WISHING WELL, INC.

Volunteers are needed for all events.  Please email us at events@wishingwelloutreach.org.  Remember, students can receive community service hours.  We welcome your support!

FOOD AND CLOTHES DRIVE

FEBRUARY 8 – 28, 2009

and every day to keep our shelves stocked!

Priority Items

Non-perishable foods (including juices and water)

Winter clothes

Blankets

Gift certificates (McDonald’s, KFC, retailers, etc.)

CURRENT REQUESTS FOR SLEEPING BAGS:  2

Many more needed.  Please donate.  Also consider donating other items from the Wish List.  

Depending on the size of your donation, Wishing Well can drop-off and pick-up food collection containers.  If donors drop off items, the money you save Wishing Well in transportation is money we can pass along to the food shelves.  Volunteers are also needed.  We ask that businesses consider requiring employees to donate so many hours of volunteer time.  Students can also get credit for community service hours.  Your generosity changes lives!  We greatly appreciate your loving support.

For pick up or drop off, contact

events@wishingwelloutreach.org or 301-980-4262

WISH LIST

Click document on right to read more on nonperishable items for donation.

DONATIONS

·         Monetary donations (checks payable to Wishing Well, Inc.)

·         Non-perishable food (including juices and water)

·         Winter Gear for all ages (clothes, shoes, thermals, coats, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.)

·         Blankets and Sleeping Bags (insulated sleeping bags are best for inclement weather)

·         Rain Coats

·         Duffle Bags

·         Thermos

·         Personal Hygienic Supplies (personal size deodorants, toothpaste/brush, soap/bodywash, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine products, etc.)

·         Towels and Washclothes

·         Flashlights and portable radios (preferably wind-up that don’t require batteries)

·         First-Aid Supplies (band-aid, anti-fungal, etc.)

·         Gift Certificates (Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, etc.)

·         Computers, Printers and Accessories

·         Televisions, DVDs, Games and Electronics

·         Office and Home Furnishings

·         Automobiles

·         Bus passes

·         Phone cards

·         Employment

VOLUNTEERS

·         Help us distribute the much-needed items donated

To qualify for donation, items such as food, first aid and personal supplies must have original manufacturer packaging and seals.  Items requiring tax deductible receipts must be in good or better condition.  Remember to check for expiration dates.

Veterans Forever Soldiers: Embracing a Future of Promise held on February 7^th at Camelot by Martin’s, was a wonderful event attended by far too few.  Given the criticality of the current state of the economy and the deplorable circumstances faced by many veterans, leadership in the local community is needed now more than ever and would go a long way in establishing long-term support for homeless veterans and their families.  We must not be deterred.  As a community, we must be committed to taking necessary action that creates a system to meet the unmet needs of veterans.

The VFS comaraderie was celebrated by veterans and non-veterans alike.  Our guests included representatives of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of the County Executive; members of the Commission for Veterans for Prince George’s County and Tuskegee Airmen.  A picture-perfect Posting of Colors was performed by the NJROTC Color Guard Unit of Northwestern Senior High School, with cadets Ketki Chavan playing the National Anthem on the Viola and Lucia Arias leading the Pledge of Allegiance.  Against a backdrop of large windows, Dr. James Dula, the Master of Ceremonies, set the pace for a relaxed, yet informative evening.  Opening Remarks were brought by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Lawrence Vann, a member of the Board of Directors of Wishing Well, Inc., with welcome addresses from Deputy Secretary Wilbert B. Forbes, Sr. of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Howard Burnett, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for HHS, Office of the County Executive; and Chairman Henry C. Turner Jr., Commission for Veterans for Prince George’s County.  Jocelyn Mushala silenced the room with “Faces,” a rendition of her experiences after she was medivac’d from Iraq to an area hospital (read more of Jocelyn’s story here http://www.wishingwelloutreach.org/featuredvet.html).  George V. Johnson Jr. Quartet, along with Lavenia Nesmith, surely did play “all that jazz!”  Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Russell C. Davis, USAF, National President of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. delivered a moving address, reminding us of the daunting path that veterans have long traveled and calling on us all to take action, to do something to make change happen.

Did not have the opportunity to attend this exciting event?  What can you do to make change happen for our veterans?  Contact us and let us take action together! 

Northwestern High School’s NJROTC Unit participating Ceremonial Guard:
CAPT Robert E. Davis, USN (Ret), Director, NJROTC Public Service Academy

Ketki Chavan -- Viola -- National Anthem -- Indian
Lucia Arias -- Announcer; Pledge of Allegience -- Hispanic
Sharae Hundley -- "God Bless America" -- African American

Color Guard
Rodrick Hart -- Commander (U.S. Flag) -- African American/Jamaican
Josue Velasquez -- Rifle -- Hispanic
Miguel Velasquez-Monzon -- Rifle -- Hispanic
Nelson Deras-Penate - Maryland State Flag -- Hispanic

Award Ceremony

Veterans Forever Soldiers

SFC Jocelyn Mushala, U.S. ARMY RESERVE (Ret.)

Commissioner SGT E-5 Frederick H. Nordhorn, U.S. ARMY, Veteran

Spc E-4 Gregory L. Strawder, U.S. ARMY, Veteran

Ms. Jean Davis of the US ARMY Freedom Team Salute also presented Commendations to the Veterans Forever Soldiers honorees.

VFS Leadership Award 2009

Lt Gen Russell C. Davis, USAF (Ret.), National President, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

VFS Community Service Award 2009

Keller Williams Realty, Upper Marlboro, MD

Accepted by TSgt Emerick A. Peace, USAF (Ret.), Operating Partner

VFS Soaring Award 2009

Kathy Hines

Founding President, Educare Resource Center, Inc.

VFS Volunteer Award 2009

Book Signing

Paul Lawrence Vann donated copies of his highly acclaimed book, Living on Higher Ground.  Our guests received personalized, autographed copies.  You can learn more about living with passion, motivation, and joy; setting goals and achieving greatness; and how to get your copy today at www.livingonhigherground.com.

Silent Auction

Thanks to Yes We Can Marketing Consultants for donating items for the auction.  “We Wear the Mask,” an original work of art drawn especially for Wishing Well by ‘veteran and survivor of the streets’ Jimi Fardan, was also a favorite among enthusiastic bidders.