10/13 Update: Got the video and the following message from Marcia's daughter Molly:
We got the call that we all where waiting for I am sad to say she did not win. But the cool thing is she was one of the top three people and that 50,000 votes where cast for everyone. Marcia wanted me to pass this along to all of you:
"No body should be disappointed. We won getting people aware of the homeless people of Kansas city. Thanks again!"
Thanks again for all your help we could not have done it with out all your help and believing in this! If you would like to volunteer, donate, or make a comment, please contact Marcia Merrick at:
Reaching Out Incorporated :: P.O. Box 493 :: Mission, Kansas 66201
10/11: My friend Patti has been asking people to vote for Marcia as The Ultimate Volunteer.. here is the writeup on this inspirational person:
Imagine getting up at 4:20 am to make 400 peanut butter sandwiches to pass out to the homeless in your city....EVERY DAY! That is what Marcia Merrick does, every day! She provides these sandwiches to ensure that the homeless of our city have some decent food. That is not all though, she lives her life to help make other's lives better. The homeless or just starting out will come to her with their food, clothing or shelter needs and she will call on friends, community and church to help her out-again every day. She will take people to the food store or gas station and fulfill a need. She scours garage sales just to get things for the needy. She understands the homeless community and makes sure that she is not enabling bad behavior but truly helping. Although some would like to go out with Marcia on her food deliveries, she is particular with this type of help, because what she does can be dangerous. Kids from our community can get involved by coloring paper lunch sacks, and sometimes groups help Marcia--but she is the lead volunteer and most often does it alone. Marcia would not consider herself amazing---just doing what needs to be done EVERY DAY.If you are so inclined to vote please click here.. today is the last day to vote.
How humbling. I voted for her.
ReplyDeleteGood grief, Bob! I wanted to vote for them all! I did vote for Marcia though.
ReplyDeleteThat is dedication above and beyond...everyday, that's hard to believe. I did vote for her.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Pete Brady, founder of the Handy Dandy Handyman, Rake 'N Bake and Pete's Repeats. HDHM provides free services through Pete's "army" of volunteers (I've been one a few times). One of HDHM's annual projects is a complete home makeover for a family in need. Rake 'N Bake rakes leaves annually for about 75 homeowners who for some physical reason, usually age-related, cannot do it themselves. 800 to 900 men, women and children provide the raking and leaf blowing labor. After all the raking is done, Pete's brother feeds hot dogs to all. On a weekly basis Pete's Repeats receives and distributes to the first "bidder", donated items, typically furniture, appliances. Most of the items are free for the asking. A donation is sometimes asked for if the item is very expensive. When I was volunteering for a non-profit that provides homes for disabled persons, I "bid" on and won two powered stair lifts and a wheelchair lift which then were used by the non-profit. Before Pete got too old and too busy to continue, he used to spend two nights each month supervising a homeless shelter - duties include washing, drying and folding everybody's clothing and the bedding and towels. My favorite story about Pete, is when he helped a disabled man in his 40's whose mother had to be hospitalized for cancer treatment. For 3 months until he could find a full-time companion for the man, Pete showed up every morning to feed and dress the man, and again every night to feed and help the man go to bed.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Pete Brady on The View to get the recognition and expanded support that his ministry deserves but the reality is that ALL of these volunteers deserve the same. Good Luck to them all!
Ditto that Joe! Good luck to them all!
ReplyDeleteI posted an update video and message from Marcia's daughter today.
ReplyDeleteMarcia Merrick will be featured this evening on the 5:30 NBC News with Brian Williams in their Making a difference segment.
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