This was written by Bud Taylor, as an acknowledgement and thanks to the many organizations working together to help local seniors.  It truly blesses me to see individuals (Cindy from CWI, Senator Little, Bud Taylor, as well as many others) taking initiative to get others involved in working together to help those in need.  Thank you all!

 

"Senator Betty Little was responsible for providing a $5,000 grant to The Open Door, which was used to purchase prepackaged boxes of food called "Fund-a-feast" boxes from Hannaford Supermarkets. The Broad Street Hannaford in Glens Falls added over 200 additional boxes which people from our community had purchased.  The food boxes were delivered by the "Helping Hands" day branch of CWI, to the seniors who are served by Warren County Office of the Aging. The coordination of Senator Little, The Open Door, The Office of the Aging, Broad Street Hanaford and CWI is a little unusual but is a tremendous demonstration of how local people are addressing needs in our community by working together to "be a part of a solution"."

Many thanks to the many musicians who participated in the Adirondack Musician Food Drive 2008, that was held at Wallabees Jazz Bar this past Saturday evening.  Many, many thanks to T. R. Remsen, who headed up the event, and did a lot of work not only in promoting the Food Drive, but also in putting together a wonderful group of musicians, and in getting much needed food and money to The Open Door. 

 

Marybeth (the administrative assistant here at The Open Door), and her husband had a wonderful "date night out," that night, enjoying the music of the various bands.  Marybeth said that the musicians were very talented, and that it was the most enjoyable food drive that she had ever experienced! 

 

Again, many, many thanks to all participants (especially T. R. !) for their generosity.  We are very grateful for all of their hard work and dedication, and honored to be the recipient of their food drive.

In the past week has been one of many momentous events for us. The Open Door has been on the front page of The Post Star newspaper and also has been on the radio, and my daughter, Dawn, is back from Korea!

 

The Sunday, November 30 edition of The Post Star newspaper had a cover story about the needs of local organizations who are trying to take care of local individuals in need.  Marybeth and I were both quoted in the article (on the front page!), talking about the fact that people need hope, and that the local community has been very proactive in its giving.  It has greatly blessed me to see the community coming together to support those who are going through hardships. 

 

We were also on 98.5 WCKM on Tuesday morning, on a program hosted by O'Brian insurance to spotlight the needs of different local nonprofit organizations.  We got to talk not only about the increase in our monthly meal numbers (over 5,800 meals served in October), but other programs that we are trying to develop (such as structured housing), as well as an upcoming benefit for The Open Door (details listed on our "upcoming events" page!).  Good publicity is always welcome!

 

My middle daughter, Dawn, has come back from South Korea, where she has been a teacher for the past two years.  I have really missed her, and it is wonderful to see her again.  Seeing my three daughters together is the best Christmas present that I could have ever asked for!