We had a really fantastic weekend. \u00a0So much so that we are all exhausted and using lineaments to ease the muscle pain.<\/p>\n
We packed and moved two town houses and delivered the contents to people who needed what was given.<\/p>\n
We were going to do this in one day, but thanks to the UHaul people (see below), we had to do all of this over two days, both Saturday and Sunday, making our work harder, but the rewards were still great.<\/p>\n
We had a couple problems which we need to resolve as we move into the future and hope you can help us:<\/p>\n
1)<\/strong> We need trucks and moving vans which will make these moves easier and less expensive.<\/strong> \u00a0On Saturday, our first problem happened. \u00a0We made reservations to pick up a UHaul Truck<\/strong> between 7:30 and 8:30am Saturday morning. \u00a0When we arrived at the UHaul<\/strong> place – it was closed and would not be open anytime that day. \u00a0It caused us untold problems and extra money. \u00a0So even though we had made reservations to pick up a truck at a particular location, the fact that the location would be closed for the day was not communicated to us when we made and they accepted the reservation. \u00a0Not a good way to do business. \u00a0Since we do this on a budget, \u00a0UHaul<\/strong> cost us for reasons we don’t understand and no apology has been forthcoming.<\/p>\n So after calling around, looking on the internet and trying to make reservations for a truck for an immediate pick-up on a day when lots of people were moving, we finally found a Budget<\/strong> truck. \u00a0It was too small, but all that was available, \u00a0so we had to make two trips when one should have been sufficient. \u00a0So hours were spent – as was extra money – thanks to the UHaul Company.<\/strong><\/p>\n 2)<\/strong> We need volunteers who will help us clean the items<\/strong> given to us before we pack and take them to their new home. \u00a0That would be a big bonus.<\/p>\n Since we have our own special way of cleaning – those who volunteer will find their hands wonderfully soft, moist and wrinkle free at the end of the day. \u00a0We don’t use petroleum based products to do any cleaning. \u00a0Nor do we use anything which is harmful to people or the environment.The products we do use are healthy, good for you, and good for what you are cleaning. \u00a0To peek into our secrets you have to volunteer to help us with these moves.<\/p>\n Once past the above two problems we were back to normal. \u00a0Which means the party started and we packed, moved, joked, sang, and generally had a good time together.<\/p>\n It was very rewarding at the end of the day to get together to debrief; talk about what the day was like; how we could improve what we do for the next pick up and delivery; and how we were going to put the word out even further to let people know who we are and how they can join the party. \u00a0We met to hold this debriefing and conversation and planning session on the concrete in the parking lot of the local Whole Foods Store. \u00a0Folks just walked around us and went about their business. We thought we should have a sign which read something like “Bettina Network Foundation, inc. Debriefing Meeting”, so those passing by could join us if they had something to say or have their curiosity relieved by reading the sign to give them an idea as to what we were doing – and there were the curious stares. \u00a0We stopped in the Whole Foods parking lot because that is where we were going food shopping at the end of the meeting. \u00a0Everyone who volunteered, signed up to join The Black Race so we were all thinking about being extra careful with the food we bought and put into our bodies, because it \u00a0is one of the things we need to be concerned about as members of this Black Race.<\/p>\n We were all colors, ages and conditions. \u00a0From age 4 through 84. \u00a0Some of us could get around, lift heavy objects, move stuff and some of us only walked with a cane, but still made a substantial contribution to the effort. \u00a0If you are handicapped, we still have jobs you can do. \u00a0In this move you could sit by the front door and keep the inventory as items went into boxes and\/or were carried out the door.<\/p>\n We give those who donate a 501 (c ) 3 letter for their contribution so it is important that we keep track of everything donated and what it is worth. \u00a0One person inventoried everything and one person kept track of value. \u00a0Where they weren’t sure, they looked it up on the internet or called a knowledgeable friend for input. \u00a0We keep a wheel chair, a walker and other such things close by in case of need. \u00a0Although we had to keep a couple of the able bodied people out of the wheel chair.<\/p>\n What was most rewarding was the feeling we were left with – that we reached out to other human beings, like ourselves, who needed a boost to live a little more graciously and we were glowing because we had just come back with the knowledge that our work was appreciated, both by those who gave and by those who received.<\/p>\n 3) Going into the future, we\u00a0need volunteers<\/strong> who will go before us, to the homes we have researched and selected as those we would minister to that day, and help the families get ready to receive these additions to their lives. \u00a0The volunteers need to be – Designers who can help arrange things with the families input and guidance as to their lifestyles; people willing to help the families clean their homes and organize what they have; future planners who will work with the families on how to best use the items being delivered to them, how to take care of what they have and what they will receive;\u00a0\u00a0and \u00a0those who will talk with the families going forward on what they\u00a0can do to give back and help others over the next several weeks. \u00a0We also need those who can bring back to us what else the families need so we can organize the next move incorporating those families once again, if the next house turns up something they can use.<\/p>\n ______________________________________________<\/p>\n