Room in a Box

As you would expect, working with flood victims will also provide you with many heart wrench and heart warming stories.   In an effort to share their stories, I am posting some here.  I will also post some of my postings from the Facebook page to keep you all in the loop on how things are going.  Keep checking back as I will try to keep updating so that you can see the difference that this program is making.

 

Posted:  March 3, 2014

 

HAPPY MONDAY! Well, Saturday certainly proved to be an interesting day! With temperatures sitting around -31C and a windchill of -44C, it was a wee bit brisk to say the least! There were quite a few times I lost feeling in my fingers, nose, lips and legs ... which made for a bit of a challenge when trying to put boxes together for the families who were coming to pick up. However, we made it for the full hour and 7 families were helped along the way, with 44 boxes handed out! I am grateful for my helpers who gave their mom a hand and moved so quickly (of course we had hot chocolate and donuts for them)! I am grateful for the warmed van (I left it running for the full hour!) and my Timmy's green tea, which helped to thaw out the fingers a bit! I am hopeful that this Saturday will prove to be much warmer!! Most needed boxes: All kitchen boxes, queen sized bedding and bathroom boxes. Box lists are located in the "Photos" in the "Box Lists" album. I am ever so grateful to my drop locations! Please drop your COMPLETED BOXES off at any of these locations DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS: Here's the Scoop Maclin Ford La-Z-Boy of Calgary, 11th Street (only) Urban Thrift High River Ford Thank you all for your support! The need is still very much there in High River. Please help to spread the word. Remember, if you'd prefer to send in gift cards for Walmart, Dollarama, or Ikea, you can mail them to Room in a Box c/o Here's the Scoop. I hope you have a great week!

 

Posted:  February 27, 2014

 

It was like Christmas here yesterday! I'd like to say a very special thank you to AMA for personally dropping off $1000 worth of small appliances at my house for the Room in a Box program! I am honoured by the gift and can't wait to get them into the homes of those who need them! Thank you, AMA, for continuing to support our flood victims!!

 

Posted: February 24, 2014

 

Good chilly morning! On Saturday, thanks to all of you, I was able to help out another 7 families and handed out 26 boxes! For those who dropped off boxes at La-Z-Boy, your gifts have been a tremendous blessing to these families. I still need many more Kitchen #1, Kitchen #2 and Kitchen #3 boxes. I have about 20 families waiting for boxes and I only have 1 Kitchen #1, 2 Kitchen #2, and a few of the K#3. Box lists are located in the "Photos" on this page under the album "Box Lists". Your help would be much appreciated. Also, please don't forget to SHARE this page so that others will be aware of the need.

 

Posted: February 20, 2014

 

It's hard to believe that today marks the 8th month anniversary of the flood. It's sad that so many folks still aren't home and many are still trying to put their lives back together. It's not been an easy road and that's why your support is so appreciated. As you take a few minutes today to reflect on the blessings in your life, please remember that there are many folks still struggling with the aftermath of the flood. Blessings to all!

 

Posted: February 6, 2014

 

DO YOUR BOXES MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Yes!!!! You don't often get to hear the gratefulness in the words and the hugs/tears from those who receive them, but here is one lady's message to all of you:

 

"I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart, The kids LOVE their new bedding, Kaydee has been packing that homemade blanket around since I brought it home. The towels for the bathroom are amazing! So again thank you soooooooo much!!"

 

For those wishing to drop off boxes in High River, I will be there on Saturday, February 8th between 10-11 (ONLY). Please let me know if you'll be coming by. For those waiting to receive boxes, please note that is by appointment only. I will be contacting you directly for that. It's been a very busy week over here ... the registrations are constantly coming in, so the need is still there. Thank you for all you're doing! I appreciate each and every one of you!

