Tuesday Memo - Summer Recharge

I derive a lot of pleasure writing these bi-weekly Tuesday Memos and getting feedback from so many of you. I appreciate hearing from you. Over the years these Memos have provided you with important information related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike; have given voice to the many projects that drive IM's mission; and have given me an opportunity to share a bit of myself through the Thought to Ponder section. I hope I've lifted your spirits and made you think more than once or twice.

The Tuesday Memos will take a summer break that will cover the month of July and a bit of August - the memos will return on Tuesday, August 9th unless some critical event or issue needs to be addressed. My hope is that all of you have a great start to the summer, take a bit of time to relax, and come August we'll get back to business as usual.

All the while, lots of home-bound seniors will be fed, new refugees will arrive and I hope that no hurricanes will come calling. And here's some information on two of IM's current projects:

• IM's Second Annual Teen Leadership Camp called iFAITH is scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, July 19 - 21st. We had a great start last year and we are gearing up for this summer's experience. IM is investing a lot more into teen engagement and we hope that many of you will tell your friends about this unique and dynamic experience. This year there will be a special "CSI" forensic lab onsite that will be fascinating adding to the other fun and meaningful activities. To learn more please click here. Please spread the word!! Shaping tomorrow's community begins with our teens!
  
• We'd like to give a big shout out to the staff at Winstead PC who collected 60 fans for our seniors. This is a very hot season and more seniors still need fans. You can donate one or more simply by dropping them off at our offices at 3217 Montrose Blvd. If you want more information about how you can run your own "fan" campaign - just email Andrea Fineman. We will make sure a home-bound senior in need gets the fans right away.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER
I am a workaholic. Guilty as charged! It's hard for me to truly get away, because I am always thinking about work. I've been this way my whole career.

I know this is not very healthy. We all need a break and I actually know that most of us are more productive after we've had a chance to clear our heads. But like most habits, some things are hard to change.

Everyone of us has big challenges these days. What I am trying to learn is to put them into some perspective; to not let them overwhelm me. That doesn't mean that I won't break down and read an email or two (or 1000) or answer a phone call when needed. But for a few weeks this summer, I am going to try to focus on my grandkids and kids; the scenery along the way and have a bit of time to reconnect with my wife, Alyson.

IM is blessed with great staff and volunteers who are capable of making sure that the good work continues. It's really hard for an obsessed person like me to let go; but I am pretty sure that after a bit of R and R, I will be better prepared to tackle whatever comes our way in the coming new program year. Talk to you in six weeks or so.

Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Summertime Volunteering for Kids and Families

School is out, temperatures are rising, and the every parent is beginning to hear the troubling words "I'm Bored!!!"

That means Summer time is here.  This is a perfect time to gather as a family and volunteer to help others in need.  Not only will your kids have fun, but they'll lean the value of helping other people who are less fortunate.

There are lots of volunteer opportunities in your own community.  Plan a day to clean your up your block, help beautify a senior’s home, community center, or a park. More volunteer opportunities for Houston are listed here.

No matter how you volunteer, start with a plan, and have a goal in mind.  Take Aiden for example.  He is a second grader who had a goal to deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors.

Aiden and his family learned about Meals on Wheels through a family friend. His father Karim decided to go on a Meals on Wheels delivery route and took Aiden along, giving warm meals to seniors in need.  “It made me feel good to see the people happy and smile when I gave them the meal,” Aiden said.  They had such a great time that Aiden and his father decided to do a fundraiser for IM’s Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston.  Aiden sent handwritten notes to friends, family and neighbors explaining he wanted to help raise money for Meals on Wheels.  “I thought for sure I could raise $500 and I raised more, about $570,”Aiden added proudly.   

Would you like to work as a family to help IM this summer?  Here are more great volunteer opportunities, especially for youth. 

·         Volunteer with your family or youth group to deliver pet food to our Meals on Wheels seniors with pets each month.

·         Assist with ESL classes or provide homework help to refugee youth.

·         Join a group to clean up a senior’s yard, paint a porch or help with indoor projects.

·         Volunteer at Meals on Wheels’ Central Site helping count, pack and load meals with drivers and deliver pre-packaged hot meals to homebound seniors during midday hours.

Contact Rina Chandarana John rcjohn@imgh.org for more information: 713-533-4948