What a great day the clothing exchange was. We had 39 families participate including
volunteers which equaled 127 people overall.
19 were foster children. We
encouraged folks to take more than just one bag this year so we started with
more clothing than previous years but, ended with a little less.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Clothes Kids with Love
Written by DeNae Brassard Lee for the First Austin - Clarion
Juggling the demands of children, home, work, and volunteer opportunities is a difficult task for anyone…just ask “supermom” Belynda Montgomery.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Austin, Belynda says finding the energy to help others comes from her burning passion “to be where God wants her to be.”
From her missions work with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, to teaching Sunday School, to organizing a clothing exchange for foster children, Belynda says she is blessed to have the opportunity to serve others.
About the same time, she heard that a foster family from her church who had also utilized the shop’s services was facing a job loss. “I felt God leading me to do something not only for the family in my church, but for others like them that don’t need the extra strain of having to buy clothes for the children they are already providing so much else for,” Belynda said.
With more than 30,000 kids in the foster care system in Texas according to Kid Count Data Center, Belynda has worked to make a difference and has headed up clothing exchange events once or twice a year at First Austin since 2009. “I am called to do this work and am grateful everyday for having the opportunity to serve,” she said.
Belynda’s kids have learned much of that spirit of volunteerism from being a member at First Austin. “Our church is a place that helps lots of people and meets them where they are,” she said. “Because of that influence, it is easy for them to see a need and fill it as if it were second nature. We are blessed with everything we have and being able to give is a gift.”
FIRST FAITH
 |
| FBC Member Belynda Montgomery and her daughters |
Belynda Montgomery Clothes Kids with Love
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Austin, Belynda says finding the energy to help others comes from her burning passion “to be where God wants her to be.”
From her missions work with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, to teaching Sunday School, to organizing a clothing exchange for foster children, Belynda says she is blessed to have the opportunity to serve others.
First Baptist Church of Austin Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Paynter said “Belynda brings an extraordinary combination of energy and compassion to everything she does. Add to that her great follow-through and you have a person who tackles challenges with sensitivity and never leaves something undone. It's pretty amazing to watch her at work.”
On Saturday, August 24th from 9 am until noon at First Austin, Belynda will head up an annual Clothing Exchange which benefits anyone that has children. Themain focus of the event, she says is foster children and their families.
Belynda became interested in assisting foster families after volunteering at The Junior League of Austin’s Resale Shop from 2004 to 2009. She said she was impressed with how the organization assisted foster families who support the community’s must vulnerable children. “We would provide a $25 a month credit for foster children,” Belynda said. Unfortunately the resale shop closed in June 2009. About the same time, she heard that a foster family from her church who had also utilized the shop’s services was facing a job loss. “I felt God leading me to do something not only for the family in my church, but for others like them that don’t need the extra strain of having to buy clothes for the children they are already providing so much else for,” Belynda said.
With more than 30,000 kids in the foster care system in Texas according to Kid Count Data Center, Belynda has worked to make a difference and has headed up clothing exchange events once or twice a year at First Austin since 2009. “I am called to do this work and am grateful everyday for having the opportunity to serve,” she said.
At the last exchange, clothing was distributed to more than 150 families. “We mostly have families of young children attending. Some are foster families, but not all.” She hopes to spread the word to more foster families so that they may be able to utilize the assistance.
Equally important to Belynda is teaching her own daughters to serve others. Her children have been recruited to help their mother at the upcoming clothing exchange. “My kids have a minor in volunteering,” she said with a laugh. Belynda’s kids have learned much of that spirit of volunteerism from being a member at First Austin. “Our church is a place that helps lots of people and meets them where they are,” she said. “Because of that influence, it is easy for them to see a need and fill it as if it were second nature. We are blessed with everything we have and being able to give is a gift.”
First Austin is thankful for and celebrates Belynda and her tireless service of others.
Volunteer at the event
Volunteers are needed Wednesday, August 21 from 9 am to noon to sort clothes, then again on Friday, August 23rd at 9 am to finish sorting and set the tables for the event, and finally on Saturday, August 24th, the day of the event, from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm for set-up, registration, shopper assistance, clean -up, and then taking clothes to another local charity. Please contact Belynda atBelynda@austinsupermom.com if you can assist on any of those days.
Make a donation
Having enough clothing is key to the clothing exchange success. Clothing donations may be placed in the third floor closet next to the Awakenings classroom. If you can help by donating money, $5 gift cards will be given to each foster child who attends the event. The foster children will be able to use the gift cards to purchase socks or underwear. Please leave cash donations for gift cards in the front church office and call ahead at 512-476-2625 to arrange a time to deliver any clothing.Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Clothing Exchange Rules
1. The Clothing Exchange is open to everyone.
2. All items taken to a swap must be in clean and good condition. If an item is in need of minor repair it should be indicated with a note attached to the item.