 

Posted: February 3, 2014

 

GOOD MORNING ... brrrrrrr! It was a good weekend. I was a little worried as this was my first trip to High River with an empty van. Would I have enough for the families coming? Yes! Special thanks to Sam and Marie of Giving Back (High River) for their amazing donation of a truck stuffed with goodies!! And as if that wasn't enough, special thanks also go out to Deb from Lethbridge who drove up to High River with a car stuffed full of more goodies! It was like Christmas for me! Because of these ladies, I was able to have what I needed to give to the families that were coming by! What an absolute blessing they were to me! Thank you!!! It's also a good time to offer special thanks to our drop locations. Thank you Here's the Scoop (Airdrie), Maclin Ford, La-Z-Boy of Calgary, 11th Street and Urban Thrift for your generous offer to be a drop location. These are the types of businesses that are ACTIVELY helping your community and deserve our thanks and support. If you're dropping off boxes at any of these locations, would you please say a sincere thank you to these businesses... they don't have to do this ... but they care about our communities.

 

Posted:  January 29, 2014

 

I'm still wrapping my head around it. I want to share something so that I can say THANK YOU to you all, but I don't want it to sound like I'm touting myself. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to any and all of you who nominated me as an "Alberta Flood Hero". I don't know what to say. I was contacted by the Government of Alberta the other day to let me know that I had been selected to be one of the official Alberta Heroes of the Flood. I was absolutely shocked. I still am. I don't consider myself to be a hero, just a helper. I don't do this for recognition ... but I am honoured to have been able to help as many people as I have. However, I have not done this alone. It is because of all of you, who have had faith in me, that this honour is given to me. I could not do anything without you. When I receive my certificate, I will post it all for you ... because you all deserve it too. I am VERY humbled by this and I just want to say THANK YOU. It has been, and continues to be, an honour for me to help those who need it. Blessings to you all!

 

Posted: January 20, 2014

 

Each week I come back from High River with a heavy heart ... today, I am sharing some of their stories. Please SHARE this page and help me raise awareness and more boxes for these people. Thanks!

 

She crawls into bed at the end of a long day. Her husband sleeps, fitfully, beside her. She closes her eyes and the tears slowly start to fall. It's been a tough day. She'd been on the phone all day, repeating her situation to even more government representatives. The paperwork has been lost, and for the third time she needs to send it in. For the afternoon, she spent the time on the phone with her insurance company who is playing hard-ball with her. "Why isn't anyone helping us?" she thinks to herself. The basement has been torn apart, they have been stretched financial with the cost of the start of their remediation process. Money is so tight right now. It's been seven months, and they aren't getting anywhere. The final blow? Her son comes home with a field trip form. It will cost $75. How will she tell him that she just doesn't have the money for him to go. She pulls her pillow in closer and softly cries herself into a fitful sleep...

He holds her tight. Mom and dad are arguing again. He knows that money is really tight and things are getting worse. They can't fix up their house, they have been living in chaos for the last seven months. His little sister, who he now shares a room with, leans into him as she pushes her hands against her ears. She's crying again. He doesn't know how to help, so he whispers to her that everything is going to be okay. He's only 15, and he's not sure if he tells her that for her sake, or his own. "I hate this stupid flood," he says. He needs to be strong for her so he's holding back his own tears ...

He's a senior, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. His bed is made to military standards. He's dressed and groomed but has nowhere to go. He could go to breakfast, but he's just not hungry. Today will most likely be the same as yesterday, more time on the phone with government agents and insurance reps, both asking for even more forms. He finds it all very confusing. If only his wife were here, she'd know what to do. She was always good with that. But she's gone now and he's left alone. So he stares out the window as the depression sinks in. How he misses her. If only things could be they way they were before the floods.

These are only a few of the types of stories I hear every week. If these stories do not move your heart, then I don't know what would. These are the people that this program is helping. Won't you please consider helping me to spread the word and the need of these dear people. Many organizations have said that they are expecting the depression rates to go way up and according to the Calgary Police, this could also lead to domestic violence. Our gift of boxes to these people does not make everything go away (I wish it would!), but it certainly lifts the load..

Thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do.

*Box lists are located in the "Photos" on the main page.
* There are 3 Calgary drop locations and 1 in Airdrie.
* Most needed boxes ... Kitchen #3, Kitchen #2, bedding for queen sized beds.

 

Posted: January 1, 2014

I trust everyone had a safe and happy New Year! It's hard to believe that 2013 is behind us and we are staring into the face of 2014.

