We Give Thanks
It is a time for giving thanks and there are many who have blessed the children of Blessing House this past year.
We give thanks for our wonderful staff who so lovingly care for our children. They treat each child with compassion and respect and give them comfort, truly understanding each child’s need for safety and stability. They are always ready with a hug or a smile to brighten a child’s day.
We give thanks for our board president, Dave Janowicz. Dave has been on the board since we began as an idea and has been instrumental in representing and promoting Blessing House in the community. Dave has provided leadership and guidance, always in pursuit of the Blessing House mission.
We give thanks for our board of directors who have generously supported Blessing House with their time, their talents and their treasures. These 14 men and women have worked tirelessly to provide guidance, develop resources and look out for the best interests of the organization they hold so close to their hearts.
We give thanks for the Foundations who have supported us financially this past year: The Nord Family Foundation, The Community Foundation of Lorain County, The Alyce J. and Ann J. Metka Foundation, The Sisters of the Humility of Mary, The Giant Eagle Foundation, and The Norton Family Foundation. We could not care for our children without their support.
We give thanks to all who contribute to United Way which also provides financial support to Blessing House. The contributions we receive through them help keep our children safe.
We give thanks for the community members who have sponsored or worked on our fundraisers this past year. Lisa Bramhall, Sam Mazzola and Deb Suhay and their committee put on a great event at this year’s Rock-A-Bye Ball. Mary Herrick and Karen Kirk organized our first Tennis Bash this summer. Mike and Susie Berigan ran the 1st Irish Open to benefit the children of Blessing House.
We give thanks for all of our financial supporters, the businesses, civic groups, churches, auxiliary groups and individuals who have made donations this past year. These donations are essential to the operations of Blessing House and provide the daily care that our children need to be kept safe.
We give thanks for all those who have donated their time to help us. There have been been many who have helped with yardwork, house maintenance and repairs, preparing food and meals for our children, and providing activities for our children. We especially appreciate the children who have given of their time to help our children. We have been blessed by the support of scouting groups, student groups, 4-H groups, school groups and individuals who have done everything from running a lemonade stand to raise money for us to sponsoring food collections for us.
We give thanks for those who have sponsored supply collection drives for us. We receive a constant stream of diapers, wipes, canned goods, household items and other food that is a tremendous help to us.
We give thanks for our Christmas helpers. We receive so many donations from folks who want to make sure our children have a blessed Christmas. We also have many who help us with this project.
Blessing House would not be able to care for the children we do without all of these folks who have blessed us with their gifts. From the bottom of our hearts – “Thank you!”
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
Mission Statement
Blessing House serves as a safety net for children of families in crisis by providing a temporary safe home for children and support for their families.
Blessing House is a children's crisis care center open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, always ready to help families during their times of need.
Temporary hold on receiving used donations
As we are getting ready for the holidays, we are finding ourselves with limited space to receive and sort donations. So we are asking anyone who would like to donate used items for our families to either hold on to them until after the first of the year or call us and we will give you the name of other agencies that can use your donations. We appreciate all you do for our children and families. Thanks so much.
Винтовые лестницы
Blessing House is licensed in the State of Ohio
by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
“Let the children come to me. . .
And he took them in his arms and blessed them . . .”
(Mark 10:14-16)
Tracey Hawkins
We have lost a good friend.
Tracey Hawkins has been part of Blessing House since the beginning. Tracey was a Supervisor at Lorain County Children Services when we asked her to help us formulate our approach to plead our case in Columbus. Fortunately for us she was able to join us in Columbus and share from her expertise how Blessing House would complement the work of LCCS. For the past several years she has served as our social worker. She has worked with our families, trained our staff and joined us in many events. This past summer she rode on our float in the International Parade.
Tracey was a very simple person. She was always helping someone somewhere with whatever was needed. Her heart for others was very large and her concern for children was immense. Her laughter and her quick wit made every encounter something to enjoy.
As her health problems developed, she would give you a matter of fact update with no complaining. She endured being poked and prodded and never lost her ability to laugh. She was always ready for a visit or a chat and her advice was always welcome. She had a unique way of looking at circumstances that seemed to put everything into perspective.
Over the past couple of years we had a lot of conversations about faith. We never spoke about religion but rather about God. Her trust in her God and her surrender to accepting whatever God had placed in her life was humbling. She truly knew that God was always caring for her no matter what happened.
Yesterday Tracey entered into the fullness of God’s loving presence. I would guess she had watched her beloved Steelers win on Sunday and then eased back in her recliner for a quick nap. I imagine she was surprised to awaken on the other side of death with no more pain or discomfort.
Tracey will truly be missed.
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