Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: Wish List

Friday, January 30, 2015

Wish List

     I have many, many people come up to me and ask, "James, what kinds of things do you need for Joel's Place? What can we donate?"

   Ok...maybe not many, many...but some people ask me, "James, what can we donate to Joel's Place?"

   Ok...maybe not some...but a few people have asked me that question before.

   Ok...one person...three years ago asked what we needed...but I told them and it was really helpful.

   So...if someone were to ask me what Joel's Place needed, how would I respond? There are actually a few distinct areas that we could use some donations for:

Youth Center maintenance and resupply. Joel's Place is pretty much kid-proof, but we still run out of things and have to replace items that have worn down with all the kids-hours

Ping Pong Paddles
Paper Plates and Bowls (preferably Correlle Brand)
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Batteries: AA, D and 9 volt
Duct Tape and Painters Tape
Black Sharpies
3 foot long fluorescent light bulbs

Office supplies.

Printer Paper
Stamps
Pens

Bone Builders Backpack Supplies. During the summer we partner with a few different agencies to give 200 kids a weekly supplement of food. The pick up backpacks that have breakfast and lunch items, drinks and snacks. The Food Bank stores these items for us as we collect them over the winter so that we are not buried by granola bars. Here's what we are looking for:

Breakfast items: Individual oatmeal or cereal packages
Juice: Boxes (100% apple juice preferred)
Milk: Shelf stable and lowfat (unflavored, individual servings preferred)
Lunch items (high protein): Soup, ravioli, chili, tuna cups, or easy mac
Fruit: Fruit Cups or Applesause (canned or squeeze type, not plastic cups)
Snack Items: Crackers, Granola Bars, Chips etc

We are looking for 4,800 of each of these things. Sounds daunting, but it only requires a large group of people to give a few things each. We already have hundreds of the snack items that have come in and our stash at the Food Bank is growing by the week.

If you are interested in helping out with any of these things, feel free to let me know or just drop something by when you are in the neighborhood. We are so grateful for you and all the ways that you help us to invest in these kids.

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Giving

If you would like to become a financial partner with us and support the work of Joel's Place, here's how:

1.) To make an online donation:

2.)Mail us a check at P.O. Box 83584, Fairbanks, AK 99708

Or

3.)Call our front desk at 452-2621 with your credit card information. Our official hours are Mon- Fri, 12pm-6pm , but there is usually someone by the phones from 8am on.

And

4.) You can link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Joel's Place at this link. Every purchase on your card increases the Fred Meyer Foundation's annual donations to our organization.

Thank you for your encouragement and support.

From the Staff

Leah Byam, Program Assistant

On Sunday after Church a group of us went to Subway to eat lunch. When we get in line it's very busy, so we wait patiently in line. As I'm waiting in line I see CS, a young man who has been coming to Joel's Place for a very long time. He's working behind the counter. He's assertive, polite, taking peoples orders, and going on to the next costumer giving them kindness and the same professional service. As I watch him from afar my eye's tear up. I know his past. I've walked with him on so many journeys. I love this kid so much, I am so so so proud of him. As I get closer he see's me and his face lights up. We were able to talk. He tells me that he just graduated with his high school degree, that he's still saving up, he will be going to Hawaii as planned in September to work. I was able to tell him, How proud I am of Him, and I meant it in every sense of the word.