I just wanted to take a few minutes to connect with you all. I will apologize for the long post, but hope you will understand the need for it after you've read it.

You have no idea how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Some just follow along and "share" the posts, quite a few have donated boxes, and others have helped in so many other ways.... everyone has contributed to the success of this program and I just wanted to say a heartfelt THANK YOU!

On a personal note, some of you may not know a thing about the person behind this program ... that'd be me. My name is Tamara. I live in Calgary, have a wonderful husband, who hasn't complained a bit about my starting this program and the time, money and effort it takes for me to run it. He has never mentioned how this neat-freak, stay-at-hom mom has let the household chores slide over the last six months, or the number of times I bring home pizza for dinner. I am truly grateful for him and his support. More than he realizes.

I home-school 3 amazing boys (14, 10 and 7). They have not received as much schooling this year as they should, but they are certainly learning things that no classroom will ever teach them ... how to help your neighbours. Has their schooling suffered? Maybe a little, we do spend a couple of hours a day working on lessons. However, their marks on their current report cards, from an accredited, Alberta, teacher, shows their grades are between 80%-100%... so I think they're doing okay. They have come with me to the sprung, carried and sorted boxes, and have spent time alone while I do errands for it. They have been great supporters and I am grateful for them.

I also have a beautiful daughter who graduated a year early and has entered the working world. As she is still working on her driver's license, this means that I am also a taxi service for her. She has been so helpful in sorting boxes and even putting together her own bedroom box for a teen. She has helped with entertaining the boys while I'm out and even came with me to the Grand Opening of the business section in High River to hand out quilts to business owners. She has been a rock for me and I don't know what I'd do without her.

And, if that's not enough, I am also a writer and editor for a local paper and help my church singing for our Sunday worship time. So, needless to say, I am a busy woman. Yet, somehow I have managed, by God's grace I'm sure, to run this program that I believe in so strongly. My heart aches at the number of people who have lost so much in the June floods. I cannot imagine losing everything, special items, keepsakes, photos, wedding dresses, and the emotion behind it all. Add to that the never-ending paperwork and waiting the government and insurance companies put you through, and the huge financial losses so many have suffered. As such, I am compelled to help them however I can, even if it means that things in my life are shoved aside for the time being.

I appreciate your patience with me as I try to juggle adding the registration and distribution of the boxes to my plate, now that the Salvation Army has pulled back. I am so going to miss Garry! He has been my right arm!! I'm not quite sure how it will all pan out, but I know it will, because I am determined to make it work. Slowly, charities are pulling out of High River ... packing up and moving on. Please do not put them down! It takes a lot of work and a LOT of time and money to keep these programs running. I understand their need to pull out. However, that doesn't mean that I have to.

If you're a praying person, I would ask for prayers for 3 things: registration, distribution and storage. I *might* have the storage, and the registration I think I can handle, but distribution may be a wee challenge, as I will probably only be able to come out once per week, whereas before, we had someone there every day.

I guess I just wanted you to understand where I am coming from. To be open and honest with you and to thank you for everything you've done to support this program and, ultimately, the people of High River. They need your support now more than ever!! Please, don't forget the residents that are not home. If everyone pulls out, who will be there to help them?

May you be blessed beyond your imagination in 2014!!! Thanks for reading my ramble and for SHARING this page.

 

 

Posted: December 30, 2013

Some of you may remember the young lady who was selling bracelets to raise money for Room in a Box to help her community. I am so proud of Sarah's efforts! Between selling bracelets, and a school bake sale, she was able to raise $250!! I was able to purchase 2 (much needed) Kitchen #1 boxes and will likely have just enough for a Kitchen #2. Thank you, Sarah, for all your hard work! It was great to meet you and your mom and to give you a quick "tour" of the Room in a Box storage area. I am just so grateful to you!

Please note, we are in DESPERATE need of Kitchen #1 boxes! These two will probably be gone by morning. There are only 2 Kitchen #2 boxes left, and only 1 Kitchen #3. We are also out of double sized bedding and have only 3 queen sized bedding, no king sized. We have enough twin, baby and bathroom boxes! (Yay!!) If you could please help spread the word by SHARING this page, I would appreciate that very much. We NEED those boxes!

