Eileen: I volunteer every Friday but also make it a point to stop in throughout the week to work on checking and putting together cribs for our familes.

Eileen: Well, it changes every ten years, but right now I'd say it's "content".

Eileen: I believe it was when Sharing Connections had an open house celebrating the move from the garage to where we are now. I had known Leeanne McGrath before the move, but officially started in 2000. That's ten years of friendships, fraternization and knowing I'm doing something that is needed and doing good for someone that needs it. And anyway, it beats going to lunch everyday and talking about what I could be doing.

Eileen: I'd have to say most people don't know that I'm an "almost" excellent bridge player.

Eileen: Oh, it was about six months ago. I regularly work with this family and have for some time now who needs that helping hand from time to time. The mother is just a fantastic mother and she came to me telling me a story about her youngest girl. Her daughter is just old enough now that she is getting too big for a crib and continually trys to climb out. The mother was worried about her daughter hurting herself and really wanted to move her to a toddler bed but just didn't have the resources. She turned to me. Of course I told her that I hadn't seen a toddler bed come through Sharing Connections for quite some time and didn't know when I'd see one again - these are one of those things that just don't come in everyday. So I was thinking about her the next morning as I traveled into the warehouse - and as I opened the door, what was staring back at me? A toddler bed - and not just a regular toddler bed, but a pink toddler bed! How wonderful is it that SCFB was able to provide this mother with a toddler bed for the safety of her daughter? These types of things happen at Sharing Connections - that is why I enjoy coming.

As 2009 came to a close, it was once again time to tackle a year's worth of data - our measuring stick to just how much we were able to provide to client families with your help - and reason to celebrate!

Below, we invite you to take a glance at some of the quick fun facts of 2009:

• 758 orders were completed with 712 of them for furniture
• 3,697 individuals benefitted from our services (over 2,200 were children)
• An estimated value of over $900,000 in household furniture & goods was provided to families
• 309 volunteers donated over 12,900 hours (over 8,300 in the warehouse alone)
• Our truck crew picked up furniture from over 1,200 homes (WOW)

With just the snippet of information above, you can see just how much goes into one year of reaching out and helping those in need. Looking toward 2010, remember to take a moment and celebrate how much of a difference one person can make in the lives of so many that pass through our doors.

Between November and December of 2009, a survey was conducted reaching out to our existing referring agents - and after over 50 participated, we are happy to share the results with you!

They generally have a positive perception of SCFB, both on their own behalf and on behalf of the clients. In addition, 98% responded that they were satisfied with the contact they've had with our client team and felt we provded excellent value to their clients. Once again, proof that it's the power of our client care volunteers going that extra mile that makes the difference!

We had fun breaking in the new lunchroom in 2009 and now it's close to the time where we acknowledge the time and dedication you've contributed to the successes of 2009!

Whether you're the first volunteer to make it to the 2,500 hour plaque or a first-timer in the 100 hour club, it's time to shout your name from the mountain tops! We are running the numbers (and checking them twice) through November 2009 and as soon as the full details are ready, we'll provide you with the dates for the official Volunteer Appreciation Week of 2010!

Hey, if for nothing else, it gives us another reason to have a week long party of food, conversation and fun.