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LETTERS FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Our Board: Leading By Example
February 2010
The catalyst for our success is the 15 member Board of Directors. Our directors are drawn into service from our community and they work very hard to build support for our causes and then they get into the trenches and lead by example. This governing Board’s goals are many, including vision and goal setting, promoting, fundraising, staffing, record keeping and evaluating. Although we distribute government commodities, we are a totally private, not-for-profit, enterprise. Therefore, our continued existence is dependent on the leadership of our Board.
Our Board members are: Pat Adams, Chris Angelo, Christine Botts, Bob Botts, Sandy Butenschoen, Tom Dujmovich, Norenne Dunker, Tim Emerson, Mary Ann Kawall, Deb Keane, Janice Perkins, Charlie Petrausksis, Sue Regas, and Tim Stone. Each person comes to the Board to lead with a background and set of skills that represents the community for which they serve. By occupation, we have present and retired teachers, nurses, cost analyst, a firefighter/paramedic, realtor, banker, veterinarian, retired social worker, assistant director of religious education, school and church volunteers, and a corporate executive. Many are members of our churches and civic organizations, and have families in our community. They know you and they know your concerns, values and compassions.
If you were observant, you counted only 14 members. We are searching for a new member that will be able to bring fresh ideas and energy, but also have the ability to embrace the efforts of those past and present. Please contact us to be considered.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
Back to School Time
August 2009
As I write this, it is almost time for school to begin. This Center has been abuzz with children delighting in receiving backpacks and new gym shoes or gym clothes. Mary Ann Kawall, our Emergency Financial Assistance Director and Salvation Army Extension Service Coordinator, headed up the distribution of the Salvation Army sponsored backpacks and the M.O.R.E. sponsored gym shoes or gym clothes. The backpacks were filled with school supplies and the children were also given tooth brushes and tooth paste. Vouchers for $25 were given to their parents for the gym shoes or gym clothes to be purchased at Levin’s Shoes & Dry Goods in downtown Marengo. Thanks Bob Levin for participating in this program.
When watching this event unfold, we come to realize how little it takes to see eyes sparkle and moms and dads feel relief that their children will be “fitting in” with the other kids on that nervous first day of school. It’s these kinds of experiences that make all the other hum drum days seem distant. For just a few minutes, we see some fruits of our labor before we go back to our more routine tasks of helping with the real necessities of life: food, shelter, and clothing.
It takes many volunteers to keep our programs running. Want to help? See our website. Please keep the M.O.R.E. Center in your thoughts and prayers; not only for those that we seek to help, but also for our volunteers.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
A Generous Community. . .Thank You!
February 2009
I continue to be amazed at the generosity of the Marengo-Union community. The food and clothing donations continue to pour in from businesses, individuals, churches and organizations, even though the economic situation is tenuous. I guess that I should not be surprised, because this is the community that provided us the M.O.R.E. Center and the continuing support of it. This is the community that enthusiastically supports our fundraising events and food drives and provides our volunteers. It is commendable that we work together so closely and in a caring, personal way. Perhaps that is a perk of being a relatively small community. For whatever the reason, I say, "Thank you and may we continue to strengthen this partnership."
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
Three Programs. . .Three Special People
December 2008
Three very special people make the programs at M.O.R.E. Center run smoothly. They are Jan Perkins, Food Pantry; Mary Ann Kawall, Emergency Financial Assistance and Salvation Army; and, Deb Keane, Little Portion.
Each of these Directors is totally dedicated to improving the lives of our clients. Jan Perkins brings 17 years experience in running the food pantry and coordinating the efforts of the volunteers. She brings a special touch in getting to know the needs of the clients she touches. Jan has had a number of drastic changes in the move the M.O.R.E. Center, as well as dealing with the growing list of clients. Jan also headed the Holiday Clearinghouse program which coordinates the efforts of individuals, organizations, and MORE during the holiday season. This year was, once again, a ground breaking experience with Toys For Tots coming to the M.O.R .E. Center. While there may be room for improvement next year, the programs came together very well. Thanks Jan.
Mary Ann Kawall has been with MORE since 2002 and brings her skills of a former case worker to the M.O.R.E. Center when she takes on financial difficulties of our clients. Her efforts go toward giving assistance to those facing utility shut-offs, evictions, prescription needs, and many other emergency problems that arise. Mary Ann works closely with other agencies including township supervisors, Salvation Army, the Housing Authority, the Department of Human Services, churches, local businesses and other private and public social agencies. She often attempts to bundle a package of assistance from two or more agencies. One agency alone may not be enough, but by working together, a family may be able to stay in their home or a utility gets turned on. Mary Ann often spends hours on just one case and the client list is growing. Thanks Mary Ann.
