We really have had a very fun, busy couple of months around our homes. Our annual Craft Bazaar, run by Adele Anderson, was a great success again this year. Thank you to our crafters/artisans for the beautiful donations and to all who came out to shop. Now we are getting ready for Christmas. We are always thankful to those who share with our families during this season; and to the local Churches who sponsor our moms with gifts and gift cards, making their season bright and their memories fond. We are especially thankful for the three, brand new babies who have come home to Mary's Shelter within a few weeks of each other--there is no greater gift!

  

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from all the moms, babies, volunteers, and staff of Mary's Shelter.

  

Kathleen Wilson

  

  

My mother was trying extremely hard to get me and my daughter out of a bad situation. She gave me the number to a shelter in Winchester. They gave me the number to Mary's Shelter because it was closer. They also told me it was a great place.

  

If I had not come to Mary's Shelter I would be living in a bug-infested house, where everyone around me smoked and nobody cleaned--EVER. And my daughter would be disrespectful and rude. I would probably have ended up drinking and smoking again, throwing my life away. I'm glad to be here because I can't do that--I refuse to do that, I'm way too smart.   

  

My mother was a single mom of 3. I'm the oldest, with two brothers who are 21 and 15 years old. I stayed in trouble, but did well in school, getting A's and B's. My mom taught us to love and take care of one another, which is one of the best things she has taught me.

  

My daughter has very long, sandy brown hair and brown eyes. Se is very tall for her age. And she is smart for her age too. She loves to sing and learn new things. I love everything about her. She is the reason I keep pushing myself forward.

  

I want my children to grow up and be the best they can be. I want them to learn to never give up.

  

Some of the greatest challenges I've faced are becoming a mother, getting off of drugs and alcohol, and getting a GED.

  

Mary's Shelter has taught me patience. And it's taught me how to deal with other people.

  

Yes. I find it very hard to live in a house full of different personalities--especially with all of the hormones!

  

God has a great hold on me. He hasn't let go yet and I hope and pray that He won't ever let go. I believe that no matter what, He will be--He IS--there for us.

Rita was born in Dover, NH and moved to the Washington, DC area to work for the government. She retired in 1994 and realized that she was too young to stop working. She looked into various volunteer opportunities and her service work was with ECHO (Ecumenical Council Helping Others) in Woodbridge, VA. She was "hooked" on service work from then on.

  

When I moved to Fredericksburg, I began volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. A few years later, while working there, I met a new volunteer, Monika Felock. While talking with her, she mentioned she had expressed an interest in volunteering at Mary's Shelter to organize their "storage" closet. It sounded interesting and challenging so I said I'd also be interested in helping her. The "storage" closet is now called the "Boutique".

  

The Boutique is now completely organized. My duties now are to sort the donations and help keep it organized.

  

The sense of accomplishment in that I am a small part of a wonderful Christian outreach program who are helping the less fortunate to have a safe home for their babies as they are brought into this world.

  

I have been made even more aware of how many young women coming from various difficult situations are in need of this safe environment.

  

It is a matter of setting priorities. My service work is top priority with me. However, I also make sure to balance my life, making time to socialize and have fun.

  

I promote service work with Mary's Shelter at every opportunity by telling people what it is all about. When they see my enthusiasm (which I'm told is contagious), that speaks for itself. If they are not able to do service work, they often find other ways to help, i.e. monetary donations or by purchasing needed supplies and donating them to the Boutique.

  

That's easy--it's seeing the new mothers with their infants, then watching them grow in a healthy environment.

  

        

Many thanks to the big crowd of students (and parents) from Pope John Paul the Great High School, who showed up on a Saturday morning to give a full day of service doing yard work, painting, and more. Our homes look fresh & beautiful!

    

Thank you to Linda Kamp for facilitating a donation of books from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library!  

  

Thank you very much to Heather Tower for the generous donation of childrens' clothing and toys!

  

Warm thanks to Mrs. Cooper's 7th grade class at Holy Cross Academy for their donation of coats.

  

If you'd like to make a donation of material goods to

Mary's Shelter, here is a list of our current needs: