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Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage NewsletterPO Box 50974 * Amarillo, Texas 79159 Phone (806)372‐3985 Fax (806)355‐8127 Email: [email protected] Website: www.evelinessunshinecottage.com
Fall 2013
“HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE” I see this statement on Decorative home signs, Tee shirts, Church Marquees, etc. I do believe the statement, but to convince a single parent Mom of this statement, at times, is not always easy. What she sees is a cloudy morning and also knows that the gray days of winter are ahead, she is behind in her school work due to the lack of consistent child care, her young son is sick more than well which also hinders her in keeping a job. Due to much strife in her” growing up years” she does not have family support on which to fall back, and her self‐confidence rises and falls with the happenings of each day. Oh yes and not to mention that her car was “totaled” recently in an accident that was not her fault. She works daily to stay above the perils of addiction. This story represents all those who I put my arm around and try to convince them “that tomorrow will be a better day”. They try to smile through their tears and are going to have to make themselves climb that steep stairway, one step at a time, to get to the point that they too can say that Happiness is a Choice. Some of these “Pitfalls” have happened to all of our girls and all of these “pitfalls” have happened to one of our girls. Our Sunshine Cottage Moms work daily to overcome these and many more “road blocks”.....on their way to success. We hope and Pray that with their desire and determination and our love and attention, that each one of them will achieve success and will be able to experience the thought...”Happiness is a Choice”.
Destiny, Jessica, Keja & Kaden Haley, Shawnee, Michael, Josey & Marley
A HUGE ”THANK YOU” FOR OUR NEW PARK……….and then……..The Children make me laugh!!!!!
Recently we were blessed with the addition of a new Park, which was added to our Sunshine Cottage Complex, for our children and our moms to enjoy. The means to create the Park were donated by Mike and Liz Hughes, The Kimble Foundation and The Merrick Foundation. The beauty of the Park was created by Jeff Jenkins of Custom Gardens. A Sprinkler System, grass, beautiful trees and shrubs are all part of the wonderful area tucked in the middle of Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage residences. What a great place to play and laugh, or to just sit quietly and enjoy the Day. FUN STORY AT THE PARK ………On a late, warm summer evening, I parked my car and enjoyed The Park from a distance. As I watched, I noticed one of the sprinklers of the water system, dancing erratically from behind a tree.....on and off, high and low flowed the water. Soon the giggles and high shrieks of little children came from behind the tree. Then fully clothed and drenched to the skin “two precious little angels”, ran into the Park area to continue to play and dance in the water. These fun, happy children and all of the children at the Sunshine Cottage, make me laugh and bring such joy to my heart. And with the strong influence and guidance of their Mom’s and others in the community, Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage is working to break the cycle of poverty through
education‐‐‐‐two generations at a time. Eveline
Tenecia, Tamiya, Sheneka, Ty’Asia & Marquise
Britanny, Roger, Mariah AnnaMarie & Claudia
ELSA FLORES is college graduate # 13 from Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage. Elsa classifies herself as A Workaholic….and I DEFINITELYDO AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT. (she has held at least one job and sometimes two at a time, since she was 16 years old). If Elsa is not in class or in Nursing Clinical, she is at work in the hospital or cleaning her apartment, or at the gym working out in order to stay physically fit. In Elsa’s family, she is tucked in the middle of seven siblings, and the first of the seven to attend college….. a huge accomplishment to both her family and to herself. While in high school she came to a “fork In the road”, and chose the wrong path….the path was crowded with people who influenced her in the wrong direction. She quit school, butthen obtained her GED. Elsa enrolled in Amarillo College in 2010 with a passion for nursing on her mind. She has stayed “tunnel visioned” about her degree plan, and will graduate with her R.N. degree in nursing on December 14th of this year, with a 3.25 grade point. Elsa’s biggest cheerleader is her precious daughter Jamesiah, 4 years old. This wonderful, single parent is not only obtaining her college degree, she is being the role model for her daughter to do the same thing, and then neither will have to depend on the government system. Oh yes, I forgot to mention Elsa has made up her mind to stay with us, stay in school to continue her education and to obtain her 4 year degree. Great Job Elsa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DENISE HARLEY is college graduate #14. Three years ago Denise and her two wonderful sons, Brian and Braedyn were Homeless and staying at Martha’s home. As a child she moved around frequently due to her family being riddled with addiction. As an adult Denise knew that was not the life that she wanted to give to her children. The director of Martha’s Home highly recommended Denise to Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage. Denise “buckled her seat belt” and got ready for the ride of life that we all face…….ups and down, high roads and pitfalls. She has grown from a hesitant person to a person who can make good choices and has become a self‐confident person and a good role model for her sons….and she can make me laugh. Denise has raised her two handsome sons to be warm, charming, smart young men, and is their biggest cheerleader at their sporting events. Denise has her license to be a professional hairdresser, and now she is receiving her college degree in Criminal Justice, and will go to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Congratulations Denise, for all of your hard work!!!! The Board of Directors is extremely proud of you.
