Giving Season

At the beginning of  December, we welcomed a new member, Julie, to our group.  Like the rest, she will soon be rolling up her sleeves and getting busy given to our communities.
At our general membership meeting, women brought in last minute items to warm those among us that are cold and later this month, Colleen with her helpers will go around to collect hats, mittens, gloves and scarves hanging on Christmas trees set up earlier in the month that have been donated from various sources.  One senior woman, from an assisted living facility, knitted 90 hats.  Wow!
Together we know that we are making a difference.  It feels good.

Mittens for Cold Hands

While preparation for our biggest fund raiser, The Elf Shelf Arts and Crafts Show are peaking, the knitters kept knitting. It's very likely that they will be knitting right through Elf Shelf and the upcoming holidays. Once you pick up knitting needles, it's hard to put them down.  Some of us claim that they put us in a zen state.

Knitting mittens is new for some of the TWA knitters and we are all learning much.  Our group has perfected washclothes for soldiers, moving along with chemo caps, and now adding mittens for cold hands to our menu of available items. 

Supporting Project Linus

Kathy and Parivash

TWA has supported Project Linus for the last few years.  As of this year, all 50 states have adopted and carry out the mission of making and distributing blankets to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Allyson who heads up the Troy chapter told us today that the blanket we were making—twenty-five were requested by Beaumont neonatal unit and one hundred were going to the Red Cross.

Representing the Troy Women's Association, Kathy, Parivash, Elizabeth, and Edith along with three granddaughters, all left with a fuller heart. We are reminded that those that give, benefit as much.  Each member donated material and bias tape, and a full bag of washed flannel was delivered, compliments of TWA.

From Camp Casey Wranglers

This email comes from the Camp Casey crew.

Hi Edith and Nancie,

I am just overwhelmed with gratitude to you and the entire TWA group.  What you continue to do for us is just beautiful and I want you to know just how much it means to us.  To think that a presentation to your group years ago would lead to a lasting friendship is such a wonderful thing.  

The event was a true testament to the terrific people that surround Camp Casey and believe in what we do.  I'm happy to report that, while we did not profit from the event, we didn't lose money either.  It was officially the first "flop" fund raiser we've ever had and I'd say that's pretty good considering that we've been around for almost eight years.  Plus, as a riding program, it's about time we're able to use the phrase "get back on the horse."

The day was a true display of how many people love and believe in us.  The people, like you, who were there-- volunteering, vending and just supporting us couldn't have been more wonderful.  We have the most dedicated volunteers, families and supporters and I'd say that means we're doing something right.  It was a true learning experience and I firmly believe that it can only be considered a failure if we don't learn from it.

We are getting busy writing our notes of thanks to everyone, but I wanted to take a second to send out an instant note of gratitude to you and the women of TWA-- who have rallied behind us for years and have been true friends to us.  If you don't mind, please forward this along to the women of the group so they know just how much we love TWA.

I am beyond touched by your continued encouragement and support.  Thank you so much.

In health and horses,

Molly, Lauren, Danielle and all the wranglers of Camp Casey

Camp Casey, Chili Cook-Out

Hannah pulling out chairs.

Supporting one of our projects, Camp Casey, today, four TWA ladies braved the elements. At eight in the morning, ignoring the strong winds and cold temperatures, Hannah and Edith dragged tables, chairs, and setup boxes between Troy Avenue and Nine Mile in Ferndale. Challenged by flapping tents slapping them around they mustered enough energy to complete the job and set up strings of lights in several young beech trees. Carol H. took over at eleven, made a quick detour to a nearby store for mittens, and spent the next five hours overseeing the entrance tent. Nancy D., a full-fledged supporter of this organization, remained there to the end, ten p.m.

It was an all-out effort with arts and crafts vendors and live music headlined by Josh Gracin, a country music artis who was the fourth place finalist during the 2003 season of America Idol. Although the weather didn't cooperate and attendance was disappointing, good spirits abounded.

Just as the group at Camp Casey continues to help kids conquer cancer one “Neigh” at a time, we look forward to supporting future events for Camp Casey.

Find out more about Camp Casey at http://camp-casey.org/

Video Tech & Anti Bullying

April 2011 - present


Each year we select a project that benefits the Middle School Community in Troy. This year we worked with Boulan Middle School and their Video Tech class and helped them get some new equipment they needed to keep current with the ever evolving field of technology. When we selected this project, we had no idea what the potential impact on the student community would be. I couldn't be more proud to be affiliated with this project and the great things that have already come from it.


