TWA partners with Common Ground - Next Steps

The Troy Women's Association supported Common Ground's Recovery Conference held in April by collecting gently worn shoes at our general meeting.  These shoes were used by Common Ground clients to create artistic expressions of their journey and 'next steps' in living with mental health disorders.   

Some of the people who designed shoes choose not to take them when they left and we took those shoes to Lansing and displayed them in a day at the state capitol to help eliminate stigma among mental health clients. It has been a powerful experience.

Common Ground will be using a similar therapy at their November 17, 2012 conference and TWA will be collecting more shoes ~ if you have some you'd like to donate as well, let us know.

 

MOMMS update

On Sunday May 6, members Kathi F and Carole P attended the Care Packaging Party sponsored by the Moms of Michigan Military and Supporters (MOMMS) at the Lenox Fire Department in New Haven.


They delivered wish list items generously donated by TWA Members, joined other volunteers to unpack and sort items to be packaged and then helped fill 200 flat-rate boxes which will be mailed out this week.

MOMMS is a support group which sends care packages to deployed members of all branches of the service. These are not just their family members but also names that been entrusted to their care, to send a package “like their own mom would send”. They provide a much needed lift in the Troops morale by sending them a box filled with the message that they have not been forgotten by those back at home in the United States of America.

Support the Troops - You can help too!

The Support the Troops committee has decided to give part of their budget to the Moms of Michigan Military and Supporters group for their upcoming Care Packaging event to take place on Sunday, May 6th at 1pm at the Lenox Fire Department in New Haven, all are welcome to attend the “Packing Party”

Our monetary donation will help defray the cost of postage.

Also, if you would like to donate items for overseas troops, their wish list is below. Please bring items to the TWA May 1st meeting or contact a TWA member.


FOOD & FOOD RELATED ITEMS
Ready To Eat Tuna, Chicken packets and Salad kits.
Non-Perishable breakfast-type foods and drinks.
Canned ready to open soups, chicken, beef, etc. (NO PORK PRODUCTS!)
Fast Food Hot Sauce Packets
Individual packets of Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, peanuts, pretzels, cookies, sunflower seeds, canned nuts, canned chips or potato sticks, cereal bars, granola bars, energy bars
Pre-sweetened powdered drinks, Kool-Aid, Gatorade, etc..
Single wrapped snacks, brownies, cakes - no icing.
Packs of candy, gum, etc.. things that do not melt.

PERSONAL ITEMS & HYGIENE ITEMS
(Non-Scented Items are Best!)
Antibacterial wipes
Lotion
Sunscreen
Toothpaste, toothbrushes & dental floss
Deodorant
Soap – bar & liquid
Shampoo & Conditioner
Tissues
Gold Bond powder
Eye drops (cleaning kind-in plastic bag)
Chapstick / Lip Balm
Q-Tips
Nail Clippers
Disposable Shaving Razors, shaving crème (non-aerosol)
Toilet Paper
Flip Flops/Shower Shoes
Athlete’s Foot Crème
Feminine Products (there are women serving)

ENTERTAINMENT

Handheld electronic games
Puzzle, Word Game & Crossword books
Beanie Babies for the soldiers to give to kids
Magazines, local papers, comics, paperbacks - mystery, action, drama, science fiction
Games: Chess, Checkers, Dominoes, Parcheesi, Yahtzee, Uno, Cribbage, Puzzles, Playing Cards
Baseballs, footballs, Frisbees, Nerf type toys
Disposable Cameras

MISCELLANEOUS
Holiday decorations
Paper, envelopes, pens, greeting cards.. birthday & holidays for wives, husbands, moms, dads, blank generic cards too!!
Film (35 mm)
Paper Towels, Windex Pre-Moistened Packs, Laundry Detergent (travel size-powder or cubes (no liquid)
Duct tape, Ziploc bags
Clothespins & Clothesline
Battery Operated Fans, Misty Mates
AT&T International Pre-Paid Phone Card

PROHIBITED ITEMS
Illegal substances, Alcoholic beverages, Explosives, including fireworks. Offensive or obscene materials, including photos, drawings or any other material which may offend members of the opposite sex, members of another race, background, nationality or ethnicity, religion, or who are conservative or modest. Any food items containing pork.

In Appreciation

For years, Steve from the Boys and Girls Club of Troy, has been a big help at our big fund raiser, the Elf Shelf. Every year, Saturday after Thanksgiving, well before sunrise, he was in the parking lot directing traffic. It didn't matter if it was snowing, freezing rain, frustrated crafters, we could count on him to handle it.  So, when the day of his retirement party came, we along with eighty other people, our previous mayor, and John Pappageorge, a few of the TWA ladies attended.  Ann, Marilyn, Nancie, and Edith came to let him know that his efforts over these years was indeed appreciated.  TWA wishes Steve all the best in the next phase of his life.

Saturday in March, it must be Project Linus

Project Linus states as their mission "to provide love, a  sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer 'blanketeers.'”

This year, there were plenty of TWA blanketeers.  Carol H., Carol R., Edith, Elizabeth, Hannah, Julie, Kathy M. Kathi, Mary,  Parivash, and Vickie came to help.  Then we had four volunteers in training, granddaughters.

Vickie spearheaded material purchase. Kathy M. found time to work in pattern selection for an afghan project the knitting group is working on. We had helpers at the sewing stations, ironing tables, label, pinning and camera people.  On this day, as committed citizens, we brought comfort to babies and children at shelters, hospitals, and other non profits that are in the business of helping children.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead 
 

The Greatest of nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

This year the TWA animal committee (Arlene, Nancy,Kathi,Parivash, Jan and Karen) is focusing their effort on dog and cat rescue. They selected Michigan Animal Rescue League, a no-kill shelter located in Pontiac and TigerLily Cat Rescue located in Sterling Hts.

The two non-profit organizations have requested the following:

Michigan Animal Rescue League: RED LETTER ITEMS: These are the most immediate needs.

Cat and dog food- wet and dry, Cleaning supplies : bleach, detergent, mops, paper towels, etc.

Also needed—Kitty litter, small beds, choke chains and collars in all sizes, small live traps, dog and cat toys, plastic dog houses, blankets and towels, dog biscuits, Pet Supply Plus, PetSmart and Petco gift cards, Staples gift cards.

Tigerlily Cat Rescue requests cat items above and in addition they request things like carpet squares for cages and office supplies.

They will be collecting items and delivering them in the near future.  Another post will follow. 

Knitting Group Continues to Give

The knitting group got together and discussed plans for remainder of this year.

Our Mary is a prolific knitter of wash cloths. Kathi continued to teach and share  ideas and information. She continues to make beautiful chemo caps. Our hostess remembered to get us treats to feast on and next time will remember to get yarn  Arlene  showed us how to make beautiful multi-colored scarves. Carole B. and Kathy M. work at keeping us going, reviewing what we've done and where to go.  Edith throws out new ideas on top of new ideas making all of us want to eat more of the treats offered.

As always, good humor and friendship prevailed. We are continuing with mittens for our 2012 Mitten Tree. We will find out if our service men are still in need of wash clothes, and continue with chemo caps for Beaumont Hospital. Also, we have decided on a secret plan that will benefit many and surprise even more—yes, it involves knitting.  To find out, you will have to join us.