Blake and Micah Melnick went to high school with me. They are two very precious people, and God is using them in big ways right here in our state. They started an organization called BigHouse. It is an organization that set out to help the foster care children in the state of Alabama. These kids get over looked so often, and this group wants to make sure that doesn't happen. This spring they are doing a swimsuit and towel drive in hopes that they can give EVERY foster child in the state of Alabama a new swimsuit and a monogrammed towel of their very own. Now, why am I blogging about this? There is only a few weeks left and they are still in need. Have you ever wanted to do something or give to something, not sure where or how the money would be used. Well here is a practical way to give from your heart that will affect people right here in Alabama, and more than likely someone you know. I have gotten to take pictures of Blake and Micah for the past year and their sweet little one Anderson. Below is a picture of them and a guest blog from Micah. If you can't donate, then maybe think about donating your time to their packing/distributing day on May 14 in Trussville. You could also talk to your youth groups or service organizations and try to recruit help, they are going to need lots of people to get it all done in one day. Please please please read on and at the very least pray for them, and continue to try to find ways to help serve in our community :)
"Do you remember the first time you got something with your name on it? Maybe it was a pack of stickers, or pencils, or a mug. Do you remember begging your mom or dad- “please, please can I have (insert object)… it has MY name on it!” Or maybe you were more like me, combing the racks for your unique name, usually to be disappointed but occasionally surprised that they have it? Either way, there is something special about having your name printed on something; it means you belong.
This spring, BigHouse Foundation, a non-profit ministry in East Alabama that serves foster families, has decided to make sure every child in foster care in Alabama feels like they belong. We are calling on the Alabama community (and beyond) to make this dream a reality. We are collecting new swimsuits and new towels to distribute to the 6000 children in Alabama’s foster care system. Each towel will be embroidered with the child’s first name to make it extra special and uniquely their own. But we need A LOT of help. We will be collecting through April 30th at drop off sites across the state. We will also be collecting through May 13th at First United Methodist Church in Trussville and at BigHouse in Opelika. We will the have a HUGE packaging party to sort and package each suit and towel for each child. This package will also include a card letting the child know that not only does their community love and care for them, they have a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally!
There are a few different ways YOU can get involved:
1. Donate Swimsuits and Towels: it’s as simple as purchasing a swimsuit or towel (or both) and taking them to a drop off site near you, or mailing them to BigHouse.
2. Donate $ online: Go to www.ourbighouse.org and donate via paypal or a credit card. $25 will cover the cost for a swimsuit and towel.
3. Volunteer: We need volunteers and EMBROIDERERS to come and help at our Packaging Event in Trussville (East Birmingham) on May 14th. We are asking that embroiderers bring their machines and set up shop at the church that Saturday. We will have hundreds of towels that need to be embroidered that day! To register as a volunteer or embroiderer, go to www.ourbighouse.org.
At the end of the day on May 14th, we want to know that no child will be left empty handed. Please help us make this possible. For the cost of one dinner out, one trip to the movies, or giving up a few starbucks, you can make a BIG impact on the life of a foster child."
This spring, BigHouse Foundation, a non-profit ministry in East Alabama that serves foster families, has decided to make sure every child in foster care in Alabama feels like they belong. We are calling on the Alabama community (and beyond) to make this dream a reality. We are collecting new swimsuits and new towels to distribute to the 6000 children in Alabama’s foster care system. Each towel will be embroidered with the child’s first name to make it extra special and uniquely their own. But we need A LOT of help. We will be collecting through April 30th at drop off sites across the state. We will also be collecting through May 13th at First United Methodist Church in Trussville and at BigHouse in Opelika. We will the have a HUGE packaging party to sort and package each suit and towel for each child. This package will also include a card letting the child know that not only does their community love and care for them, they have a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally!
There are a few different ways YOU can get involved:
1. Donate Swimsuits and Towels: it’s as simple as purchasing a swimsuit or towel (or both) and taking them to a drop off site near you, or mailing them to BigHouse.
2. Donate $ online: Go to www.ourbighouse.org and donate via paypal or a credit card. $25 will cover the cost for a swimsuit and towel.
3. Volunteer: We need volunteers and EMBROIDERERS to come and help at our Packaging Event in Trussville (East Birmingham) on May 14th. We are asking that embroiderers bring their machines and set up shop at the church that Saturday. We will have hundreds of towels that need to be embroidered that day! To register as a volunteer or embroiderer, go to www.ourbighouse.org.
At the end of the day on May 14th, we want to know that no child will be left empty handed. Please help us make this possible. For the cost of one dinner out, one trip to the movies, or giving up a few starbucks, you can make a BIG impact on the life of a foster child."
-Micah Melnick
BigHouse Director
