Seeds of Hope Partners

Almost five years ago, a small group of people met together to brainstorm about the children in Tioga County. Specifically, what could be done to help families in crisis and keep children in their homes when there were health and safety issues that could cause them to be removed from their home. Also at that meeting were managers and caseworkers from the Tioga County Human Services Department.

Seeds Of Hope Partners (SOHP) was borne out of that brainstorming session and this non-denominational, volunteer Christian organization has continued to flourish in our county. 

Yet, even with all that has been accomplished by our many volunteers, the congregations and individuals that have donated time, money and their selves, at times we hear the question, “What is Seeds of Hope Partners?” That is where you can help us. We would like to come and talk to your organization, congregation, or group about SOHP.

You see, we are so excited about the blessings that God has given this group and about all that He has accomplished through his servants that we want to spread the good news. His servants have been faithful and have heeded the call “..whatever you do for one of the least of these,..”. Many families have been helped and blessed with the goodness of His people. Every day people step forward to be a part, in any way, big or small, of this helping ministry.

Please contact our current President, Carole Frank, at 570-662-7425, daytime or 570-724-2866, evening, with any questions, concerns or to schedule a time for one of our volunteers to present Seeds of Hope Partners. 

We look forward to talking with any and all persons that are interested in this ministry.

Sincerely,

Your friends at Seeds Of Hope Partners

Seeds of Hope Partners - May

Dr. Larry Miller

                  Last year, Seeds of Hope Partners served more than 150 families in an attempt to provide a safe environment for children and to help each family remain together. This year, we already have served or are serving 59 families. The overwhelming support and generosity of the pre-Christmas season has kept us going. However, our budget is dwindling at an alarming rate. Please know that we are especially appreciative of members of our congregation whose regular contributions keep us going all year round. And, we are most appreciative of all of the prayers that keep us moving on behalf of our neighbors in need.

              This month we had the usual requests of beds, bedding, baby supplies, furniture, and some safety equipment such as smoke detectors. Our emergency food supplies that are provided to families to help them get through a couple of days until payday are somewhat low. We need to stock up for the summer months when children are out of school and demands are increased. Non-perishables can be delivered directly to the Human Services Agency at the rear of the old Broad Acres building or to the church office where I can pick them up and take them out to the agency. Peanut butter, jelly, cereal, soups, canned meats, spaghetti and sauces are items that will allow children to go to bed without being hungry.

              We had a neat experience last week. The Human Services Agency discovered that a poor family in Covington whom we have helped in the past with home repairs was in need of a new hot water heater. Someone at the agency donated a new water heater, we supplied the hook-up equipment, and one of our project directors went out to wire for 220 and install the new heater. When he arrived, the three children were waiting for the school bus and excitedly said that they couldn’t wait to get home from school and take a bath.

              Later, the mother explained that the old heater went out three years ago and she had been heating water on the stove to scrub up the kids each day for school. We wonder why she didn’t make her need known three years ago. Was it pride or a need to remain as independent as possible? I can’t explain it. I can only be thankful for those like you who support our efforts to do what we Christians have been instructed to do.

              We’ve been informed that Mission Central, an ecumenical distribution center for emergency supplies has established a satellite center. Their goal is to recruit volunteers and contributions that will result in the completions of health kits and school kits. I will post a list of items needed and more information on the bulletin board.

              Also, we’ve been invited to participate in “There’s More to Life Festival” at the Lawrenceville Methodist Church May 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th featuring Bob Lenz who will speak Friday evening. Activities are planned for adults and children Friday evening and Saturday all day. There is an announcement on the church bulletin board.

January 10, 2007

Dear Pastors:

All of us that work with Seeds of Hope Partners (SOHP) want to let you and your congregations know how all your efforts during the past year have been deeply appreciated. Since the beginning of SOHP we have been supported financially, with volunteers and with donations of all types by so many people. We cannot begin to thank everyone enough.

We would like to share some information about what has been accomplished this past year.

·   There are 1,313 children in Tioga County connected through the Human Services Agency. Of that number, 65 children are in placement (foster care).

·   An average of 3 families per week are helped by SOHP every week of the year.

·   Four hundred boxes of clothing donated by Mission Central were delivered to over 300 families.

·   One hundred families were given 1-3 packages of diapers in an emergency situation.

·   Thirty-five families of 3-11 members received emergency food supplies.

·   Over sixty hygiene kits have been given out.

·   Eighteen to twenty homes have had home repairs done with an average cost of $250.00 per home.

·   100’s of hours of time donated by contractors and volunteers to make these repairs.

·   Volunteers with trucks spent 45 weeks and many hours on the road in Tioga County delivering and picking up hundreds of purchased and donated items.

·   Beds have been provided to over 200 people (mostly children) since the first bed project.

·   Hundreds of “Beds in a Bag” have been provided to children and families when beds are delivered and when bedding is needed. We cannot count the number of sheets, blankets, pillows and mattress pads that have been donated over the past 3 years. This bedding is sorted, bagged and stored in the basement of the First Baptist Church, Mansfield.

·   Numerous groups and individuals have made beautiful quilts and afghans to give to the children with the beds. Their eyes light up when given something so special.

·   Two high school seniors have done their senior project with SOHP this year.

·   Christmas gifts were purchased for 26 children. A special benefactor provides financial help to purchase bicycles and 6 were purchased this year. Approximately $2,250.00 was spent on those gifts.

This is only a partial listing of what can be and has been accomplished with the generosity of everyone. We cannot express our gratitude enough to all those who have been so helpful this year but hope that you can relay this information to your congregations so that they can see what their generosity has provided. If it were not for all their help none of this could be done.

In this season of giving and celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we want to say “Thank you” to everyone. We ask that you continue to pray for all the SOHP families, the volunteers and the mission of SOHP. God bless you all and we wish you all a Happy New Year.

From all of us at Seeds of Hope Partners