We have had a beautiful and cold start to the new year, and while rain is on the way, so is a bit more warmth. I look forward to the change. Do you look forward to change? So many of us resist change, often without even realizing it, and it is something that I have learned to embrace...well, most of the time, anyway.
Ten years ago my mom gave me a journal and on the front it read 'Me, 5 years from now'. It was to help me envision my future, yet I was blind to it. I could not, no matter how hard I tried, see or feel what my life would be like in 5 years. I was so short-sighted that I thought perhaps I would just disappear before 5 years was up. My how things have changed!
In May we will begin our 5th year with the cafe, and not only do I have a 5 year vision, it changes and grows all the time! I get so excited when I focus on this journey and I know how very lucky I am that you have joined with us for part of it.
I have some ideas about what we will be doing this year, and I am open to new dreams all the time. I wish each of you all the love and support that you can take in 2011, and may you find yourself embracing your own growth and change!
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What's Happening? Hot Stuff!!
Saturday January 22, 11-2: WINTER PARTY!
We love having these parties for you and we can't wait to see you here! Shake of the Winter Blahs with fabulous food & wine samples, live local music, local art, pictures from our Food & Wine Tour of Italy, and find out about next year's trip!
All Month Long: Earn DOUBLE POINTS all through January! Every purchase gets you closer to a free meal, twice as fast!
AND
Bring in your unopened RED ENVELOPES and open them in front of us. We will see what you won and celebrate together! Every envelope is a winner, guaranteed. Remember, you can bring in one envelope at a time and they must be unopened.
PLUS
Watch for the return of Monica's Comfort Meals!
She has been plotting and planning and has some fun things up her sleeve to help get us through the Winter.
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We are opening up the club! You have a rare opportunity to join our exclusive
Monica's Opportunity Membership
Current members may renew and we are accepting new memberships all through January! This is your chance to save even more money this year, while reaping the rewards of your loyalty.
We cannot thank you enough!
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We Will Be Closed:
Saturday January 15
through
Monday January 17
Our January-only Weekday Hours:
8am - 5pm
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You may be thinking "How can I help?"
Here is one small way:
An ongoing plea: The Salvation Army "Sally's Camp" is scheduled to begin caring for families from all over the county on January 15 and they need our help.
There will be 10 4-person tents plus a central, larger tent that will have heat, stove, fridge, microwave, table and chairs for doing homework, etc. Does that sound wrong? A homeless camp shouldn't have kids? I agree, but they do. There are 1.3 million homeless children nationwide, 21,000 of which live in Washington State. This number is up 5% from last year.
We have them in Kitsap County, too.
There is help out there. Families will be screened through KCR and all will have case management which will provide connections on resources and help getting in to affordable housing. There will be background checks on all involved; no sex offenders permitted at all. Health, fire, police and other organizations are ensuring that the safety and security of the families is paramount.
They are all working together with The Salvation Army to provide a temporary, emergency shelter to these families that would otherwise be living in their vehicles or tents without warmth, security or sanitation. And it is COLD outside.
The need for our help is ongoing:
*To fund two sani-cans at the site, both approximately $130 every month for at least six months.
* To cover the increased costs of garbage, water, sewer, electricity, etc, each month.
* For paper products of all types: cups, bowls, plates, paper towels, Toilet paper, diapers (especially toddler sized), and plastic eating utensils.
* Sleeping bags rated 32 degrees or lower, adult and child size.
* Single size air mattresses are needed as insulation beneath the sleeping bags.
* Battery-free hand crank lanterns for each tent (amazon.com has good sales now) run under $20/ea.
If you can help, please bring your donations to Monica's during business hours,
or to The Salvation Army in Bremerton at 832 Sixth St, between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday thru Friday,
or you can send your tax-deductible donation to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 886,
Bremerton, WA 98377
and on the memo line of your check write: 'Sally's Camp'.
Thank you and bless you for your compassion. After all, we can all use a little help now and then.
Monica's Waterfront Bakery & Café
www.waterfrontbakery.com
360-698-2991 |
