April 2020

UPDATE FROM TERRY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Letter to Karen Kemp, Chair of the UALC Mission Committee:
​Yes it is a very challenging time for everyone but especially hard on our neighbors living in poverty.  While all of the help centers are closed, we are working to prepare for reopening. Tammy serves only people that she knows and leaves the hygiene products in a box on her driveway for them to pick up. Tammy has to be especially careful as she is an “at risk” person due to past health issues. Please pray for God’s protection for her! Tammy has a huge heart to serve while still being careful of her own health.
Yesterday I delivered over $1500 worth of hygiene and personal care items to the Columbus Dream Center which is serving their community on Saturdays with a Grocery Pick Up program. We hope to donate again in the coming weeks.
We are implementing a new inventory management system and client database which will be a huge help in keeping track of our products and clients. We are currently working on getting information into the system so that it is ready to go when we reopen.
We have created a business model and organizational structure which is in the implementation stage. We are looking for volunteer staff and helpers which are critical to our growth and success. More information and staff job descriptions  are on our website.
We are looking for a storefront and warehouse for the help center that is in Tammy’s home. We need to move it out of her house as soon as possible.
Our prayer requests are for healing of our nation, for comfort and peace for all who are mourning during this difficult time, for the health and well-being for all of our communities and our nation, and for hearts to be opened to hear God’s voice and know that Jesus is the Savior and Lord. Please pray for Tammy and all of GHHC’s volunteers for God’s protection.
Please pray that God will bring the people to serve with us as we reopen our help centers and grow.
Please pray for God’s guidance in securing a storefront and warehouse in the near future.
Thank you and the UALC Mission Committee for your dedication and support of God’s Hygiene Help Center. We are truly working diligently to help “provide dignity and hope through hygiene to those in need with the compassion of Jesus!”
God bless,
Terry

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coronavirus

Even while the pandemic was going on, Tammy was working behind the scenes.  She developed her own recipe for creating hand sanitizer using rubbing alcohol, olive oil, 2 drops of Vitamin E to prevent dryness and sometimes even some fragrance.  The Holy Spirit has been talking to her keeping her safe.  When she needed to get more dog food, the Spirit said to put on gloves, hat and protect herself.  Then when driving down the road, she could see little lights--her angels--all around her.  Tammy said they look like when you see a flash from a camera.  But she knew they were her angels.
Let me leave you with this hope-filled promise that we can embrace as we face the coronavirus pandemic: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

On the website for the Dream Center of Columbus:   In response to the COVID-19 crisis in our city and world, we are ready to respond and offer HOPE during this time. Thank you for joining us in serving our city!  Volunteers at The Dream Center are serving meals, groceries and more during the pandemic.

Since God's Hygiene Help Center has been closed, we still wanted to help others during this crisis. So we contacted the Dream Center to see if they could use some hygiene.   Tammy packed up  $1500 worth of products including bleach, detergent, deodorant, razors, tampons, pads, small soaps, shampoos, conditioners and adult diapers. Terry Starr, our Executive Director, picked up 2 SUV loads of hygiene and personal care the items and delivered them to the Dream Center of Columbus. They were so appreciative and now they can provide some needed hygiene items to the community.  We look forward to partnering with the Dream Center again.

Looking for a way to help? People in need are requesting soap and diapers. God’s Hygiene has also partnered with the Columbus Dream Center. With help with our donations of Poise pads, razors, Our Daily Bread, and sample sizes of hygiene items, they plan to pack 800 Blessing Bags for seniors quarantined with Ohio Housing Authority. Please help us provide hope and dignity through hygiene with the compassion of Jesus.  
God’s Hygiene Help Center was able to give some much needed assistance to a single mom and her three children this past weekend.  Christy has been employed by her parents at their family owned neighborhood restaurant/bar.  As with so many others at this time, she has not been able to work, and is consequently facing serious financial hardship.  Christy sends her heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation for the Kroger gift card given by GHHC, and the help it will provide for her and the kids during this difficult time.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Thank you Carol Thacker of Krieger Ford for delivering beautiful blankets and thousands of detergent/bleach pods. We and our clients are so grateful.
On April 24, Terry delivered to the Dream Center:  3000 detergent pods, 36 gallons of laundry detergent, and 100 large bars of soap.

​Thank you to Terry's friend Sue who delivered home made meals to Tammy several times.  Of course, Tammy then shared some of those meals with other families in need.

Orlando who works for Cheryl's Cookies had been missing days at work.  He confessed to his supervisor that he had a drug problem, been fighting with his wife and about to become homeless.  He wanted help.  They checked him into rehab for 90 days.  Yesterday was his first day out and was in desperate need for basic hygiene.  The Lord nudged Tammy to also give him a Bible, Our Daily Bread, a devotional book and more.  He started crying when he received the bag.  He was ashamed where he is in his life.  Tammy replied, "God's timing is perfect.  You are right where God wants you."  Orlando said with tears in his eyes, "That's exactly what I needed to hear.  I don't want to divorce my wife.  Thank you.