Deb Keane directs the Little Portion which provides clothing and household items to our clients. She has been with the food pantry and MORE for ten years. When the M.O.R.E. Center opened, this new program became her responsibility. She directs a staff of dedicated individuals who enjoy sorting, organizing and displaying clothing and items. Our clients are well-served with warm coats, boots, gloves, sweatshirts, jeans, shoes and items for their apartments. The task of rotating in and out of items is an ever-present challenge. Deb is also able to “connect” with clients’ needs and informs them of other MORE programs. Deb is an integral part in the make-up of our MORE programs. Thanks Deb.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
Gearing Up For the Holidays
October 2008
Here at the M.O.R.E. Center, we are gearing up for the holidays. Our Holiday Clearinghouse program, led by Janice Perkins, synchronizes various community efforts to help the needy families of Marengo and Union during the holiday season. This includes Angel Tree, Toys For Tots, holiday food boxes and other programs. M.O.R.E. provides a screening process of recipients and coordinated distribution in order to reach all needy families, to assure equity among those receiving help and to discourage abuse. And, M.O.R.E. steps in to meet special situations.
Angel Tree provides clothing items to less fortunate children. Various businesses about town have Christmas trees with tags of names and needs. Stop in and pick one or two up.
Toys For Tots, sponsored by the Marines, provides new toys to children. Collection bins are provided about town for new, unwrapped toys.
While you go about your daily routine, perhaps concerned about our own future, let's count our blessings and remember that there are those in our community in situations far worse than most of us. M.O.R.E. is here to lend a helping hand to them and also to you, if you find yourself in immediate need of basic life necessities. Just give us a call.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
A Year in the M.O.R.E. Center: Keeping Our Mission
July 2008
August 8 marks a full year in M.O.R.E. Center. It's amazing how much we have grown in that past year. We went from a handful of volunteers, to more than 80. We have grown in the services we offer and, for the most part, we are very proud of our programs. With this success, however, we have become the "go to" agency, the first responders, in the Marengo-Union area for people in difficult situations.
Over the past few months we have been noticing a large increase in clients needing food and emergency assistance. Not only are our numbers up, but the severity of cases is quite noticeable. The country's economic down turn, the mortgage crisis and the reductions in social services are all contributing to a growing number of individuals and families entering poverty level. The stresses of losing a house or apartment, a job, a car, your health, your spouse or children and countless other issues can create depression and volatility in individuals. We are seeing many first timers and they are embarrassed to enter our doors, they are upset, emotionally drained, and they don't know what to expect. We offer advice, food, clothing and household items, and perhaps financial assistance. Sometimes we just listen and console them, but we do it with respect and dignity.
It is difficult for most of us to recognize that in McHenry County, a rich county in many ways, homeless individuals and families actually exist. But they do, and we see it every week. It is difficult for us to give a mother a bag of food that she and her son will be able to eat in their car. But we do it and wish her luck. It is difficult to watch an individual walk away from our Center with a bag of food and that person's next goal being to find a friend, any friend, with a couch for the night. But, again we do it with hope that we are helping this person make it to the day when a job can be found. That's what we do.
I mention these things to let you know we are trying to help in the best ways we can with what we have. We are all volunteers. No one is paid. We depend on your continued support even if the only way that you can help is to wish us luck and to speak positively to others of our constant needs. We are immensely thankful for all the generous and caring organizations and individuals in our community.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts
Executive Director
Welcome from the Excutive Director
March 2008
Dear visitor:
Welcome to our website! We hope that as you explore the pages, you are beginning to get a feeling of pride and ownership in the M.O.R.E. Center. After all, this has been and still is a community project that seems to have taken on a life of its own.
From our Board of Directors to our Program Directors, we say "Thank you, Marengo". Thank you for your donations of money. Thank you for your volunteering. Thank you for donating food to the numerous drives. Thank you for your good used clothing. And thank you for speaking positively about what we do. It takes numerous volunteers to operate the M.O.R.E. Center. Our Program Directors spend countless hours in meeting the needs of individuals and families in desperate situations and our volunteers carry out the many jobs from week to week. So, be sure to thank these people.
Please check our website from time to time. We will keep you posted about our various needs, news and events. Things seem to be happening here all the time. If you want to volunteer, fill out the application provided here and send it in. If you or someone you know is in need of our services, please come in. You'll be greeted with friendliness, sincerity and discreteness.
Sincerely,
Bob Botts,
Executive Director