3. What to bring: Please only bring things that you are comfortable giving to a close friend, not the ratty stuff we all have & have been meaning to part with.. Shoes, belts, bags, hats, coats, accessories and wearable other things all fair game!
4. Whatever is left behind at the end of the night & not claimed will be donated to Mobile loaves and Fishes(i.e. you won’t get your goods back, be prepared to part with them!)
5. Please bring bags (paper, cloth, etc). You’ll need them for your new goods.
6. Once something is in someone’s bag, it is theirs. You can bargain and trade of course, but poaching not
allowed.
7. Please be respectful of each other. We all come in shapes & sizes and that’s what makes clotheswaps work and it’s what makes them fun!
8. Remember, we all arrived in clothes. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and reach into someone else’s pile/bag, but it’s easy to misplace what you came in! please be mindful of this (& refer back to #5)
9. It would be helpful if you can bring your items in a way that makes it easy to for others to identify and use – small items or jewelry should be in small baggies, anything in a pair (including shoes) should be attached together or put into a clear plastic bag to be kept together if you can not tie them together by other means. If the size is not easily seen – attach a note with the size and fit of the item.
10. In some cases there may be a call for items which are damaged but can be pulled apart for re-use of the fabric or components – or in some cases accepted damaged with the receiver responsible for repairs. All such items must be clearly identified and separate from swap items which are in good condition.
11. Bring more than you plan to take back at a swap – this will ensure that there is a good selection and left over items to be donated to charity. Also – bring the quality of item you would like to receive and be fair – do not come to the swap with a few t-shirts and walk away with multiple high-end or designer items… bring your good stuff if you want to get good stuff from others. Don’t be greedy.
12. There are no guarantees, stated or implied, that anyone will receive anything at a swap in exchange for the items they bring. There is no guarantee that you will find something you like and want to take in exchange for what you brought.
13. Come to the swap prepared and properly dressed – wear something you can easily keep on to try items on top of. There will most likely be no dressing room’s or private areas at a swap to try-on the items. If you wear something to adequately cover you – and you are not shy – you may try on items in front of the other swappers.
14. There may not be any mirrors available at a swap event either – so ask others how the fit looks / how the item looks on you – maybe bring a friend you trust to help you with this. Have them snap a quick photo with a cellphone so you can look at the item on you right away.
15. Bathrooms at a swap are not dressing rooms. They are to be kept free for regular bathroom use. No one should take up a bathroom for too long. Be contentious of others.
16. There is no guarantee that you will receive any item at a swap. If you see an item you like but someone else picks it up first – you have no claim to it. If two or more people see and go for an item at the same time – they should be courteous and work it out between each-other in a fair and polite manner. If there is a dispute over any item – that item may be taken by swap organizers or helpers, confiscated and set aside to be donated to charity instead. No one has claim to or can expect to receive any item at a swap.
17. No one should be grabbing or hoarding items, be rude or cut off people and rush to collect as many items as possible before others have a chance to go through them. The object of a swap is not to get as much as you can of the best that is available. Instead people should be courteous and conscientious of others, fair and just have fun. If you don’t get something you want – let it go. The end result should be to clean out your closets and let go --- not to pack them with even more than you had to begin with. Bring what you don’t use or wear, and bring back a nice piece or two that you will enjoy and use.
18. HAVE FUN. Tell your friends about the swap and spread the word – the more people who know about the event and can participate, the better it is for everyone.
2. All items taken to a swap must be in clean and good condition. If an item is in need of minor repair it should be indicated with a note attached to the item.
3. What to bring: Please only bring things that you are comfortable giving to a close friend, not the ratty stuff we all have & have been meaning to part with.. Shoes, belts, bags, hats, coats, accessories and wearable other things all fair game!
4. Whatever is left behind at the end of the night & not claimed will be donated to Mobile loaves and Fishes(i.e. you won’t get your goods back, be prepared to part with them!)
5. Please bring bags (paper, cloth, etc). You’ll need them for your new goods.
6. Once something is in someone’s bag, it is theirs. You can bargain and trade of course, but poaching not
allowed.
7. Please be respectful of each other. We all come in shapes & sizes and that’s what makes clotheswaps work and it’s what makes them fun!
