COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

contributed articcle
Published: May 1, 2008

The generosity of our community in helping families in need is worth celebrating. We are fortunate to have so many givers who volunteer their time and talent or donate an item to help fill the needs of others. Some of the recent household items recently given to fill the needs of families in Greene include a vacuum cleaner, dryer, mattresses and bedding, kitchen table, and curtains.  Other volunteers have delivered firewood and appliances, mowed lawns, set up our new computers.  Mechanics have offered to check out disabled cars.  Volunteer staff take care of business in the office or mentor struggling families. GRACE thanks all these generous givers on whom we depend to fulfill our mission. 
The Greene Alliance of Church and Community Efforts (GRACE) works with the Dept. of Social Services, Skyline CAP, JABA, Region 10, churches, businesses and civic groups in our community to help county residents in need.  We empower individuals and families with immediate or long-term needs by connecting them to appropriate agency providers or communicating their specific needs to our network of volunteers who may donate an item or service. 

Each week in the Record, “Community Connections” highlights current need requests received by GRACE in hopes of matching those needs with readers who are able to fulfill them.  Please contact GRACE at 985-6792 to offer assistance or to make a need known.  The office is located at Stanardsville Baptist Church, 103 Madison Rd, and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The answering machine is checked regularly.
Spring Clean-Up - Many families lack the financial resources to buy basic cleaning supplies to spruce up their homes this spring.  GRACE receives many requests for such items as bleach, glass cleaner, kitchen/bathroom cleaners, furniture polish/dust remover, scrub brushes, sponges, paper towels, plastic buckets, etc.  If you can spare any such cleaning items, please deliver them to the GRACE office.
Household Items - A DSS client needs various household items: lamps, dresser or night stand, washing machine.
Vehicles -A GRACE volunteer is providing weekly transportation to help a client earn a GED, but that person needs a used vehicle for transportation to school and work.
House Paint - Disabled Skyline Cap client living alone needs help brightening-up his house with interior white paint.  SCAP has refurbished his bathroom and floors, but walls are dismal and dark.  Great weekend project for small group of volunteers. 
Cleaning - Disabled GRACE client needs help cleaning house trailer once a week.
Housing - An older lady is seeking a place to live in exchange for cooking, house-cleaning, and minimal rent. 
If you can help meet any of these needs, please call 985-6792.  You can also help by sending tax-deductible contributions to GRACE, P.O. Box 513, Stanardsville, VA 22973