Monday, October 20, 2014

IHN, Sunday Oct 19 and Monday Oct 20, 2014

The final FPC/CCI IHN Host Week for 2014 began on Sunday.  This coincided with the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens.  We are proud to be part of this network of congregations helping families in need.

The week started at 1:45 when the Set-Up crew gathered to get The Pit ready for our IHN guests.  Frequent Set Up Volunteers Carl Bergmann and Mary Peace helped show the routine to four from 2015-17 Coordinating Team:  Jayne  Bailey,  Robbie Bryan,  Terry Nestor and Paige Oelke .  (The other two new Coordinating Team members Donna Gerhardt and Don DeMaria were not able to be there)  Denise Horton and Kitty Donnan were also part of the crew.  I am amazed that two of this crew also ran the AthHalf--Denise and Paige.  Are they good or what??

The truck arrived promptly at 2:00 and the beds and bins were rolled off and put into the correct rooms and places.  Once again we realize how wonderful it is to have almost everything right in the Pit!  It makes set up a breeze.  Thanks again to KIM NESS and the YOUTH for being so hospitable, giving us two closets and making us feel welcome.

Beds were made, lamps plugged in, name tags written, windows covered for privacy, rules posted, toys gathered and the set up was complete.

Michelle Clendin-Shaw brought a lot of wonderful food for our guests to have for breakfast, snacks and to make their lunches...a bountiful contribution, which will be enjoyed by all!

Not only is this host week an anniversary...but it is proving to be unlike others in a number of ways.  Just reminding us that the # 1 quality for an IHN Volunteer is FLEXIBILITY!

Instead of 5:00 pm the guests arrived at 3:30--but with all the good help we were ready.  Emmanuel Episcopal was the IHN host last week and they also hosted the 10th anniversary celebration, so they had a lot going on.  Ken Sherman, IHN Executive Director drove the van and delivered the guests.

We were happy to welcome two delightful families:  Jan and her children Ashley (14), Don (13) and Madison (11).  Keira and her family Kievonta (7), Jarquavious (6) and Kemya (2).

They got settled into their rooms, and the children enjoyed some fruit and some time playing the games in the Pit.

A bit before 5 both families got back into the Van and headed to Emmanuel for the celebration with Denise in the drivers seat.  Terry, Jayne and Kitty went in cars and we all sat together.  It was a nice program and the room was full of people and good spirits.  Lee and her children (Kawani, JR & Zanora), who were guests with us in August were there and it was great to see them again.  A shout-out was given to Bert Prestegarde who was the first FPC Coordinator...all by herself.  It has taken six of us to do what she did!  Thanks Bert for getting us off to a good start.

Terry held Zanora--who celebrated her first birthday with us in August--and soon she had a sleeping girl in her lap.  Lee  spoke about her experience as an IHN Guest and did a really nice job.

After the program there were refreshments, and all of us enjoyed them.   Then we went back to FPC.
Don and Maggie DeMaria were there with many boxes of Pizzas, and a nice salad along with yummy cookies.  The fact that we had just had some "refreshments" did not keep anyone from enjoying a delicious dinner!  Pizzas hit the spot!  And kudos to Don--who ran the AthHalf and Maggie--who was in the cheering crown--and both managed to bring dinner and join the guests in eating and conversation.  Thanks for being in such great shape you two.

Steve Thackray and Bruce Miller were the Evening Hosts.  Bruce did double duty as he and David Alper were the overnight hosts.

MONDAY morning began early with Denise driving the van at 5:45 am to take Kiera and her children to her Mothers house...where the older two get the bus to school, and the two year old stays with her grandmother, and Kiera gets picked up for her job.  Denise took the van back to the church,  and David opened the door not only dressed but already with his name tag on!

Richard Lane drove Jan and her family to the Day Center where they took a shower and changed clothes.  They didn't realize we have showers at the church...a nice plus for our guest, since they are just across the hall in the Pit.  After today they will get dressed at the church and everyone will get to sleep a bit later.

The On-Site/On-Call Coordinator for Monday was Madeline Van Dyck.  She was joined by Jayne Bailey.  The new coordinators will each be with us one late afternoon to see what this job is about.  Together they put clean sheets on the overnight host beds, and mints on their pillows.  They made sure everything was ready for the guests.

Then Jayne, another double-duty person, drove the afternoon van to pick up Keira & her family.  (Jan and family had a meeting at school and had a ride back to FPC.)    Imagine Jayne's surprise when she realized the gas tank was on empty--very empty!  This doesn't happen often, but it always makes your heart beat faster when it does and you have a van full of tired children, to say nothing of their Mom who had worked all day.  And as happens, no gas station in sight.  Jayne made the wise decision to head straight back to the church and unload everyone.

Smith Wilson to the rescue!  He and Dianne were the Evening Hosts and he took the Van and got it filled up (he will be reimbursed for the gas--and thanked for the effort!!)

Bertis and Kathryn Downs and family brought the delicious dinner:  grilled chicken, vegetables, salad, fruit, bread, cookies and mini-cupcakes.  It was a big hit!  And I am sure that Jan and family were thrilled to find these things waiting when they returned from their school meeting!  Guests never go hungry during our Host Week.

Overnight hosts are Lynn and Happy Dicks.  They will make sure the overnight goes well.

ONE MORE THING...we found out today that a third family will join us Wednesday evening.  Tasha and her daughter Tahtina (8).  We look forward to welcoming them "home" for the rest of the week.

We are grateful to all our volunteers.  In the 10th anniversary program there were some comments about what was most helpful to guests while in the IHN program.  Some of the responses included:

"Being treated with respect",  

"The security of knowing that my kids and I had a stable home",

"Love, kindness, concern, thoughtfulness"  

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR GUESTS!  We are off to a good start.
Sweet dreams, please remember our guests and volunteers in your prayers.









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