Bethlehem House Mini-Drive

Fellow Rotarians, please remember to bring at least one item with you for the residents of Bethlehem House.  Deodorant, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, baby powder, and baby wipes are examples of some of the items that would greatly assist the shelter. 

Eloi and Rosetta George have been coordinating Bethlehem House's Saturday soup kitchen and have probably asked for your asistance on a Saturday to either cook, serve, or cleanup.  Bethlehem House District Manager, Alvin Henley, is very pleased with Rotary II's soup kitchen coordination for the past years.  Mr. Henley's tasks are plenty as his team serves not only those facing financial difficulties but those suffering from mental illness on the islands of St. Thomas and St. John.  They have served thousands of meals a year, provided shelter, clothing, and counseling to the homeless which can mean as many as 30 to 40 individuals per day.  When my family and I volunteered a few weeks ago there were 3 children living at the shelter with their parents.  Mr. Henley shared that one child was getting ready to leave the shelter because her mom had gotten herself back on her own feet after financial difficulties made it impossible for her to support herself and her young child.  The housing, counseling, and job placement provided under the program have also willed her mom to fight to maintain a stable home for herself and her daughter.  Mom has now been working and found and apartment for them.  Bethlehem House will continue to support their family by providing after school services and soup kitchen meals when needed. Rotarian Bob Kirkpatrick and Rotarian Eric Baynes and his family have volunteered at the soup kitchen.  Rotarian Barbara Petersen's mother, Candia Petersen, and aunt, Phyllis Harrigan, have become regulars volunteering most of their Saturdays to cook. Even before you open the front door you can smell the rich aroma that these ladies have committed to making for the many that enjoy the free meal. 

While speaking to Mr. Henley he mentioned that the children, women, and men that reside at the shelter often lack basic necessities such as hygiene products.  Fellow Rotarians, please bring at least one item with you that will benefit the program in this regard.  Deodorant, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, baby powder, and baby wipes are examples of some of the items that would greatly assist the shelter. 

Candia Petersen (Rot. Barbara's mom)   Angela & Chardet Ramos (my mom & sis)

Rots. Bob, Charlotte & Chardet              Guess who rolls up their sleeves...Rot. Eloi