A woman came to us over a year ago with three children and she was pregnant with her fourth. She needed about everything our agency had to offer – food, clothing, diapers, help with rent, help with utilities, school clothing and supplies. After her baby was born she told us she got a job at Wal-Mart. Slowly but surely her visits to the food pantry decreased until finally she stopped coming. Then, one day she appeared at the agency with a donation for the pantry. Over the past weekend I saw her working at Wal-Mart with a Shift Supervisor designation on her name badge. Truly a success story of someone who needed a “hand up” to get over a rough spot in her life.
Submitted by: Don D., our Director
Our eldest client is 101 years old. She comes to SASS every week. She has done this for years. Her only income is Social Security Retirement benefits. The benefit she receives from using the food pantry supplements her Social Security, but I believe the personal contact she has getting out of her home and interacting with others is truly the highlight of her week. We expect that she will continue to use the services of our agency for the rest of her life and consider that a very positive outcome.
[This client died in April 2014 and we will miss her friendly visits.]
Submitted by: Don D., our Director
I was in the office helping out and a young man came in with his wife and young son to drop off a brand new bike for our Christmas Giving Program. The father got down on his knee and told his son that we had provided him with his first bike when he was a boy and his family was going through a hard time. He wanted to give that joy to another boy. All of us were very touched to have witness such a powerful moment for this family.
Submitted by Chris, a Board Member
Dear elementary school parents and staff:
The boxes were overflowing every day! Your response to the “paper and toiletries drive” that was part of the Saline Area Social Service Adopt-A-Family program was tremendous. This year Adopt-A-Family served 85 families with children and 62 adult only families. The total number of children served was 194. Through your generosity, each family received a bag of much needed paper products and toiletries in addition to other gifts. Thank you so much!
The Staff and Board of Saline Area Social Service
Many Hands Make Light Work!
The Adult Leader, Sheryl Still of the Young Adults Program in Saline, helps SASS every week by shopping for us at SAM’s Club. Marcus, Anthony, and Marissa all help! They start out at the SASS office and meet with our director, Don Dersnah, to go over the long list of needs and the budget. Then they are off to SAM’s Club! With the largest cart available, the young adults tear through the huge store. They know where everything is located! They work together to fill up the cart in a very efficient manner. Then they pack their van to the gills and head back to SASS to fill the shelves for that weeks needs. Their ongoing help for the last 5 years has been a godsend to our organization. So if you see them speeding around SAM’s Club thank them for their continuing help!
Thanks, Curves!
Many thanks to Curves in Saline for their long-standing support of Saline Area Social Service.
Easter Baskets
Easter Baskets were a big hit again this year for SASS households. The Spring Craft Show Easter Basket competition took place April 5. Several of the baskets were given to SASS to distribute to families as was some of the cash raised in the competition. Several churches and service clubs donated Easter food baskets which were distributed on Palm Sunday, April 13. The distribution to 146 eligible households took place at the First Presbyterian Church. Also, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church again this year provided age-appropriate toy, game and candy baskets for each child up to 12 years of age.
Norlaine Tinsey, SASS Board Member, and Amy Diehl, Food Gatherers, with the Spring Craft Show Easter Baskets.
A basket from the Saline Craft Show. Attached to each hand was a gift card.
Some of the children’s baskets from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Saline Rotary Club Casino Night
Saline Rotary Club has generously partnered with us and are donating 50% of their proceeds from their Casino Night on August 8 during Summerfest to SASS.
Probility 5k
In 2013, Probility inherited the Summerfest 5K from the Saline Chamber. They vowed to make the race bigger and better. In its first year, the Probility 5K race doubled in size, pulling over 300 racers from Saline and neighboring communities. They also offered first ever cash awards and broke records with FOUR sub fifteen-minute racers! For 2014, they’re not slowing down. With the continuation of over $1,500 in CASH awards, fun race medals, cool tech shirts, and the addition of the Kids Splash and Dash, the Probility 5K is looking to grow even more and be better than ever. Whether you’re a competitive runner or casual stroller, the Probility 5K promises to be fun for all. Sign up today to be a part of one of the funnest—and fastest— 5Ks in Michigan! Probilitypt.com/probility5K |