Operation Vanessa: Clearing out

I got a call earlier this afternoon from Renee Featherston asking if I still had adult clothes left from Operation Vanessa in the dining room. Oh yes - yes - we still have adult clothes. Maybe even a few children's clothes too. Plenty of clothes left over.

Distribution centers will no longer take the clothes and most people seem rather disinterested when I tell them I have donated clothes if they need something. The problem with going door-to-door (trailer-to-trailer) to distribute clothes should be obvious too: Everyone doesn't wear the same size... AND people have particular likes and dislikes when it comes to style. As a result, it can be very hard to match people in need to donated clothes.

I was quite happy when Renee said she was going to lead Pat and Jean Chandler over to pick up some clothes... And even happier when they got here and told me they planned on spreading them around to their neighbors and relatives -- they knew plenty of people who could use them. Besides, I really enjoyed our visit and hope I'll get a chance to have some coffee with these ladies one day soon. Even with all of their own problems -- and they have some truly heart-breaking problems -- they are still thinking about those around them who need help. Remarkable women.

The last of the substance of the Operation Vanessa donations we had moved here to our home in Pascagoula is gone now. We have only a handful of items -- most of which have been earmarked for those who have requested them... and a few which we are planning to bring to a local church office which has tentatively agreed to distribute them as long as we promise we won't back a truck up to the office and dump a mountain of clothes on them. :)

As this phase of our volunteer work for Operation Vanessa winds down, I would like to once again thank Mary Gray & Minnesota Helpers for allowing us to be a part of their efforts here in South Mississippi... and for spreading smiles to so many folks. Much love & God bless. Let me know when you'll need us next. :)