December 2019

helping children keep self respect in local schools

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:16 NIV

When Tammy and Crystal held a resource table at Windsor STEM Academy for Parent Teacher Conferences, they were approached by the principal, counselor and teachers.  "We have a number of special needs children who need coats."  Tammy replied, "God's Hygiene only provides hats, gloves, scarves and socks."  Then Crystal interrupted, "Excuse me, I have the resources to get coats from the Free Store. How many do you need?"  The principal said, "As many as possible but at least 15.   We actually have 3 homeless families living in their cars."  So they offered them resources for housing, hygiene plus blankets, hats and gloves.  On December  9 Crystal and Tammy will be delivering 20 hats and gloves along with 15 warm coats.

The Columbus Police came and picked up more donated coats, 10 pairs of socks, scarves with gloves attached and gave them out to the homeless on the streets. Every week our officer gives out about 6 coats--some are for adults, other ones for children.  God knows what we need and our supporters donate them at the right time. This officer is going and beyond her job--doing wellness checks, online shopping for underprivileged kids in neighborhood, and making sure families have some basic needs met.   One family has 4 beds in one room and won't let us in to see their poor living condition.
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COMMUNITY BLESSING STORE

Thank you for sharing your blessings!  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV
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Tammy was so happy when we saw on the news that a woman was opening a free Community Blessing Store in a small Linden market at the Come & Go Center, 884 Oakland Park.  Diane, Tammy and 2 of her volunteers visited that Monday to congratulate Eliza and donate Harley's clothes to her.  The free store is open Mondays and Wednesdays 12 - 3 pm.  But since another business also uses the same space, Eliza and her husband have to take all the donations back home each time.  
God's Hygiene has been searching for a warehouse in the Linden community.  Even though Tammy has been friends with the store owner for years, it would not work out for God's Hygiene.  (1) We could not give away. hygiene if the store is selling the same items. (2) There is no place to lock up our donated  products.  

heroes and helpers shop at target

Tammy was asked by Officer Alesia Zacher, South Linden Liaison, Columbus Police Department,  to participate this year at Graceland Target on December 18 .  A 5th grade student who recently lost his father was selected by his East Linden Elementary principal , Cheryl Jones. Officer Riley,  Tammy, the principal, and mother helped the son  select his own Christmas gifts.  We are grateful that Target had just given God's Hygiene a $50 gift card.  The television stations  Ch. 6 and Ch. 28  covered the event, and you can view their story.
https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/dozens-of-kids-go-on-a-shopping-spree-with-columbus-police-for-10th-heroes-and-helpers
Tammy shared she remembers she was in 1st grade and got to be part of "Shop with A Cop". It was a time that made her feel so special.  So God is making the opportunity to feel the joy on the other side by giving.
Thank you for your donations which make it possible for God's Hygiene to  help make  Christmas possible for some families.  ​

clean start baskets

Paul Sparks of Embark program, had just returned from a 10 day adventure in Israel.  But he made time to pick up this huge Clean Start Basket for a newly released man, pictured on the right.  God's Hygiene is glad to help people given a 2nd chance.
Robin Lorms called with a special request.  He was helping a mother with 3 children who lives in Circleville.  Even though Tammy had vertigo, she packed a basket for her including stuffed animals for the kids, pots and pans, dishes, silverware and blankets.  The Mom cried when she saw all the gifts.  We are glad to work together with Embark/Kindway be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:9-10  (NIV)

christmas for families

This work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:16

Thank you for listening when you get a nudge from God to donate something.  A church member asked, "Does Tammy need a Christmas tree?"  I replied, "She has one.  But I'm sure she knows of a family who does need it."  Sure enough.  A family which Officer Alesia and Tammy had helped just a week before was chosen.  When Freddie delivered the tree that week, they cried.  "My kids kept asking for a Christmas tree. I told my kids that I didn't have any money to get a Christmas tree this year.  It's a miracle.  Here you are with a tree for us!  Thank you.
Another family of 8 had absolutely nothing.  God's Hygiene was able to help with basic hygiene items, blankets, and towels.  But they had no food.  Thanks to ICC, we could ask them to deliver an emergency food box.  When they did, they saw no furniture in the home.  ICC has the resources to request furniture for them.  So glad we can work together with other community resources to provide help to those in need.

Thank you to Karen Espe who applied for a Thrivent Action Team project plus recruited 25 families to donate hygiene items.  With the $250 grant from Thrivent and  other donations she was able to collect  7 clothes baskets worth of items.  Thank you so much!  
If you are a Thrivent member, are you aware that you can donate your CHOICE Dollars to God's Hygiene Help Center at no cost to you plus you can apply for two Thrivent Action Team projects a year.  That is how God's Hygiene first started receiving other donations.  Questions?  Contact Diane at godshygiene@gmail.com or 614-329-4661.

Thank you to UALC for donating the Bibles which were previously in the Sanctuary.  On December 22, a volunteer named Mrs. Chambers picked up the remaining 100 Bibles.  Pastor Betty of Oakland Park Apartments is planning to wrap them up and give to neighbor kids for Christmas. What a great idea!   Betty used to pastor a church in her previous city until God told her to move to Columbus.  We feel blessed that we get to be a small part of blessing others.


​Philippians 4:6 | “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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