Mr. Williams selected four Kodak Play Sport HD cameras for his classes to use. He reported back to us the following update:

"The Video Technology class at Boulan Park Middle School used the cameras to create many types of videos which were then edited on Apple Macintosh computers using iMovie '09 software. Our focus last year, which will be enhanced this year, was to create projects highlighting how students are being bullied in schools and what behaviors we can use to stop this type of activity. Students designed scripts and stories which demonstrated how damaging this type of behavior can be to their classmates and how we can all help each other to prevent this from happening. Small group of students (4 or 5) then taped the stories using the Kodak cameras. I believe this was a very successful project and classes were very enthusiastic!"

Each year many project ideas are submitted and as a committee we select the one we feel will do the most good for the most students in our community. Mr. Williams and his class are a perfect example of how our partnership with the Troy Schools works!

Haven Breakfast

This morning, Carole P. and Edith attended a breakfast fundraiser for Haven at the Townsend in Birmingham.  In 1977, it was the first and only sexual assault counseling center in Oakland County.Two years later it broadened its services to include domestic violence. This morning, Dr. Frank McGeorge from Henry Ford Hospital spoke of the need to support victims and to speak out about the seriousness of domestic violence to family, friends, and colleagues. Beth Morrison, President and CEO of Haven, told us of seeing her mother beaten again and again. But the most moving moments came when Julie and Chris shared personal experiences and how they ended up in the program.

Yes, Carole P. cried and Edith knowing she had not brought a kleenex kept swallowing hard.

Our organization continues to support Haven and looks to find additional ways to help, especially now that the economy is struggling and harder for Haven to raise money.

Learn more about Haven at www.haven-oakland.org.

Bringing Comfort to Others

 Over the summer, knitters in our group continued knitting.  This year, we sent ninety knitted wash clothes to our servicemen in Afghanistan along with a letter thanking them for all they do.
When we got together this month, we brought knitted hats we are donating to Beaumont Hospital for use in their cancer treatment recovery room.  Here is the address to one of the patterns we used, Lace-Edged Women's Hat. www.headhuggers.org /patterns/kpatt18.htm.  On our agenda for the next few months, beside continuing the above projects, we are knitting mittens for children and hammocks for kittens at a local pet shelter.

Troy Women's Association Board for 2011-2012

June of each year, to celebrate the year ending, we come together and swear in TWA's new Board.  This social activity blended with business, has a feeling of finishing while at the same time beginning.  Our work and friendship, every year a new link, has 42 loops, each representing one more year for the organization.

Near forty projects were completed and we know that children and seniors, and many in between, benefited from our work.  See troywomensassociation.org /projects.html Margaret Mead was so right when she said that a committed group of people could change the world. We are doing our part to change the world for the better.

No Kill Rescue

Kitten in a hammock

Today, Donna and Edith headed south to Madison Heights to visit the Animal Welfare Society with a check for $250.  This organization started almost thirty years ago in a house of a person who loved animals and felt a deep responsibility to house them, care them to health, and give them up for adoption. 
Through the years, with donations from the public, five years ago, they moved to their own headquarters on John R.

Playroom for cats and kittens

Unlike the Humane Society, Animal Welfare Society never euthanizes a cat or a dog.  An un-adoptable cat will spend its life in a large playroom with its own kind.  The doggies are not that lucky.  They stay in cages.
Every Saturday from noon to three, dogs in foster homes (waiting to be adopted) are on display.

Animal Welfare Society
27796 John R. Road
Madison Heights
Phone: 248.548.1150  
http://www.animalwelfaresociety.net/

Sending Low Income Children to Camp Trotter

Carol, Vickie, Donna (Lukich owner), Mike Kerr, and Edith

Each year, through the efforts of the Troy VFW Post #4037 and the Troy Police Department, children from low income homes get to spend a week at a summer camp in Newaygo in Michigan.  This year, their goal was to send 30 children to camp.  

Last night, seven TWA members had dinner at Lukich Restaurant on Rochester Road that was donating 20% of the meals to help them meet their goal. 

Likewise, we wanted to show our support which came in a check for $500.  Mike Kerr, representing the Troy Police, pictured above, was thrilled to accept and shared with us stories of children who had attended Camp Trotter in previous years. "The children couldn't believe that there was so much food for them every day and that in the morning they could have eggs AND pancakes."  One week of fun; lifetime memories. 

 http://www.vfwmi.org/camptrotter.htm 

 

Hats for Our Soldiers

We, the knitting group, received a military address today so we are mailing out the hats to soldiers this week. Our output is particularly wonderful when you take into account that many of us are beginning knitters, some of us have arthritic fingers, others work all day, and some take care of children from sunrise to sunset. But we know that knitting is good for the soul, and making the world better for others is priceless.  Click, click, we continue knitting.
  

Cleaning Closets

A new project to TWA is the Community Housing Network (CHN) project.  The TWA committee (Jeanette, Karen A., and Diane C.) partnered with CHN to decide how these local non profits can help each other. Our first project was to help fill the 'Cleaning Closet' pantry.  This pantry of items not normally supplied to the clients of CHN include such things as paper goods, personal care items, and household cleaning supplies.  Even though these items are not required to sustain life such as food is, these items often times mean living with dignity or not.

