NEEDED: SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS LAOTIAN
A Gainesville resident alerted us to the presence of an elderly Asian man
who is living behind a power block in the Depot Ave/6th Street area. She is
very concerned because he’s old and speaks no English. She thought he might be
Vietnamese, so Pat and Father Bui from St. Patricks visited him. Father Bui
says he is Laotian. This man needs help and is very ‘help-able’ - friendly,
cheerful, and accepting of help when it’s offered. We would like to be able to
steer him in the direction of getting services, but first we have to be able to
communicate with him. Please email me if you know of anyone who speaks Laotian
and would be willing to help, or if you can think of any strategies for finding
such a person.
CHRISTMAS STOCKING UPDATE:
All over town there are veterinarians and Unitarians and all manner of folk
stuffing Christmas stocking for our homeless brothers and sisters. If you are
bringing a large number of stockings, drop me an email and let me know –
ballpark – how many. That’s probably unneccesary, but I’m afflicted with
hyper-vigilance, and it makes me happy to have a guesstimate of how many
stockings there will be. If you need to bring stockings to Home Van Central,
let me know that also, and we will make the arrangements. We are going to need
a few toys also, since there are about 7 children, in the 6-12 age group, boys
and girls, whose mothers depend on us. Toys can be dropped off at Home Van
Central.
Thank you for all the mylar blankets donated! We now have a supply that
should last the winter.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE....
Last week, as I watched video footage of people clubbing each other over
the head during Black Friday stampedes, I realized how grateful I am to be part
of the Home Van family – for the homeless people who inspire me with their
patience, courage, and goodness in caring for each other, for all the
volunteers, the donators, the people who pray for us and those we serve, the
soup makers, the allies in the Homeless Coalition, the GPD and ACSO folks who
help us out – the church and civic groups who are there for us, the UF students,
the pharmacy volunteers, those who care for animals, the creators of mitzvahs –
too many to remember. I am blessed to know you. Because of you I’m not a
depressed, alienated sad sack, as I surely would be without you. May our tribe
increase!
Peace and love to everyone,
arupa
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The Home Van needs tents,
tarps, bottled water,Vienna sausages, creamy peanut butter, jelly, candles,
white tube socks, batteries, and games. Call 352-372-4825 to
arrange for drop off. Financial donations to the Home Van should be in the form
of checks made out to Citizens for Social Justice, Inc., earmarked for the Home
Van, and mailed to 307 SE 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601, or can be made
online at http://homevan.blogspot.com/
THE
HOMEVAN IS A PROJECT OF CITIZENS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, INC. (FDACSREGISTRATION
#CH35643). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352)
WITHIN THE STATE.REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
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