs GA). Please consider joining us between 4 and 5:30 p.m. If you don’t have time to hang with us in the Park, volunteers can get the diapers from you in your car! Quick and easy!
‘SIPPING, STYLING—AND SNGA’
We wanted to thank Erin Clarke and Meredith Seelos for their great event ‘Sipping, Styling, and Beauty’ on Oct. 10 at Erin’s home in northwest Marietta. The event raised money for SNGA’s Spirit of Christmas program to purchase Christmas gifts for children in Cobb. “I have a brand-new line of handmade, fair-trade ornaments and gifts,” Erin explained. “By creating a marketplace for these unique pieces, we are empowering mamas globally and providing them a source of income so they can care for their children.” For her part, Meredith Seelos was on hand to share her mission of safer and healthier beauty products by Beauty Counter. For more info about what Erin and Meredith are doing, visit www.beautycounter.com/meredithseelos and/or bit.ly/givenoonday.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP SNGA
Donate online here. Donations can be sent to Simple Needs GA, Inc., P.O. Box 670265, Marietta, GA 30066.
To volunteer as an individual, company, church or other organization, contact us at info@simpleneedsga.org. Visit our volunteer page for more info.
smile.amazon.com is a great way to support SNGA. Just sign up for the program and choose Simple Needs GA from the list. After that, AmazonSmile will donate to SNGA each time you make a purchase! Just remember to go to the smile.amazon.com portal before you do your shopping!
Check out how you can support us in similar fashion by signing up for Kroger Community Rewards!
Simple Needs GA 