I (Alice) just watched the true meaning of Christmas giving in action (and it was fun).
Read on if you'd like to be blessed...
    A tall woman wearing a lime green jacket came walking back to the office carrying 2 plastic bags and carrying 2 coats. Judy – this tall woman, wanted to donate these – but didn’t want a receipt. I thanked her graciously and then she proceeded to walk into the furniture room – I assumed she was going to shop. But she did look like she was on a mission… a few moments later I walked up to the register to find her with a younger mother who had a cart full of clothes and other items – obviously shopping for her kids. Judy said she was 'playing Mrs. Claus' – instead of shopping, Judy had scoped out the store to bless someone. She was enjoying the opportunity to pay for someone’s complete cart – this younger mother was the recipient. All Judy wanted in exchange was a hug.
    As Becky, our cashier, was totaling up everything in the cart, I had the privilege of hearing Judy’s story. Today was her 40th something wedding anniversary and instead of her husband and her exchanging gifts she was out blessing someone else on their behalf. Judy shared how she grew up poor and now wants to bless others. She humbly came into our store with the intention of finding someone to bless and she did – she paid for their whole purchase and deeply touched another mother and her family. My heart was warmed seeing both the giver and the receiver – neither knew the other. Merry Christmas!

    PS. In one of the plastic bags that she brought in was a pair of snow boots – size 8. After she told me her mission, I shared with her that just the other day when it had snowed I asked a gal who is going thru a difficult divorce and is broke if she’d like to go for a walk in the snow with me. She said she couldn’t because she didn’t have any snow boots. I asked her what size she needed –size 8!!! I shared with Judy that her donated boots would be given to bless this gal with much needed snow boots.
    That's what the HOPE Chest is all about - giving and receiving - Helping Other People Excel!
Merry Merry Christmas!!!

My “HOPE” Experience

By Volunteer Rhonda Greene

I struggle with depression.  I did not want to get dressed and get off the couch.  Like a stubborn child I ignored the gentle nudge from God.  I said “NO… I don’t wanna!!” {God} Nudge, nudge,…wiggle.  I tried to shut it out and got on Facebook instead.  The HOPE Chest posted that they needed volunteers.  Even for just one hour if that’s what you can spare.  Tornadoes had just ravaged several surrounding communities including Pekin.  Devastation everywhere!  Families lost their homes, flattened to rubble.  Some escaping with just the clothes on their backs.  It’s getting cold out.  The HOPE Chest was accepting donations. {God} “…go”.  I thought – “hmmm…one hour, then back to my jammies and my couch”.

Standing by the back door drop off I saw mountains – of food, clothing, bedding and personal items.  Stacked floor to ceiling.  People were scrambling to get help for others who had been affected.  In addition to tornado relief The HOPE Chest runs a food pantry Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1 pm to help families in need.

Volunteer adults and teens as well as staff were working non-stop to load semi-trucks to aid victims. Donations came from Wisconsin, Virginia…states away.  I dove in heart first.  Ohhh my!  After four hours I went home sore but happy.  I tried to sleep.  {God} “…go tomorrow. I have more to show you.”   Me thinking… “For an hour?” (I think I heard God laugh). 

The next day there was a bread delivery.  People came to pick up bread all day long.  Two bread items and 1 dessert to each family to “share the Love”.  A full table emptied and refilled over and over…many dropping a dollar or two in a donation box to bless others.

The BEST part…the people.   Some were shy not wanting to take too much, some are embarrassed.  They’ve worked their whole lives but circumstances have not been kind.  Haven’t we all “been there’ before?  They are so thankful and appreciative.  Sometimes there are tears…many smiles, hugs are common. The lives touched here range from families dealing with illness, job loss, home loss, tough economic times, and families co-habituating to get by.  God made it possible. The donations we receive help…The donations you give help. 

That’s the HOPE Chest…Helping Other People Excel.

Six hours later I’m home feet hurting, back aching, arms falling off, and heart soring face hurting from smiling…Thank you God!  That was awesome… {God} “I love you!...go tomorrow.”

I just laughed and laughed…

And by the way…

Can you spare one hour?

Dear Team HOPE:
We made it through a very challenging week and together we made a HUGE Impact and difference in our county and community. As we move into the next week, I wanted to share FIVE Critical Communication Points with you. Please share this on your page.

#1: We have filled four - 53 Foot semi trailers - ready to go to relief aid in Washington once we get the green light. All of the trailers are filled. We are NO LONGER collecting for Washington at this time until further notice. There may be some long term donations to collect in the future. I will keep you posted.

