Good Samaritan NewsGood Samaritan Family ServicesServing the Lord by reaching out to those in need Winter 2011

A quarterly publication of Good Samaritan Family Services, which serves needy families in Antrim and Charlevoix Counties.

MoMs & tots center news

Carole Broadwick, Director

Being the Director of the Moms & Tots Center can be discouraging at times. We wonder—are we re-ally making a difference in our little family’s lives? There are some really heart-breaking things happening in their lives. We listen to them, we offer helps and encouragements, we pray for them, and we carry their burdens in our hearts as we head home at the end of the day. When we waken at night, we hold them up in our prayers.

Our mothers really ap-preciate the ways we help them. I wish you could see their faces so you could know how much you help them. Their expres-sions of thanks go a long way to lift our spirits. This is a note that I received from one of our moms just recently.

I just want you to know that you are a vital part of our ministry. You are the ones who support the center, you are the ones who pray for us, you are the ones who encourage our hearts to keep going. You are “stake-hold-ers”. Just like Moses in the Bible had to have help to hold his arms up so the Isra-elites would continue to win

From the Directorthe battle before them, we need your helps. Only God through the work of His Spirit can work real changes in ours and our client’s lives. We thank God for you. I know that your “helps” please the Lord. Acts 10:4 says “Your prayers and your deeds of charity have gone up to Heaven and are remem-bered before God”.

2 Good Samaritan News Winter 2011

Gifts Given in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One

Baby Bottle BoomerangsThe Student Council of Ellsworth

Schools hosted a Baby Bottle Boomer-ang this past year. It was at Christmas time when family dollars are stretched already. These kids filled their baby bottles and raised $615.00 for the center! I was just blown away by their generosity. They also donated baby food and books. Our hats are off to them.

The BBB is a simple way for civic groups, churches and schools to help to provide funds needed to help our young mothers and their babies. Last year twelve such organizations raised about 15% of our annual budget. If your group would like more informa-tion about this opportunity just call 588-2200.

Left to right....back row Jessica Pletcher (advisor), Denisha Williams, Kendra Warner, Katy Lambert, Chance Randall. Center row, Collin Randall, Zach Wynkoop, Leah Swen-son, Miranda Vandenbrook, Kim Hoeksema, Front Row, Vanessa Cebulski, Truman Neer, Marnie Thorman, and Lindsey Fisher, Not pictured...Lexi Lambert

Honorees GifterKietha Churchill Hedgecoth Pat HedgecothMason Seese Joe & Tammy SeeseMyah Joy Seese Wyatt SeeseAll my Children Lillian SitzemaAnna Smith Michael & Lynda ConantBoddy Mailloux Whitley Garrett Seese

MemorialsJo & Sarah Barraw Keith & Bev MortAgnes Daniels Dave & Gail DanielsGary Drenth Jack & Eileen DanbertEugene Jabkowski The Dimario FamilyArt & Gladys Mort Keith & Bev MortSavanah Olstrom Bob & Tracie & Taryn RozemaAnn Patrell Her daughter Lynne MurphyMarian Sterner Bible Baptist of Central Lake QuiltersEdith Tjepkema Stewart & Carolyn BryceBetty Willyerd Dave & Gail DanielsAlice Willson Stewart & Carolyn BryceAlice Willson Central Lake Armor Express

center needsDiapers - Newborn to 5WipesPull-ups - 2T to 3T, girls and boysOnesiesBaby bottles - all sizesBaby food - stage 2

Visit our new & Improved website!www.thegoodsam.org

It is now possible to make a donation to Good Samaritan on our website.Click on “Donate” tab. Major credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Check it out!

Winter 2011 Good Samaritan News 3

(definition of stake holder - a person or group that has an investment, share, or interest in the Moms & Tots Center ministry.)

We have ministered in our new building for more than a year now. Thanks to you, we are debt free. It is such a lovely inviting place. Our clients love to come and spend time there relaxing and enjoying some “adult” conversation.

We continue to serve our mothers and their children with the same love, respect and kindness they so long for. Our numbers grow each year, presently hovering around 400 families.

Our monthly givers and “unexpected” givers provide the remainder of our financial needs. As long as God wants the center to continue, He will send us good stewards of “the cattle on a thousand hills”.

Ladies you are cordially invited to

The Ladies Spring Brunch

Wednesday, April 27th at 10:00 AMAt Banks Township Hall

It is a morning you won’t want to missFine food, Fun, Pretty Tables,

Good Girly Conversation, Music, and TestimoniesThe meal is complementary.

There will be a giving opportunity.Adults only please.

Mark your calendar today!

