TESTIMONIALS - Blanket drive 2008
Jennifer McAlister - I was standing beside the truck where hundreds of blankets, hats, gloves and toiletries were being handed out, when a man approached me and said he wanted to tell me something. He was an older man, probabaly much younger than he appeared and obviously homeless. He said to me, "You may not always hear 'Thank you' from everyone you help. But I want you to know how grateful I am for all that you guys are doing. I have been praying for three weeks for God to provide me a sleeping bag, and He did!" He then pointed to his brand new sleeping bag with a big smile on his face.I felt compelled to let him know that we may have blessed him with a sleeping bag but God used him just as much to bless me with his words and his grateful heart. We really do need each other in this world, no matter where we find ourselves.
TESTIMONIALS - Blanket drive 2007
Stephanie Ellis-Curtis - It had to have been the coldest day of the year! The sun was out and it was a beautiful day, but in the shade - you better be bundled up – and I was too! I was in jeans, boots, layered shirt(s), gloves, a scarf and a hat! Texas winters are like living in Chicago – those winds feel like needles hitting your body at full speed!I headed down to Southlake Blvd. and pulled into the full parking lot of the Tom Thumb – my Tahoe was filled with blankets, coats and clothes galore that I had been collecting for months. I was going to the drop off location for Philips Wish. As I walked up to the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice the expressions of love and camaraderie coming from each and every person there. After several speakers and testimonials from the previous years every child, mother, father, sister, brother, etc. started collecting the vast amount of clothing, blankets, toiletries, etc. from this mountainous pile and started loading up 2 moving trucks. Once finished we all climbed into our vehicles, cranked up the heaters and lined up as if we were in a funeral procession.
We drove for about 20 minutes heading into a part of Fort Worth I must say I’ve never been to before. As we took the final exit and turned the block my heart instantaneously broke in half! What I saw that day affected me in a way I don’t believe I have ever been. There were men, women and children all over the place and all of which were living down there! Most, if not all of them, were carrying around their life possessions in one hand! As we pulled down the street the expressions on their faces were as of the same as a child on Christmas day! They all ran to the truck and waited anxiously for the doors to open. This was my first year to go out and help deliver - I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I stood back and watched at first. The doors opened and the crowd let out a cheer – from the looks of the packed truck, it was Christmas Day to everyone of the homeless that day. The truck was just about empty, the sun had now gone and I was thinking to myself It really is the coldest day of December! The truck had once piece of clothing left and it happened to be one more coat – the volunteer yelled out “I have one more ladies coat up here, who didn’t get one?” Two ladies in the crowd began to fight over the last coat – as they got into each others faces and ready to fight over the last one Cindy Bunch stepped between them and what I experienced after that was life changing! Cindy said “ladies, there is no need to fight over 1 coat” they said “but we are freezing and neither one of us got a coat.” At that point Cyndi took the coat off her back and handed it to one of the ladies so that they both had coats and I broke down in tears!
I was inspired by many that day and came to realize I have taken so much for granted and pray each day for the homeless on the street to find their way home.
Cindy,
Thank you for extending the visit to tour the Homeless Shelter. It was an eye opening experience.
When you first drive up, the grass is replaced by brown dirt. Some people are huddled in a fetal position sleeping in a make shift house, from brown boxes. Trash bags line the street, sidewalk and fence, where individuals have placed their precious belongings. The blankets have a unique look of many months of long use without being washed. Many of the clothes have stains, spoilage and smell.
Although without a warm, safe, secure place to lay their head the homeless people step aside so we may take a tour of the place they lay their heads during the night. There are approximately 500 tiny, worn, torn cots. At a quick glance it resembles the size of an infant’s crib mat. When placed in a position on the floor, there is no room to stretch, roll over or change positions, one best choose the ideal position before lying down. Each small cot is placed on a hard concrete floor. The trash bags full of precious belongings marks each individuals spot. There is a quiet understanding of the rules surrounding personal belongings among the regulars. There are three separate areas. There is one for the veterans, one for mothers and small children and everyone else.
The library consist of used books, which have torn pages, missing pages, colorings, writings or are barely holding together, possibly 20 books at best.
During the day the homeless are asked to vacate the shelter. Some try to find means to get to doctor’s appointments to refill medicines that were stolen or lost. Some try and find a means to earn work; some mother’s going to extremes just to provide much needed formula for their children. The city of Fort Worth’s day labor is not close enough for many with disabilities, medical conditions or small children to walk to and see employment.
There is a shower on the premises. Being there are approximately 500 per night, the wait to use the shower can be overwhelming. Shower toiletries are not provided, and must be purchased. Without a job or income, or even limited income and medically needing to purchase prescriptions or feeding young children there is little left over to purchase toiletries to bathe with.
