Volunteers of Lake Country

Delivery to Another January Client

2012-02-05T11:51:00.000-06:00

Last month a caseworker shared a story of a 16 year old teen, a great student, who lived with her parents (both deaf) She was expecting a baby and in need of a dresser. A special VLC volunteer touched by her situation contacted us and offered to throw a shower for her. Due to confidentiality and privacy issues it could not be arranged...so instead this volunteer found, purchased and shared this beautiful dresser/changing table from Craigs List! She was a young lady well beyond her years....and so grateful for the kindness of this stranger! The generosity of time and treasure is always amazing....

Sharing with January's Families

2012-02-05T11:47:00.000-06:00

A special thank you to our friends at Colder's Furniture who recently contacted us with
a new couch and loveseat to share! A volunteer with a trailer agreed to pick them up
and get them to the VLC locker. The day prior to the pickup, a caseworker from Safe Babies/ Healthy Families emailed with a need for a couch and loveseat for Linden Cherish House, a home for teenage single mothers and children who are considered homeless. It felt like the match was meant to be. The pickup volunteer agreed to deliver the couch and loveseat directly to Cherish House that evening, and on a very cold and snowy night, he and his son pulled his trailer thru snowy streets...we shoveled a walkway, and with great determination, pushed both very heavy pieces through 2 doorways that were too small (without taking off the doors!) and into the living room!

January's Project- Sorting Books for the VLC Childrens Free Library

2012-02-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

A special thank you to the VLC Volunteers who signed up and helped with the January
Project, sorting 8,000 books that were donated to the VLC Children's Free Library from
a school that closed. Volunteers worked to sort the books for children from kinder-
garten to 5th grade for our library and re-boxed all of the books for older children,
along with reference books. New homes were found for them at several Waukesha
Schools along with Lad Lake. Your help was greatly appreciated and our present
stockpile should easily carry us well into spring!

Volunteers Of Lake Country established this library 1.5 years ago. Studies have shown
that there is a direct correlation between the number of books in a child's home to
their success in school, and with your commitment we have continued to maintain
this library at the Hope Center. Thanks to your support, to the book drives you have
held in your schools, churches and subdivisions, your personal book donations from
home and to your shopping at rummage sales in the summer and collecting your
neighbors leftovers after their rummage sales, we estimate VLC has given over 1,000
books away to children every month....20,000 books in total!

VLC Make Wishes come true for their December Family

2012-01-02T13:22:00.001-06:00

We accepted a family from Hebron Homeless Shelter in December. They told us

that the mom was so full of joy that they had no idea the obstacles she was

working so hard to overcome after losing much of what she had due to the mold

in their basement apartment. A 'if I won the lottery wish list!' was shared in the

VLC Newsletter on Dec. 3rd, and you shared every item requested by Dec. 12th!

A living room couch, chairs, tables, lamps, beds for the 2 daughters, comforters,

sheets, bookshelves, books, encyclopedias, pots and pans, slow cooker, coffee

pot, toaster, bake ware, towels, cleaning supplies, grocery gift cards, a washer

and dryer along with puzzles, games, a karaoke machine, sewing machine, dress

form, desk, computer and printer. Mom was in tears...YOUR generosity and your

compassion is incredible...searching for the items needed, contacting us and dropping them off in a weeks' time during the busiest month of the year. A Note from the Client: I want to thank you sooo much for all that VLC did for me and for my family. My daughter loves her sewing machine and is working on her first few “designs” I hope she gets to them soon so I can post them for the world to see. We do a puzzle every night together as a family and my son has started reading the encyclopedias. He said he wants to be smart and know everything so he can answer all my questions. You have no idea what your organization has done for me. You have made my home a real home some place where it’s warm and safe. We had a truly wonderful Christmas. I really thank you so very much. I felt like it was a scene out of Extreme Home Make Over! From couches, tables and lamps to beds, from linens to towels, and dishes to pots and pans. Your organization is a blessing and God Bless each and every one of you! We will never forget you ever.

Christmas Wishes come true for 225 Children!

2012-01-02T13:16:00.000-06:00

VLC's November/December Project was to sponsor a child in need for Christmas. It was a commitment of your time and treasure. You contacted the mom for the child's wish list, shopped, committing to spending $60.00-$100.00 on each child and delivering the gifts to their home. Individuals, families, businesses and your groups (AHS swim team being one of them!) brought the joy of Christmas to 225 children this year...up 38% from last year! This Project represents over $20,000.00 of giving by VLC individuals and families in one month's time! Please email to let us know how your experience was...and if you thought about those children on Christmas morning, and wondered you, their secret Santa did! Thank you again for making a difference in the lives of children...

Thanks to Kids Who Care!

2012-01-02T13:09:00.001-06:00

A special thanks to the Kids Who Care who received a grant and made over twenty 'Home Sweet Home' baskets filled with goodies for VLC to share each month with our Families of the Month! Kids Who Care is a group founded by our very good friends at the Oconomowoc Junior Women's Club.

The first November Family

2011-12-04T20:49:00.000-06:00

We delivered to a famiy with a 6 & 4 year old sisters and a 10 year old brother. They needed beds, sheets and comforters for the children. The girls share this room, and the excitement as we put the beds together, and they saw their matching comforters was so much fun! The 10 year old brother was so excited when we set his bed up in the other room, to find that we did not pull out a pink and purple comforter for him!
They were the sweetest family, the children were all so excited, and parents so
grateful.

Second November Family

2011-12-04T20:48:00.000-06:00

A single mom and her 10 year old daughter. They live in Nashotah. I stopped the caseworker from sharing the story because I knew immediately it would haunt me. We delivered today, and wanted to make this little girls bedroom very special. In a few days after sending out the newsletter, 5 different donors dropped off what she had asked for. What is even more amazing is it all went together! First a beautiful bed quilt, with a matching rug and lamp in pale greens and pink..,a bookcase and chair, beanie baby stuffed animals, art supplies and books. This little girl said her room looked like a magazine photgraph! The room that was empty when we arrived is now filled with love, and trust me this little 10 year old deserves it! The living room furniture was beautiful, and she was so grateful for a dresser. She just kept saying how blessed they were, and that she didn't know there were people like YOU in this world...

Drive for the Hebron Homeless Shelter

2011-11-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

3 stores....40 volunteers...each sharing just 2 hours of time! Passing out the Hebron House's wish list and letting the Lake Country community know there was a need. As always they stepped forward to help! Their generosity shined like the sun that fall day as customer after customer shared bags of soups, spaghetti, soap and shampoo. When the day was done, 7 SUV's full of donations and $1,000.00 in cash donations were collected. 2 hours...such a small commitment individually...but together...over 80 hours of volunteerism! Together we can make a difference....we DID make a difference! A special thanks to two groups that helped that day as well, Divine Redeemer and the Arrowhead Key Club.

From Cathy~ The Advocate for the Homeless at Hebron House,

I cannot tell you how touched the guests and staff are at the Hebron House! This kind of community support and generosity truly motivates us to keep going!!! So many times the homeless population is ignored or looked down upon because of their situation, but we know that many times their circumstances are out of their control. The caring that was demonstrated by the Volunteers of Lake Country can sincerely turn their life around because they know people are there to support them in their toughest times. THANKS so much!!!!!!!!

The faces of Volunteers of Lake Country!

Octobers Client Mom & 7 month old son

2011-11-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

There were 4 deliveries in October...two spilling into November! We delivered this beautiful bedroom set to a single mom. She could not believe strangers would give this furniture and bedding to her. She was overwhelmed with tears... 25 years old, and she has never had a bed before! There were alot of tears this month....

October Delivery to Single mom of 18 month old boy.

2011-11-04T06:59:00.006-05:00

Toys, a pack & play, books, diapers, clothing, and a winter coat....the items on the wish list of a single mom with a 18 month old were delivered to the caseworker, and she shared them with the family. Little boys toys and clothing poured in this month. A note from the caseworker after she dropped the items off:

"Thanks so much for everything. I took it over yesterday afternoon and Catherine was extremely grateful for the items. She was very excited about that awesome winter jacket and tried it on her son immediately. Her son also could not tear himself away from that bag of toys and books. He was squealing, with excitement! VLC always manages to come up with just what’s needed! Thanks again!

Octobers Delivery to a mom with a 3 year old son!

