December 2021

Merry Christmas Friends of God's Hygiene Help Center

Despite COVID impacting our world in a huge way, God's Hygiene Help Center hasn’t changed its mission of serving our neighbors in need.  More and more people are coming to us for personal hygiene and cleaning needs.  We offer that – and SO much more.  In fact, last week, our Oakland Park Help Center provided hygiene for 92 clients in a 3-hour period, a new record for one day.  And we continue to serve over 400 clients each month.  The needs are great, and we are here to help, thanks to generous supporters like you.
 
I wish you could have seen the joy and appreciation on the faces of the people we help.  Our volunteers provide compassion and care along with household cleaning, hygiene, and personal care products, as well as warm hats, gloves, and scarves (“Project Warm”), school supplies (“Because School Matters”), and Clean Start Baskets for people making a new start in life.  We serve clients where they live, and we offer them dignity and hope.
 
As you prepare for the holiday season, we are asking you to consider a gift to God’s Hygiene Help Center.  It is safe and secure to make an online gift on our website:  godshygiene.org/donate.  
You can read more about our mission and be sure to watch our newest video and learn more about our founder, Tammy, and our story. 
 
If you prefer to mail your donation, please mail it to:         
              GOD'S HYGIENE HELP CENTER
            PO BOX 20081
            COLUMBUS OH  43220
 
We are preparing to open 2 new God’s Hygiene Help Centers in underserved areas, partnering with Columbus Recreation Centers.  And we are implementing our new Hygiene Closet model with local churches in impoverished areas who can serve their members in need.
 We cannot do this work without supporters like you.  Thank you for considering a generous gift.  On behalf of all those we serve,  we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
 
Merry Christmas and Blessings for a Wonderful New Year!
Tammy Jewell and Terry Starr

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IN MEMORY OF TIM ROBISON

​Our hearts are heavy and our tears are flowing as we mourn the loss of our dear sweet friend and supporter Tim Robison. We celebrate his life as a man who truly made a difference and changed the world for the better.  

In lieu of flowers Tim’s family has asked that their friends consider a gift to GHHC. Donations can be made online with the “In Memory of Tim Robison” button or by mailing a check to:
    God's Hygiene Help Center
    PO Box 20081
    Columbus, OH 43220
Tim and his beautiful wife Tara have been longtime supporters of God’s Hygiene Help Center.
Their love, prayers and donations helped GHHC grow from a small hygiene closet to a larger and expanding nonprofit which now helps several communities with hygiene help centers and hygiene closets in the Columbus area and is growing to serve the needs of hundreds more.  We will be opening 2 new hygiene help centers next year and creating hygiene closets, partnering with local churches and organizations, so we can reach more neighbors in need in our communities.  We were so blessed by and loved Tim and we will miss him greatly.
May God’s love give us comfort and peace during this sad time. Thank you!

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Church Donation Coordinators

GHHC welcomes our new Church Donation Coordinators, ​Steve and Cheryl Heavilin, to our team!  Beginning in January 2022, they will be contacting area churches about becoming local donation sites for collecting hygiene, personal care, and cleaning products for GHHC.  The coordinators will be responsible for setting up and managing the church collection sites as well as coordinating volunteers who will be picking up the donations and bringing them to our warehouse.
We are excited to have Steve and Cheryl on our team!  They will a great asset as we work to improve and expand our collection of hygiene, personal care and cleaning products from area churches and organizations.  Thank you Steve and Cheryl for joining our team!

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welcome to families from Afghanistan

Dave Mann, Pastor for Internationals and Mission sent this message:  We have a significant opportunity before us with the arrival in central Ohio of hundreds of Afghan refugees.  They will come with virtual nothing.  So CRIS (Community Refugee and Immigration Services) is imploring churches to step up and form “Welcome Teams” of 5-10 people each to befriend soon-to-arrive Afghan families.  I am hoping that UALC can form several such teams.
Members of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church responded and have formed 4 teams of volunteers to assist families arriving in the Columbus area from Afghanistan.   GHHC staff were happy to pack 4 bags of hygiene and cleaning items which  Diane delivered  to the team leaders at  The Church on Lytham and The Church at Mill Run.  
For more info, click here:
https://www.crisohio.org/support-afghan-refugees