Denise
Not the first phone call that you want to receive in the morning, “Is this Eveline Rivers, ‘yes’, this is the Amarillo Fire Department. There has been a fire at 1614 S. Madison, and the Fire Marshall would like to see you.” The fire damaged an upstairs apartment, housing a Mom and her four precious children. They were at home, getting ready for school and thank goodness no one was injured. All of the young children living in the Sunshine Cottage were sure that the fire trucks and firemen were there for their enjoyment. We had room to move the family to another home, and she was not displaced. We are still in the long process of engineers, adjusters, Insurance Company and our building contractor, all patiently (?) working through the meetings and paper work to get us on the “road to construction”. Pray for Good Humor and Patience TO GET US THROUGH THIS!!!!!!
Denise
Elsa
“Finals” Week Meals We try to take some pressure off of the Moms during College “Finals” week in December. During this time we provide the families with casseroles, soups, restaurant gift cards, etc. so that their evening meals are ready to eat, and then Moms can study. If you are preparing your favorite casserole, make two and freeze one to share, which will allow our families to enjoy “your wonderful cooking skills”. If you are going to Sonic or McDonalds or Chick‐Fil‐A or any of the many other great places to eat, buy gift cards and let the Mom’s pick up dinner as they go home from class…dinner complete. PS...they like cookies and fresh fruit also!
Destiny & Jae
Dylan, Brooklyn & Chasen
Thank You to all our Wonderful Private Donors, Golf Tournament Sponsors & Color Run Sponsors
Bob Lang of Lang Tire & Auto, and one of our Board of Directors, gave all the girls in Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage a “car care clinic”, which came in handy when Jessica had to change the flat tire on her car. (We are proud of you Jessica!) But we have not yet offered a “bicycle care clinic”, so Kaden, Jessica’s son is showing frustration over the broken chain on his means of transportation.
Thank you for supporting Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage
___$500 ___$250 ___$100 ___$50 $________ Other Name:____________________________________ ___One Time Payment Address:__________________________________ ___Monthly Credit Card Payment City/ST/Zip:_______________________________ Email:_______________________________________________
Method of Payment: ____Check ____Visa ____MC Card Number___________________________ Exp Date:__________ 3 Dig SEC #_______ Please make checks payable to: Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage*PO Box 50974*Amarillo TX 79159
Gerry Aaron Amarillo Area Foundation Amarillo AC & Sheet Metal, Inc. Amarillo Gear Company, LLC Amarillo National Bank Arredondo Chapter DAR Dr. & Mrs. Steve Austin Stephen & Jodie Baugh Bell Helicopter Textron, INC. Belmar Bakery & Café Shell & Connie Boudreaux Bonnie Boyd Ronnie & Chris Brady Nancy Brent Frank & Evelyn Brooks, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Neil Bryson Larry Bunn, Jr. Don & Joyce Cameron Central Chruch of Christ Jeff Chesnut Ron & Lyn Clark Kathy Cole Paul & Misty Cooke Corlena Oil Company St. Stephen UMC Covenant Class Michael David Raylan Davis Beverly de la Bretonne Diamondback Exploration Co. Diversified Improvement Contractors James Doores John & Margaret Drummond Davlyn Duesterhaus Joe & Mary Dulle Edmond, Deaton & Stephens’ Faith City Ministries Stanley Fry, Jr. , DDS Jack & Kay Fuqua G & J Truck Sales Janet Garner Chris Gilbert
Scott & Nancee Gilmour Golden Spread Janitorial Service Kathie Grant Grimes Optical Equipment Co. H Fund Happy State Bank Sherman & Genie Harriman Robert & Lanna Hatton HCC Samaritan Class Scott & Gloria Herrick Guion Hobbs Anna Holland M. & Mrs. Huley Horn Lola & Johnny Hornstra Harry & Maryann Hueston II Irwin Investmants J & J Chimney Sweep Margaret Johnston Josiah Bartlett, NSDAR K & D Development Genevieve Keesee Ken’s Battery & Golf Cars Kimble Foundation Trust John & Margaret Kimmins Kiwanis Club of Amarillo South LaGrone‐Blackburn‐Shaw Funeral Director Lang Tire & Auto Timothy & Marilyn Lewallen Lilly Finch, LLC Tom & Dusty Lovell Kirk & Kay Montgomery Maureen Mack Janie Mallett Wendy & Stanley Marsh 3 Michael & Joyce McBroom Gary & Connie McKee Magdalena McMordie Greg & Debbie Meador Merrick Foundation Dodd & Jennifer Nolan Susanna & Joe Norman
Leslie O’Loughlin Randy J. O’Neal Oil & Gas Panhandle Presort Services, LTD Pantera Energy David & Pam Park Pass it on Amarillo, INC. Pepsico Foundation Lavelle & Mary Phifer John Pritash, Jr Jay & Sharon Ricci Steve Rogers, MAI Jim Schooler Scottco Mechanical Contractors, INC Linda Shaffer Greg & Contessa Skelton Tommy & Patty Smith Charles & Polly SoRelle St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church St. Stephen United Methodist Women St. Stephens UMC Bob & Jane Ann Stewart Patricia Stich J.R. Sundstrom Taylor Living Trust Gary & Sheri Van Bakel Robert Carr Vincent Trust Mr. & Mrs. James W. Walker Norrell & Nancy Wallace West Texas Building Supply, Inc. Brad & Tracey Wingo John T. Wood Barbara Wooldridge
Jessica & Destiny
Kaden repairing his bike chain.
