From Test to Testimony-One Woman's Story...

On February 5, 2010-I, among other employees received an email from a fellow co-worker;
"I'm back, asking for help!!! It's that time for us to start preparing for the Shoebox Project."
To my knowledge, this has been the second year for volunteers at our company for their participation in the United Way Shoebox Project. In 2009, United Shoebox Project collected more than 12,500 shoeboxes for homeless women and children.

Brief History-
Each year, individuals and companies throughout the metro area donate shoeboxes filled with toiletries for homeless women and children in our community. The allocated time frame is typically April 5th-May 21st.

This year our company has decorated and filled 75 shoeboxes. (18 children, 21 teens, and 36 women).
I asked our company's organizer for this project a few questions about what inspired her to participate in impacting our less fortunate sisters and children within the city.
This is what she had to say:

Is there anything or anyone that inspired you to help with this project?
My daughter, she had to go to the shelter for a brief moment. She was told she could only bring a bag for her and my 3 grandchildren. When she arrived at my home with all of her belongings in trash bags. I went though the bags and found two trash bags filled with empty shoe boxes. I had heard about the United Way Shoebox Project for homeless and battered women shelters from WSB station. I've decided to used them for this great cause.

Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on to women particularly the younger generation of women?
1. Always keep God first.
2. Love yourself.
3. Help yourself and others will help you.
4. Recycle the help you were given.

The purpose of my blogsite is for women (especially young women) to know their own worth, to uplift and encourage the women of our generation. Who influenced you to know your worth?
My own personal experiences: Being a young single mother caring for a very ill twin son and having to deal with his death.
My parents: When you have kids out of wedlock and not financially prepare, you have a huge task of taking on a lot responsibilities that you are not ready to deal with being a single parent.
Men: If you don't respect or care about you. They won't....

How important is it to volunteer and encourage others, particularly women?
We should all want to help someway or somebody, especially if you had to ask for help.
It makes you feel like you were there for that person even if you do not know them personally.
My dad told me: "Do it from the heart and never look for any rewards here on earth." You never know when you will be on the other end, getting a decorated shoebox, feeling special, knowing somebody took the time out of their day, turned a empty shoebox into a keepsake.
If my daughter had not call home, I could be helping someone else decorate and filled shoe boxes with personal items for my daughter and grandkids.

I find that we often go through situations in life to encourage and uplift someone else. My co worker is someone that I admire tremendously, she is always willing effortlessly to lend a helping hand. She is an excellent cook, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend; so today I honor her and pray that she continues to touch lives by doing her part. (Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom with me).
Please allow her story to influence you to be the Virtuous Woman that you are, and strive to reach your full potential!!!

Check out some of the photos from The 2010 Shoebox Project

To find out ways that you can do your part in helping your community, go to
http://www.liveunited.org/?