Busy December

We went into a quiet period as we retooled the operation.  One always wonders, when things are changed, if the changes will be correct.   We feel that we are on track once again.

In the last 24 hour period The Community Reserve has helped in 4 needy situations.

Case #1     Because of a divorce this lady needed help and she received a nice donation.  She is trying to help herself by starting a cleaning business. The name is BJ Mag Cleaning Service (Residential and Commercial).  Call 219-575-1971 to give this brave lady a chance to get her business going.

Case #2   Fire victim:  This family had a pickup filled with furniture and bedding.

Case #3   Fire victim:  This family came with a trailor and it was filled as well.

Case #4   This one really touched our hearts.  We had received a like new, modern walker from Hamilton Grove. At the food pantry a lady that had an old-fashioned walker came for food.  She has problems with her legs that make it hard for her to walk and the old walker made things worse.  She now has a modern, nearly new walker. It has adjustable handles, larger wheels that adjust to travel needs, baskets and a seat if needed.  She said that she had wanted one like that but she had no  money for it.

What a 24 hour period.  Several volunteers working in the cold, donations being taken off trucks and going directly onto clients vehicles, prayers being given, and a few tears have been a part of the last day.  This is great work, helping very needy situations, especially during this season.

Marv Larue,
The Community Reserve

UPDATE

The Community Reserve has been busy.  The storage bins are full again and today we have the 32nd client for this year.

We have several agencies that we work with.  The Door Church, Apostle's Feet, The Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Emerge Ministries.(www.emergeministries.info)

Another contact has been made and we encourage going to www.worthyrecovery.org to read about this great program. We met the president, D.E.Sonshine, at a recent event and found her to be a ball of energy. The Worthy Women Recovery Home Inc helps return women to sobriety and healing.

When this recovery home is ready for occupants we hope to help with furniture.  Also, as these women leave for homes of their own, we want to help with furniture as well.

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

WOW !!!!!

We have been partners with The Elkhart Red Cross since we started The Community Reserve. Mr. Frank Connelly has called several times.  This time The Reserve was able to lend a hand.  Frank received a call from  Emerge Ministries Transitional Care Center, a division of Emerge Ministries. This organization houses battered women and their families.  An unusual situation had developed in that 6 women had completed the program  and were ready to move into new housing.  Never before had so many ladies arrived at that point at the same time.  Frank Connelly called The Community Reserve and today we gave a truck full of furniture.  A 14 foot U Haul truck left filled to bursting with very nice furniture.
6 families representing 25 people received a great start at a new beginning.

www.emergeministries.info   Check out their web: Cora Brown and her staff are doing great work.

We have changed our operation a bit.  Any donation that we give must come through an agency. We can not respond to any request for a person to help a friend. An agency must be consulted.

The Community Reserve continues to grow.  Today's gifts makes the family count 29 to date, 2 more than all of 2010. 

Thanks to all who work and donaate to this work

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Collection Saturday

Working in the Community Reserve is like nothing else.  Three weeks ago we made a large donation along with a rather small one and the storage units looked empty.  Forget that.  Today we received donations from three sources.  Now the units are so full that the last pickup had to be left in the truck.
Two sofas, two mattress/box springs, one love seat, five recliners, a coffee table and some smaller items.
So it goes and it has since the venture started.
Thanks to all who give to The Reserve.  We hope you have an idea of how much your donations mean to the people that receive them

Welcome to another new worker, John C. Good job.  During the day we had Frank R, Larry M, Dave K and his brother Mike K..  The group gets larger and larger

Before I end this messsage I want to give a shout out to Mike Garoutte from Garoutte's Garage. We needed our car to be running because of an important obligation in Ohio.  The night before leaving the battery died.  Mike had us up and running before he closed. Great job, Mike, thanks a bunch.

