May 2014
Opening a
Window
to
God’s Love
and
Inspiring Hope
for
Changed Lives
Sneak
Peeks!
www.thewindowofgoshen.com
Director’s Corner on Page 2
Upcoming Events
Check out Page 3
Our Mission:
The Window, Inc., a faith– based, non-profit organization, provides services to meet the basic needs of anyone with limited income.
The Window, Inc.
223 South Main St
Goshen, IN 46526
Events
www.facebook/thewindowgoshen
Crop Walk 2014
U.S. Postal Stamp Out Hunger Day
The weather was cloudy and brisk, but it didn’t keep
the walkers from showing their support. Over 60 people came out to Shanklin Park Sunday, May 4th, for the
3rd Annual Goshen Crop Hunger Walk and raised
$9,083.94. One fourth of the proceeds $2,270.99 will
stay here in Goshen to help our neighbors who are in
need. Vivian Schmucker, who has participated in the
walk the past 2 years said, “The hunger walk is a good
reason to get in a 5k for a good cause.”
29 volunteers stopped in
The Window throughout
the day on Saturday,
May 10th, to lend a hand
in sorting nearly 5,000
lbs. of non-perishable
food items from those
who participated in the
Stamp Out Hunger food drive in Goshen.
This year’s donations are down from the
previous years. Last year, The Window received over 9,600 lbs.
and in 2012 just under
9,000 lbs. Even though
we have seen a decline
in donations this year,
we are so grateful for
the Goshen Community’s support of the event and wish to thank
all those who took part in this worthy
cause.
Regional Director of Church World Services, John Dolan, encouraged the walkers to
take the water bottles supplied by
Kroger’s and fill them with
dimes ,which equals about $100.
He then challenged 10 people to
bring the bottles back full to next
year’s Crop Walk. He also said in
closing, that he believes it is possible to end hunger in
this lifetime and then rallied the group in a chant of yes,
yes, yes as they headed out to the starting line.
The Window would like to thank Kroger’s for supplying the water again this year and Allen Peachy for
sponsoring the local band, Lalo Cura, who shared their
beautiful music during the course of the walk and especially all those who donated, volunteered and participated in the walk. We hope to see you at next year’s
Crop Hunger Walk!
Haystack Dinner Benefit
The Semi-Annual Haystack dinner was a huge
success thanks to the generosity of the 409 people
who came out to show
their support for The Window on March 20th. The
event raised $3,233.
If you would like to know how you or your church can
The Lehman Family
The Window staff
get involved with next year’s Crop Hunger Walk please
would
like
to
express
their gratitude to the
contact Scarlett at 574.533.9680.
Waterford Mennonite Church and The Window Board of Directors for making this year’s
event possible.
Director’s Corner
Spotlight:
st
Volunteer Breakfa
And
e Year
2014 Sponsor of th
Over 70 people attended the 2014 Volunteer Breakfast
Saturday, April 12th at St. Mark’s United Methodist
Church. The Window hosts the breakfast annually in
order to show appreciation to those who donate their
time throughout the year.
A good time was had and lots of
laughter was heard while everyone enjoyed a scrumptious meal
of egg bakes, oatmeal, fruit and
coffee cakes prepared by The
Window Board members. Many
door prizes were won including
gift certificates to Culver’s,
Olympia Candy, Electric Brew as well as other businesses.
Greetings,
We are winding down with our renovation project.
November of 2011 we started working on Phase 1, the
hallway and the new rooms. Phase 2, the kitchen and
dining room construction began in March of 2014 and
we look to be finished by the end of May. June 6 at 11
A.M. will be the ribbon cutting and the official day
that we will be serving out of the kitchen. While we
are seeing the end of this project, we are still in need
of renovation dollars. As you know, old buildings reveal many unforeseen obstacles. Here are some of the
unexpected costs: outdoor steel caged ladder
($3,500 - 4,000), dishwasher hood ($6,000), and new
water heater ($1,900). If you can help in any way, it
will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Goshen Community and Elkhart County
for the continued support of our mission to the community!!
J. Ed Swartley
Executive Director
The Executive Director Ed Swartley spoke about the
importance of volunteers, and how The Window could
not accomplish all that it does without them. As the
breakfast banquet came to a close, Ed Swartley presented the 2013 Sponsor of the Year award to Executive Director Ross Swihart and Development Director Mike
Perez of Faith Mission of
Much gratitude to the Elkhart County Community FounElkhart, Inc.
dation for the generous grant award of $25,000 for our
Thank you to past and pre- kitchen renovation. The Window would also like thank
sent volunteers who selfless- IU Goshen Health for the $6,000 grant award for the supPictured from left to right:
ly donate their time. You are port of our pantry.
Mike Perez, Ross Swihart and
very much appreciated.
Ed Swartley
If you would like to learn
how you can volunteer your time , please contact Nancy
at 533.9680 ext. 210.
Now that we are in the homestretch of our kitchen
renovation we are in need of (8) 8 foot tables for the
dining room. If you would like to help us with this need
please contact Ed Swartley at 574.533-9680 ext. 209.
Upcoming
Events
You are invited!
We are having a ribbon cutting ceremony to
celebrate the opening of our new kitchen
June 6 at 11:00 A.M.
We will be open for June’s
First Friday. Come and enjoy a
mouthwatering meal in our
newly renovated kitchen!
For more information contact Scarlett
at 574.533.9680 ext 203
There are several ways to feed and clothe the Goshen Community...
Join!
Donate!
Volunteer!
Katie’s
Kitchen
Receivers and Hosts
Assistants to the Cook
Our little friends
from the 5th Street
First United
Methodist Preschool paid us a
visit on March 7th.
With smiling
faces and arms
loaded with hats, scarves and gloves for our Clothes
Closet, they joyously presented us with their generous donation. It was such a treat to spend a few minutes with these adorable children, and they were all to happy to allow me to snap a
photo of them.
We will have the items on display
beginning August 4th. Be sure to stop in
and choose the ones you want to bid on
August 12th!
The Window Board is made up of members from
local churches and businesses. The board meets
the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 P.M. Call
for more information.
Any food or clothing donation is
accepted during business hours
Visit our website to join our email
list and receive
current needs right to your inbox
www.thewindowofgoshen.com
Drivers and Dispatchers
City Church of the Brethren
Joyce Sumpter
Clinton Frame Mennonite
Jodi Mullet
Faith Lutheran
Mary Seymour
College Mennonite
Gay Lehman
Irene Gross
Eighth Street Mennonite
Jane Swihart-Farrell
Eleanor Kinney
St. John’s Catholic
Darlene Leitz
Chrissy DeStefano
Faith Mennonite
Jenny Evans-Yoder
First United Methodist
Sandy Streit
New Paris Church of the Nazarene
Pete Seaver
North Goshen Mennonite
Sharon Helpmuth
River Oaks Community
Lani Fischer
St. Mark’s United Methodist
Lela Roher
Waterford Mennonite
Karon Weaver
Sorters and Hosts
SUPPORT!
MC___ VISA___ DISC___
Credit Card #______________________________________
Exp.__________ CIV/SEC#___________
$50___
$100___
$150___
Other___
Return this stub with your donation. You will be issued a tax receipt in the mail.
Support:
____Katie’sCash_____
Kitchen ____Meals on Wheels Check
____The#______
Pantry ____Clothes Closet