It’s A New Day, A New Opportunity! by Mark Hay

It’s A New Day, A New Opportunity!
By Mark Hay, Director
Sammy’s Window

Many of you have followed me over the course of the last few months as I dealt with the loss of a job, as I worked several temp jobs and tried to keep my head above water. At the same time, we were able to pull off some really neat feats at Sammy’s Window, clothing a lot of kids, providing them with supplies, and finding beds for a bunch of them. We are remodeling part of the store, and things are going very well, and are about to get much better!

Wednesday of last week, I started a new job with Springfield Victory Mission. My job is three tiered. I will be working to expand the scope of Sammy’s Window with Victory Mission as we will work to assist foster families, grandparents raising grandkids, and single parents. I can’t begin to explain how much this can broaden our ministry.

Secondly, I will be working on the behalf of VM in the area of procuring much needed supplies for the thousands of folks who look to Victory Mission for assistance. Did you know that VM provides thousands of meals through their pantry and meals served 7 nights a week? Did you know they provide thousands of clothing items, household goods and tons of items too large to mention here? In order to give it out, we have to find it and bring it in first. I will be a part of that team. We need to identify many new avenues of support as the demand is huge and resources are stretched. Got ideas? I’ll listen to them.

My third area will be working to bring in recycled items that can either be used by VM or the ministries they support, or that can be turned in to cash to help keep VM running. Do you know that VM recycles tons and tons of clothing? The average person has a lot of clothing in their home that they will never use. Why not donate it to Victory Mission? Much of it will find a home where it is much needed. Some will head in bulk to parts of the world where it will greatly be appreciated. Some that are ripped or stained will be recycled into roofing material or insulation. Recycled clothing is a huge asset to the ministry here. Sammy’s Window has often called on VM when we were running low on sizes or in a pinch. They have always come through for us.

Items we are looking for include, clothing, shoes, hats, belts, purses, toys, misc. furniture, small and large appliances and nic nacs. We would also be willing to recycle your cash, cars or estates, and put it to use to help reach our goal of eliminating poverty from the inside out. Much of the funds generated by VM are used to educate those we serve in ways to become more self-sufficent.

So, what can you do to help?
1. Pray. We can never get enough of that!
2. Give what you can. Cash is great, but not always an option for everyone. Most of us have items around the house that we could donate, or even some time to volunteer.
3. Organize a drive in your neighborhood, church, scout group, small group, school, etc. to recycle as much unused items that we could pick up and reuse here in our ministry
4. Suggest ways we can find the food items we need to feed the 1000′s of people who look to us for daily provisions.

They have trusted me with a phone here in my new office, 417-864-2215. I would be glad to hear from you and listen to your ideas. I won’t always be here as my job will keep me out in the community, but I will return your call, just leave me a good clear message.

Please keep me in your prayers as I start this new adventure.
Thanks, Mark Hay

Note from George: Sammy’s Window is a not-for-profit organization, whose special purpose is to help foster children enter the foster system with some sense of dignity, and assist foster parents with the transition. Mark, the founder and director, is also a member of Friends of the Garden and a FOG  volunteer. Sammy’s Window does have a group Facebook page HERE. 

For more information on how you can help, contact:
Mark Hay, Director Sammy’s Window
Tel: 417.849.7941 Email: haym97@yahoo.com
Location: 3757 N. Glenstone (call before dropping by) Springfield, MO 65803