The above picture shows the latest improvement at the C.R.I.B.  We had a great crew a few days ago and look what they built.  This new loft will make it easier to operate.  Thanks to the able crew.   Roger G, Larry M, Richard G, and  Ron Z.  The entire project took about 2 hours.

Thanks to all the generous people who donated furniture, cash, time and talent to make 2012 a successful year.  The outreach is getting larger and larger.  New agencies include Hannah's House and La Porte Real Services.   We look forward to continued service growth in 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Marv Larue
President
The Community Reserve

On November 2nd The Community Reserve gave aid to the 114th family since we organized in December 2009.  This family was a victim of long term disability.  The home situation has gradually declined till they finally asked for help at one of our agencies in La Porte.   The social worker called with some details, contact was made, and pickup happened Friday afternoon. 4 mattresses, sofa and matching love seat, refrigerator, kitchen table with chairs, futon, and many pots and pans later this fine family has a new start.  Again, thanks to all the generous donors, volunteers,  caseworkers, and supporters who make this ministry possible.

Speaking of donors that make things happen----------- A person came to the C.R. I. B. while we were doing some work the other day.  The person spoke of our mission statement that no child should have to sleep on the floor.  We were told that if we get a stated need for a mattress for a child, and if we have none in inventory, we should go to Andy's Furniture and pick up one.  It was then stated that an account has been established where this person would pay the bill.   ????????????? WOW..  Andy's has offered this person good pricing on the selections so we have a triple win here.   Keep Andy's Furniture in mind for your own furniture purchases.  The manager and his staff have been a great help before this mattress deal.  We encourage shopping there. This is a great group of people.

We will continue to use our inventory first but we now have backup for requests for beds for kids.  God has kept his hand on this ministry and with Him leading it continues to grow.

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve
574-654-9367
574-387-7312

Today we had two more examples of how God looks after his people.
The Oncology Department of the La Porte Hospital identified a man needing
a refrigerator.  He had to move into his mom's home and they had no working
fridge.  He received a very nice, like new unit.

The next case was a woman leaving Hope Ministries.  She has a new job and a
new apartment.  She needed a bed.  What we had was a little picked over but we
could have made do.  While waiting for the appointment, the phone rang and
the lady wanted to know if we took mattresses and box springs. ???????
Long story short, the donation came while the client was making other choices.
She received a beautiful new bed, top to bottom.  There is no explaining how we
often need something and it comes in just in time.  Yes there is.!!!!!!

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Today a young, underemployed family received a large donation.  double reclining sofa, recliner,  microwave and stand, blender, coffee pot, TV, dishes, washing machine and kitchen odds and ends.

Our name is the Community Reserve.  This event was truly a community event.  It started at the food pantry at the Methodist Church in Rolling Prairie.  The young lady asked the leader of the pantry where she could get some help. A man from the Christian Church in Rolling, who has been helping at the C.R.I.B., told her  about the Reserve and today it came together.  This family received a boost toward an easier life. This makes 15 families being helped in 2012.  It is a blessing to see Gods work every time we open the door of the storage unit.

We have not posted for quite a while and tonight's post is quite different from any before.
I met a man from Rwanda through our work at The Reserve. His family received much of the furniture in his Habitat house from us. We have become friends and we occasionally break bread with his family.
His name is Elyse Gasigwa and he is my hero. He worked through the Rwanda genocide delivering water to the orphanages during the 100 days for total terror. He faced gun fire, death, injury and total fear but yet he struggled on.  To really know the man, read the genocide account written by Carl Wilkins titled "I'm Not Leaving"  It is in that account that I realized what a hero he is.  He seldom left Carl's side as they worked to help those needing help the most.

In the States, Elyse has found work at Healthwin in food service. His English is broken but he is learning. Until a short time ago things were going well.  However a new employee at Healthwin is attacking Elyse.  He screams at him for no reason, calls him stupid, and wonders aloud why Elyse is in the States taking up jobs Americans could have.
 
To the point of this blog.  Does anyone have a job for this gallant man.  He refuses to fight this attacker.  He simple wants to work and support his family.  He lives in Mishawaka and I have contact information

Any leads can be directed to The Reserve's number at 574-383-9367 and we will see that they get the Elyse.

Marv Larue President
The Community Reserve

Moving day

The Reserve has moved to the new building.  the C.R.I.B. (community reserve inventory building) is 5 times larger than the old units.
Saturday was the big move and this place is going to be much easier to use. A great group of volunteers helped with getting the inventory moved. Many thanks to all of who helped and also to those folks that helped clean the new building the week before.  This has been an unbelievable event with so many people helping out.

This picture shows the large space we have and as you can see it is not close to being full.

Remember to use the Meijer Rewards tags when shopping. The organization number is 707220 and you can apply at Meijer.com/rewards. At no additional cost The Reserve will receive a small rebate.

On to phase 2 of The Community Reserve

Marv Larue

Good day

Today we were able to furnish an apartment for a man who had no furniture at all.  He starts a new job Monday and his income will start in two weeks.  When we arrived at his place he had only his clothes, no bed, no place to sit, no TV, no music.  After loading the apartment the young man was taken to lunch. The great thing about this opportunity is, the furniture we gave to him was never in storage with us.  It went directly from pick up at one house to donation at this apartment.  God knows what is needed and allows The Reserve to be of service..

We have a larger storage area that is being cleaned for use in the very near future.  We are going from 400 sq.ft. to 2000 sq. ft. This is going to make the work much easier.  (No stacking furniture etc)

A funding source for us is located at Meijer.com/rewards   If you go to the web site and sign up, costing nothing, The Reserve will get a small rebate from each purchase.  When registering use organization code, 707220. A keyfob and card will arrive in about two weeks and the rebates can begin.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve

Year End Report

The year 2011 was a busy year for the Reserve.  We helped in 38 cases, up from 27 cases in 2010.
A case is any help from one needed item up to and including a truck full. We had 3 cases for one item and 5 full trucks for total burn downs.  The rest of the work was for something between the extremes.

I want to thank anyone who donated to The Community Reserve during 2011.  Without that generosity there would be no Reserve.  I wish all donors could be on site when people who have suffered disasters receive your valuable donations. The look on their faces is more than words can explain.  Thank you.

Today a young lady from a total burnout received a large donation. Sofa, sofa sleeper, small refrigerator, swivel rocker, 2 toddler beds, play pen, mattress and box springs, and more.  A real blessing to see her and her family get a needed boost after a horrible fire.

Next order of business is, we qualified for MEIJER'S COMMUNITY REWARDS program. They will rebate a percentage of any purchase to the Reserve.  To help us you only need to register using organization number 707220.  Go on line at Meijer.com/rewards.  When you get to the organization name enter 707220.  In a short time your Meijer card and keytag will arrive.  Use those item at the time of purchase and The Reserve will get a rebate.  This program costs nothing just shop as you already do.

For problems call  1-800-962-7011    They do a great job at that number.

We hope to continue this work in 2012

Marv Larue
The Community Reserve