Many of us taking the tour were dressed in business casual clothing. During the tour a young lady walked up and asked us “What do you know about being homeless!” I completely understood where she was coming from; we have a house, clean clothes, warm beds and food. Could we ever really understand what they are going through? Being homeless at one time, I sympathized with her and did understand a little. She began to feel more comfortable in speaking with us. We did care to hear what she felt was needed, could be improved upon and her complaints. She stated she felt many could use transportation to get back and forth for cancer treatment, for infection checkups, medication refills. She confessed to knowing about the bus passes being sold, which is against policy and wanted a solution to stop that. When asked about what solution she thought would be better, she said she did not know; but would think about it.
We met another girl who is a master welder among many other skills. Her experience consists of also being a Forman over a large construction crew. She stated a willingness to want to work, and wanted desperately for someone to give her a chance to prove her skills.
These people are someone’s grandma, grandpa, sister, brother, mom, dad, daughter, son, aunt or uncle.
Contrary to the stigmatism of homeless people, there were many, who although frustrated with their current conditions wanted to learn and participate in any means to better themselves. They welcomed the opportunity to prove themselves, to employers willing to give them a chance. They were respectful, polite and gracious for our time. When in fact, we should be grateful they were willing to share their opinions, wants and needs with us.
This experience opened my eyes to another world. Exposed me to a side of humanity I had not experienced for a long time. These people desperately want to be a part of our society, just as badly as we enjoy being a part of it.
Thank you Phillips Wish for allowing me to participate in the shelter tour, please count us in to help bring more awareness, assistance and empower the homeless integrating back into society. Everyone deserves a chance at the American dream!
My sincerest appreciation for everything that Phillips Wish is doing,
Chauncy
DeLane Davis - This afternoon Brady, Jordyn and I attended Phillip's Wish 4th Annual Blanket Drive that began at Tom Thumb in Southlake.We were overjoyed and proud to participate!
Over ten speakers, including a Mayor, State Representative spokesperson, a retired Dallas Cowboy and a radio personality told of their personal connection to Phillip and his mother,Cyndi Bunch. Close to 200 people were in attendance. After listening to heartfelt stories and shedding a few tears,we helped load trucks with the remaining blankets, scarves, coats, mittens, socks, and gloves that had been delivered to Tom Thumb today.
As we had children's fleece scarves to distribute, we chose to follow the donated moving truck full of blankets and caravan to the first stop: Presbyterian Night Shelter and the Shelter for Mom's and Children in Ft. Worth. Even though Cyndi tried to tell me, nothing could have prepared us for what we saw.
As soon as we exited the freeway and turned onto Lancaster, it was clear that help was needed. Parking the car in the lot near the shelter was a little scary as we were met with parked cars full of personal belongs and people that had obviously been making the cars their home! Right away people from the streets made their way to the truck. Unfortunately, most had done this before. Quickly a table was set up near the truck and filled with toiletries and large storage bags. People politely lined up, took a bag, and filled it with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I don't remember one person forgetting to say thank you as I helped fill their bags. They also looked out for each other by directing friends to the line if they had just arrived. After the truck door rolled up, I helped the small, young helpers into the truck. There they organized and brought blankets to the truck opening to be distributed. Socks, sleeping bags, hats and gloves were requested the most. Unfortunately there were not enough to go around, but all received a warm blanket or two. Young children with their mothers, men that looked like their clothes hadn't been washed in weeks, young and old women alone, couples together, a few men that look like the fathers I see at school picking up their children, groups together, and friends all standing in line at the shelter to get in for a meal, a warm shower, or the night. Most did not take more than they needed and were quick to tell us so. I received warm hugs, thank you's, and was blessed more times than I can count!
A few of us made our way to the separate shelter for mothers and their children. There we handed out the remaining handmade children's scarves and some of the blankets, gloves and hats that we saved from the truck for the children. Though the staff told us almost 60 residents were children, we visited with less than 20, including 2 newborn babies. We were told that many mothers take their children out during the day to look for food, work and drugs.
Though Cyndi, Phillip, and many of the volunteers continued on to the next shelter in the dark, the kids and I left Ft. Worth for our warm comfortable home. Grateful for the experience we shared, and promising each other to return next year with more help and more supplies.
Dec 16 2007
Ginny Scales - Let me start by saying "Thank you". I truly never knew after all the stories we have shared what it really was all about until TODAY! My heart was whole as I said, and I can only thank you for that. You will never, ever know what today meant to me, and how it touched my heart and soul, and what it did to make me so amazingly PROUD of my children! They are and will always be the love of my life just as Phillip is to me too. They saw things I dont think they have ever seen, and it is all because of you!
Thank you again!
Our Shelter Manager is beside himself about the gift for the new mats - he wants to order them today! That gift from Century 21 is truly a blessing for those who have no where else to sleep.
Best wishes to you.