8. Remember, we all arrived in clothes. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and reach into someone else’s pile/bag, but it’s easy to misplace what you came in! please be mindful of this (& refer back to #5)
9. It would be helpful if you can bring your items in a way that makes it easy to for others to identify and use – small items or jewelry should be in small baggies, anything in a pair (including shoes) should be attached together or put into a clear plastic bag to be kept together if you can not tie them together by other means. If the size is not easily seen – attach a note with the size and fit of the item.
10. In some cases there may be a call for items which are damaged but can be pulled apart for re-use of the fabric or components – or in some cases accepted damaged with the receiver responsible for repairs. All such items must be clearly identified and separate from swap items which are in good condition.
11. Bring more than you plan to take back at a swap – this will ensure that there is a good selection and left over items to be donated to charity. Also – bring the quality of item you would like to receive and be fair – do not come to the swap with a few t-shirts and walk away with multiple high-end or designer items… bring your good stuff if you want to get good stuff from others. Don’t be greedy.
12. There are no guarantees, stated or implied, that anyone will receive anything at a swap in exchange for the items they bring. There is no guarantee that you will find something you like and want to take in exchange for what you brought.
13. Come to the swap prepared and properly dressed – wear something you can easily keep on to try items on top of. There will most likely be no dressing room’s or private areas at a swap to try-on the items. If you wear something to adequately cover you – and you are not shy – you may try on items in front of the other swappers.
14. There may not be any mirrors available at a swap event either – so ask others how the fit looks / how the item looks on you – maybe bring a friend you trust to help you with this. Have them snap a quick photo with a cellphone so you can look at the item on you right away.
15. Bathrooms at a swap are not dressing rooms. They are to be kept free for regular bathroom use. No one should take up a bathroom for too long. Be contentious of others.
16. There is no guarantee that you will receive any item at a swap. If you see an item you like but someone else picks it up first – you have no claim to it. If two or more people see and go for an item at the same time – they should be courteous and work it out between each-other in a fair and polite manner. If there is a dispute over any item – that item may be taken by swap organizers or helpers, confiscated and set aside to be donated to charity instead. No one has claim to or can expect to receive any item at a swap.
17. No one should be grabbing or hoarding items, be rude or cut off people and rush to collect as many items as possible before others have a chance to go through them. The object of a swap is not to get as much as you can of the best that is available. Instead people should be courteous and conscientious of others, fair and just have fun. If you don’t get something you want – let it go. The end result should be to clean out your closets and let go --- not to pack them with even more than you had to begin with. Bring what you don’t use or wear, and bring back a nice piece or two that you will enjoy and use.
18. HAVE FUN. Tell your friends about the swap and spread the word – the more people who know about the event and can participate, the better it is for everyone.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
BIG THANKS!
Thank you Austin for all of the bountiful clothing contributions for the Clothing Exchange and making the event successful yesterday! We had plenty of clothes in every size and lots left over for Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Oak Springs Elementary as they change to a uniform.
We had 5 scheduled volunteers and 2 that just decided to show up and help, we had 115 people participate in the exchange, and 35 total families participate many of which were foster families.
God is good and it is clearer to me what that is all about when I end an event like todays and feel joyful and energized from the experience. Thank you again to you all!
We had 5 scheduled volunteers and 2 that just decided to show up and help, we had 115 people participate in the exchange, and 35 total families participate many of which were foster families.
God is good and it is clearer to me what that is all about when I end an event like todays and feel joyful and energized from the experience. Thank you again to you all!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Barkley
It has been a difficult day. We put one of our dogs down. His name was Barkley and he was a great dog. He had a variety of problems the least of which was arthritis in his knees and hips that was so painful at times that he could not walk. With the help of pain meds he was able to live comfortably for a few more weeks but, we could not justify his pain any longer. My husband had the awful task of taking him today. I am sure that was no fun. He cried most of the day. I got the task of explaning it to the girls. They took it well. No tears shed yet. The one hit the hardest about the whole thing will be his adopted brother Beau. He keeps walking around looking for him and sitting really close to us.
It is funny how I strive to make people and animals around me better - despite the pain and frustration down the long road to recovery through rehab. I felt like I should do that with Barkley initially but, thankfully did not have to wait for God to take him.
I have never put a dog down before. You feel like you lost a member of the family. I am glad to know that he is running that silly run of his in heaven with all the food he can stand forever.
Bye, Bye Barkley. I will love you forever.
It is funny how I strive to make people and animals around me better - despite the pain and frustration down the long road to recovery through rehab. I felt like I should do that with Barkley initially but, thankfully did not have to wait for God to take him.
I have never put a dog down before. You feel like you lost a member of the family. I am glad to know that he is running that silly run of his in heaven with all the food he can stand forever.
