This year for Mothers Day, our Rhode Island events (yes, two concurrent events) served five agencies, three here in Rhode Island and two in neighboring Massachusetts.
One event, hosted by Persimmon Restaurant in Bristol (RI), provided cookies to two agencies we've worked with previously, both serving women and children: the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, representing six shelters statewide, and Lucy's Hearth, serving the Middletown community. Organized by restaurant co-owner Lisa Harrison Speidel, the event donated close to 400 cookies -- all in the shape of a dress! Isn't that a great idea for Mothers Day?
The second event, here at Drop In & Decorate headquarters, donated to one Rhode Island agency, SSTARbirth, and two Massachusetts agencies. This marked our second donation to Abby's House in Worcester, and our first opportunity to work with Our Place, a day center for homeless children (and their moms) run by the Salvation Army in Cambridge.
We received this lovely note from Major Betzann Carroll of the Salvation Army:
Dear Lydia and your crew!
We are extremely thankful for your great donation of the most creative, colorful, crunchy "Cookies" we have every received. They were more than a sweet treat, they were a work of art!
We received them on Thursday afternoon. (a big thanks to Ted for the delivery!) I believe that was a blessing in itself. "Our Place" a center for homeless children was to be closed on Friday. We were going to send Mother's Day Gifts home on Thursday. We had cards for Thursday. We quickly got the cookies to our director who made sure each mom received a cookie. They were so pleased. And, more pleased were the children who were able to have their own special gift for mom.
On Sunday we held a special reception for moms. We served fruit on a stick which could be dipped in a chocolate fountain, eclairs, chocolate rose lollipops and of course cookies. We had already purchased small colorful flower pots and a package of seeds for a gift. To that pot we added a delightful, brightly colored cookie. The moms loved them.
We can buy gifts for folks here at The Salvation Army. We can purchase small gifts. However, when folks receive something that is homemade specially for them, it means the world. Even grown men with their layers of self sufficiency are move by homemade items. In this case the cookies were not ordinary cookies. They were hand crafted and it only took one look to see the time and effort that went into them.
So, from the moms from "Our Place", from the moms of the community and from all of us at The Salvation Army.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! So sorry you could not see the smiling and in some cases tear streamed faces of moms who were remembered. I hope my limited words can encourage your hearts as you share with others.
Betzann Carroll, Major
(Photos by Ted Chaloner)
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