SNOW, SNOW, SNOW

What a LOT of snow we got! Sugarloaf (just north of us) got 4 ft. Staff had two days off for storm days and then struggled their way to work on Saturday. Crystal Cook (Operations Manager) did a 360 and a half and went into a snowbank. No one hurt, no damage, just one of the frustrations of winter driving. Since it was still snowing and they had only one person come to the food cupboard and no one to the Thrift Shop, we decided to close at noon so staff could get home safely. Bunny made it back to Rangely with her husband --- normally an hour's trip, but took MUCH longer on Saturday. Next week will be busy as folks try to dig out and get their lives back on track. We expect a very busy week at the Food Cupboard. Don't forget that we always need personal care products: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. We are also in need of good used or new blankets and bedding for fire victims.

Warming Up

Feb. 26, 2010 This week's warming center was not very busy due to the weather. Those who braved the slush and snow enjoyed a mac & cheese lunch with the rest of the staff. We made needle felted pin cushions and embellished them with beads from our stash. Next week we will make wire angels that can be used as pins or hung in the window or be used as gift ties. While cleaning up after our fun time, staff members Crystal, Yvonne and Wayne made more fire starters. Nobody got burned with the hot wax and we have a new supply of fire starters for the furnace. UMEM has been closed for the last two days due to the winter storm that has closed schools and agencies in the area. Our rule is that if the school is closed, UMEM is closed. So, staff should be rarin' to go tomorrow! Till next time, Kay

This week's update

Hi all, we are still looking for blankets and bedding as well as personal care products, so don't forget us when you go shopping. The dollar stores are usually good places for personal care products. The warming center was fun this week. There were dart games, some went shopping in the Thrift store and then we had American Chop Suey for lunch with pie for dessert. In the morning we made draft dodgers and everyone got to take one home. We used a garbage bag, duct tape, and two lengths of pipe insulation. They were fun to make, not expensive and fit under the door nicely. We have more materials so we can make them again for those who were not with us this week. In the afternoon we made fire starters using old candles that we melted in an old crock pot. We used small muffin pans and the small paper liners. First we put in shredded cedar pet bedding and then we filled them with wax. As they were cooling, we put some more cedar shavings in the top so they will light well. Everybody got to take some home. Next week we will be teaching needle felting --- all materials will be provided (even band aids!) so come and have some fun with us and learn a new craft. See you later.........Kay

Current Needs at UMEM

It is the season of house fires here in western Maine where many people are heating their homes with wood. Sometimes folks have to "make-do" with stove installations that are less than desirable from a safety perspective. There was a mobile home fire caused by a woodstove that was installed in the center of the home and the chimney was just a pipe through the wall. The family was away at work, but they lost everything including their much loved pets. That is only one example, but I could go on and on. At UMEM our "stash" of items for fire victims has gotten really slim. We are asking that you might share any of the following items with us: blankets, pillows and bedding, towels, washcloths, personal care products (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, combs, nail clippers, lotion, dental floss, flaatware, toasters, dinnerware sets for four, pots and pans, etc. New or gently used items, please. We just need to be able to meet some basic needs while fire victims start to put their lives back together. Of course we can always use monetary donations to support staff time and to purchase those things that are needed to run our prograns. Bless all our churches and individuals who assist us in our mission to walk with the people of western Maine. till later.....Kay

Warming Center Feb. 3, 2010

Greetings again! I love it when I need to do more than one post at a time! At the Warming Center yesterday we made rice bags out of men's sport socks. We filled them with rice and tied them at intervals. These can be heated in a microwave and used as a neck warmer, wrapped around a sore arm, wrist, etc. or used as a foot warmer in bed at night. But I get ahead of myself! The day at the Warming Center started with coffee and snacks. I saw folks putting puzzles together and all were involved in a Bingo game at one time. There was much discussion and laughter and a dart game developed as well. Our hostess, Doris Stone served a soup lunch prepared by one of the folks who came back for their second week at the Warming Center. Good soup, good conversation, fun, creativity, and a sense of community were the highlight of the day.
While the Warming Center was humming along, the rest of the staff were busy with their regular work. We had fire victims come in for assistance with personal care products, clothing and bedding. We had a volunteer/client in crisis that involved several staff who were able to offer support, love and care. The situation is not resolved, but everyone is working to help the client develop a plan and a strategy that will lead to solutions. Pray for this part of our mission here in western Maine.

Congratulations to Crystal Cook

Greetings! Last Thursday night we attended the United Way of the Tri-Valley annual meeting, dinner and campaign celebration. As a part of this gathering, many awards were given and I am so pleased to be able to report that our own Crystal Cook (Operations Manager) was given the Community Impact award. This is only the second year of this award which is given to a person in Franklin County, Maine who has "gone above and beyond in impacting the residents of Greater Franklin County". Crystal was presented with a placque and much applause by those attending. We at UMEM know that the celebrating was heard across the connection and in heaven. Crystal is truly our very own angel and we are so fortunate that she came to us to be a part of our ministry to the residents of this isolated and challenged area. God bless you, Crystal!