~by Tamika Miller
Impact Thrift is shining a spotlight on local citizens and grass-root organizations in our communities with tremendous passion, commitment, and dedication to help others in need.
For these organizations helping others in need is innate. It’s not what they do…it’s who they are. It’s about being truly engaged…whole-heartedly getting involved, in a hands-on way, to address the challenges we all face as human beings. They know that every good thing that we do for one another –no matter how big or how small—is an act of charity and kindness. Impact Thrift admires their generosity, thoughtfulness, and tireless pursuits to make a positive impact on their own communities
In September we have invited three such organizations to share their visions with you. These organizations are diverse in their missions, but all are connected by a heart to uplift…
The Memorial to John Paul Endicott at Temple University Ambler Food Crops Garden is a community garden nestled in the Temple University Ambler’s Horticultural Campus. John Paul Endicott was a Temple University Horticulture student, who passed away in a motor vehicle accident in 2010. Before his passing John Paul developed and carried out the idea of a community garden plot, whose harvest of tomatoes, beans, potatoes, and greens, goes entirely to families in need.
In his memory and honor, family and friends have come together to support his vision and continue the work that he started. The JPE Donation Garden is an education and volunteer based community vegetable garden. The organic crops which are grown and harvested are donated to local food pantries.
Located within the research gardens of Temple University Ambler, the JPE Donation Garden is bolstered and supported by Temple University Ambler’s faculty, staff, interns, and students and linked to coursework. JPE partners with: Chelten Baptist Church Seeds of Hope Food Pantry, Ambler Manor, Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, Manna on Main, and Philabundance.
We invite you to learn more about the JPE Garden and meet Judith Endicott at our Montgomeryville Store on Saturday September 14th, from 12-3pm or visit their website: http://www.jpendicott.com/html/garden_mission.html
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Helping homeless and abandoned dogs and puppies find good, loving homes is the core mission of Wet Nose Rescue in Feasterville. Without the support of Wet Nose Rescue these dogs would otherwise, most certainly be euthanized or subject to a life in extremely poor conditions, unloved and neglected.
WNR works with overcrowded shelters that receive little in the way of funding to house, feed and provide the necessary medical care for their dogs and puppies. WNR tries hard to find permanent, caring families who will appreciate the love a rescue dog can provide. Wet Nose Rescue is totally foster based and while they don’t have a physical shelter where they kennel dogs, they do have an adoption center.
WNR strives to keep the adoption process simple and try and match the right people with the right dogs.
We invite you to learn more about Wet Nose Rescue and meet Steve Leslie at our Feasterville Store on Saturday September 21st from 12-4pm or visit their website: www.wetnoserescue.org
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There are so many children hoping to find their forever families. CONCERN is a (501)(c)(3) non-profit community-based child welfare organization dedicated to meeting the needs of abused, neglected, and delinquent children and youth.
Founded in 1978, CONCERN began as pioneer of treatment foster care, believing that children placed into care should live in a traditional family setting in the community, rather than in a residential or institutional setting.
Since this time, CONCERN has been at the forefront of innovative programs and treatment methods to meet the individual needs of the child.
We invite you to learn more about Concern and meet Mary Kay Rafferty at our Hatboro Store on Saturday September 28th from 12-4pm or visit their website: http://www.concern4kids.org/office_sites/southeast.html
It is our hope that this spotlight series inspires you to pursue your dreams, support others and make an impact!