2011-11-04T06:59:00.005-05:00

This single mom is a full time student, excited about having a career that will be able to support she and her 3 year old son. She also has a job and is working hard to make a good life for them both. Her wish list included a twin bed, bedding, dresser, clothes, a winter coat and educational playthings....every wish was granted thanks to your generosity once more! This beautiful bedroom set was shared, along with the bedding. So many playthings she is putting many away for Santa to deliver! Thank you once more.

October Collection for 3 boys in 3 different families....Thank You!

2011-11-04T06:59:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all of the strangers, who live in the LC community for taking the time to read the VLC Newsletter each month and even more, for acting on the needs shared in it. Donations poured in this month for 3 little boys (3 years, 18 month, 7 months)....it was Christmas on my porch in October! Thank you for your kindness in cleaning the educational toys your children have outgrown....boxing them and dropping them off. For washing the bedding and children's clothing needed for this month's clients....bagging them and labeling which sizes...for which client. Thank you for watching store sales and purchasing new things to share...how special! Thank you for only dropping off what is requested that month. The moms, and the boys were so excited, and so grateful...

Octobers Client: A mom and her 12 year old daughter

2011-11-03T08:26:00.005-05:00

There is no way that words can possibly convey the story of this very special delivery. We delivered to a single mom with a 12 year old daughter. She had one knee replaced the end of June....the other a few weeks ago. How she got up and down from her mattress on the floor, I will never understand. The only other furniture in the efficiency apartment were 2 folding camp chairs, a small table and TV. We brought in the kitchen table and chairs first, so mom could sit down. She watched as we carried a queen bed past her along with 2 new pillows, new sheets, a featherbed and comforter. She sat and cried...Then came the love seat. She could not stop crying...We worked for 1/2 an hour pushing, pulling and pounding to get the loveseat through the doorway! Below is the photo of her apartment that the 2 of them share..kitchen, and 1 room...their living room and bedroom...7' x 9'...the queen bed that they share....and are so grateful for. Thank you for sharing such beautiful things for a beautiful mom and her daughter!

September's Project- Book Mark Making Workshop

2011-10-04T16:37:00.000-05:00

We popped open a Rubbermaid filled with crayons and the comforting smell of childhood encompassed us all! AHS Key Club volunteers, a Middle School Volunteer, and a few grownups alike all made a comment about that smell! We were suddenly all back in time to 'play mode'! VLC hosted a Bookmark Making Project at the Waukesha Library on Saturday September 25th. It was a kick off to the Waukesha Reads Program and an opportunity to bring awareness to their community project...collecting children's books in Waukesha businesses for the VLC Children's Free Library! VLC established this library, and we have been getting over 1,000 books into the homes of children in need each month for over 1 year! Studies have shown books in the home creates better readers, more successful students and citizens! Almost every single child who walked through the doors of the library that morning stopped and made a bookmark for themselves and one to share at the VLC library! Stickers, rubber stamps, markers, weaving, watercolor paints, yarn, ribbon, and of course crayons entertained us for two hours...we were all kids helping kids! Thank you to the volunteers for their help and to donors for dropping off art supplies for us to use. In case you missed it there was an article in several of the area newspapers about the project and library at; http://www.waukeshanow.com/news/130660408.html

VLC's September Clients

2011-10-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

The Oconomowoc Family who needed your help; requests were so specific....but that did not stop VLC from coming through! The father has been battling Stage 4 Cancer the past year and will be a little more comfortable because you read the story and decided you could help! An absolutely beautiful navy leather recliner, an air purifier, and a queen bed were shared, and our friends at Hearts for Families stepped forward to help the children with winter gear, and their utility bills between now and the end of 2011.

A Share Meant to be: A call from a donor with a couch and chair to share, but VLC had no room in the locker. The same afternoon, a caseworker called with 2 little boys, and no living room furniture! A volunteer with a trailer picked then up and delivered directly!
The Oconomowoc Family who needed your help; requests so specific....but that did not stop VLC from coming through! The father has been battling Stage 4 Cancer the past year and will be a little more comfortable because you read the story and decided you could help! An absolutely beautiful navy leather recliner, an air purifier, and a queen bed were shared, and our friends at Hearts for Families stepped forward to help the children with winter gear, and their utility bills thru 2011.
A Caseworker with a client in a very small apartment and nothing in the living room picked up a loveseat and side tables at the VLC locker to share with the family, and delivered them herself!

VLC runs Food Drives for the Hartland, Pewaukee and Oconomowoc Food Pantries

2011-08-31T13:43:00.009-05:00

VLC was contacted by the Hartland, Oconomowoc and Pewaukee Food Pantries asking if we could do an emergency food drive for them. Shelves were empty, or near empty and all were struggling to keep up with the growing need in our community. The Hartland and Oconomowoc Piggly Wiggly and the Pewaukee Wal-Mart hosted us and many VLC volunteers who had never helped before shared 2 hours of their time on Saturday August 27th, passing out fliers to customers. They said they had a great time. The energy at the collection sites was amazing! Customers sharing huge bags of groceries....and the vans filling fast! Mountains of food was shared and shelves were restocked. Thank you for making a difference. Enjoy some of the faces of
VLC!

August Client- Mom, Dad and 2 sons (5 and 2 years old)

2011-08-31T13:26:00.008-05:00

There was not 1 piece of furniture in the apartment when we arrived except a blow up mattress on the floor in the living room...it was the families bed AND their couch. Mom had a family emergency and was not home. Dad rolled up his sleeves and unloaded the trailer, the cargo van and then the SUV. A bunk bed and dresser for the boys room, a bed for mom and dad, a couch, love seat and tables for the living room, a kitchen set, sheets, comforters, towels, clothing, toys and books. All beautiful furniture and clothing that you donated to be shared with this family. Dad told the case worker that he could not wait for his wife to return...to see that they now had a 'home'. He couldn't say thank you enough that all of the donors...the apartment was beautiful!

August Client - Mom, Dad, 3 Daughters (14, 13 & 9)

2011-08-31T10:34:00.001-05:00

In August we made 2 of our biggest deliveries. This family (mom, dad and 3 daughters) received 2 beautiful couches, living room table, lamp, beds and a beautiful bedroom set along twin beds and comforters. The bedroom set was for the 15 year old daughter....her bedroom was in the basement. It was a basement... cinderblock walls, a concrete floor, and a blanket hanging to partition off the laundry area. But when we brought down the white sleigh bed, dresser, nightstand, desk, chair and new comfortor....it transformed it into a beautiful room this straight A student was grateful for!

Delafield Family- One of VLC's August Clients.

2011-08-31T10:06:00.000-05:00

One of our August Clients was a family in Delafield . Two daughters had moved home to help their mom. None have a car, and they had a wish list of some unusual items that had stopped working. A lawn mower and microwave were both shared along with 2 bikes....one for one daugher to get to work and back....the other for the other daughter to run errands and grocery shop. They were very grateful for your gifts!

July's Clients daughter receives a surprise in August!

2011-08-31T10:05:00.001-05:00

After we delivered to July's Client a VLC donor contacted us with an amazing kitchen to share. We delivered this kitchen to the daughter, and from the minute we walked in and put it down....to the minute we left the 4 year old never stopped playing with it! We had to coax her away so we could take the photo! This donor also shared a grocery store and cart as well, and a different caseworker shared it with another client! Thank you to the donors for this very special share...

July's Project- Collection of School Supplies for Children in Need

2011-08-01T07:15:00.017-05:00

Saturday July 3oth, 50 VLC Volunteers donated more than 110 hours of their time and staffed the Pewaukee Wal-Mart, Hartland Walgreens and the Waukesha Sam's Club. A special thanks goes out to the AHS Key Club, who handled the Walgreens, and to Klements Sausage who shared 3 of 'the boys' with us for the day! School buses with "Fill the Bus" banners were at each store, the Klement's/Brewer Sausage's greeting customers, along with volunteers passing out lists of most needed items. Mountains of school supplies were collected and loaded into the buses, along with $1,000.00 in cash donations, and VLC expediting $1,500.00 in Community Grants. A huge THANKS to all of VLC volunteers who helped on Saturday, volunteers who shared 2 hours of time and helped to make a difference in the lives of 2,000 children in our community whose families are struggling right now.

Delivery to June's Client in July!

