Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Oh My It's Been a Month

I can't believe it's been a month since I've blogged. Clearly, there is a lot going on at the Furniture Bank. After this quick update, you'll see why it's been so long.

1. We received the 400 mattresses that Buckhead Church generously donated the money for us to purchase. What a day of unloading that was. We've been unable to use a whole section of our warehouse because it's packed full of new mattresses, waiting for homes. During the first week of November, we will begin distributing the mattresses. We are excited to have the opportunity to help folks that we usually wouldn't be able to help.

2. Baby Central - Megan, our Executive Director, recently had her second child. Both mom and baby are healthy. David, our Donations Coordinator, just this week had his second child as well. All are healthy. During this time of transition and change in their lives, it makes me ask..."How do we do it?" Like most work places, when someone is absent others in the office take on some additional responsibilities. As I've taken on different tasks, I am amazed at all that each person does. For the last two days, I've been coordinating donations and everyday I've said "I don't know how David does this!" On the one hand it's such a blessing that so many people want to donate. On the other, I don't know how he keeps up with the calls, scheduling, and responding to people in a timely manner. In the middle of all that he coordinates the truck drivers, deliveries, helps Elbert, and responds to so many other random things that just pop-up and require his attention. It's amazing.

The same is true of Megan. She wears so many hats, caseworker, fundraiser, event coordinator, committee director, office manager, accountant, the list goes on and on.

My jaw drops to you both. I haven't had to take on all of Lonnie's job, but when the time comes...you'll hear about another amazing person. I am incredibly thankful for this small office staff of four and our donation crew of two.

We might have a shabby office with dingy floors and streaky paint. You may freeze or sweat to death, depending on the season, when you work in our warehouse, but we all must love something about working here or the mission of this place to keep working so hard.

3. Is the Furniture Bank moving? Hopefully. After several months of Megan searching the Atlanta area for a new warehouse, we think we might have found one. Updates to come soon. The most random part of the warehouse is that there was a ram in the neighbors yard today.