“You and yours have been so much help. Thank you for the love you have shown my family. You have truly shown me we do matter.” — thank-you note from parent of My Birthday Matters recipient
Greetings, all.
As we say goodbye to 2017, we at Simple Needs GA just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for all of your help over the past year.
There were too many highlights to mention in a single email, but the common denominator of all of them could be summed up in one word: people.
We truly are a community-based organization, with volunteers and clients of all ages and from all walks of life. Human connection—through social media, volunteer days and donation drives, churches, businesses, families and more—continues to fuel our growth and development as an organization.
This past year, our My Birthday Matters program helped 213 children, increasing from 139 in 2016. Our Simple Household Needs program brought furniture and household items to 110 families (up from 66 in 2016) with the help of tremendously dedicated volunteers and corporate partner Two Men and a Truck. Our Spirit of Christmas program was an amazing success: Volunteers and donors came together to give $100 in requested gifts to 155 children in 58 families, all of whom also received extras like puzzles, board games and hats, gloves and scarves; parent(s) also received at least one $25 Walmart card. Special thanks to George McKeehan, Fire Training Commander for the Marietta Fire Department, and his “elf” Jessica for delivering gifts to some of the families! The kids were thrilled! (see photo)
None of our clients’ smiles would be possible without our wonderful donors, volunteers and supporters. Even a small donation or a few hours of your time go a long way in relieving some of the stress our families go through at difficult times in their lives.
We know this is true because they tell us so in such heartfelt ways. Take this text we recently received from a mom whose children received Christmas presents:
“I’m getting ready for bed. I got down on my knees and prayed. I thanked God for you and Paul, and your mission spirit. I thanked Him for all of you guys and your effort to help. God bless. Thank you. I cried for a while, both happy and sad tears. If you ever doubt for one second, just remember that you changed someone’s life today. I will always remember that and be extremely thankful and grateful.”
Have a Happy New Year full of Peace, Love and Joy.
Simple Needs GA 