2011-07-24T14:48:00.006-05:00

A mom with a 3 month old baby boy, and a 4 year old daughter was moving from a shelter to an apartment. She was suppose to move the end of June, but the availability of the apt. was delayed and we didn't deliver to our June Client until July! A very small apartment....but I suspect it felt like a mansion after living in a shelter! Your donations poured in for this family. Beautiful baby clothes (3 months-12 months!), diapers, a toy chest filled with toys, a swing, exersaucer, a hamper filled with cleaning supplies, shower curtain, bath mat and towels, sheets and comforters (mom, daughter and baby all sharing a bedroom!). We squeezed a loveseat, chair, 2 side tables and lamps into the living room. She was so excited and proud of her new place! On the way out we shared a gift basket of goodies from Kids who Can, along with a $100.00 GC from Hearts for Families.

A Unexpected Delivery....And A Girls Dream Come True!

2011-07-24T14:35:00.006-05:00

VLC was contacted by Human Services about 11 year old Kassondra who was removed from her mother care, and placed permanently with her father. Dad was so excited, but needed a bed and dresser for her, which we shared. At 36 he had had a major heart attack...and a heart transplant ended up saving his life. He is back to work full time, and working to pay off a mountain of medical bills. He had hopes of pinching pennies and trying to fulfill his daughters dreams of a summer horse camp...she has had a tough year, for an 11 year old! After meeting this wonderful family at the delivery, VLC contacted an area horse camp, shared the families story, and they accepted Kassondra at no cost! The kindness of strangers.....

Family Asks for 2 Bikes so Daughter can attend Salvation Army Summer Camp

2011-07-24T14:22:00.006-05:00

A dad who can no longer work due to health problems, a mom who is working, a 13 year old daughter who is signed up for summer school and had an opportunity to attend a Salvation Army Summer Camp....however they do not have a car. The caseworker emailed to ask if there was anyway VLC could help? We made a contact to a special donor and 2 womens bikes were delivered that day! Mom is riding the daughter to her summer school session and to summer camp! Another example of the generosity of the people in Lake Country! Thanks for making this 13 year old very happy!

Picnic Table Donated to Sienna House, a Homeless Shelter in Waukesha

2011-07-24T14:09:00.012-05:00

Hebron Homeless Shelter had a picnic table on their 'wish list'. A place where families staying at their shelter at Sienna would be able to sit outside to visit and play. A big thanks to a team of volunteers from GE, who saw the request in the VLC July Newsletter, and purchased and built a table for them!

June's Project- A morning in the VLC Garden for Good

2011-06-27T08:21:00.007-05:00

Thanks to the 15 volunteers who donated 36 hours of work in the VLC Garden on Saturday June 18th. Two new herb gardens were tilled and planted, some new veggies added to the main garden, and all of the weeding done! All of the produce in this garden is havested and shared with the area pantries and meal sites. They and the families they serve are so grateful.

June's Clients of the Month

2011-06-27T08:04:00.008-05:00

Every month we partner with Human Services and are given information on a family in need in our community. June's family (a mom, dad and 3 daughters (15, 13 & 8) was a very special one. Dad works full time, but mom must stay home and care for the 15 year old 24/7 due to her seizure disorder and other medical issues. She is non verbal, but that didn't stop her or her families excitement when we delivered a new 'pink' wheelchair! They did not request much, but their were so incredibly grateful for everything that was shared. Boxes of clothing and shoes, a bed, dressers and bedding.

VLC's Children's Free Library

2011-06-27T07:53:00.003-05:00

With your continued donations of books for children VLC has been able to maintain the VLC Children's Free Library for almost 1 full year. We have been giving more than 1,000 books to children in need every month! Thank you for knowing that books in the homes of children can change their lives and for continuing to help to keep the shelves full with your book collections!

VLC Shared Items with 11 Families in May!

2011-05-31T18:01:00.026-05:00

2 men, a truck and a trailer! VLC delivered to a mom, her 12 year old daughter, and 3 year old diabetic son who were beginning their life all over. The husband left and took the furniture with him. An aunt shared living room furniture but the 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen were left to VLC to fill....and fill you did! Beds, dressers, bookcases, a desk, toychest and dining table were shared along with a new set of pots & pans, sheets, towels and comforters. This was a very special delivery. 2 volunteers who love doing make-overs joined us. They brought lamps, bedding, pictures, shelves and bulletin boards to hang and pillows to toss! Cozying

things up and making it a beautiful new beginning for this family...

*A futon was shared with a Hartland family living in a 2 bedroom apartment. They have 2 special needs children, each who need their own bedrooms. Leaving mom on the couch and dad on the living room floor. Thanks to you, they now have a bed as well!

*The mother of a 10 month old little girl who was recently diagnosed with a very serious and very rare form of cancer had diapers on her wish list. Donors dropped boxes off this month to share and a special VLC friend touched by the story sent a UPS truck to the porch to drop off 5 cases of diapers! No child should go through this....nor should a mother. Now mom can focus on helping to her daughter get well....

*A mom and 2 sons just moved into an apartment. This amazing dining table and chairs replaced the nightstand and outdoor folding chairs they were using for a kitchen table....and this beautiful bed with 4 drawers beneath and bedding replaced the futon mattress on the floor and the 3 cardboard boxes used for their clothes.

* 7 more donors made families so happy this month. A dryer was shared with a family who could not afford to replace theirs, a 4-drawer file cabinet was shared with a caseworker, 2 dirt bikes were shared with 11 & 12 year old brothers, and 3 extra gliders were shared with Siena House, a homeless shelter in Waukesha where moms in crisis can rock their little ones at very stressful time in both of their lives... Thank you for your generosity!

Grounds Clean Up at the Women's Center of Waukesha

2011-05-31T15:56:00.020-05:00

It is truly amazing what a difference 10 volunteers working 2.5 hours each can make! We had alot of fun working together and together we shared 25 hours of labor! We raked, weeded and pruned the planting beds around the Women's Center, mowed the yard at the WC and their 5 transitional homes, and dug up the backyard at one home to prepare it for seeding. Thanks to the individuals, couples and families who came out to make things just a little nicer for the women and children who are staying at this safe place for a little while...

April's Clients of the Month!

2011-05-01T15:01:00.015-05:00

Oh what a month! We received requests from 10 Clients this month, and thanks to the amazing generosity of Lake Country, we were able to help them all! We delivered a glider to help to relieve the pain of a 14 year old boy, a file cabinet to keep medical information organized for a family with so many special needs, a crib, and an outpouring of new and gently used clothing and toys for 2 children (2 & 6) who can no longer live with their parents...but who have a family friend who has stepped forward to become their Foster Parent so they can be kept together. A brand new car seat was purchased and shared along with a stoller with a grandmother who is now raising her granddaughter, and beds, bedding, a kitchen table, couch and loveseat for a mom who is a 2 time cancer survivor, and is now battling heart disease. One story more difficult than the next...all of these clients were so grateful, all in disbelief that strangers would share such beautiful things with them...would shop for new clothes and toys for them! Thank you for making their lives a brighter!

VLC April Garden Work Days!

2011-05-01T14:48:00.009-05:00

The VLC Garden is off to a great start, even though spring is not! 15 Volunteers learned a double digging method of preparing the garden and helped to ready the beds for planting. Another evening, 8 volunteers helped to plant early spring crops. Please check the Garden Blog at http://www.volcgarden.blogspot.com/ to be kept up to date on scheduled work dates, what is on the garden wish/need list, with questions, for location, or to volunteer to share an hour or two this summer.

Drive for Baby Items for Healthy Families of Waukesha County

2011-04-01T06:51:00.019-05:00

50 volunteers braved the wonderful Wisconsin spring weather on Saturday March 26th sharing a 'wish list' of items needed for Healthy Families with customers at the Pewaukee Wal-Mart, Oconomowoc Pick N Save, and the Hartland Walgreens. Generous customers filled the carts....and VLC filled the shelves at Healthy Families with donations. Over 13,000 diapers were collected! Thanks to all of you who shared 2 hours of your time for making a difference!

Food Drive for the Hartland & Pewaukee Food Pantries and the Lake Area Free Clinic

2011-03-02T08:16:00.013-06:00

These are the faces of Volunteers of Lake Country! They are your friends and your neighbors. They are single, they are couples, they are families. They are parents with their children and grandparents with their grand-children. They are youth groups (thanks to the Pewaukee HS Key Club) and community groups (thanks to Divine Redeemer Church and Pewaukee Kiwaniis!) They shared 2 hours of time on a Saturday, and they thanked US because they enjoyed it!! We staffed 3 stores...had 41 volunteers...and collected mountains of groceries for the Food Pantries just in time, as their shelves were close to empty, along with $700.00 in cash donations. Thank you to the volunteers and the generous people of Lake Country for making a

difference in the lives of others!

