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.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
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
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
Monday, March 12, 2012
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
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
Saturday, February 18, 2012
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
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
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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
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
Saturday, December 17, 2011
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
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
Monday, November 14, 2011
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
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
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