 

The TWA committee worked with several merchants to purchase boxes of items.  Once purchased we loaded the items in the back of two vehicles and delivered them to CHN with the help of CJ Felton, Development Assistant at CHN. 

As social workers make calls on their clients they will take them an additional care package of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, household cleaning supplies, and paper goods from the 'Cleaning Closet'.

CHN provides affordable housing to those with disabilities or those who on the verge of becoming homeless.  Their annual fund raiser, Raise the Roof for affordable housing is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2011 at the Royal Park Place in Rochester.

www.communityhousingnetwork.org

Diane Claeys

Knitted in Appreciation

Mount Washcloths

Knitters among the Troy Women's Association have started a new project, knitting. After less than five months, we have knitted one hundred washcloths for our soldiers in the middle east. Well, our Mary took care of 80, the rest of us awarded her with great praise as we looked at our less robust pile. We learned from warmthforwarriers.com that soldiers take the washcloths, wet them down and use them under their helmets. After contacting an officer from the 35^th Infantry Regiment recently deployed to Afghanistan, our mountain of work is on it's way—as our expression of appreciation.

Supporting Project Linus

Nine blanketeers and two granddaughters spent the early part of the day helping sew blankets to comfort children who are ill, traumatized, or in need of comfort.

We brought $400 of flannel with monkey, rainbows, Disney patterns in colors of the rainbow.  Jan, Carol R., Vickie and Edith brought sewing machines. Kathy, Carole P., Joe, and Carol H. brought irons and ironing boards and Stephanie organized all of us. 

It was a day well spent and left all of us with more memories to look back and smile at.  Jan and the vibrating table. Jo spraying Edith's glasses with water mist.  The granddaughters, predictably, forgetting all about their work when a dog got into the building then chasing him exclaiming ahhhah oohhh. 

More importantly and of course the reason we were there, was to make a contribution to children near and far.  Project Linus started not that far, about 13oo miles from Michigan, in Denver. The following is their story.

On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child. She had been going through intensive chemotherapy and stated that her security blanket helped her get through the treatments. After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide homemade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.

TWA Birthday Dinner

Thanks to the committee for all their great work putting together another lovely event. Glad to see so many faces at Picano's last night. If you have pictures from the event you would like to share, please get them to either Elizabeth Gramer or Kim Kane so they can be included in future albums.

Living On My Own

It's how we take care of those who need us that speaks volumes.  TWA members work hard to raise money that we send back into the community.  This year, we sent $100 to an organization we'd just learned about.  March 13, they are having a family bowling event to raise money and you can bet that some of the TWA women will be there with their talent or lack of.

On My Own supports adults with mild developmental disabilities so they can live and work in the community by building a network of support. Learn more about it.

 http://onmyownofmi.org/

Live Without Fear

Haven's (Oakland County, Michigan) motto, Live Without Fear.  Haven has been a long standing TWA project.  We support the organization with hands-on, cleaning toys at there counseling center, and with monetary gifts. We also work at their annual Gift Giveaway where unwrapped gifts are sorted and displayed for families in the Haven program can come and do their holiday shopping. 

Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics

In 2010, Special Olympic Director, Jerry Daunt was pleased that 27 people showed up for his fund raiser the Polar Plunge. This month, 165 people dressed as superheroes, wearing spandex tuxedo and of course a few dressed up as polar bears came and took the plunge.  The Troy Women's Association members were not among the 165, but for the fifth year we donated $100 and sent warm thoughts to all those wonderful people.

Special Olympics in Area 13, serves around 1,000 athletes in Genesee and Lapeer counties.  Read their press release of February 11, 2011. 

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/02/polar_plunge_in_fenton_helps_r.html

Troy Special Education Teachers

This month, six special education teachers received funding to purchase equipment or pay for experiences for their students.

Marni received $228 to purchase six Franklin Children's Talking Dictionary and Spell Correctors.

Kathy received $230 to purchase A-Z reading classroom library and add math manipulative material for her autistic students.

Sara, who also works with autistic students, wanted to purchase a sensory rocker chair. She wrote, "... children with autism cannot tolerate sounds or hugs, while another tunes out those sounds and craves deep pressure hugs." The rocking chair would serve some of her students well.  We provided the $445 for her classroom to support the children. 

Tonia's class wanted to take a field trip to Kroger to purchase items for a cooking activity and the bus and their purchases added up to $250, which we gladly provided.

Marisa works with students who struggle in reading and she was thrilled to get the $265 for six CD players for the children to listen to and follow along in their books.

Michelle was able to purchase the Raz Rocket license, a reading program, for her class for $160.

Janice, receiving her third grant from our organization, used her grant money, $224 for hand and finger strengthening activity material.