February's Client of the Month

2011-03-02T08:04:00.003-06:00

Jim, who recently became the sole parent to his children James (6) and Julia (4) was VLC's February Client of the Month. Jim sent

a note:

Volunteers of Lake Country,

James, Julianna, and I would all like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything. The children really enjoy the bunk bed, toy chest, books and clothing. We are all very thankful for the couch, loveseat, coffee table, lamps, towels and welcome basket. It was very rewarding for us after all we have been through in last year. This should help us immensely, as we continue on our journey of life.

Sincerely,

Jim

Washer and Dryer Donations

2011-02-02T09:29:00.004-06:00

VLC shared 3 sets of washers and dryers this last month! Two of the families were families we received from Human Services. One was the family where both the mom and dad are in the reserves. (The husband has served 2 tours in Iraq). This is the third set shared. This set, along with a beautiful dining table and chairs were shared by a VLC volunteer. VLC arranged a match with the Hebron House. They picked it up and are using them in the new overflow homeless shelter that they recently opened in Waukesha for the winter months.

January's Project- A Family Visitation Room Make Over

2011-02-01T20:57:00.008-06:00

Our goal was to create a positive environment for 2 Family Visitation rooms at Human Services. These rooms are used for supervised visits for parents and their children who are living in Foster Care, or in the care of relatives. It is a place where families who are in crises can stay connected. VLC had some very different requests on the 'wish list' and to our amazement, volunteers came forward with children's tables and chairs, lobby chairs, a loveseat, bookshelves, children's toys and family games, area rugs and artwork. Your kindness and generosity made these rooms warm and cozy, and life a little bit better for the families.

January's Client

2011-02-01T20:44:00.006-06:00

We delivered to Jamie, who had lost her job, her apartment and then everything she had which was in a storage locker and she didn't have the money to pay her bill. She has a new job, and new apartment and a new start. You shared a couch, 2 chairs, a kitchen set, bed, and chest of drawers along with dishes, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, kitchen and bath towels. She had been in an empty apartment for weeks prior to our delivery, so she was so excited, and so grateful for these gifts when they were delivered. Thank you!

One of VLC's December Families

2011-01-02T14:15:00.006-06:00

Tia is a single mom with 2 sons (6 & 7). She is working a part time minimum wage job, but is a full time college student, hoping to make a better life for her family. We shared 2 twin beds and bedding for the boys, a desk and chair for her homework, a braided rug for under her kitchen table, a queen bed and dresser. She was so grateful for your gifts and asked us to send you her thanks!

One of our December Families

2011-01-02T13:53:00.007-06:00

This 16 year old was sleeping in the living room on a blanket. We brought in a bed with drawers beneath his clothes and his space, along with bedding, a couch, table, lamp, entertainment center and 3-4 boxes of kitchen utensils, and small appliances. The caseworker shared, 'I do not have enough words to express how thankful I am, and I know that this family feels the same way. I hope that this thank you can be passed along to the donors and I hope that their generosity is multiplied in blessings and health. Thank you VLC'

Brownie Troop has a Book Drive for the VLC Free Library!

2011-01-02T13:46:00.003-06:00

This 2nd Grade Brownie Troop collected over 350 books for the VLC Children's Free Library at the Hope Center. The girl's collected books at school, from neighbors and from friends. They made homemade signs and handed out empty grocery bags with notes to neighbors asking for the donation of books. Thank you VLC for the great opportunity for the girls to realized the importance of their favorite books, and how special it is to own your own books. The girls ran this project on their own and were very proud of the tower of books they had to donate!

Novembers Deliveries!

2010-12-04T10:48:00.008-06:00

Shaun was a single dad, who just received custody of his 4 & 6 year old son and daughter. He is a UWM full time college student in accounting. His apartment was darling, and we loved him and his children! We brought in a bedroom set for dad, a bed and bedding for his son along with a lamp, mixer, coffee pot and vacuum.

November's Pewaukee Family

2010-12-04T10:19:00.008-06:00

Stephanie was a single mom who is a full time student and works part time. She has 2 & 4 year old daughters and they live in Pewaukkee. Mom had saved for 2 toddler beds, and the quality was so poor they ended up breaking! We delivered these 2 beautiful wicker beds and bedding. We brought a kitchen set and a desk and chair for studying. Inta a apartment that the case-worker said was dark and depressing....we brouth the light of lamps, and a bag of new clothes was shared with each of the girls. In a minutes time the 2 year old had put on a new pair of footed Barbie pj' s and was prancing around the house with the tags still on! Before we got the kitchen table legs put on....she was fast asleep in her new bed!

A Urgent Delivery!

2010-11-03T08:32:00.004-05:00

Healthy Families contacted us about a client with a urgent need and we were able to help thanks to your generosity! A mom, dad and their new baby girl had just moved into a new apartment... life couldn't be better they thought...then they received the call that the husbands 2 boys were coming to live with them! They were so excited....but they needed 2 twin beds and a dresser ASAP. We delivered them, along with linens and a beautiful table and chairs for their growing family in a few days time! Thank you for these beautiful donations, they were so grateful. This was a very special family....

October's Deliveries!

2010-11-03T08:18:00.007-05:00

1 trailer and an SUV were filled with a queen bed, bedding, dresser, a chair, new silverware, dishes pots and pans, utensils, bath and kitchen towels, sheets and a handmade quilt. All were delivered and shared with a cognitively disabled women who just moved in to a new apartment. She could not believe the beautiful things and said that it was October 6th was her best Christmas ever!

October's Project- Collection for the Homeless Shelters of Waukesha

2010-11-03T08:03:00.011-05:00

33 VLC volunteers staffed the Oconomowoc Piggly Wiggly, and the Waukesha Sam's Club along with 4 of the Klements Famous Racing Sausages on Saturday Oct. 23rd. A van and 2 SUV's full of donations along with $750.00 in cash donations were shared by their generous customers! We also just received word that a Community Grant that VLC facilitated will be donated by Sam's Club for the Hebron House in the amount of $2,000.00! Thanks to the volunteers, customers, Klements and the stores...thanks for making a difference!

Learning to help others can begin at a very young age!

2010-11-03T07:46:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the Oconomowoc Junior Women's Club Kids Who Can! They received a grant and wanted to do something special for the VLC Clients of the Month Project. They used the money to fill 16 beautiful wicker baskets with cleaning products, kitchen utensils, kitchen towels and plasticware, and then presented them to VLC. We will be sharing them each month when we deliver.

Trauma Therapy / Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder

2010-10-01T09:32:00.004-05:00

Someone had donated a beautiful white loveseat to VLC awhile back. Because it was white, it was not the most practical item for a family. Along came a beautiful blue wing back chair, and a glass top, silver framed cocktail table...all a bit impractical for a family with children! And then came a call from Human Services. A new office space has opened up in their building for a Trauma Therapist. She would be working with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients. A new therapist....a new office....patients...but no furniture....A perfect fit!

Septembers Client

2010-10-01T09:14:00.010-05:00

We delivered to Katie who is a single mom with 3 children. She works a full time job and is struggling since a divorce to keep the bank from taking the house that they have owned and lived in for the past 10 years. We brought a dresser for each of the boys, a twin bed and bedding. After we set the bed up, we opened a brand new set of sheets and a comforter for the bed. Clients are so grateful for gently used....but they are truly overwhelmed when they see that someone gave them something new....something just for them! We also shared a wicker basket of plush bath towels, bath and body lotions and a candle that someone dropped off for Katie. A basket filled with luxuries....when right now, she is living in a world of neccessities... She was so grateful, and she sends her thanks to all of the donators!

Collection of Children's Books for the new VLC Children's Free Library

2010-10-01T08:59:00.003-05:00

In August the Volunteers of Lake Country launched the Children's Free Library hosted by the Hope Center of Waukesha. Studies have shown a correlation between children having books in their homes and their success in school. VLC's goal was to get books into the hands of children whose families cannot afford them. Hundreds upon hundreds of individuals (sorting their own and donating) and groups (churches, schools, and businesses doing book drives) stepped forward to donate thousands upon thousands of books! 1,000 books are being given to children each month at the Hope Center. With the present inventory, and the upcoming drives that are already in place, we are set until spring! Thank you for the amazing response!

Food Drive for the Hartland and Pewaukee Food Pantries!