I wish I could show you how grateful people are when they receive these boxes. It brings them to humble tears as they slowly start to put their lives back together ... it should make you feel great to know that YOU had a hand in that!

God bless you all! Please have a safe and happy New Year! May 2014 bring you much blessing for all you've done to help your neighbours!

 

Posted:  December 26, 2013

I drove down to High River on Monday to drop off a van load of boxes. With the Christmas spirit in the air, and all the wonder and beauty this holiday brings to our family, I was walking on cloud nine. And then I arrived at the structure ... my heart dropped and my eyes welled up with tears, as I gazed at what was left of the supplies. Our stock is so very low, and it came on rather suddenly. However, I tried to remind myself that this also means that so many families got to enjoy a little bit more Christmas this year, and so, I sucked in the tears, and work hard to get more boxes for the families that will need them in the days, weeks and months ahead.

To help you realize how many people your boxes are helping, I'd like to share this information with you: From October 15th to November 30th, 694 boxes were handed out to families that were ready to move home. From December 1st to December 20th, 284 boxes were handed out! That's a total of 978 boxes in 2 months! This number does not include all the boxes we handed out before we had a registration process in place. On Friday, December 20th, 14 families picked up their boxes ... in one day! 14 families!! Wow! Doesn't it make you feel great to know that you had a helping hand in that?

As such, I am going to ask you if you could please drop off some boxes at a drop location this coming weekend, so that I can take some boxes down to High River on Monday. We anticipate that there will be a few families in need that we will not have boxes for. The most needed boxes are the Kitchen #1, Kitchen #2, and Double-sized bedding. We have lots of bathroom boxes, so thank you all for that!

God bless you all! You ARE making a difference!

 

 

Posted:  December 20, 2013

It's hard to believe, but it was 6 months ago today that Alberta was struck with one of the most devastating floods in its history. Although many home owners have been able to move back home, 40% of High River residents still aren't home. The flood waters ravaged this little town and with it washed away hopes, dreams and memories. If I could capture for you those first few visits into High River right after the flood, your mouths would drop open, your eyes would well up, and your hearts would break for these people. We're not just talking material loss here. So much was lost that day. Special memories, photo albums, wedding dresses, Christmas ornaments for baby's first Christmas, keepsakes from loved ones who have passed away, favourite items, the list is endless.

Room in a Box has been there since the beginning. I have learned so much over the last six months, but one thing remains, I cannot leave High River and head back home without tears rolling down my face. Yes, we have helped many people. Your boxes have been such an incredible blessing ... but there are so many more that need your help. That 40% who still aren't home NEED you. They need this program.

I wish I could tell you every story I have heard. From the young lady who loved Pride & Prejudice, a book her grandma got her hooked on, lost it in the flood, and lost her grandma a week later... to the miracle of that exact book being given to her with her new bedding. That's not coincidence ... Then there's the senior man who lost not just his home, but his business as well, who has no money for rent, and lives on about $250 per month. There are the home owners who have been told by insurance companies and/or government-paid officials that their homes had "structural issues before the flood" so their homes will not be covered for flood damages. Then there are others who are trying to fill out the endless amount of papers for the government to try and get the funding they need, only to find out that there are about 10 more hoops that they have to jump through to even get past process number one. There are so many who have "never had to ask for anything" and who have come to me, humbled, teary, and defeated, asking for help for the very first time.

Is Room in a Box still needed? ABSOLUTELY! I wish you could see what I've seen, and continue to see. The need is great. Six months ago, lives were torn apart, precious memorabilia lost, finances draining, questions go unanswered, and waiting games are being played. The burden that these people bear should never be carried alone. We need to share that burden with them. We need to give them the hand up they need.

Thank you for all you've done to support this program over the last six months. YOU have made a difference in the lives of so many people. As of November 30th, we have officially handed out 694 boxes and over 200 quilts. The unofficial number is even higher than that. It is because of your compassion and generosity for these flood victims that this program has grown. You have helped me, a busy mom of four, homeschooler, writer and editor, do more than I ever dreamed I could do to help. You are MY heroes.