2010 Annual “Stake-Holders” Report

LastYear’sStatistics:1,135 client visits 24 pregnancy tests104 new clients 105 Earn While You Learn clients (cribs, car seats, large equipment items) 50 new babies 2 active mentors in Adopt a Mom Program

AnnualOperatingbudget $48,000.00

IncomeLadies Spring Brunch 2,535.00Baby Bottle Boomerangs $7,541.00Fall Banquet $16,566.00Oleson Foundation Grant $5,000.00 to help needy familiesIndividual Donors $17,000Foundation Grants Designated for Non-Budget ItemsOleson Foundation Grant $4,000 for cribs and car seatsCharlevoix County Community Foundation $5,000 for cribs and car seats for Charlevoix County residents

4 Good Samaritan News Winter 2011

Last week a group of 200+ volun-teers finished another successful White Pine Stampede. That makes 35 years of racing through the countryside of northern Michigan. This has only been possible because of the selfless help of these many volunteers. Some have been involved for more than 15 years. That is many hours of organiz-ing, preparing, greeting, and for some standing outside in all kinds of weath-er to support skiers on the course. This is commitment at its finest. This type of support shows that at a time when busyness is the norm, individuals can find precious hours and energy to give to a cause they care about. What do you care about?

The Moms and Tots Center is also operating a race, a race for the lives of young moms and their families. The Moms and Tots Center is entering 10 years of service to our community. To make our Center successful, we depend on our 30 volunteers. We have several ladies who have been involved since the beginning but most hopped on the bandwagon somewhere on the journey. Several just joined our special group of volunteers in January! We are thankful for everyone, but we always need more. Many of our volunteers go through transition periods in their lives – snow birds, health problems, retirement, or family concerns. These changes make scheduling challenging.

Do you care about this ministry and have some time for the Moms and Tots Center? I call it a “Moment for the Master”. What better way to serve Him than be serving others. If 200

volunteers can put on a huge produc-tion like the White Pine Stampede, I know that many of you reading this can find a moment of time to greet a young mom or hold a baby.

At the conclusion of the White Pine Stampede, I am sure the race director and many skiers were grate-ful and appreciative of all the work from the volunteers. These volunteers were rewarded with a feeling of ac-complishment and a pat on the back. Volunteering at the Center will give you the feeling of being involved with something important. Carole or I are always ready to give you a pat on the

back and a hug, of course. More than all of these, however, is that your moment for the Master will

Lorraine Eklund, Volunteer Coordinator

“Moment for the Master”

give eternal rewards and like the ser-vant who wisely invested his masters talents we will hear “Well done, thou good & faithful servant”. Your service will please our Lord Jesus and it is a way to say, “Thanks.”

Lorraine Eklund, Volunteer Coordinator

What do you

care about?

Winter 2011 Good Samaritan News 5

The Spirit of Christmas

Pantry & resale shoP news

Christmas is a magical time of year. The gifts that come pouring into the Good Samaritan are overwhelm-ing. People are so anxious to share the Spirit of Christmas, and wanting to make sure that children enjoy that feeling at least for one day a year. This year, with the help of Toys for Tots, area churches, businesses, orga-nizations and families just like you we were able to provide Christmas cheer for 415 children. We get their wish lists ahead of time and some special elves spend a week trying to fill the lists from a mountain of toys. What a task!! They didn’t wear red hats, but I think I did hear a few “ho!ho!ho!”s.

I’d like to share portions of a letter from one of our families:

“Thank you so much for helping my family for Christmas. I’m so thank-ful my Christmas wishes have been answered. I just wanted the girls to have a Christmas. We weren’t able to have Thanksgiving this year due to the financial struggle. I don’t know how to thank you enough. The girls are go-ing to be more than happy on Christ-mas to see the presents. I told them we weren’t actually going to have presents but I would do special crafts and bake cookies with them. They were happy with that idea, but I’m not sure they fully understood.” She goes on to explain some of the health issues one of her daughters deals with daily, and with her own emotional battles. I don’t want to share all of this with you because I want to protect her privacy. She is young, and struggling, and car-ries so much with her each day, but

she always comes in with a smile! Another letter with words of thanks:“Our family has had an extremely

rough winter and only by the Grace of God and the help from people such as you is the only reason our children have Christmas. We have faced death, cancer, and cold this season, but you gave us something we were lacking,

We have faced death, cancer,

and cold this season, but you

gave us something we were

lacking, faith and hope.

faith and hope. That’s more than anyone has ever done for our fam-ily. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.”

Wow! Sometimes we get more back around here than we are ever able to give!

“Please keep ‘our families’ and our ministry in your prayers with the Lord.”

6 Good Samaritan News Winter 2011

Gifts Given in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One

Each day in our food pantry we see new families. By the eighth day we were open this month we had already served 323 families in our pantry. Could this be a scary month?

Thank you for your generosity, your support, and your prayers. Please continue to ask the Lord to bless our ministry as we meet the folks he sends our way.

Plant-a-RowI know spring is coming! They say you have to endure a

hard winter in order to appreciate spring…I think many of us will really appreciate spring this year! Those of you that are gardeners are probably already mapping out your garden and drooling over the seed catalogs. Fresh produce is one of our favorite things in our pantry. The families love to see fruits and veggies! We do have a walk-in cooler, and by being open 5 days a week, and serving over 600 families a month nothing will go to waste! Please consider planting a row, or two for our pantry.

We have been so blessed by many local folks growing food for our neighbors in need. We also are very thankful to Marker and Kitchen farms for keeping us stocked with potatoes, and Royal Farms, Kings and Friskes Orchards for keeping us supplied with apples.