2010-09-16T07:09:00.005-05:00

Volunteers of Lake Country staffed 3 two-hour shifts at the Hartland Pick 'n Save on Saturday Aug. 28th collecting food for the Hartland Food Pantry. Summer months are a crisis time for the pantries, and their shelves were close to empty. Volunteers passed out fliers to customers with a list of most needed items, and collected their donations as they exited. Customers were happy to help and their generosity filled many cars with food by the end of the day! A commitment of just 2 hours of time....thank you for making a difference!

The Pewaukee Kiwanis volunteered to staff the Pewaukee Pick 'n Save on the same day as the VLC drive...allowing us the opportunity to run 2 Food Drives for 2 Food Pantries on the same day! Donations poured in for their local Pantry, and shelves were full again....at least for awhile! Thank you all for commitment to helping others....thank you for your gift of time!

August's Second Client!

2010-09-01T12:30:00.004-05:00

This is a story about a dedicated caseworker named Susan who drove to Hartland with her pick up truck, about Kathie the Arrowhead High School Key Club advisor who rounded up the muscles to help load, and finally about Cindy the donator of a beautiful couch, who has been keeping it in her dining room for 2 months because there was no room in the VLC locker....who all

came together to load up a couch, two LR chairs, a table and a lamp and deliver it to Susans client! The mom and dad both work, have 5 children of their own and have just accepted placement of their 8 year old nephew, who needed a home. Thanks to all who made this happen!!

August's Client of the Month

2010-09-01T12:08:00.006-05:00

After losing her job, and then her apartment, Amy, her son (7) and her daughter (8) lived in a shelter for a few months. she is now back on her feet with a new job and a new apartment. they moved in the day before VLC delievered. It was an easy move, they had very little. They all slept that night in mom's bed, as it was the only one in the apartment, and they were unable to cook, because they had no cookware. The outpouring of donations for this client were amazing. It was Christmas on our porch 3 days in a row! On delivery day the couch, loveseat, table and lamp were set up in the living room. The kitchen cupboards were filled with dishes, silverware, pots and pans, utensils, kitchen towels and mitts you shared. A dresser in mom's room and bath towels in the linen closet. A beautiful metal lofted bed for Sienna, and another matching (but shared by another donator!) for the son that we tucked beneath, as the room was very small. We still had room for dresser and shelving that was shared, and made up the beds with new linens. Amy could not believe your generousity and she thanks you all. Her comment to her children....volunteers did this. They made our apartment a home!!

School Supplies for Children in Need!

2010-08-03T07:15:00.012-05:00

Volunteers of Lake Country staffed Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens with volunteers on July 31st. We collected mountains of school supplies for children in need estimated at $5,800.00, $550.00 in cash donations, a $1,000.00 Community Grant donated by Sam's Club, and a $500.00 Community Grant donated by Wal-Mart. VLC donated almost $8,000.00 in supplies and cash to the Backpack Coalition of Waukesha County. Volunteers had so much fun, and were so amazed at the generosity of strangers! One women filled her cart with $285.00 in school supplies to share! She recalled when her husband taught school, that many of his students were unable to afford school supplies. She was so happy to have stopped the day that VLC was collecting and so happy to be able to help!

Delivery to July's Client of the Month

2010-08-01T16:23:00.009-05:00

Beds....Beds....Beds! We shared 6 of them in July! VLC delivered to 2 families this month. The first was a mom with 3 teens, 2 which had disabilities. All were sleeping on blow up mattresses, none of which held air any longer. We shared 4 beds and all of the bedding. The 2nd family was a single mom with health issues and 2 teenage children. They came to WI after Katrina with very little. We brought a bed for mom who had been sleeping on the couch, and another for one of the children. We shared bedding for all of the beds, a dresser, and boxes of dishes, silverware, utensils, and pots and pans for mom. Mom was going thru her boxes of kitchen items with the excitement of a child at Christmas!

2010-07-06T10:03:00.003-05:00

Volunteers of Lake Country were contacted by a youth group of 9-11 year olds who signed up for a one week summer camp...5 days of volunteering! They were looking for volunteer opportunities. We set up a Food Drive for them at a Pick N Save in Wales, and a Pick N Save in Waukesha, to benefit the Kettle Moraine and Waukesha Food Pantries. Thanks to the 65 Volunteers....95 Volunteer Hours....4 vans of food collected...and $230.00 in cash donations!

June's Client of the Month

2010-06-30T12:53:00.006-05:00

The 8 and 5 year old daughters shared a bedroom. It was empty except for the white and pink sheer curtains on the windows. They shared the floor. They were so excited we were bringing beds and dressers for their bedrooms, that they had been waiting and watching for us since 1:00. We arrived on time at 7:00! We set up the two platform beds, with drawers beneath, moved in 3 white dressers, made the bed each with a new set of sheets, and new comforters....we brought the pink ones by coincidence! The girls were so excited. Thank you to all of the donators that made this delivery possible! The caseworker sent this note:

Maria, her family and I can't thank you enough for last night's donations. Maria had tears in her eyes and was extremely excited for her children. Please let the deliverers and donators know how much it was appreciated. I know I have said this before....but I can't say it enough, we're truly blessed to have friends like VLC. Adriana / Healthy Families of Waukesha County

June's Project-VLC's Garden for Good

2010-06-30T12:39:00.009-05:00

Saturday June 19th....over 20 volunteers working in the VLC Garden for Good. The entire produce of this garden is donated to area meal sites, and food pantries for the families that they serve. 50 volunteer hours of trenching, weeding and mulching. The garden looked amazing! Thank you to everyone! However.... 2 weeks have passed....more sun....more rain....more weeds! Please let us know if there is 1 day this summer, when you can give 1 hour of time to stop and weed a bed, and we will put you on the schedule! This is a continuing project that we need continous help on!

May's Client of the Month

2010-06-01T13:24:00.011-05:00

I asked the caseworker to share a few words about May's Client. She said "Beth is a hard- working, responsible, single mom with a 3 year old son. She is a wonderful success story, and an inspiration to me." We found out that she was right, when we delivered. She was so sweet, so excited, and so grateful for the items we shared! A computor desk, to house a computor she had saved for...and had purchased with a few learning games for her son at Goodwill, a beautiful kitchen table and matching hutch along with 2 bedroom pieces to help them keep the bedroom they share organized! And...to whomever dropped off a box of dinosaurs, a dinosaur lamp, and dinosaur books, on our porch...please know they now have a new home...and they are loved!
Other May Shares!
We received calls from 2 donators who each had a washing machine and a dryer to share. We can all imagine how much must be added to a family budget when laundry must be done at a laundromat. One of the moms has 2 children both with substantial disabilities... so just going was difficult. 2 families...both so grateful! Thank you again for this very generous donation!

This beautiful armoire was donated by a family. It was too big for an apartment...but thanks to the muscles of a new volunteer with a trailer who picked it up and transported it to the Women's Center. They shared: " Thanks to VLC for coordinating this wonderful donation, and to the donor. It is truly a beautiful piece of furniture, and is pictured above in one of our transitional homes, where it will be enjoyed by one of our families"
May's Final Share: We had accumulated many extra sets of gently used twin sheets over the past 16 months. Rather than continue to hold them we decided to share 18 sets of them with social services. We received this note from a caseworker, "I have a non verbal 16 year old autistic girl named Sara who functions at a 3 year old level. Her parents were thrilled to receive the sheets with the cartoon characters on for her. She is enthralled with all of the characters. I am sure you assumed that they would go to a small child but as soon as the caseworker saw them, she thought of Sara. Her parents were very appreciative.

May's Project

2010-06-01T13:17:00.003-05:00

VLC gathered teams of volunteers on Saturday May 22nd and Sunday May 23rd to help the elderly and disabled in the Lake Country communities of Hartland, Delafield and Pewaukee with spring yard clean up. They washed windows, cleaned gutters, raked the lawn and flower beds, spread mulch and planted flowers. Pictured are two families who shared 2 hours of time. Thank you to all who participated, I know the clients were so grateful.

Grounds Clean Up at Old World Wisconsin April 17

2010-04-30T17:09:00.008-05:00

20 Volunteers of Lake Country joined 150 other volunteers from other groups at Old World Wisconsin on Saturday April 17th. A perfect spring day for raking, mulching, trimming and working in their gardens. We each worked from 9:00-12:30...only 3 1/2 hours each....but together we logged 600 volunteer hours and saved Old World $5,000.00! Thanks for joining in...on to our own yards!!

Collection for Children in Crisis.

