As I look back now it seems impossible to believe that the year 2020 found us spending almost ¾ of the year inside our home afraid to go out because of the Covid 19 virus. When we did venture out, we were clothed with a mask and sometime even gloves. Once out we rarely left our car and if we did, we were quick to use hand sanitizer as soon as we closed the car door. Then upon our return home we washed our hands and prayed that we had not come in contact with anyone who might be carrying the virus. And that was our routine for most of 2020. That was the bad!
But during the same time period there was much good that was accomplished by Jumbled Dreams and Echoes of Hope volunteers. Monetary and in-kind donations kept coming in to help the homeless and the needy. During this time such support was even more meaningful because so many people were not venturing outside their homes to offer help to the needy. Many businesses that helped the homeless were shut down, so there were no free meals for the homeless. Workers lost their jobs, increasing the number of needy and even adding to the number of homeless.
This being the scene, it is mind blowing to report the help that was given in 2020. Twenty different organizations were helped along with several thousand individuals: 2,087 items of clothing were donated; 843 toiletry bags were distributed; five birthday boxes were given away; and 200 boxes of sanitary wipes (wipes were made by Echoes students and handed out to the teachers when school started back on the fall). 200 first aid kits, 2 sleeping bags, 29 boxes of diapers, one wheelchair, 58 blankets, and 283 household items were distributed. 16,105 school supplies and 2,350 toys were given to needy children; 150 backpacks each containing a blanket, a snack pack, a toiletry pack, a winter pack and a note of encouragement were distributed; 50 – $10 fast food restaurant gift certificates were given to the hungry; and 350 gift bags containing a winter pack, a snack pack and a Bible were given out at Christmas. In total 28,272 items were collected, packed and donated!
Jumbled Dreams, in partnership with Positive Change Project, had the opportunity to change lives by starting an Anti-bullying and Suicide Awareness Podcast, Positive Dreams Project. This podcast has had 2 episodes so far, and had over 200 viewers!
Thank you to each person who supported our work. If you would like to get involved with projects that provide support to other people, we would be appreciative of your help. There are so many needs. I promise you will receive a blessing when you get involved with the work of Jumbled Dreams.