June's Client of the Month

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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!!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!