2010-04-30T16:53:00.006-05:00

Children coming to the Foster Care Program or teens coming to the

Juvenile Center are often arriving unexpectantly, and with very

little. The month of April we asked you to share the basics for the
Foster Closet....socks and underwear, and for the Juvenile Center...socks, underwear, sweats, teen books, teen games (board or electronic), footballs, basketballs and DVD's (G, PG, PG-13). We delivered 14 boxes today! The caseworkers for both departments were amazed and so grateful that you shared these items with their clients! We had 7 boxes of for each location. Thank you so much for your generosity and for participating! If by chance you are spring cleaning and come across these items in the coming month...or just didn't get around to gathering them in time, I would be happy to drop again at the end of May. (We didn't receive any sports items, teen games or DVD's in this month's collection!)

Volunteers of Lake Country's Garden for Good.

2010-04-29T11:53:00.007-05:00

Every Sunday at 1:30 (except Holidays), VLC Garden Volunteers will be found at the Garden for Good. April 18th was their first 'work day', and work they did! They rolled up their sleeves, put on their gloves, dug, double dug, weeded, mulched, planted, and built pea and bean poles! There is still much to do! All are welcome, please stop in on a Sunday for however much time you have to share. Come to check it out...come to learn...or come to help! All of the produce will be donated to area pantries and meal sites.

VLC named 'Volunteer Group of the Year' by United Way of Waukesha County

2010-04-29T10:55:00.003-05:00

Five of the ten project coordinators for VLC accepted the honor of being named 'Volunteer Group of the Year' by United Way of Waukesha County, on behalf of the 430 volunteers in our group! To all of you, who have donated your time, your treasure, or have worked to share our information with others in the community, so we can continue to grow...THANK YOU for making a difference in the lives of others!

March's Client of the Month...and Other Shares!!

2010-04-01T09:09:00.014-05:00

A mom and her 3 children living in Oconomowoc. 14 and 2 year old sons, and an 11 year old daughter. The nicest family! This beautiful dining table, bedroom set, linens, and a desk were shared by you and delivered to them. They were so excited...so grateful. Imagine, a 14 year old boy saying 'thank you' for a kitchen table and a desk to study at! (mom shared, he was student of the month...2 months in a row!!)
Other shares in March:

A VLC volunteer contacted us about a stroke survivor, unable to work. He was in his early 50's and living in Lake Country. He had been sleeping on a futon, and it broke. He has physically unable to get into a regular bed...it was too high. We contacted Katy's Kloset in Waukesha....it is a lending library for hospital equipment. He met with them, and a hospital bed was delivered free of charge to his apartment within a weeks time!

We posted a need for a washing machine in the March Newsletter, for a single dad with 3 children in Waukesha. Within 2 days of it going out...we were contacted with a washing machine...in another 2 days, a dryer! The caseworker made arrangements to pick them up and deliver them within a weeks time!

This beautiful changing table/dresser was shared with new parents, both working, and living in a very small apartment in Hartland. They were so grateful for this beautiful share!

Thank you for your generosity month after month!

Drive for Healthy Families of Waukesha County

2010-04-01T08:26:00.008-05:00

Saturday March 27th VLC held a drive at the Hartland Walgreens, Pewaukee Wal-Mart and the Oconomowoc K Mart. They collected a mountain of diapers, wipes, formula and other baby items for Healthy Families. They are an organization who work with families who are struggling, offering support and education. The month of March donators filled the drop off site with gently used clothing and baby gear to share. 3 cribs, 2 double strollers, 3 single strollers, 4 car seats, 2 exersaucers, an infant swing, 10 boxes of clothing, and 2 boxes of

infant toys were collected. Arrowhead High School Key Club distributed 1,000 fliers and bags into the community and collected baby items. Thanks to the 40 + volunteers who made this happen! A HF caseworker shared: A BIG THANKS TO VLC! We were thrilled with all that you were able to collect for the baby shower. Your group just amazes us! Our families will be so thankful that we have things to share with them. For so many families, the tough economic times have forced them to make some very difficult decisions about how to make their limited dollars strectch to meet all of their needs. You have been a big part in making this be a less stressful time and to assure that the babies have what they need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts~

(VLC will ALWAYS accept donations of pack & plays, cribs (a soda can cannot fit through the rails), and saftey gates throughout the year!)

February Collection for the Hartland and Pewaukee Food Pantries and the Lake Area Free Clinic!

2010-03-02T08:47:00.007-06:00

The shelves are full again at the local food pantries...at least for a little while, thanks to the 24 VLC volunteers who helped make this food drive such a wonderful success! To our new friends at the Pewaukee High School Key Club, the couples, men, women, teens, and the families with young children (customers cannot resist those children!) who participated. When asked about helping, this family shared: "This was a great experience for the whole family. We feel that giving back to the community is very important, and even more important is to include our children." 10 car fulls of groceries, $550.00 in donations, and in addition to the Food Pantry donations, the Lake Area Free Clinic (http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org/) received 75 over the counter medications for their clients. This will certainly help both of the pantries and the clinic to serve those in our community who are struggling with the increased demand.

Deliveries for February....Beds...Beds...Beds!

2010-03-02T07:39:00.009-06:00

We delivered to February's Client, but could not set up the bunk beds or dresser in the boys room, the 2 twin beds in the girls room, or the dresser, nightstands or bed in mom and dads room. We couldn't share the new linens and comfortors for all of the beds! We delivered, and the family shared some exciting news...a new start for this family! Dad had gotton a new and really good job, and the family was moving from a small and not great apartment, to a larger single family house with a nice lot in just 2 weeks! A New job...a New Start...a New house...and they will wait to set up their New beds, dressers, and linens! The caseworker will send photos once they settle in! Congratulations to this family on their New beginning! February didn't end there a caseworker and her clients met us at the locker and we shared a beautiful queen platform bed, mattress, and nightstand. The couple shared: "This is a wonderful gift and blessing. Work has been very limited due to the economy and weather, and unexpected medical bills for our son. Thank you to those who gave of their time and financially, to make our lives a little better" Another caseworker picked up and delivered a dining table and 4 chairs for her family to share meals at! Lastly, a VLC member contacted us with a couch and loveseat.and asked if we could find a new home for them! It is now living in the Foster Care Visiting Room! The donator is so happy to have it be put to good use, and the caseworker sent this note: A big THANK YOU for the very generous donation of this couch and love seat. This room is used on a daily basis for family visitations and for the Birth to 3 program. We are thrilled to have received such wonderful couches and so grateful for our families to have a nice place to visit!

Deliveries & Pick Ups for January's Clients!

2010-02-03T15:17:00.018-06:00

This beautiful crib along with the drop leaf table and chairs were delivered to a single mom and her baby. This was the client who walked to her 2nd shift job whom you shared a winter coat, boots, and Christmas gifts with in December! This mom told the caseworker that in all her life... as a child, and as an adult...she never had 2 such beautiful pieces of furniture in her home!

A white metal twin bed, and a beautiful wood framed twin bed, sheets and comforters were donated and shared with 2 little girls...both named Ashley! One caseworker shared "This mom could never have gotten a bed on her limited income. The bedroom looks just beautiful!" The other caseworker said " My Ashley, age 6, has been so excited about her new “Big Girl” bed that she received from your wonderful group of people. She especially loves the blue quilt adorned with butterflies! We cannot thank the Volunteers of Lake Country enough for your tremendous generosity." And...2 more deliveries were made today! One to January's Client, a young couple and their new baby who moved from her parents home into an apartment of their own. We shared boxes upon boxes of donated kitchenware (utensils, pots and pans, bakeware etc...), the wooden table & chairs above, lamps, linens, nightstands, and living room tables! The 2nd delivery was to a single mom with 4 children. A beautiful metal bunk bed, mattresses, sheets, comforters. They were so excited about having the bunkbed...no longer sleeping on the floor, and the couch, that they were painting the bedroom when we arrived, and decided to finish the paint job, and then set up the bunks themselves!

Volunteers of Lake Country Provide Christmas for 122 Children!

2010-02-02T15:55:00.005-06:00

Volunteers of Lake Country were invited to sponsor a child this Christmas as the November/ December Project. Members of our group seemed to love this project. We matched their requests (# of children/ages) with families in need. They called the mom's and received the child's wish/need list, shopped and delivered the gifts to the families. 122 children were sponsored by VLC members! 122 children that may not have had Christmas! The Executive Director of Christmas Clearing Council said, "No group, in our 60 year history has ever sponsored as many children for Christmas!" Talk about the generosity of strangers.... We received many wonderful emails about this first time experience for families, here is just one:
"I found sponsoring to be an extremely rewarding experience! I will definitely do it every year! Not only was it wonderful to see the children that I was helping, but it was an amazing experience to sit and talk with the mother. I think it gave her hope to hear how I had come through some of the bad times in my life. I know the both of us had a better Christmas this year! Thank You so much for making this possible!"

