Says Gwyneth Sutherlin:
Another Mother’s Day Gift
In my family of siblings and half siblings, mothers, step-mothers, and mothers-in-law, I estimate that during the collective thirty-plus years of celebrating Mother’s Day we’ve come up with nearly 200 gift ideas. Undoubtedly, there have been some repeats. This is the time when my siblings and I begin brainstorming, and each year it gets harder to come up with something that feels fresh or useful or at least not completely lame. It is time to take things to the next level.
This year to celebrate Mother’s Day, we celebrate all mothers. By supporting a local organization that will help another mother achieve self-sufficiency and let her be the best mother she can be– the kind of mother your mom was for you– you will show the deepest kind of love and respect for the magnificent role mothers play in all our lives. Some organizations are happy for a monetary donation in your mother’s name, others have a wish list of items to set up a new household, and some are thrilled if you can spare some time to volunteer. (Quality time with mom! All the best places for brunch are booked anyway.) Below are just a handful of the hundreds of organizations working hard to help, so please look towards your own community for others that advocate for women, shelter children, and nurture families helping their dreams grow.
And remember the struggle to provide a home and raise a family doesn’t stop after one day, so your gift is welcome anytime. These organizations and the individuals they serve can become part of your family, part of your tradition. Go back for Father’s day!
Exodus Refugee
www.exodusrefugee.org/howtohelp.html
Our friendly city becomes the new home of hundreds of refugees from places like Burma and Iraq each year. These families must start their lives over and need everything from furniture to help with homework.
Julian Center
www.juliancenter.org/wish_list.html
A shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence lists 3 top immediate needs as pillows, diapers, body lotion. This is a great place to send those fabulous gift baskets of lotions and soaps to spoil one of their new arrivals.
Coburn Place Safe Haven
www.coburnplace.org
This is a unique long-term shelter for women and children where they can find safety and stability for up to two years. To help out with long-term needs, pretend you’re a soccer mom for a day– borrow a minivan, drive to Sam’s Club, and buy enough of something for the whole team.
Mother’s Day Flower Project
indysocialservices.org/mothers-day-flower-project/
A nationwide fundraiser which sends flowers to women in shelters and uses the proceeds to finance these programs.
Face Clinic
www.facespayneuter.org/
Something for the mother in all of us… a chance to nurture these animals who need plenty of TLC, maybe a little training, a bath, foster care, or adoption.