Marv Larue,
The Community Reserve

Fire relief

Thursday, 8/25/2011, with help from the Wesleyan Church and county trustee, Mr. Machalski, a very deep need was identified.  A family from a total burn down was living in a tent at Mini Mountain Campground.  That manager rented a house, next door to the campground, to this family and when we got  to the house we found 7 people sleeping on the floor.
Volunteers were called and the truck was loaded.  Now 7 people are sleeping in beds.  They have a table to gather at for meals.  They have sofas to sit on to relax.  They have a TV and a few dishes and many other things.
From this contact a Reserve worker has helped all 5 children enroll in school
Another Reserve worker helped a shipment of food to be delivered Friday morning.

God is leading this work.  This level of assistance would not be possible without his leading.

We will try to continue this work.

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Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Hope Ministry

This is why we do what we do!!!!!!
Hope Ministry has a program that helps their residents become self sufficient.  They are lead through this program and when they can stand on their own, Hope Ministries help them find housing so they can live independently.
Today one of Hope's graduates came to The Community Reserve for furniture for her new apartment.
#1 A complete full size bed
#2 TV and stand
#3 Microwave
#4 5 straight back chairs
#5 Sofa sleeper
#6 Coffee table
#7  3 lamps

God is great.  Rev J. Brown said a prayer for the group and hugs all around gave this woman a great start in her new life.

We also have great volunteers.  Bob  and  Mike O. were new today, welcome aboard.  Ron worked on the truck and the improvements were needed, and old standbys Myles, Mike L, Ron were helping as well
God is truly great

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Family Number 17

Today a young mother, going through a divorce, was identified and a quick phone call gave her a desk that she had been looking for.
Also we picked up a love seat, stuffed chair, sofa sleeper and couch.
Thanks to your generous donations the storage units are nearly full.
Donations are coming in from a larger and larger area.  From the south side of La Porte to the Pine Lake area, to Applewood developement to Hudson lake, the networking gets better and better.

We feel blessed to be doing this work.  Thanks to all who are with us.

Marv Larue, President
The Commuinity Reserve

donations

8/9/2011

The Community Reserve received 2 very nice donations today, The Old Republic in New Carlisle helped with the contact for one of them.  Thank you, Old Republic, for remembering us..
Both of our units are full.  Sofas, love seats, chairs, microwaves, a few dishes, personal size toiletries, beds and bedding and coffee tables.   Your donations are very much appreciated and will be so welcomed by our clients.  It is great to live in such a giving community.

We have a great crew of volunteers and once again the group responded when this last 2 gifts were given.

Marv Larue
President
The Community Reserve

Facebook

To those of our friends that were following us on Facebook, I must apologize.  Somehow the Facebook page became damaged.   To get to The Community Reserve one had to go to an account with my name on it. I did not want this to be in my name but it became linked in such a way that it is not usable.

If anyone knows how to get The Community Reserve's account back let me know how to do it.

Thank you for your help
Marv Larue  President
The Community Reserve

Donation Day

Today is another first for The Community Reserve.   We collected donations from 6 location in one day.
In total these donations netted 2 love seats, one rocker/swivel chair, 2 bunk beds, (one came with 2 new mattresses), a microwave, 2 couches, a bag of twin size bed sheets and a bag of personnel size soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant.

All these items will be greatly appreciated in the near future.  Thanks to all who gave.
Also thanks to a great group on volunteers.  Myles Hooton, Ron Zigert, Larry Merkner and Mike Lyczynsky.  Tireless people that make this ministry go.

Now, the rest of the story.  Today at 6PM a young couple from La Porte will pick up a truck load of needed supplies.
God Is Great

Marv Larue

Two in one day

We barely had time to write up the fire case when another case came in.  This couple found themselves unexpectedly unemployed.  They are in a new town, needing help.  They also received a rather large donation.

With all this activity we are a little low of merchandise.  We need donations.

But more than that it sure would be nice to have a building

Another family helped !!!!

7/15/2011
Another young family experienced a fire and needed help.  Once again our agency, The Door Church,
gave us the contact.
This couple came to the Reserve and left with a pickup truck of furniture.
Microwave and stand, rocker with foot stool, highchair, 9 drawer dresser, couch/day bed and 2 lamps.

They also left with smiles and a new belief that hard work and faith pay off.