Delivery for Decembers Client

2010-01-27T07:20:00.005-06:00

We were not going to take on a client in the month of December... everyone is just too busy. Then Healthy Families called...a mom walking to her second shift job and home without a winter coat or boots. Her needs were so small, so we decided to share them with you. 3 days before Christmas, items were being dropped on the porch. A crib, dresser/changing table, lamps, 2 new coats, 2 used coats, 2 pairs of boots, bags of wrapped Christmas gifts for mom, bags of toys, and dozens of new outfits for the daughter. We even received a Christmas Card from Santa with a grocery gift card in it! The caseworker had a home visit scheduled the day before Christmas, so she delivered the gifts. The mom was overwhelmed to tears at the beautiful gifts you shared with her and her daughter. Strangers making an unexpected and truly magical Christmas that they will never forget! Thank you all, for making the time...

Delivery for Novembers Client

2009-12-06T15:26:00.013-06:00

20 Donators sharing a couch, LR tables, a desk, 2 bunk beds, a full bed, 3 dressers, linens, pots and pans, dishes, comforters, and towels...along with 5 VLC Volunteers, 2 AHS students, and 4 Human Services Caseworkers. This delivery was like the TV make-over show! A hardworking family. A 13 year old daughter (a straight A student) and her 6 year old sister will no longer be sleeping on a mattress on the floor. They now have a bunk bed, dresser, mirror, sheets, matching comfortors, lamps, and a string of lights each with a flower strung on her mirror! Her words: "the most beautiful bedroom she has ever seen!" I peaked into the room where bunk beds were being put together for the 2 boys...they couldn't believe it...a stranger bought a brand new bunk bed to share with them! They said 'it even smells good'...the new wood!' And mom, she could not remember the last time she slept on a mattress off of the floor! You are changing peoples lives... having pride in themselves and their homes. Thank you!

Collection for the Hebron House, a Homeless Shelter for Women and Children serving Waukesha County

2009-11-03T22:40:00.008-06:00

39 Volunteers volunteering 78 hours of time! Girl Scouts, the Arrowhead Key Club, families, and individuals...Recycle Raccoon, Mr. Pig, and 2 of the Klements Famous Racing Sausages helped bring awareness of the needs of the homeless in Waukesha County to the customers at the Oconomowoc and the Hartland Piggly Wiggly stores. The customers donated 5 carloads of groceries, toiletries, diapers, paper products etc... Over 1400 items were delivered to the Shelter, along with $725.00 in cash donations! The generosity of the Lake Country Community shines once again!

Volunteers of Lake Country Deliver to October's Client

2009-11-03T22:15:00.011-06:00

A pick up truck, an 18' trailer, and 4 cars all filled with furniture and household items caravaned down a dark street in Pewaukee, watching for the address of Octobers Client. We didn't need an address...as we neared the house 4 children waving and jumping up and down, and shouting 'they're here!!' showed us the way! Their excitement never stopped as they held the doors, and helped us carry items into their apartment...along with the 6 volunteers, and the 6 caseworkers who all worked to unload. Their jumping never stopped...they couldn't contain their excitement as they watched the bunk bed, and trundle bed being put together, and beds made in the bedroom they all share! All so excited about having beds!

More donations then ever before....I would come home from work and my front porch would be filled with sheets, blankets and comforters for 5 beds! My living room has not been used so much in the 25 years we have lived here! It looked like Bed Bath and Beyond! Those 4 children slept that night wrapped in the love you sent them...thank you for your generosity...and for giving them a Lake Country Welcome!!

Delivery for Septembers Client

2009-10-04T12:30:00.013-05:00

We received our Septembers Client from Human Services at the beginning of the month. A family with two brothers, 8 and 16, who had been removed from their mother's custody and permanently placed with their father. The 3 of them were going to live in his 1 bedroom apartment, and the dad had very little. The generouse donations of Volunteers of Lake Country allowed us to deliver a couch, loveseat, ottoman, end tables, a cocktail table, a bunk bed and bedding, computer cabinent, dresser, chest of drawers, kitchen towels, dishes, silverware, and lamps. The caseworker sent VLC a message: "We cannot express how grateful we are for your services to our clients. The furniture and other accessories are outstanding. The house seemed to turn into a home for these boys and their dad. They are so thrilled with all the items and have been busy getting things settled. We truly appreciate all you do".

Volunteers Of Lake Country coordinate an Emergency Food Drive for the Pewaukee Food Pantry

2009-08-27T15:14:00.020-05:00

After reading an article in the Living Lake Country Reporter on August 5th titled 'Pantry Donations dwindle in the summer months...Pewaukee Food Pantry asks for Help' the Volunteers of Lake Country knew if was information they could not ignore. They immediately targeted the Pewaukee pantry for boxes of fresh produce from the Garden for Good. Volunteers distributed 550 bags and flyers into 5 Pewaukee subdivisions asking for donations of needed food, and picked up the donations left on their porches the following Saturday. An unplanned Food Drive was organized for Friday August 21st. Volunteers passed out lists of needed items to the customers at the Pewaukee Pick N Save on Capitol Drive. In 6 hours, the generous customers filled 4 vehicles with needed items. The total number of items collected and delivered to the pantry....over 1800! The mini-drive collected more items than we ever have before! What were empty shelves a few days prior at the pantry...were now sagging with the weight of shared food!

July's Client of the Month

2009-08-24T19:56:00.007-05:00

Nina and her 4 children had been living at Hebron House, a homeless shelter for several months. They moved into an apartment July 1st. Initially, the caseworker said she put 2 dressers on her wish list...then he stopped for a visit mid-July...and her living room was empty! He asked why she didn't ask for more...she said she was embarrassed she had so little...and didn't want to ask for too much! VLC delivered a couch, lamps, loveseat, and entertainment center, a cocktail and 2 end tables for the living room. A dining table and 4 chairs, dishes and silverware for the kitchen, 2 dressers, linens, and towels for the bed/bath. Nina was in tears with gratitude, and so were we that night. She sends her thanks & prayers to the kindness of strangers. The 8 donators and 5 deliverers who made this possible! A fresh start, and a new job on Monday....life is good~

Volunteers of Lake Country's 'Fill the Bus' collection for school supplies

2009-08-24T19:42:00.004-05:00

A total of 74 volunteers worked 173 hours on Saturday July 25th, to collect school supplies and backpacks for children in need in Waukesha County! VLC staffed the Delafield Walgreens and the Pewaukee Wal-Mart and they recruited the Arrowhead Key Club to handle the collections at the Hartland Walgreens. Two of the Klements Famous Racing Sausages along with Recycle Raccoon, joined us for a day of fun, giving high fives to children and parents alike, and smiling for 100's of photos! Over 11,000 items were collected valued at well over $5,000.00!

Colleen Martin with the Backpack Coalition said, " The enormity of the fill the bus success thanks to the efforts of VLC is overwhelming!

2009-08-24T19:39:00.002-05:00

Thank You....Thank You.... Thank You! Todd Cullen of InfiNET Web Design volunteered his time, and created this amazing website for the Volunteers of Lake Country. It was launched the beginning of August! Please check it out, and share it with your area friends and family! Talk about the 'kindness of strangers'...we have emailed, and phoned Todd along this journey...but we still have never met! http://www.volunteersoflakecountry.org/ We would also like to thank another VLC volunteer, Marc Wolfgram of MacCetera, whose company has been kind enough to host our new site as well!

Volunteers of Lake Country's Community Garden for Good

2009-08-24T19:20:00.006-05:00

The month of May, 18 volunteers donated approximately 75 hours to till, and plant the garden! A weekly weed and water schedule has been set up, and volunteers are in place for the entire summer. Produce harvested from this garden, and extra produce donated from our volunteers home gardens is being collected and delivered to various pantries & agencies in Waukesha County.

