Having volunteered in the past at homeless shelters in the Appleton area, this news story hit close to my heart. From WBAY Channel 2 in Green Bay:
Help for the homeless in Appleton came as members of the United Steelworkers in town for a conference dropped off blessing bags at a local shelter, with many bags expected to go to kids.
That drop-off site was at the Pillars shelter, near the city’s downtown.
Five hundred blessing bags filled with personal hygiene items were delivered by female members of the United Steelworkers hoping to make a difference as they recognize the 101 year anniversary of women’s suffrage.
Women of Steel coordinator Tonya DeVore said, “Part of what we do when we come together is do an action, and we chose Pillars today to do our action. We’ve collected these blessing bags from all over the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. All of our local unions donate money and product so that we can create these bags.”
You can watch a video and read the rest of the story HERE.
Kudos to the United Steelworkers and Women of Steel for their service and kindness to the Appleton community, the homeless and children in need.
“Welcome to the “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB ). The #WATWB was inspired by a simple conversation about how all the negativity on social media was weighing on us. Wanting to make a difference we decided to try to do our part to infuse social media with all the good stories that are out there. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit.” ~Belinda Witzenhausen~
If you would like to join in with posting for #WATWB or simply spread some joy on Facebook or Twitter, please click HERE for more information, guidelines and the hosts for this month’s event. You can go HERE to be part of the #WATWB Community Facebook page, where monthly posts congregate for your reading pleasure.
This month’s post falls on Friday, September 24, 2021 – Eric Lahti (https://ericlahti.wordpress.com/) and Susan Scott (https://www.gardenofedenblog.com/) will be co-hosting.
Mary J Melange 
Thank you Mary for sharing this gloriously heartwarming story, even though I am way down here in Geelong, Australia … their actions of kindness and compassion sent tingles of joy into my soul … 🌏🤗💕
You’re welcome, Ivor. No matter where we live, there is always someone or an organization willing to help the less fortunate. Wishing your community the same kind of joy!
That/s a vert nice story, Mary. When I was working with AIIM, they always did something like this during their annual conference. It’s a great way to recognize and support the people in the towns where these meetings are held.
Kudos to AIIM for helping our communities. These organization help to put smiles on the faces of the recipients, especially the kids. When working at the DOC, our offices chose a charity to donate or give to at Christmas and I really miss that opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.
This is wonderful, Mary. Some of our shelters have been closed due to Covid, and now with it getting cooler here, I hope the homeless can find other places to stay.
Thankfully, our shelters have remained open through Covid, but with strict policies and procedures. There’s absolutely no way that the homeless here can survive 24-hour life outside during the winter months in Wisconsin.
Oh my–we Floridians know nothing of cold weather. Funny though, yesterday we were out to one of husband’s favorite fishing holes. The temperature yesterday was in the low 60’s. We were talking to a Navy guy who was in town for some training. He said he lived in Las Vegas where the temps were in the 100’s, and he was freezing here. I should send him to see you…! 🥶
LOL, freezing in the 60’s, huh? Yeah, he has no idea what cold is until he feels 15F for a high in February. And that’s not even the coldest day we’ll have…
Excellent!
Thank you!
A most beautiful effort of kindness. Wonderful share Mary. 🙂
The Women of Steel are the Women of Compassion!
Thank you for the heartwarming stories. You have to love those lady steelworkers.
You’re welcome! Thank goodness we have this wonderful group of giving ladies.
Such a lovely post and article Mary thank you! Also, as it’s 101 years of women’s suffrage, this gifting seems particularly poignant for the homeless, aiding them in getting to eg school with a little more dignity. Wonderful #WATWB post! Have a lovely weekend/
Thanks Susan. Women’s rights have come a long ways in 101 years, but there is still a lot of work and reform that needs to be done so that mothers and their children are not homeless, jobless or without education.
yep, here too … everywhere … 😦
Way to go, ladies!
That’s what I say, Judy.
What a cool idea. Anything that helps education even tangentially is a wonderful thing.
Absolutely Eric!