Board Members Jamie Carroll, President
Marcy Francis, Vice President Nancy Brent, Secretary
Joyce Cameron, Treasurer Chris Brady David Brewer Larry Bunn Bob Lang
Deborah Mack Freda Powell DJ Powers Kim Zimmer
Eveline Rivers, Founder
Christmas Gift Giving
The holidays are fast approaching, and our families are no different than anyone else....they are making their Christmas Lists.....and redoing their list....and redoing their list!!!!!!!!! If you would enjoy adopting one of “our” families to add to your holiday giving, please call us. We have families with one child up to a family with four children. We are working with both the parent and the child to teach (hopefully) the value of money. Each older child is on a budget as to how much can be spent on their gifts, and we are trying to pass this on to the parent as the younger child's gifts also are on a budget factor. Children up to age 5 will have a list with a budget of $75. The budgets for other ages are as follows: 6‐12 years ‐$100, 13‐18 years $125, and the budget for gifts for the Mom is $150. Most Moms choose household items that they will use when they graduate. The children are asked to complete the following questionnaire to determine their list: I want/ I Need _______________ I'll wear/ I'll read _____________________ I'd love my third present to be: ___________________ If you choose to shop for our families, we will wrap the gifts for you, in order to help you with your limited time during the holidays. We have 8 families from which you can choose for your Holiday Sharing!!!!! Call us‐‐‐372‐3985
Community Partners (Those referring our exceptional Clients)
Faith City Mission Family Shelter
Martha’s Home Downtown Women’s Center
Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch AISD
Region 16 Family Support Services
STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU SAY “YES”..... to becoming a board member! And we want to say THANK YOU to all of our board members, especially to 2 at this time. Our Board of Directors is hand‐picked for many reasons. ....and some of those reasons are................ their love of our project, their desire to serve the project, their knowledge and expertise of things that need to be done for the project. In January of 2013 Larry Bunn and D. J. Powers of Diversified Contractors said yes to become Board of Directors of Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage. In April we had a Fire at the Sunshine Cottage. The two have been quite busy working with engineers and insurance adjusters to determine what will happen next. They also have created new sidewalks and driveways, helped with painting on the outside of several of our homes, worked with hail damage claims, volunteered with our golf tournament fund raiser, among a few of the things that they have done. And yet I know for a fact that they are extremely busy, professional business men, ( who need 26 hours in a day rather than 24), and yet who make me feel that they are sitting by the phone waiting for me to call to tell them what my next project for them will be. We are grateful and Blessed to have Larry and D.J. as part of our team.
Needs List Large boxes – Tide Clorox Bleach Toilet Paper
Bounce Dryer Sheets Pine sol
Paper Plates Paper Napkins Paper towels
Liquid Dishwashing Soap Comet Cleanser Aluminum Foil Zip Lock Bags Garbage Bags
Warm winter gloves & hats School Supplies
Gasoline Gift Cards
Shannon, Jessica, Eveline,
Trissy, Elsa & David
Jamie, Jessica, Joyce and Marcy
Eveline is always with us to celebrate our achievements, both large and small. It was an honor on June 14, 2013 to celebrate her new chapter of life. Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage family is so happy for her and Dave. Congratulations! Jessica, Sunshine Cottage Mom