Prompted by people’s wish to help, but couldn’t give blood at Blood Drives, Becky Mateja Lombardini suggested folks contribute to a “Fill the Basket” Drive. Anyone who can’t donate blood, may bring an item for a basket. It’s the season, why not? So items for Human Shelters, Animal Societies, or Senior Facilities/Hospitals would be welcome.
Constantly hearing news about the atrocities in the Ukraine, Ms. Lombardini wondered how to get some of these items to them. Because Mateja is active in the community, she found out a friend is going to the Ukraine. And not only that, Florian Steciuch, suggested keeping the baskets here, because his organization is helping women and children refugees!
Florian Steciuch, a local Senior Advisor and member of Equipping the Church, is out of town right now aiding the movement of women and children into Northern Indiana. So efforts are underway to gather items for their Baskets too. Supplies like food, clothes, blankets, diapers, and toiletries. Florian is Pictured above on the left and Becky Mateja is in the middle at House of Berggren.
You can drop or create your own basket, either for them or for the other categories listed above, ie clothes/baby items/feminine products for shelters; dog and cat food/bleach/towels for societies; and candles/lotion/books for Senior Facilities/Hospitals. Of course monetary donations work as well. Look for the 12 foot Bunny out in front of the former House of Berggren, 686 Broadway, Chesterton. Berggren’s is a local Chesterton shop that has been recently re-purposed.
Donations can be dropped from 10 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday with more days opening in the future. Her group is hoping to organize a non-profit, the Honor Guard, that continues this work year round “because it doesn’t have to be Easter to Fill the Basket!” stated Becky Mateja, the Hall of Fame basketball player who’s very familiar with making baskets. Questions, email teamimpress@phprintingetc.com.
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