#2: We are still a distribution center for those affected by the tornado in Pekin, East Peoria and Washington. We have served many families this past week, and our plan is to continue to offer HOPE. Any family directly affected by the storm can come to The HOPE Chest during our operation daily, M-S from 9 to 6. You do not need a voucher, but you will need an ID that shows your address. We can help you with food, water, clean up items, tarps, clothes, coats, etc....These items will be provided to you at no cost. We are extremely committed to helping out Pekin and East Peoria families but will help any family who lost their home or apartment or have had damage done due to the recent tornado.

#3: We are still collecting donations for the Pekin area. Donations needed are as follows:
* Tarps
* Clean up items and garbage bags
* Non - perishable food items
* Diapers and baby food
* Pet supplies
* Clothes and shoes, Winter Coats, Hats and Gloves
* Beds and furniture and appliances
* New or gently used toys for Christmas gifts
* Artificial Christmas trees
These donations are given to The HOPE Chest for them to distribute or use for their purpose as a non for profit organization as they see fit. Please keep in mind that The HOPE Chest helps those in need. These donations will be used to help those affected by the tornado, as well as those affected by unemployment, homelessness, lower level income, and single parent families. Our SEEDS of HOPE program has grown by leaps and bounds. This program provides resources to many families at no charge to them.

#4: As of Monday, November 25th, due to our warehouse space and needs, we are no longer collecting garage sale items, knick knacs, TV's and general household items. We have hundreds of boxes of these items we need to sort through. This will be in affect through the end of the year. The donations we will be accepting are listed under #3 above. Please understand our current situation when considering a donation.

Our donation drop off schedule is as follows:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF AFTER HOURS!!!! Thank you for your cooperation in these matters. It will help us with logistics and flow, as we do our best to handle the current situation.

#5: Our box truck that we use six days a week, is no longer in use. We learned on Thursday, that the motor/engine is shot. We are in need of funds immediately, so we can purchase a used box truck. This truck is vital to our programs. We use it to pick up donations, food, deliveries, and our free bread program. If every FB person donated $5 to our new Box Truck fund, by the end of this week we would have enough to purchase a truck clear and free. Would you consider helping us with a $5 donation?? You can give at the store or go to www.thehopechestil.org and donate on line.

Thank you so much for being a part of TEAM HOPE. Together we can continue to make a HUGE Difference.

Sincerely,

Dave Craig
Executive Director
620-9043 -office
267-2506 - cell
davebcraig@gmail.com

This past week The HOPE Chest gave over 1500 loaves of bread and buns, 100 dozen locally baked donuts, bags of groceries to feed 288 people and meal packs to feed 10 homeless residents. We appreciate our partners who helped us meet all of these needs. Thank you, Midwest Food Bank, Deal's, Sara Lee and Classic Donuts. And thank you, dear friends, for donating food to our pantry. We appreciate you!

The HOPE Chest Seeds of HOPE program blessed (at no charge) many families with beds, dressers, kitchen tables, chairs and couches. Our staff was honored to help a family who had no refrigerator. They not only needed the appliance to store their family's food, but medical supplies for a very serious medical condition. We were thankful to have been donated a refrigerator, and were able to give it to someone who was very much in need. Thank you to all our friends who have graciously donated furniture and appliances to our store this week.

In the last 6 days, over a dozen people were sent to The HOPE Chest from other agencies in Pekin. They were sent to us in need of assistance for rent, utilities, shelter and transportation costs. But we were unable to help these destitute guests. The HOPE Chest does our best with the funds our sales provide. But we normally do not receive funds from churches or any other organizations. We also do not receive any government funding. Therefore, our Outreach is limited to donations of food, clothing and household items. It breaks our heart to have to send anyone away, and we do our best to find help for everyone who truly has a need. As the weather gets colder and more people struggle to keep warm and stay dry, I expect many guests to come to The HOPE Chest seeking assistance for these more difficult needs.

Please continue to support the HOPE Chest, so we can continue to provide assistance to the poor in our community.