Lyndsay Hoover
PR & Development Director
Presbyterian Night Shelter
Chris Taylor - When I first met Cyndi Bunch, I was working for a group of community newspapers.
It was just before Thanksgiving, and she had been trying to reach me for a couple of days. I hadn't received any of my messages or faxes from our secretary, but Cyndi didn't give up. She came to my office to tell me her story: The story of how her husband had a mental illness and would wander the streets. How she and her son, Phillip, would have go looking for him. The misery they saw on those streets.
"Plain white tube socks created such a stir that you would have though it was for Hannah Montana tickets or the latest gaming system. This stuck with me for long after, even to the point that socks is what I donate now."As a reporter we are always looking for an amazing story and here one had walked in to see me. I had always lived my life by the philosophy that everyone is one bad break from losing everything, and luck plays a much bigger part in our lives (and successes) than most people ever realize.
When Cyndi told me her story, I realized that I was right. It was like a grand discovery, but what was even more inspiring was what she and Phillip had done to combat their misfortune. Instead of collapsing or being beaten down, they both decided to do something.
They learned from their experiences and became a force for good. When so many of the rest of the country is more interested in looking good at church and the community, Cyndi and Phillip are out there getting their hands dirty actually doing something.
I knew I was going to have to go with them as they handed out blankets right before Christmas.
I went with them one Saturday before Christmas. While everyone else was out shopping in a consumer frenzy, we were handing blankets to people who would spend the night in a doorway with nothing but a blanket to keep them warm. I watched Cyndi work her way through the crowd. I learned many things that day. I watched Cyndi speak with, and touch just about every person who was out there. Those tiny gestures, she said, made these people realize they matter, and they are not invisible.
I was amazed at the emotions that were displayed by those receiving the blankets and the hugs. Some cried. Many wished us a merry Christmas. The great group of volunteers who delivered blankets and coats were emotional, as well. One person couldn't handle the scene and cried until she left.
Two things really stuck with me out of the experience: First, I never knew what to say them. Saying have a Merry Christmas seems kind of hollow to a person who is going to be sleeping in below-freezing temperatures. I settled on "Good luck," but that still seemed an odd thing to say.
The second thing I found very strange. At one point during the handing out of the blankets, there was huge commotion about a new item. That item was socks. Plain white tube socks created such a stir that you would have though it was for Hannah Montana tickets or the latest gaming system. This stuck with me for long after, even to the point that socks is what I donate now. I just could not imagine that in a month where I had interviewed an owner of doggie hotel where owners could view their dogs by webcams, a manager of a grocery store where customers could get massages while they shopped and kids camping out to by gaming systems so they could reap huge profits online, that I would see people fighting to get socks. It was a humbling, sobering experience.
After the delivery we all went to eat. No one really said much.
When the waitress didn't bring the right order out, no one really felt like complaining, though. We'd seen what real problems looked like, and everything else seemed much smaller in comparison.
Sarah Gomez - My name is Sarah Gomez. I am 16 years old and a Junior at Central High School in Keller.
Recently I thought of an idea to incorporate with Phillip's Wish that will also help with the homeless. I have always had a compassion for helping others and giving back to people who are in need. I volunteer at nursing homes, The Presbyterian Night Shelter, and also with other community events. My idea is to help the homeless with their dental hygiene, which will help homeless adults in finding day labor jobs and giving children confidence with their smiles.
A few months ago I had read an article that had interviewed Franciscan monks that were helping the homeless in the south side area of Fort Worth. One of their main concerns were the homeless adults being self-conscious about their appearance particularly with their teeth and breath. My main objective is to collect toothbrushes, toothpastes, and teddy bears for children.
I have heard the saying "grin and bear it" in the past and I thought to have the name of my idea "Bear-'N-Grin it". I hope that I will be able to contribute my part in helping Phillip's Wish and also the homeless in need. Phillip's Wish is very beneficial in our community and I'm confident of the future and what is yet to come. Jennifer McAlister - Four years ago I prayed that God would put an opportunity in my path that would teach my kids what life was truly about. I wanted them to experience the joy of living a life of purpose and see firsthand that giving is a far greater gift than receiving. Since there are so many needs in the world,I didn't know where to start or what to do. Thankfully, God made it very clear where He wanted my children and I to serve because less than a week later, Cyndi Bunch literally stepped into my path. I met Cyndi in downtown Fort Worth while she was passing out letters that explained her story; what she was doing and why. All she requested was a blanket. I called Cyndi the next day and that was the beginning of a friendship and a bond held together by the shared desire of making a difference in the world.The first year 250 blankets were collected. Last year, we stopped counting at 20,000 blankets, to include coats, hats, socks, toiletries, sleeping bags and toys. It still amazes me how obedient, compassionate hearts, like little Phillip's and his moms, can impact a lost and hurting world when we they decided to be a part of the solution.
"No one has ever become poor by giving."
- Anne Frank