Bye, Bye Barkley. I will love you forever.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Right place right time? I think divine
Have you ever felt like you were exactly where God wanted you to be and had everything that you needed to help someone else in a big way? I had the pleasure of doing a Mobile Loaves and Fishes run again yesterday. My oldest daughter and I enjoy doing the runs together and right before we left the church where we prepare the food a women came up to the truck and got a bag of food from us. As she was getting ready to go she leaned down and adjusted a bandage she had on her leg. My initial reaction was to ignore the move and send her on her way but, then I remembered that I had my first aid kit in the car. This is a super duper kit that my husband got when he worked in a safety department years ago. I have used it many times when I played soccer and was always bandaging someone up or putting on an ice pack. I prayed right then that the kit would have the supplies in it that I needed to redress her wound. I asked if she would like to have her bandage changed and when it had been changed last. She was going to the wound care clinic, where I did a clinical rotation, a couple of days a week to have the bandage changed but, a new dressing never hurts especially when the one you have is dirty and falling off your leg. She was grateful to have it changed and sat right down on the curb in front of the truck so I could look at it. Thankfully, there was no major infection and in time it would heal well. I dressed it, gave her supplies to do it again, and sent her on her way.
The whole interaction took 5 minutes or less but, I knew at the moment that I saw her adjust the bandage that God had put me there at that time to help her. All of the things I needed were in my kit and I was able to do God's will curbside. I am so blessed to have had that opportunity.
The whole interaction took 5 minutes or less but, I knew at the moment that I saw her adjust the bandage that God had put me there at that time to help her. All of the things I needed were in my kit and I was able to do God's will curbside. I am so blessed to have had that opportunity.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
It has been a long month but, a good month - overall
It has been about a month since I last posted and it seems like 6 months have past. I am super busy with general springtime activities with the girls as well as a huge project with the League.
My sister had her beautiful baby boy, Tate Austin. The girls and I get to care for him every once in a while. It is so nice to love on a baby for a little while and then pass him back to his mom.
I had a wreck 2 months ago as I was pulling out of a parallel parking space while volunteering for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. My mistake. I was looking to make sure the delivery truck was out of the way on my right and did not see the honda coming up on my left.
Sarah and I have really enjoyed volunteering for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. It makes you so thankful for every little thing you have and the ability and freedom to go get what you need when you need it. There are times that we do not have cash on hand but, being poor is another thing altogether.
The League will be starting a new project in the Fall for our incoming provisionals. We will be providing Baty Elementary (which has 94% of its children on free or reduced lunch approx. 740 children) with backpacks of food for the weekends. Studies show that test scores and attendance are low on Mondays since children have not had proper nutrition over the weekend. My job for the year is to help schedule the girls working on the project but, I cannot wait to take my girls to help pack the food and deliver it to the children. Hunger is a huge issue in the world but, it also affects people close to us - people in our city, maybe even our neighborhood. I look forward to being part of this amazing new project.
I had a lovely mother's day. I threw a brunch honoring my sister on her first mother's day and invited both mo mom and her mom-in-law. It was nice to celebrate with all of the immediate mother's in my life. Chris and the girls bought me flowers and chocolates and he wrote me his annual mother's day letter which is better than any gift. All of it made me feel very special.
My sister had her beautiful baby boy, Tate Austin. The girls and I get to care for him every once in a while. It is so nice to love on a baby for a little while and then pass him back to his mom.
I had a wreck 2 months ago as I was pulling out of a parallel parking space while volunteering for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. My mistake. I was looking to make sure the delivery truck was out of the way on my right and did not see the honda coming up on my left.
Sarah and I have really enjoyed volunteering for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. It makes you so thankful for every little thing you have and the ability and freedom to go get what you need when you need it. There are times that we do not have cash on hand but, being poor is another thing altogether.
The League will be starting a new project in the Fall for our incoming provisionals. We will be providing Baty Elementary (which has 94% of its children on free or reduced lunch approx. 740 children) with backpacks of food for the weekends. Studies show that test scores and attendance are low on Mondays since children have not had proper nutrition over the weekend. My job for the year is to help schedule the girls working on the project but, I cannot wait to take my girls to help pack the food and deliver it to the children. Hunger is a huge issue in the world but, it also affects people close to us - people in our city, maybe even our neighborhood. I look forward to being part of this amazing new project.
I had a lovely mother's day. I threw a brunch honoring my sister on her first mother's day and invited both mo mom and her mom-in-law. It was nice to celebrate with all of the immediate mother's in my life. Chris and the girls bought me flowers and chocolates and he wrote me his annual mother's day letter which is better than any gift. All of it made me feel very special.
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