Hope Totes for the Homeless

I can't imagine living on the streets, carrying with me only the most necessary possessions. No place to take a shower or wash my hair and even if I could, not being able to afford toiletries to do so.

When you get out of the nice, warm shower, do you remember that feeling of being freshly clean and how good that feels? Think...just for one second...that you have no idea when you'll ever be that clean again. In our world of simply being able to go turn on the water faucet, that's pretty hard for us to imagine, huh?

I remember one time when I was recovering from a broken ankle and could not shower. Taking a bath with my leg covered in plastic and sticking out the tub just...well, it just made it difficult to wash your hair! I felt so yucky that I placed a desparate call to my mom to see if she'd come over and help me just WASH my HAIR! I hated that feeling and it definitely took a toll on my mood and self esteem. I can't even imagine not having the resources to wash my hair.

Every day, I'd say finding a place to sleep and eat probably takes precedence over whether toiletries to shower and take a bath are avaiable, yet I strongly believe that they're just as important to a sense of well-being. That's why when I saw the opportunity to support Haven of Rest's Operation Hope Tote mission, I couldn't pass it up.

I've supported this Easter-time Drive a few different times over the years. One year, Friendship Circle, our church's Women's Fellowship Group, collected items for Hope Totes and delivered them to the City Mission around Valentines Day.

As an AVON Representative and an active member of my community, it is a great privilege to be able to participate in outreach programs such as Operation Hope Totes. I believe that it is my responsibility to do so because I'm out in the community each day, talking with a variety of people. AVON, being a health and beauty company, has almost all the products that are being sought for donations for Operation Hope Tote, making this a great way to help those in need. If I can be the inspiration for one person to help another, why not? Helping one another is what life is all about.

If you can spare a few dollars, please consider making a contribution to this worthy cause. I'm not asking for you to purchase each item that is required to fill 1 Hope Tote, but just to purchase 1 item. All items purchased by you, my customers, will be packed into an AVON box and delivered to the Haven of Rest by the March 27th deadline.

So, when you have a moment, review the chart below and email me with your order at avon4shari@aol.com or order through my AVON Website, 24/7 Now...can you imagine the sense of good feelings you helped restore even if just for a little while?

HAVEN OF REST’S OPERATION HOPE TOTE for 2009 needs personal care items for a special Easter outreach ministry for needy homeless men, women and children in our communities. The following new, regular or large size items are being collected through March 27, 2009:

Soap
C5 for 2 for $4.99 (Vanilla, Lilac, or Kids)
Shower Gel (Naturals, various fragrances)
C5 for $1.99 each

Shaving Cream (SSS Silky Stay Shave Gel)
C5 for $2.99 each

Shampoo & Conditioner
C5 2 ~n~ 1 Healthy Shine or Anti-Dandruff or available as separates $2.99 each

Deodorant
Roll-on 99cents all the time, various scents

Lip Balm
Various kinds, C5 99cents (I suggest Moisture Therapy)

Brushes & Combs
On Sale C5/C6 Good Quality! $2.99 – 7.99 (pg. 162 in C6)

Hand or Body Lotion
I'd suggest the Moisture Therapy Line. Can do mini hand creams at 99 cents each. Body Lotions, full size on sale for $2.99 each (C5) There are also bundles with full size hand cream, body lotion and Intensive Extra Strength Cream all for $8.99

Other items needed that are not available through AVON, but if you'd like to donate a few dollars, I'm willing to go to the store, purchase, and add to the donation box.

Disposable Razors
Socks
Shoelaces
Facial Tissues