​Aide to H.A.R.P. for tornado recovery efforts

Tennessee church demolished by tornado

During this challenging time with the COVID-19 virus, areas of several southern states have been devastated by tornadoes.  What a heartbreaking time for them!
H.A.R.P. Inc, led by Mary Bates, sends volunteers and donations to help in the recovery effort of devastated areas.  She posted today that she is coordinating efforts for these southern states.
Since our help centers are closed and we have funds available, God's Hygiene wanted to help another of our UALC ministries.   Mary Bates, Executive Director for HARP, is also involved with the NALC Disaster Response Team.  God's Hygiene  donated $500 to the NALC Disaster Response team for their recovery efforts.  We hope that you will support us in our effort to reach out to help those in need in our southern states.

Update from NALC Disaster Response, April 14, 2020:  There have been over 30 fatalities in the southern states. We will be working with churches to organize and equip local volunteers to respond. Emergency relief donations are being collected now. Contact me for a pick up at 740-509-1132 or disasterresponse@thenalc.org
As many communities are asked to stay at home, my heart breaks for families that now have nowhere to go — losing loved ones and homes in a matter of minutes.
Our hearts are with those families who have lost loved ones and we are coming alongside them to help families physically start to recover from the tornadoes while reminding them that God loves them and they are not forgotten. Please join me in praying for God’s peace and comfort to cover them.
​
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

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thrivent choice 

We are overwhelmed with gratitude and truly honored by receiving over  $2500  from the Thrivent Choice program. Two different Thrivent Financial members read in our last newsletter/blog about this simple way to donate by designating their CHOICE dollars to be given to a nonprofit like God's Hygiene.  
What a generous donation which will impact our ability to serve our local communities in need! We are looking for a storefront and warehouse to move the help center out of Tammy’s home in the near future. While our help centers are closed, we continue to look for ways to help those in need in our communities.  God bless you and thank you for supporting us in serving those in need with the compassion of Jesus.
Congregations and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations receiving Choice Dollars grant funds from Thrivent Financial will know the names and addresses of members who recommended that they receive grant funds by directing Choice Dollars to them, but for legal reasons cannot provide the amount of Choice Dollars each member directed. Choice Dollars are not part of a member’s income or tax deductible. By directing Choice Dollars, they are recommending that Thrivent Financial donate an amount of its charitable funds to one or more nonprofit organizations. All funds distributed under the Thrivent Choice program are exclusively Thrivent's funds, and are never owned by members or paid on behalf of members.  
​Thank you Thrivent and thank you to our generous supporters!

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HELP WITH NEEDS FOR  BABIES 

Thank you Amy Proctor of The Table Gathering for working alongside God’s Hygiene. Tammy had  referred several mothers-to-be to The Great Giveaway scheduled for April 4.  Since it could not happen yet,  Amy and Diane met at the Worthington Vista warehouse to let a few families pick up needed baby items. They were so grateful.
Afterwards Amy prayed for the families  which was such a blessing. The Great Giveaway for other mothers-to-be has been postponed and will be rescheduled when the governor says the time is safe.  But for now, they are continuing to take donations. So, while you are at home, clean out those closets and basements. Click on their website for a list of items they are taking and drop off locations.

our local hero

Carla Huffman works in the deli at Cook’s IGA on Oakland Park. Carla works 10 hrs. a day, 6 days a week preparing the food for the deli for the local Linden community. A number of seniors would have no meals if not for her. IGA will even deliver the food for free if the senior is not able to leave their home. Note that Carla is holding homemade hand sanitizer made by Tammy when IGA sold out. Tammy believes in helping everyone in her community. Thanks Carla for being a Linden community hero.

​Tammy knew the family of the  14 year old girl shot in the head in north Columbus.  The mother had worked once for Tammy in the past.  So God's Hygiene contributed $25 to the family for the funeral expenses.  

Thank you Cheryl Hall who has offered to sew and donate masks to God's Hygiene Help Center.  First she is creating masks for CHOICES.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

painting to benefit god's hygiene

​Bob Apel has painted a new picture for God’s Hygiene Help Center. He had painted a picture 2 years ago for God’s Hygiene Help Center. He made copies and sold for them each for $100 selling about 24 pictures raising over $2000 for us.
Bob will sell his new picture in different sizes:
Small   9 x 13    $50
Medium 18 x 26 $75
Large (as pictured) $100
If interested and for more information, please contact Bob Apel

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God’s invitation is wide open

No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.
Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know that when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I know I have ignored you. I confessed I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins toward you.
“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.
“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me from the sins and the habits that are messing up my life right now. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell us at godshygiene@gmail.com. We would like to give you a Bible and Our Daily Bread