Today was living the dream, chills on your arms type of experience for me.
Today’s story is a long one
I knew I would be part of a lot of amazing things joining Almost Home. But today was a day I will not soon forget. Today was living the dream, chills on your arms type of experience for me.
This #31DaysOfGiving initiative was my sort of my baby. You were all so patient as I coordinated the details as I went. December was crazy for my family, with my wife and stepson both contracting Covid19. I tried to hold a lot of plates in the air all month, and I wasn’t sure how this one would turn out if I’m being honest. But I shouldn’t of been surprised, not by this community. Not by these supporters. I was floored by the participation all month, and I still am!
This really was a very successful goods-raiser for our organization. If there isn’t enough proof of how much these baskets are needed, Sarah gave away 7 of them already this week. They went to a couple new families, current AH friends, and even a close friend of AH who needed a bit of support. And we were able to support all of them in their time of need, all because of all of you.
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate everyones participation, sharing, commenting and support.
And my helpers…what more can I say than, God Bless You!!! Loretta and Sandy, you earned every ounce of extra TLC you can give your knees and your back tonight.
These ladies helped me unload baskets from cars, and carry each up a flight of stairs into the building and then down a flight of stairs to the basement. And they did it with stamina, speed, and smiles, every time. Even when we all needed to pull down our masks and gasp for air.
How many times you ask? I am not actually certain but it feels like 312 times, give or take 100.
I just know it was a lot.
Because guess how many baskets were dropped off today?!?
38!!!!!!
And tomorrow is another drop off day! And I will remember to include humans in my photos tomorrow.
Now here is where things are coming full circle for me. In these 38 baskets dropped off today, 25 of them are from a collaboration of multiple social clubs at Alan B Shepard High School. My alma mater; and where my stepson went to high school .
Three, likely very exhausted faculty members, delivered 25 baskets, in 3 separate cars. Arriving like a caravan of love, heading to us after their long day, instead of to their homes. And they even helped us unload them and bring them inside.
Side note: if you put together a basket, you know how heavy these baskets are!! So you understand what a feat this was. Get you some Teacher friends, they always come through!!
Last month, one of these teachers brought some of her students to Stone Soup Kitchen to cook food, and I couldn’t be there. I was super bummed when I learned I had missed the chance to be a part of dinner service with fellow Astros. The counselors and teachers at my high school are some of the reasons I am alive today. I did not much enjoy my peers, teens can be cruel. But the staff and faculty ALL went above and beyond for me, every time I needed it. Those were the first adults in my life that I felt really saw me. Any of the sadness lingering for not getting to partake in their volunteer shift, all went away today.
20 years ago I belonged to President’s Club at Shepard High School. You belonged to that club for being President of any other social club at the school.
And now, 20 years later…here I am, the Board President of an organization partnering with the school where I first started dreaming big.
When one of the Teachers was carrying in one of the last baskets, we all agreed “Shepard understood the assignment.”
Indeed, they did. Again.
So many students, parents, staff, old friends of Almost Home, new friends of Almost Home, and more to thank.
Being a part of an organization that is doing the kind of work we do, making the impact we are making, in our own communities…is what it is all about for me. Here, doing amazing things with amazing humans; for no reason other than, it is what the world needs more of.
Why?
#BecauseEveryoneNeedsHelpSometimes
Thank you to everyone. If you dropped off baskets please reply to this survey. I want to ensure you each feel appreciated, because we most certainly appreciate you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VTSHZ6C
Also, thank you to Sarah and the Board for supporting me on this initiative.
LOVE and Light,
Mel Tillman
Board President of Almost Home Chicago