VLC's Work Day at the Women's Center of Waukesha County

2009-08-24T19:04:00.011-05:00

The Women's Center is a wonderful facility, with the most amazing staff. (though I wish it was not necessary to have such a place) 9 Volunteers logged 22 1/2 hours weeding, raking and mulching their grounds. We were in awe of the difference just a handful of people made in just a few short hours!
"I want to thank all of the wonderful people of Volunteers of Lake Country that came to The Women's Center on Saturday, June 13 to offer their time and service. All of your hard work is deeply appreciated. My fellow staff members commented on how much was done on Saturday. Your efforts made a big difference in cleaning up our landscaping. You all worked so hard on behalf of the women and children of "The Women's Center."
Sincerely,
Shelia

Volunteers of Lake Country's June Client

2009-08-24T18:59:00.004-05:00

June's Client: Each month we help a Client from Health and Human Services with their 'wish list'. The generosity of this community has truly been over-whelming. We were again able to collect everything needed for June's Client! I feel like it is Christmas, every time I open the front door, and peak into the collection box! We collected baby gear, a bed & linens for mom, a crib, changing table, 2 dressers, kitchen items etc... A cargo van, and a Subaru totally filled with donations. The caseworker shared:
"When VLC left, Bev & I walked through her apt. When we entered her bedroom, she was overcome with tears. She informed me that for the first time her room was beautiful.. that she was looking forward to getting a good night’s rest. She had not slept in a bed in a long time". Thank you to the 15 donators and the 5 deliverers who made this possible.

June Food Drive

2009-08-24T15:48:00.006-05:00

Volunteers of Lake Country kicked off June by running a food drive. 26 volunteers distributed 1,000 bags into subdivisions in our community and collected the donations the following weekend. There were also 2 volunteers on three 2-hour shifts that worked at the Village Square Pick N Save asking customers to consider donating items as well. 41 volunteer hours...more than 200 bags of groceries...over 1500 items...and $167.00 was collected and delivered to the Hartland Food Pantry, whose shelves were getting bare once again.

Volunteers of Lake Country's Client of the Month Project

2009-08-24T15:41:00.003-05:00

May's Client: This has become a monthly project...receiving a family from Health & Human Services who needs a hand. May's Client was a hard working single mom, and her 15 year old son. They were beginning a fresh life, after living in an abusive situation. Furniture and gently used household items were shared again by those on our email list! We delivered donations of 2 living room chairs, and 2 tables, a bed, linens, towels, a computor desk, and 2 dressers. They brought such joy & pride to them both, and were very grateful for your help and generosity.

Spring Yard Clean Up for the Elderly in our Community

2009-08-24T15:31:00.007-05:00

Interfaith is an organization that serves the elderly and disabled. They provided Volunteers of Lake Country with 3 women who are living independantly, but need help in the spring to get their yards in shape for the season. 13 Volunteers of Lake Country committed to 2 hours of work on Sat. May 16th. We split into 3 teams, and worked at the homes of 3 area residents, 2 in Hartland and 1 in Delafield. We raked the grass, gardens, and the beds, laid mulch, trimmed bushes and made new friends! The volunteers, and the clients enjoyed good company and a great feeling of accomplishment.

Volunteer of Lake Country at the Earth Day Spring Clean Up

2009-08-24T15:25:00.002-05:00

On Saturday April 18th 2009, 150 volunteers came to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle Wisconsin to help with their spring clean up for their Earth Day Event. 16 of them were Volunteers of Lake Country. We brought work gloves, rakes and tarps on a beautiful spring day, and worked from 9-noon on their grounds, getting it ready for their season opening. At noon, we came in from the property, collapsed into the seats in the Clausing Barn, and Old World provided a chili lunch for us all as a thank you...and to give us the energy for our drive back home!

The first Client of the Month....April's Client

2009-08-24T15:19:00.005-05:00

April's Client was a very proud and independent woman in her 50's, living on her own in an apartment in Waukesha. She was a stroke survivor, partially paralyzed on one side of her body. The caseworker shared that she slept on a blow up mattress on the floor, and the only other furniture she had was a lawn chair. She needed everything. It was an enormous undertaking for a 4 week project...but thanks to the generosity of those on our email list, who donated gently used household items, towels, linens, dishes, pots and pans, a dresser, kitchen table and 4 chairs, to a daughter who donated the beautiful headboard and bedding, to her mother who donated a new box spring and mattress, to a family who donated the matching couch and loveseat...who knew it would bring pride and dignity to her heart, and to a friend who donated a quilt made by her grandmother and aunt, wanting her to be wrapped in the love it was made and given with The empty apartment was transformed into a home with your generosity.

Drive for Baby Items for Healthy Families of Waukesha County

2009-08-24T15:00:00.003-05:00

Amazing....28 of the 100 on this email list participated in the drive for baby items for Healthy Families! Whether you distributed fliers & bags to 1,000 homes, dropped collection boxes at area hospitals, dropped donations off on the porch, or attended the baby shower...what we accomplished collectively is difficult to describe! 3,000 diapers...cases & cases of formula... boxes & boxes of new baby clothing, wipes, baby wash, baby blankets etc...along with 8 large boxes of gently used items...2 SUV's full...amazing! You must see it to believe it! Thanks to all who participated...Healthy Families was incredibly grateful and shocked!!

Drive for the Hartland Food Pantry/Jan. 2009

2009-08-24T14:47:00.004-05:00

16 people volunteered from our email list of 100 participated in our Food Drive. On Saturday January 10th 1,000 grocery bags, along with a flyer were hung on doors in various subdivisions letting the community know that we were collecting items for the Hartland Food Pantry. The following Saturday the volunteers returned to collect the full bags of groceries left on their porches! 153 bags were collected (15.3% participation) with 1139 items! Volunteers were also at the entrance, and exit of the Pic & Save on Hwy. 83 offering shoppers a chance to participate the food drive....another 100 bags and 514 items! The total items collected on Jan. 17th by our group was 1,653 along with $90.00 in cash donations! The pantry opened at 3:30 that afternoon, to allow us to unload. They were amazed...We were amazed! 5 cars & a mini van pulled in & we began to unload over 250 bags! We knew that 'We Made A Difference', and that this was only the beginning!

Volunteers of Lake Country In the News!

2009-01-01T20:32:00.022-06:00

Please check out the links to newspaper articles highlighting the efforts and projects by Volunteers of Lake Country

Can you help these struggling families?
October 16, 2011

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/can-you-help-these-struggling-families-131826323.html

Lake Country families need your help / August 4 2011

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/126799193.html

Volunteer and help kids in your local community / July 3, 2011

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/124818469.html

Make a difference in the life of a child / June 2, 2011

http://livinglakecountry.com/living/123063458.html

Children's books bring joy to Hope Center's youngest patrons http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q1RGLzIwMTEvMDUvMDUjQXIwMDIwMG%3D%3D&mode=HTML&locale=english-skin-custom

Can you help these families?

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/119436519.html

The Kindness of Strangers / March 6, 2011

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/117327673.html

Many Thanks for generous donations / February 3, 2011 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/115225819.html

Children in need of a comfy place to sleep / February 17, 2011 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/116432344.html

These families need your help, do you have something to share / December 9, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/111633439.html

Single parents need help from area volunteers / November 4, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/106729708.html

Families Need Your Help / October 8, 2010

http://livinglakecountry.com/living/104564639.html

Books, books and more books needed / September 12, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/102576464.html

Volunteers need your help to fill the pantry shelves / August 15, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living10057834.html

Help Volunteers Stock Children's Library / August 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/news/101794608.html

Helping kids turn the page on hardship / September 5, 2010 http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/102200609.html

Harvesting Help for the Community / June 26, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/97116084.html

Volunteers honored for Community Service / May 6, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/93009954.html

Volunteers inspire by example, Close to Home / May 6, 2010 http://livinglakecountry.com/living/92982039.html

Volunteers of LC 'Spring' forward to Help / April 8, 2010 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/9028587.html

Volunteers Help Build A Better Community / March 11, 2010 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/87398152.html

Spread Some Real Love this February

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/83592442.html

Volunteers Make Lake Country a Better Place http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/news/80623047.html

VLC Coordinates a Surprise Delivery for 2 Families http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/79553987.html

Volunteers log 1,000 hours to date / September 13, 2009 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/58555947.html

Community Fills the Bus with Supplies / August 9, 2009 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/52598597.html

Volunteers continue branching out / July 11th. http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/50396717.html

Volunteer garden brings fresh produce to pantries / June 25 2009 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/49124062.html

Fresh produce drop off sites / June 25, 2009

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/49124067.html

Dispatches from Lake Country Helping Hands / May 28, 2009 http://www.livinglakecountry.com/living/46401407.html

Local Group Seeks Help for those in Need / May 11, 2009

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/oconomowocfocus/news/44711417.html

Lake Country Volunteers hooked on helping the needy / April 28, 2009 http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/43928202.html