Donations Are More Than They Appear To Be

Things we take for granted everyday become so much more when you have lost everything.  They can hinder you or make you soar.  What would you do if the ‘right’ decision meant losing everything?  Who would you turn to?

“I didn’t know how I was going to leave when I had nothing for me and my children, not even a toothbrush.  Then, WINGS said they had everything I needed.  I kept repeating ‘everything,’ and they just kept responding ‘everything’.  I couldn’t believe it and I chose to leave.”   – Client response to Iris, a WINGS Family Advocate. 

This is where many of our clients are when they make the brave choice to seek a better life for themselves and their children.  Most of them come to WINGS with only the clothes on their backs, sometimes even without shoes on their feet.      

This is where YOU, an in-kind donor, enter the life of a WINGS client.   You take the obstacle of basic daily needs, like a toothbrush, and move them out of their way so they can make the ‘right’ decision toward FREEDOM.      

With your donations, clients are able to focus on healing and becoming self-sufficient.  Because of YOU, clients are provided everything from a bottle of shampoo, to a gift card for gas, to the clothes and shoes they are wearing so they can go to a job interview with confidence.      

What if you weren’t able to provide decorations or gifts for your children during their birthday or at Christmas, things they were used to receiving?  What impact would this make in your life, that of your children, considering all of the changes and loss?

Again, this is where YOU enter the life of a WINGS client yet again!  Not only do YOU provide basic daily needs, YOU provide non-essentials such as special holiday food items, decorations, and gifts to celebrate special days and holidays.      

“The children become so excited when they see the decorations.  The families are once again able to celebrate a holiday they may have abandoned due to a lack of resources or having to leave everything behind.  Moms once again are able to share holidays with their children and no longer have to pretend it is just ‘another day.’  These items give the families hope and a reason to celebrate again.”   – Sharon, WINGS Family Advocate

Additionally, your donations bring safety and protection during the healing process.  A nightlight takes on new life when a child has been through trauma. 

“A nightlight provides a sense of safety and security for our children who have night tremors due to the abuse they may have experienced or witnessed.  It helps keep the ‘monsters’ of their past away, while our Advocates provide the necessary therapy.”   – Sharon, WINGS Family Advocate

Your in-kind donations bring joy to a child’s life, little by little. 

Angie (pictured) recently received a backpack, school supplies, and a new pair of gym shoes for school.  As each item was given to her, her mouth and eyes opened wider and wider, showing her excitement.  Angie’s mom, Boma, spoke at a recent WINGS event sharing that because of these donations, she was able to save enough money to get her CNA Certification, allowing her to hold a job that allows her to work around her daughter’s schedule, which means no daycare is needed (or the additional cost that goes with it).      

Boma is a WINGS graduate provides for herself and her daughter all because YOU entered her and Angie’s life by supporting them with your in-kind donations.      

Your donations provide necessities, protection, and joy to families’ lives.  The WINGS Board and Staff are truly grateful for your partnership in restoring lives, strengthening families, and bringing new hope and FREEDOM each day to the clients we serve.      

Want to Help with In-kind Donations this Fall?

There are many opportunities to provide for everyday needs as well as special holidays.  Click here to find lists of supply needs as well as to reach out to Tabitha Nilson, In-Kind Program Donation Supervisor with any questions.