Please, continue to support this program. Tell your friends, co-workers, social groups and churches about it. (I have a website for those who do not have Facebook, and I also have a brochure that you can hand out). Please SHARE this page. We're going to need more boxes in the new year. People are still trying to get home, let's be there for them and give them our boxes as their "Welcome Home" presents.

Please .... don't forget the people of High River

 

Posted: October 9, 2013

It's always emotional, that trip out to High River. I go weekly, with a van packed full of boxes. I listen to the radio and sing along, enjoying the beautiful drive, knowing that my drive home will be much more difficult. Today was no different. I unloaded my van and organized my boxes into piles, expecting a few families to come by (previously arranged). One comes, there are tears, "I've lost it all! I wasn't able to get back into my home and it's already been taken down." My heart aches for her and the little guy sitting in the back of the vehicle. As she drives off, I take a minute to brush away a few tears, as the next lady comes in. "I feel so awkward. I've never, ever had to ask for anything and can't believe that I have to." My heart breaks again. I know that feeling. After lots of hugs and encouragement, she drives off. Again, I stand to the side and brush the tears away. If only I could do more. The next lady, my how she has struggled. It took all I had in me to refrain from bursting into tears as I heard the anguish in her voice. My heart breaks again. She gets the items she needs and then says she'd like to do up a Christmas box to help. I hug her again. What a beautiful spirit in the midst of trial. A few hours later, I'm driving back home, the tears come back, only this time, I let them flow. The overwhelming realization of how deep the needs are in High River, even more than three months later, burdens my heart. And so, I let the tears go, knowing that what we are doing is helping.
Each person/family that gets these boxes has their own story. Their own heartache. And each one is just trying to pick up what pieces are left and carry on. But it's not easy. The journey is long. YOUR boxes bring a little ray of hope into their lives. That little hand up that says, "It's gonna be okay." Our boxes say, "Welcome home." Even if that means a temporary rental until you move back "home". YOUR love, poured into these boxes, IS making a HUGE difference in the lives of High River residents. Please, keep it up! They need it. More than you will ever realize! God bless you all for what you've done and what you continue to do.
Pictured below is another great group of folks! Special thanks to Sunridge Mall's Dairy Queen, staff and customers, who worked together and raised enough money to buy all this! What an incredible blessing!! Thank you so very much!

 

Posted:  September 5, 2013

Every weekly trip to High River comes with its own story. Each one bringing a flood of tears. Some of the tears are for the heartache that each resident has to bear, other tears are because I know how much something as simple as a "box" helps so much. I just had to share today's story because I believe it will really touch your heart. I was contacted by a woman who saw my posted pic of the teen bedroom my daughter completed. She expressed a special interest in that particular item, and it wasn't until I met her today that I found out why. You see, my 17 year old daughter wanted to include a copy of Pride & Prejudice in with her "room" as it is her favourite book. (I like to do the rooms in clear bags so people can see the colours/patterns). Today, I met the lady who expressed the interest in it and she had tears in her eyes as she told me the story ... her niece, who lived in the basement of her home, had lost her bedroom. Last week, she also lost her grandma. This grandma had introduced this young lady to Pride & Prejudice, and the book became very special to her, even more so now. As she told me how much this would mean to her 17 year old niece, we both had tears. I can't wait to share this with my daughter! She'll have some tears too. What a wonderful surprise over something as simple as a book.

 

Posted: August 23, 2013

Here is a great, feel awesome, kinda story! Arlyce Thompson of Quilters Haven in Moose Jaw, SK put out a call to all her quilters to donate quilts to High River flood victims. Little did she know that she was going to be coming into Calgary with 244 beautifully, handmade, quilts! Thank you, Arlyce and all the other contributing quilters, for this very special gift! Nothing says "love" like something handmade. The flood victims who get these quilts will be blessed by your beautiful gift. Thank you so very much for entrusting me with this generous, beautiful, heartfelt gift. I am honoured by the responsibility of them. They are absolutely beautiful! Special thanks to Deanne for putting me in contact with Melanie, and Melanie for letting your aunt know about this project. Now ... to get busy getting these ready to give! PS. CTV News also captured the event on video! Watch for it!