Story Book Thrift Store Trail Honoring Our Own: Volunteer BBQ & Awards
Good Cheer Food Bank & Thrift Stores
Local Business Work Parties
Food Bank & Thrift Stores Creating a hunger-free community
Summer 2015 Vol. 12, No. 2
Local businesswoman believes in
Looking back with gratitude and paying it forward “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson Life is a series of ups and downs. Some lives have only gentle dips and curves, while others resemble theme park roller coaster rides–with unexpected turns and sudden drops. Most clients come to Good Cheer Food Bank when they are experiencing a low turn or loss in life (loss of a job, a marriage, their health, etc.) They manage to pull through the lean times with some help and move forward. It is always inspiring when a former client remembers to look back with gratitude and then chooses to ‘pay it forward’ in the form of service to others who are in a place where she once was. Such is the case of Shanna Stevens and her husband Eugene Elfrank. Stevens had an unstable home life as a child, and like many teenage girls in similar circumstances, thought that having a baby would bring stability and fill an emotional void. Through the many challenges of being a single, young mother, Stevens had to grow up quickly. She developed an awareness of being responsible for more than just her own destiny – something that continues to shape her family’s future as well as choices she is making as a local businesswoman. Stevens has made a habit of always trying to lift up those around her no matter what her economic status. In doing so, she has created a space in her life that is resilient and not dependent upon her current economic situation. It is about lifting people’s spirits and dignity.
When we first met Stevens and her family, they were coming to the Good Cheer Food Bank while they were trying to build their own business. Stevens and Elfrank brought the kids in to volunteer and helped us spread the joy of Good Cheer by participating in parades and other special events.
As their business grew and they were no longer dependent on the Food Bank, they gave back. They taught their kids the value of gratitude by spending a Christmas helping those who were homeless. When the business failed and they were back at square Continued on page 2
Chair-ity online auction open for online bids Take a seat to support Good Cheer. Literally. Thanks to the inspiration of volunteer Sharen Heath, Good Cheer is holding its first online auction. The Chair-ity Auction offers chairs that have been re-purposed or created by local community members that are decorative and functional. What makes it special is the many different ways there are to take one idea and create such a variety
of opportunities to bid. Heath’s chair is adorned with handpainted crows and will make a comfortable place to sit. Don’t have lots of room but would love to own a piece of chair art? Dianna Boettger’s cute, tabletop-size decorative chair is named “Summer-time at Chair-ity Beach,” and has details such as a beach scene fabricated with an old dictionary cover Continued on page 2
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