Marv Larue, President
The Community Reserve

Latest news

Today we gave furniture to the 14th family so far this year.  This family received a couch, end table, kitchen table and 4 chairs, 2 lamps, towels, bathroom rugs and accessories, some pots and pans and 3 wall mirrors.

Another donation arrives tomorrow AM.   It will have a microwave and stand, and a rocker. This donation is being given by a new agency and caseworker.

We continue to look for a building to house this adventure.  It will be so much more convenient to operate when that building is found.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support THE COMMUNITY RESERVE

Marv Larue

Yard sale

The Reserve just had a great yard sale.  We generated enough revenue to stay open for at least the next year.  See a picture on facebook.
We started with a large truck full of donated items, we generated over $2300, and when we cleaned up in order to leave, we filled that same truck again.   WOW


Marv Larue

The Community Reserve

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Fire Victims Helped

6/11/2011
Today The Community Reserve gave the largest donation to date.  Last spring the Reserve responded with a large gift to the Woodlands Crossing apartments when they had 12 families suffer fire losses. Today was the largest donation to a single family since we have been in business.
This family received a 14 foot, U-Haul, box truck full to bursting with furniture. We sometime list the items but there are special events with this donation and listing everything would be too much.
First we went to a location where items were being held on a donor's back porch.  The Reserve had not found the time to collect them.  The donation was made directly to the fire victims. Pretty cool.
The last place was the same thing. A refrigerator was pledged to the Reserve and we were able to give the donation directly to the family.  It seems that what is needed is soon given

Great donation

The Community Reserve worked the largest donation to date today, Saturday 5/28/2011.
Many thanks to the person at the La Porte DOOR CHURCH for the contact.  We helped a family clean up an estate in preparation for listing for sale.
The crew:     Larry Merkner---driver and humor
                    Myles Hooton----truck packer and muscle
                    Ron Ziggert-------truck packer and muscle
                    Roger Grove----- muscle and tool man
                    Pat Chenoweth---muscle and tool man
                    Judy Larue--------inventory and pictures
                    Marv Larue-------?????????

That was a great crew, a couple of new faces and some old standbys.  It took most of the day. We had a good lunch, filled the Reserve, and returned home worn out.

Thanks to all of you for today's hard work.  That is what makes the Reserve work as it does.

The storage units are nearly full, waiting for the next family in need.

The Community Reserve.
Marv Larue

Update

May 21 was New Carlisle Community Day.  Lots of events all over town. Lawns were mowed, cars washed, clothing given away, door to door food drive, and a bake sale by the Delta Beta Phi group that will financially support the Community Reserve.  Thanks to all who took part in that great day.

Today another family received furniture from the Reserve.   TV, TV stand, chest of drawers, double reclining sofa, twin size mattress and 4 sets of twin size bedding now have a new home.

We are fortunate to live and work in a community as giving as New Carlisle.  Thanks for all who support the Reserve.

We have a family on the waiting list that needs a refrigerator. a washer and a dryer.  Anyone thinking of making changes in their appliances, I know a family that can use your old ones.

Have a great day
Marv Larue

Community Days

May 21, 2011,  Saturday  10am to 2PM  (town time) is fast approaching.  Some of the events are for the benefit of The Community Reserve, (bake sale and trash drop off, the metal goes to Scrappy's for cash).

One event is the ending of the Reserve's involvement with clothing. Drop by the New Carlisle Fire Station and browse the free clothing give away

There is a Indiana State Police drug take back (also at the fire station).   Bring your discontinued, outdated and partial bottles of drugs for destruction.  The collected items will be boxed, taken to Indianapolis, and incinerated.  Great way to protect the environment and get controlled drugs disposed of safely.

Several events are planned.  Anyone knowing of households needing lawn work can contact the Reserve at the Reserve's Gmail address to get that location included in the day' s  work.  Mowing, raking, shrub trimming etc.  The workers want to help families that can  not do their own lawn maintenance.

Have a good day and hope to see everyone at Community Days  Saturday    May 21, 10AM to 2PM

  
Marv Larue

Community Reserve

One of the target areas in The Community Reserve's mission statement is to give aid to victims of domestic violence.  Today, 3/18/2011, the Reserve was able to do just that.
A need was identified and the family was invited to shop at the Reserve and receive needed items.  This family will no longer sit on the floor, sleep on the floor, and eat with their food in their laps.  Again hugs all around. 
Directions were given to local churches and the local food pantry.  This family was given a good start at getting back on it's feet.

Many of the items that we gave today were in our inventory just a few days.  The 4 piece sectional, the electric range and the complete bed was in inventory less than 1 week.

With this large donation of inventory we are a little low on items to give away.  We take donations of gently used furniture and household items.  Micro waves, towels, dishes, coffee makers. silverware, and kitchen gadgets are often asked for.

God continues to bless this ministry

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

This is why we do what we do

The contact person at the Salvation Army sent The Community Reserve two clients today
#1  A young couple that had to move to a new apartment came first and they recieved an electric range!!!
#2  Then  came a lady who has suffered a bitter divorce. She has finally qualified for government housing.  This lady is on very limited income and has had medical problems.  We were able to give her an entertainment center, a dresser with a mirror, a dining table and 4 chairs.  The table has 2 expansion leaves.  She also recieved a sofa that came to the storage unit inventory just a day ago.

Tears and hugs all around.  It will take a few days to come down from this one.  We started the Reserve to help people in need.  Today it really worked

Marv Larue
President
The Community Reserve

A GREAT DAY

The Community Reserve just made two donations that make us remember why we do what we do.

Case #1  A young man came to the Reserve storage room with his CASA representative. Court Appointed Child Advocate.  For what ever reason the young father needed clothing for a 3 month old son. He was able to select from the inventory enough clothing and coats to fill a tall kitchen bag. 

Case #2   A woman was identified by a social worker agent of ours.  This great lady continues to find people in need for us.   JAN----keep up the great work.  Her client was spending disability money for RENTAL furniture.  This client received a glider with a glider foot stool, a three piece sectional, bunk beds, 4 chairs, a dining table,a box of dishes, a floor lamp, and a card table.  Now she can send the rental stuff back and her cash is free to be used for other necessary things.

Thanks to the community that continues to donate to The Community Reserve.
CVS, Vertex Surveying, Wrap, Pack, and Ship, our corporate helpers, and this great community can not be thanked enough


Marv Larue
President
The Community Reserve

Vertex Surveying, P.C.

More good news.

The list of corporate sponsorship has grown by one.  Vertex Surveying, P.C. just gave a large cash donation to The Community Reserve.  This kind and generous support will help keep us on task, helping people
who find themselves in need.  Our mission statement says that we help fire victims, storm victims, persons seperated by domestic violence and divorce, and any other person in need because of unforseen events.

The list of donors includes dozens of individuals from the community and now three large gifts from the business sector. #1  C.V.S. gave the 2010 Challenge Grant for Community Involvement
                          #2  Wrap, Pack, and Ship continues to provide overflow space for the inventory
                          #3  Vertex Surveying, P.C. given by Mr. Jason Deckard of Vertex Surveying, P.C.


Thanks to all who donate to this project and all who volunteer their time and energy to keep the project going.


Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Donation from Wrap, Pack and Ship

The last few days have been very busy for The Community Reserve.
We received two very large donations, one from a former teacher in New Prairie Schools and one from a young family in New Carlisle.  With so many items coming in we needed a storage place.

Andy Spite, the owner of the new business, Wrap, Pack and Ship, donated, that's right, free of charge, storage space in the old Dollar General location.  He has generously given The Community Reserve the ability to put overflow inventory in his old location.

I encourage everyone to patronize Andy's new business. His generosity is making the Reserve much easier to operate.  THANK YOU ANDY SPITE.

Today we had a client receive a large donation from us. She is a young, single Mom who is moving into a new apartment. She and her child needed help.  She received among other things, a complete bed, a couch and recliner, silverware, 2 bar stools, and a large box of bathroom towels and accessories.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will help a burnout victim from Walkerton. We have a lot of inventory left and he should find several items for his new home.

We have a few other contacts that we hope will be at The Reserve in the near future.

Marvin Larue
The Community Reserve