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Project; Adopt a Mom Status:
Successfully Completed |
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The Press
To view the press coverage for this project follow the links!
Channel 5 Video
(no longer available)
Channel 5 Story (no longer available)
One more press update: I received an email today from the Editor
of Women's World magazine which is distributed nationwide and in
Canada - they heard about our project and want to run a story.
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June 1, 2008
A little over a week ago we did what many thought could not be done - we gave the Ravenell's new hope. Thanks to a lot of incredibly generous souls, some amazing companies, the hard work and sweat from volunteers and the vision of myself and Kim we were able to do some amazing things.
These are the things we did in less than 10 hours:
And at the stroke of the 10th hour we greeted the family at the end of their driveway and walked them to their back yard which had been transformed into a party scene with Hank the Pirate playing live music, food catered by Hymans, and the faces of all the volunteers and many of the donators, and several news crews. It was a scene never to be forgotten. It was only in that moment that the family realized we had done more than just "clean their house" as Theresa Ravenell had been led to believe this entire time.
There were tears of joy from Theresa, ear to ear grins
from the kids and many proud moments from myself and I'm
sure the many others who were a part of changing this
family's life. Those are the moments that matter in
life.
To all the volunteers who participated in this project
... I know the task was much greater than we had
anticipated, and I realize the sacrifices all of you
made to make sure it got done. There was not a detail
that went unnoticed and I am so very proud of the
teamwork all of us displayed. Beyond everything we did,
I think the our teamwork and our vision was one of the
most beautiful and inspiring things I personally have
ever been a part of. Thank you, truly, for showing up in
more ways than just physically. I learned on this day
there is absolutely nothing in this world that a group
of amazing women and a few incredible men can't do!
To all the donators who gave to this project their
money, clothes, furniture, movies, food, art, plants,
paint, candles, toys, bikes, books, bedding, gift cards,
their everything .... It was a sight to be seen when we
laid everything out and were able to completely furnish
a home for 8 people based on what people like you gave.
They went from a house with a very few belongings to a
cozy home that reflects love, family, laughter, color
and growth.
All of us are amazing. Thank you. Thank you . Thank you!
Next project is on the way ....
Warmest Regards,
Dakota
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HELP WANTED! In addition to a home and life makeover, we'd love to see Theresa find a better job. Please review her resume and if you have a position Theresa might be suited for, please contact us and we'll arrange a meeting or interview.
Donations Needed For This Project Please contact me if you are able to donate any of the following items: Those highlighted in yellow are high priority!
Sporting equipment
DVD Wish List
Financial Goal
The response to this project has been nothing short of miraculous and amazing! I cannot believe how incredibly generous this community has been. I continue to up the goal because with more money, we may be able to do things even more unbelievable than I even imagined! To date we have raised $4353 Those funding this Project Anonymous
Angel $500 Want to help us meet this goal?
Company Donations Gift Card Donations
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Our Thoughts When Kim and I first met Theresa at her home, she greeted us with a warm smile. She invited us in to talk with her and for about an hour we heard her story, toured her house, and learned what she struggles with most. Four years ago Theresa found the courage to leave an abusive husband with her 7 children. She didn't have much, and still doesn't but she had enough courage, and enough love to know that no matter how little she had, she knew she could give a better life to her kids on her own.
She struggles to get ahead,
working a job that pays very little and with hours that keeps
her away from her kids more than she likes. Her dream is to own
her own home, and to find a job that pays better. All her spare
time is spent with the kids - they are all inseparable, taking
care of one another and finding that home really is where the
heart resides.
Her kids are a delight. Lisa,
Amber, Alonike are the 3 youngest and sweetest girls you'll
meet. Floyd, 15, loves drums and playing the keyboard. Jason and
Justin, 14, enjoy basketball and football. Whitley is the
oldest, and in college - hoping to be a good role model to her
younger siblings. She comes home every other weekend when mom
has the money to buy gas to go get her in Orangeburg.
To look at their home it is
obvious what is most important as photos of the family and
trophies the boys have won are the prominent decorations in the
family room. But the reality of life is also obvious, there are
very few toys or signs of the kids because of the simple fact
that Mom can't afford to buy much more after all the necessary
things are bought first. Amber doesn't have a bed and all the
others share - no one has a bed of their own.
When you look at the splintered
walls, the gaps in the windows, the old refrigerator you realize
why Theresa is slapped each month with a utility bill totaling
more than $250 a month. Closet doors that no longer hang,
limited dresser space for the kids, as well as limited clothing.
They have one basketball, and all
the kids play - they even gave me a fair shake and after it was
all done, I lost my bet and had to pay out $10! They laugh a
lot, it's a beautiful sound amidst all the apparent struggle.
And even though Mom laughs a lot, you can see in her eyes the
pain and hurt, and the exhaustion she feels. She only wants a
better life for herself and her kids, and asking for help is not
something Theresa is accustomed to doing.
We could not have picked a better
recipient than the Ravenell family for our Isabelle Project. I
hope all of you feel the same, and are able to share in the joy
of being able to help this family. I have big plans for our
project .... I am going to need all the help I can get to pull
this off. Please, forward this email to everyone you know - lets
all make a difference.
What can you do?
Warmest Regards,
Dakota
UPDATE I wanted to keep all of you updated with the progress of our May project, Adopt a Mom. I am astounded at the support and willingness to help that has come from the Charleston community. The volunteers who signed up, the emails and donations have been nothing short of amazing.
Saturday at the Ravenell home, I met with Frances, home improvement crew leader, Kimberly, landscaping crew leader, Kim, co-project manager, and Carolyn, one of our volunteers. Carolyn took Mom to help her update her resume; Kim took the kids to the park on a photo shoot while the rest of us surveyed the house more closely. When I first decided to take on a project like this I had envisioned helping someone in need, to do what we could but never did I imagine the magnitude of what has transpired so far. I realized yesterday while I stood in their home that our collective efforts and actions would forever change their lives.