sharing the christmas spirit

Tammy's sister lives at Whetstone Care Center.  A case manager shared with her about a dedicated employee who needed a little assistance.  So together several  other people helped provide:  a Christmas tree, $20 for ornaments, a food box, bag of hygiene from GHHC, and $100 for Christmas presents.  Thank you to the Bed Brigade she now has 4 beds with pillows.  sheets, blankets, and a Bible.  It usually takes 3-4 months to get a bed.  Tammy pleaded with Dale Cory that all the children were sleeping on the floor. Dale said,  "Oh, Tammy you really put me in a position.  I have to help you."
Tammy was also able to provide her with a lamp, dishes, and silverware.
Another woman named C. Campbell was also helped.  She moved from California to Columbus with her five children.  They did not have enough money to bring her furniture with her.  Tammy's friend Ann Glove, who  is a case worker for HIV/AIDS clients, told Tammy about her.  GHHC gave her 5 sets of hats, gloves, Christmas stockings and 5 bags of hygiene.  Then Dr. CeCe Harris got her a housing voucher, food,  shoes and coats for her children.
Using our resources, help of others and most importantly Christ, we were able to provide Christmas for these two families. 

I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak His praises.  I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.  Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt His name together.  Psalm 34:1-3

kits of kindness from odw

Thank you to the generosity of employees of ODW Logistics who packed 450 Kits of Kindness filled with shampoo, body wash, and more.  GHHC staff got busy sorting them into large trash bags.  We distributed them to our Columbus Police Linden liaisons, Douglas Community Center, Far East Community Center, Dr. CeCe Harris  and Helping Hands Free Clinic.  Columbus Parks and Recreation is having a community giveaway on December 22 where these Kits of Kindness will be distributed along with food and Christmas gifts.  Manney Clark, Douglas Center Manager replied, "We have been giving out the hygiene items that you blessed us with.  We had a grab and go Christmas walk through.  We gave all of the participants hygiene with their presents.  Thank you so much from the South Linden community."

Girl Scouts share hygiene

Instead of asking for help, godshygiene@gmail.com  received this message:
Hi, My name is Kanai Robinson I am a Senior in Girl Scouts of Ohio Heartland Troop #2462 in Columbus, Ohio.  My troop has collected toiletries to donate to your help center. These items have been collected and we would like to drop them off at your organization. What are the days and times that we can drop these items off?  
Diane met Kanai and her mother at our Oakland Park Help Center and shared she was also in Brownies and  the Girl Scouts.  We are proud that Kanai as a high schooler is still active in Scouts.  GHHC was so happy to accept her donations of dignity.  Thank you Kanai and your Girl Scout Troop #2462 for supporting GHHC.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
​Ephesians 3:20

other ​IN KIND DONATIONS

Thank you to our loyal supporters who donate hygiene items to us.  Always needed are Bibles, Christian and devotional books (not fiction).  During the winter months we continue Project Warm and appreciate receiving adult and children's hats, gloves, and scarves.  
A few years ago Tammy did a presentation at Linworth United Methodist Church and the ladies are still collecting and bringing donations: including gently used coats which were immediately given away. Julia Jewell brought cases of adult diapers which we were able to donate to an assisted living facility.  Baby diapers are provided by a partner organization.   Hygiene items most needed:  cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, bleach, toilet paper, and paper towels.  These donations may be left in the Exchange Center at either Mill Run or Lytham Road Churches.  If large donations, please deliver to GHHC Help Center Warehouse at 1402 Oakland Park Avenue (next to Donato's) on a Tuesday or Thursday between 10 am - 1 pm.

Thank you to Holly Wilson who donated a  large bag of scarves and hats sets for children that she knitted herself. They are super soft and made with love.  Tammy immediately shared with people in her neighborhood.
Sue Zerman stopped by to replenish the Blessing Box.  Tammy was able to give her 2 pairs of boots, 30 pairs of socks, pair of tennis shoes, and 3 sets of soft scarves and matching hats to take to Van Buren Center and the homeless.  Earlier Officer Zacher had given Tammy 20 thermal shirts which she passed on to Sue to distribute.  Sue has met several families just only affording the rent to stay in their homes.  She and her sister are able to cook and deliver hot meals to them twice a week and bring them clothing.

Elizabeth Adams, our Volunteer Coordinator, happened to share with her neighbor about serving with God's Hygiene.  This morning that neighbor delivered all of  these hygiene items including toothpaste, deodorant, all sizes of diapers and more donated by her small group!  Thank you for sharing the Christmas spirit with us!

purses of love

Pastor Teresa Lauderdale of Fruit of The Spirit Ministries distributed 20 Purses of Love to women in the community who are struggling with addictions and homelessness. We are breaking social barriers and introducing them to the love of Christ by meeting their needs both spiritually and physically. Purses of Love helps Fruit of The Spirit Ministries show these women that they can hold their head up with dignity knowing that God loves them and there is help available when they choose to receive it. 

God's Hygiene Help Center is now closed until January 4, 2022 so that our volunteers and staff can spend time with their families during Christmas and New Year's!