“We All Need Somebody To Lean On”

 “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” Fred Rogers

Recently, on behalf of the TOC Team, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with Pattie Graben, Director of Corporate Development at Soles4Souls, and Cathleen Windham, Director of Marketing and Development at the Oasis Center. On an absurdly hot Thursday afternoon, we met at Mangia Nashville to discuss a potential partnership between Threads of Care and the two nonprofits. Unbeknownst to me, Cathleen and Pattie, would be introduced for the very first time. As our meeting progressed, and I shared with them our overall goal for the year, Cathleen and Pattie were able to get to know each other better. By the end of our meeting, Pattie committed that Soles4Souls would provide several new clothing items to the Oasis center this coming winter! Not only did Threads of Care bring on board two awesome partners but we also connected both the Oasis Center and Soles4Souls to reach a common goal: helping impoverished people of the world.

During the meeting, Pattie announced some very exciting news! For every 25,000 lbs of clothing that Threads of Care collects, Soles4Souls will provide one free mission trip (all expenses paid) to countries such as Haiti, Puerto Rico, etc. Of course, this amazing opportunity will only be available to ambassadors through a Threads of Care drawing, there will also be plenty of other amazing prizes available during our winter and spring clothing drives. Cathleen also stressed the need for volunteers at the Oasis Center.  If you, dear reader, need any volunteer hours or simply wish to serve your community,  please give Oasis a call at (615) 327-4455.

Overall, the meeting resulted in amazing partnerships and an exciting future for Threads of Care.  After meeting with these two women, I learned that one can achieve so much more working together than all alone.  It is essential that we find partners in our community who are just as passionate and can multiply our efforts for change.  It is essential that we lean on on each other.

As the launch of this year’s clothing drives draw nearer, the TOC Team grows evermore excited. We simply cannot wait to collect clothing and imagine the smile on every child’s face when they realize somebody cares.  I have no doubt that, with a little bit of work, we are going to make a huge difference. Just remember; it always starts with “Teens Helping Teens, One Thread at a Time.”