Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. Find more info at http://www.highplainshelpinghands
God Bless
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Martial Arts
Paulsen's Familyt
 |
| toolbar powered by Conduit |
Out here on the eastern plains, the views are unobstructed and vast. Large parcels of land with old homesteads are quickly disappearing as progress and large developments swallow what is left. It seems progress can not be halted. Most that move out to Falcon are looking for those wide open spaces and less congestion. More will buy homes and land farther out. Most that have lived out here for a number of years know that the majority of residents do not live in homes in these developments and instead prefer to live with little or no neighbors. Some have no choice.
What is not known is that many of those residents live in absolute poverty. The elderly out here have set pensions and their choices involve paying for the ever increasing cost of gas, propane, food, and medicines. Single parent families that have to try to balance the necessities and keeping warm. The families involved in domestic violence and abuse due to isolation. The lack of jobs have left more with no funds at all. The homeless in Colorado Springs are more visible than those out here!
Jean and John Woolsey have dedicated their lives and money to helping those in need. They are sponsored by the Mountain Springs Church and together they have created the Helping Hands Food Bank. Jean and John have donated a large portion of a building on their property to this task and spend a large portion of time toward gathering food, donations, clothing, and other necessities and sorting those items. Jean estimates they have approximately 300 families currently being served with almost 33 new requests a week asking for help. Thirty-five percent of those are elderly, some with diabetic needs. The food bank is in desperate need of eggs, milk, any type of meat, canned fruit, baby needs including formula, diabetic foods, and toiletries including toothbrushes, and gas cards. For all you hunters out there. Do you have any game to donate? It must be professionally processed because of the health laws, but it would be a treat.
Domestic violence is a great concern. How do you call for help when there is no phone? Isolation can be deadly and devastating to the younger generations of witnesses. Some families live and sleep in their cars to stay warm as their trailers have missing windows or deteriorating walls and floors. Some out here simply don't have a structure to live in so the car is important. No electricity out here means no water. Wells require electricity to pump it out of the ground.
Most out here are proud and have a hard time asking for help. Some just need a little boost. How lucky do most of us feel? How many of us could be one paycheck away from this same situation?
The food pantry is located off of Hwy 24 just east of Big R between Falcon and Peyton. It is sponsored by the Mountain Springs Church.
Jean and her husband have been able to get seven freezers and refrigerators donated to preserve perishable foods. The pantry itself is about 15-by-20 feet and they are trying to expand. Upstairs in a room they have set aside for seniors meetings or classes in nutrition, safety, and anything else that's needed, they have boxes of clothing. There is a great need for blankets, coats for all ages and sexes, hats, scarves, and mittens. There is a woman in Alaska who is knitting and sending 50 sets of hats and scarves to Jean and the Helping Hands Food Pantry.
Jean Woolsey and the Helping Hands food pantry supply an area far greater than Colorado Springs. People come from as far as Limon and Rush, as there is nothing out there. Jean even has a family coming in from near Elbert County.
They need your help.
Still need a reason to help?
1) you are better off than others
2) all contributions are tax deductible and tax season is right around the corner
3) you'll be helping someone else out of a difficult situation
4) it may be you someday
5) when you sit down to your own dinner, you can be thankful you helped out someone less fortunate
6) it is the right thing to do!
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Our adopted Charity