Honoree Donor Anna Smith the Conant family Happy Birthday to Marv & Char Ron & Gail Taylor Harold & Naomi Kruse the Conant familyJane Grant Carol Smith Jim & Margaret Lacker Rick & Jenny Diebold John Shea & April Lee George & Marion Light Pete & Penny Szafran Kathy Luther Thanksgiving for a healthy new granddaughter Pat Budzynski Mike & Joan Murphy Mike & Mary Ellen Murphy Dick & Bette Smith Tom & Sue Tillotson Personbeingremembered Donor Chancy Farmer Armor ExpressChuck Kolin Peg KolinDoreen Ting Armor ExpressDorothy & Arthur Stoel Paul & Carolyn FosterGary Drenth Bill & Betsy RandallGary Drenth Lodge WorkersGary Drenth Jim & Yvonne MulderJacque Wiltse Class of 1948John Hagaman James & Sue MabeeJohn Straebel his familyMary Szcodronski Karen SzcodronskiRuth & Esther Foster Paul & Carolyn FosterAnna Mae McPherson Lodge D-480

Food Pantry

Winter 2011 Good Samaritan News 7

Our Neighbors in Need

Mary Peterson, Director

Have you tried to call the Good Samaritan and not gotten through? You’re not alone. The phones ring off the hook this time of year, and fami-lies stop in desperately looking for help, a smile, and hope. Most days we get between 20 and 30 calls for help, people desperately searching for help through their crisis. No, we can’t help everyone, but with your help we have kept many families, warm and safe in their homes. I recently got a call from a local hospital, from a man that had been in a very serious car acci-dent, one in which he had lost a loved one. He was ready to be released, but the folks at the hospital didn’t want to send him home because he had no propane…could we help? Another young woman I met with yesterday came looking for help for her mom, she couldn’t afford a prescription. She explained to me through sobs, (hers) and tears (both of ours) that her mom is battling cancer, and the battle plan was grueling. Could we help? A man

came to visit and explained they had been heating with space heaters until they had enough money saved up for propane. Unfortunately their space heaters weren’t positioned in the right places and their pipes froze. He had left work to go home and try to thaw out the pipes before they burst. Could we please help with propane? I talked with a dad that came in to see if we could help them with the expenses of staying 3 nights at a hospitality house associated with a hospital downstate. They had several children, but the only one with him that day was their beautiful bright eyed little girl. They had been at a doctor’s appointment where they had drawn blood and made preparations for upcoming tests. She told me she was scared, and didn’t want to go to another doctor. Her dad was scared too. He was shaken, and worried about his little one. We paid for the nights, gathered food, and a big stuffed animal to take on the trip. Af-ter many hugs they were out the door.

Sometimes we are surprised by the folks that we end up helping without realizing it. Last Friday I came up to a shopper and commented on how much she must be enjoying our sale of the week...seemed like she had been here everyday during the week. She smiled at me and quietly said, “It’s warm in here. My house is very cold. I come here to get warm.” Warmth, smiles, hugs, and hope…not sure how to put a price tag on any of those, but they are some of our best sellers!

Featuring furniture, pictures, lamps, and other household accesso-ries. Located at 6517 Center Street in downtown Ellsworth. Open Tuesday through Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2. Always in need of good, clean, usable furniture. Proceeds to feed folks in need.

Have you checked out` our new Furniture Store?

CHARLEVOIX

EAST JORDAN

CENTRAL LAKE

ELLSWORTH

Atw

ood Rd (C

R 48)

Church St(CR 48)

Essex Rd

ATWOOD Main S

t (CR

65)

Center St

Ellsworth Rd (CR 48)

Lake St

Bridge St

Six Mile Lake Rd

Pleasant H

ill Rd

Rushton R

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Moms & Tots Center

Pantry and Resale Shop

EllsworthLake

St. ClairLake

WoodenShoe Park

Visiting Good Samaritan Family ServicesPantry and Resale Shop 231-588-2208

Moms & Tots Center 231-588-2200

GoodSamaritanFamilyServices has been help-ing needy families since 1990.

GoodSamaritanPantryandResaleShop sells gently used clothing and other items at low prices to help with the cost of providing food for more than 600 families each month. The Pantry also provides clothing, and helps with utility and heating bills as our finances permit. The Pantry is located at 9746 Main Street in Ellsworth.

The Pantry is open Tuesday 10 to 7, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 to 4, and Saturday from 10 to 2.

Moms&TotsCenter began serving the needs of young pregnant women and young mostly single mothers and their babies in 2001. Services include pregnancy tests, peer counseling, a baby closet for supplies and equipment, and an earn while you learn program. The Center has nearly 400 active clients at this time. The Center is located at 9100 Pleasant Hill Road in Ellsworth.

The Center is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 4, and Wednesday from 1 to 4.

Good Samaritan is a member of the Antrim County Community Collaborative, an organization composed of county social service agencies. We work closely with other agencies and churches to better share resources and help families that need a hand up.

Good Samaritan Family ServicesPost Office Box 206

Ellsworth, Michigan 49729

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTRAVERSE CITY, MI

PERMIT #568