I was moved to tears.
I knew we had picked a family who was in need, but I hadn't prepared myself for how deeply-rooted that need truly is. I opened up their refrigerator (which has no handle) and for a family of seven I found one head of lettuce, condiments, 5 eggs, and a pint of milk. They have 4 plates and forks that they share among them. In the children's rooms they have very few clothes and what clothes they do have lay in a pile in the bottom of the closet because they have no hangers, or rod to hang them. The boys were ironing their shirts before they left, then I realized why.
I can count on one hand the number of toys I found. In a home with girl's ages 4, 10 and 11 you would expect to see toys everywhere - but there isn't. The carpets are horrifying and most likely a main contributor to the boys having asthma.
The beds have 3 mattresses stacked - mattresses that are bent, sagging, and dirty and were supported by cinder blocks. Most of the beds lacked proper bedding.
I tell you all this because the need for this family is greater than initially thought. I need help. I don't want to do this half way for this family; I want to give them a chance to build a better life.
Theresa Ravenell had expressed to Carolyn as they sat and talked about her job skills and such that one of the things she and the kids do every Sunday is watch Extreme Home Makeover show. She said the kids have wanted to write to the show, hoping someone would come help them.
Their prayer is answered.
We may not be the Extreme Home Makeover show, but we are pretty darn close because we are their community, and it won't stop at May 25th - When we step up to help someone like Theresa, we take a step towards extending our "family".
Because of what I witnessed yesterday I have changed my strategy, my plan, my priorities somewhat - I've raised the bar, I had to. I need YOU - I need donations (see list to the left), I need money (whatever isn't donated I need to buy), I need your sweat (I need at least 6 more volunteers).
The countdown has begun ... life changes for the Ravenells in 28 days. I have 3 weeks to pull this all together ...
Please, again - spread the word. After the last email I had many people who I didn't know, or even have on the mailing list who stepped up to the plate - they are building beds, donating plants, couches, night stands etc. Those connections only happened because a few of you forwarded my email to them. So please.... keep the circle moving and expanding...
What can you do?
Warmest Regards,
Dakota
Project Details TIME: Begin at 8:00 am LOCATION: James Island. Exact location given to Volunteers only. At 7:30 am on Sunday morning, Mom and the kids will be whisked away for a day of play, retreat, pampering etc. While they are out, we will take over the house for the day, planting a garden and landscaping. We'll clean the house, fix any small repairs we can, decorate and weatherproof the windows, installing energy efficient bulbs, and if all goes well install a new fridge to help reduce the costs of her utility bills. Each child will also have their own bed, and new bedding, toys, etc. I am also hoping to make one room into a "music" room for the family to create music together. We will also create an area outside for the family to play and enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully add a couple of air purifiers to the home to help Justin and Jason with their asthma. *Update: Mom will be escorted by one of our volunteers, Miriam, to the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island where they will have a "5 Star" breakfast at the Jasmine Porch, compliments of Josh and Nicole, restaurant managers. Theresa will then go to the spa where she will receive a Signature Facial by Gigi, a Reiki treatment from Dolly, and a 90 minute Lemon Verbena Scrub and Massage by Marianna. She will then be taken to lunch at the Loggerhead grill poolside with a view of the ocean before coming home. While in the spa, Theresa will be treated to chocolate covered strawberries and champagne compliments of Ken, room service manager.
The 4 girls will be taken for the day to visit the Aquarium
and the Children's Museum.
The boys ... I'm working on it still but am trying to get
them a "field trip" to the Harley Davidson store or a day of
shark fishing!
When the day is done, they will
return for our "reveal" where we will spend some time with them.
The weekend of the reveal, their address will be posted if
anyone would like to come out and welcome them home.
Each child will also be given a
disposable camera to take photos of their "special" day.
There will be no detail left
untouched, and through our efforts I hope to give the Ravenell's
an experience they will never forget and a home that is safe,
warm, that resembles the wonderful energy they encompass.
The After Party
DATE: May 25, 2008 - Sunday Join us for the "big reveal" at 5 pm when the family arrives home to see the changes and experience the true gratitude that comes when you reach out to another. I am working on getting someone to cater the party pro bono in addition to getting some live music to play. All those who have donated money or items or time will be invited to come celebrate community, and to connect with not only the family who we've helped but each other. My personal goal is make this project as personal as it can be - I want you to experience first hand what your dollar, or your energy has contributed towards. I also want the Ravenell's to meet the angels who have changed their lives ...
Profiles If you choose to adopt one of the kids I ask for you to write a hand written note telling them who you are, and give them some words of encouragement. This project is personal for both the family, and those who are giving. Those who donate to this project will never be "just a buck".
NAME: Amber
AGE: 4
AGE: 11
NAME: Lisa
AGE: 10
AGE: 14
AGE: 14
NAME:
Whitley
AGE: 19
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Volunteers Needed I could always use a few more good people. You will need to commit to the entire day of the project. Please note what areas of interest you have or special talents you might have that will best serve this project. Read details of project to know what we will be taking on. Project Team Project Managers Dakota Walker & Team Leaders Frances Hamburger Kimberly Tittle Amanda Howe / Tara Austin
Amy Sloane Dakota Walker
Team Volunteers Michele T.
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The
one thing this family does not lack is love and laughter.
When I viewed the photos of the kids that Kim took, they
were all laughing and smiling - there is so much joy and
cohesiveness among them. If there is anything that we all
could learn from the Ravenells is the importance of joy no
matter what your situation. 
