Print and take this coupon to DaVinci's Pizzeria from now until Dec., 6 and 25% of sales will go the Furniture Bank to help our clients. DaVinci's is located at 1810 Spring Road, Smyrna 30080.

Weeping?

Last week I assisted with checking our clients in. Essentially, the process involves verifying someones voucher and then going over a list of all the furniture items they will receive during their visit to the Furniture Bank.

As I rattled off the normal spiel, "Your case manager has indicated that you could use a sofa, a love seat or two easy chairs, a mattress and box spring," the list continued...

"Oh my gosh," the woman retorted in shock.

"What?" I said bewildered, prepared for her to argue about something that she wanted that I had not said she could have.

"I didn't realize I was going to get so much," tears began to roll down her face. "I just moved and this is all happening very quickly."

As she talked she revealed that she and her child are coming out of a domestic abuse situation. Several months ago she entered a shelter and worked diligently, followed the rules and the program leaders noticed. After a short time in the program Ms. Weeping was offered an apartment, which is payed for by the shelter program. She accepted and two days later was at the Furniture Bank to receive furniture.

"I'm just so thankful," she repeated over and over.

Ms. Weeping is the reason the Furniture Bank exists. She and countless others like her are the reason, Lonnie, David, Megan, Drew, Barry and I come to work each day. She continued to share that it is hard for her to be away from her abuser because she loves him but knows that she and her child don't deserve to be treated like that. She hopes to keep working hard so she can own her own home one day.

Mattresses

The 400 mattresses donated for flood victims are starting to leave the warehouse. Whew! Above two Furniture Bank volunteers, Scott Perrin and Simon Shirley, help a couple recently displaced because of the September floods, load their free mattress.

Weeks ago when the Furniture Bank received the 3 semi trucks full of mattresses, we weren't quite sure where to put them. With the rows of sofas, large and small wood pieces, dining room tables and chairs, where were we supposed to squeeze them? After many hours of mattresses streaming through the bay doors, we finally had them stacked and leaning in every available corner of the warehouse. We've moved around them, shifted them and overlooked them for a few weeks.

Last week when our first appointments to receive mattresses arrived we were delighted! I was also particularly thankful for the volunteers that took time out of their day to help the flood victims get mattresses out of our warehouse and into people's trucks. The thought of moving a large amount of mattresses again, was not a pleasant one.

The Furniture Bank is receiving referrals from The American Red Cross and Salvation Army for individuals that need mattresses because of flood damage.

Though the Furniture Bank does not normally provide flood assistance, we are glad we are here to help with our regular clients, people who are moving out of homelessness, living with HIV/AIDS or fleeing domestic violence situations, and people that find themselves in unique and difficult life situations like the September floods.

Elbert and the Laptop

It's been several weeks since I've blogged about Elbert. That's not to say that there has been any shortage of exciting activity around here.

Today, I sit just inches away from Elbert as he diligently calls different places to secure an Intel Pentimum...yes Pentimum not Pentium computer. I don't think that's even a brand of computer. This morning he came in and sat at his usual station by the phone and only a few strides from the coffee maker, and begin questioning David about getting a laptop.

We repeatedly tried to explain that despite the $200.00 deal Elbert found, getting a laptop would not be very helpful to him. He doesn't have internet connection, he doesn't have a house where they can wire connection and yet he is still adamant about getting the laptop.

"Elbert, you know you can use the computer and internet at the public library for free," I said.

"Well, but they have a time limit on how long you can use the computer and I think I'll save more money if I just get my own," he groans.

I have a hard time suspending judgment on this one. Though I realize that it's not my life or situation. I just can't help but think the winter is coming on and he's sleeping outside. Wouldn't you want to save the little income you have for a warm place to sleep on the incredibly cold nights?

Last month Elbert purchased a car. We were all excited for him. He would cruise around the parking lot, using the heat on the cold days. And then one day he came in, head hanging, "Well, my car broke down." long pause. "It had a busted engine on it."

I'm not sure how much Elbert paid for the car, but when he sold he it only got $80.00 out of it. He immediately started talking about getting another one.

Priorities.