Lynne Johnson - Outreach Director, The HOPE Chest

    The Lord reminds us in His word that our hope is in Christ. Last week a young couple came in to the store with a multitude of needs. They are homeless. Their tent, clothes and food had been stolen. The pregnant young woman was tired and her feet were in pain from walking miles in ill-fitting shoes.
    The HOPE Chest went into Outreach mode and began assisting them in the small ways that we are able. We gave them clothing and fitted them with shoes that were practical and sturdy. The HOPE Cupboard provided them with homeless meal packs of nonperishable food that will sustain them for several days. From our pantry, the couple were also given bottles of water and Gaterade to keep them hydrated. We provided them with toiletries, blankets, and backpacks. The HOPE Chest was not able to give them financial assistance to give them transportation or shelter. So we called our resources to find help for them. We instructed the couple on where to find a hot meal every day in Pekin. And we offered them hope. Hope in the future; knowing that there is a God who cares for them and uses many tools (such as the HOPE Chest) to help them get through these hard times.
     Our HOPE is in Christ. And as we share what we have with others. We are sharing that hope - in Christ.   ~ Lynne Johnson, HOPE Chest Outreach Director

This is a photo of our Homeless Food Packs.  The Pack contains foods that do not need refrigeration or heating.  Also any cans that are included are the pop-open kind so no can opener is needed.  Things we often take for granted.  Please consider making a donation in food goods or a financial donation to help us help others.  Thank you and God bless!

      Hello, my name is Leah and I work for The Hope Chest of Pekin, IL.  From the time I started working with The Hope Chest, I soon found how truly blessed our community is to have this store.  A store built on donations, with one collective goal to Help Other People Excel.  The Hope Chest has ties with various types of organizations within Central Illinois, including: Recycling Programs, Community Programs, Educational Programs and charitable businesses and people.  It is with great appreciation for all of the support we’ve received at The Hope Chest, that I am able to write this message of inspiration.

      Recently I was witness to a miraculous example of The Hope Chest providing for our community.  We received an abundant donation of Pediasure Children’s health shakes.  I was told the shakes were a donation from a parent whose child was unable to drink them.  Continuing my work I was thinking to myself, how wonderful it was that my son’s favorite drink in the whole world had just come into our store.  A tap on my shoulder would soon bring me face to face with true fate.

     A woman wanted to know the price of our Pediasure.  I told the lady “We were blessed with these for blessing others - it is free.”  Her eyes lit up with joy.  The woman and I began to discuss the high cost of a six pack of Pediasure shakes at the grocery stores. As the lady stepped aside and informed me that her son’s pediatrician had recommended him to drink these shakes, my eyes saw this boy.

    His body was so small; he was unable to be properly seated in the shopping cart.  He instead was boosted and nestled in the cart like an infant would be.  He is three years old and only nineteen pounds.  The Mother and I both agree that day was a true blessing.  It is an extremely rare occurrence that The Hope Chest would receive a donation of 10 six packs of Pediasure Kids shakes.  For this woman and her son to have come into our store not even an hour after they received the donation, I can find no better words to sum this up than the Grace of God.

Welcome to our blog. We hope to use this page to inspire hope. We want to “chat” about the character of hope.  And to share some stories about hope that we get a front seat to at The HOPE Chest. What is hope? Webster’s dictionary defines it this way:

1.    to cherish a desire with anticipation <hopes for a promotion>
2.    to desire with expectation of obtainment
3.    to expect with confidence : trust

And then Webster gave some examples of hope like….

1. No one knows yet if anyone survived the crash. At this point, we can only hope.
2. I hope you're feeling better soon.
3. That's what she hoped would happen.
4. Let's hope that the strike ends soon.
5. Everyone in your family is well, I hope.

Now that is 'hope' in a verb form. Let’s see how it changes when 'hope' becomes a noun.

1.  trust, reliance
2.  desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
3.  someone or something on which hopes are centered 

And then some more examples….

1. When they started their life together, they were young and full of hope.
2. Rescuers have not yet abandoned hope that more survivors will be found.
3. The drug has brought hope to thousands of sufferers.
4. We allowed ourselves to entertain hopes that the crisis would end soon.
5. The goal raised the hopes of the team.
6. The hope is that there will be a settlement soon.
7. The lawyers do not want to raise false hopes of an early settlement.
8. He told them the truth with the hope that they would understand.

Webster then gave this acronym for hope - Health Opportunity for People Everywhere.

Now if you have been around The HOPE Chest during our first year of business, you already have learned our acronym for hope – Helping Other People Excel. Every day we see HOPE in both the verb and noun form.

I tell myself this everyday – “Dave, you are on a journey…a journey of a lifetime.” And this blog is inviting you to join the journey of HOPE. I ‘hope’ you will!
~ Dave Craig, Executive Director of The HOPE Chest