April 2019

National Volunteer Month

About 15 years ago my daughter, Becky, told me that Sheepfold was starting a Saturday night get-together for all the Sheepfold mothers and children. They needed people to welcome the families, provide child care and help with serving a dinner. That program is still going on.

I have also volunteered in the office to assist with inputting information from volunteer applications of people that also wanted to help. I was always surprised to see many hair dressers, gardeners, handyman, etc. that where willing to give their time to help the people at Sheepfold. Then I heard about helping out with the Sheepfold Newsletter. I knew that was where the Lord wanted me to be and I joined the wonderful, friendly group of Christian people. There were days when I would bring my mother, daughter and sometimes my granddaughter to help. Four generations doing God’s work.

A gentleman, Steve, moved into my senior community. We had worked together some 35 year before so we had known each other for many years. I asked him if he would like to join our newsletter group. From the first time he came, he knew that it was something he would love to do and he immediately felt comfortable working with this group of people.

About 2 years later, on April 20, 2008, Steve and I were married (with the blessings of our Sheepfold Newsletter friends). We are good and faithful servant’s and always try to be there. Oh, did I mention that I am in my 80’s and my husband is 95. As long as the Lord keeps us around, we will be there ready to put the envelopes into the newsletter so people can help in every way to support this great ministry for mothers and children.

Love in Christ,

Sharon Stephen

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’

- John 11:25

Dear Sheepfold...

I hope you’re having an amazing day!

Exactly 1 year ago one of the most life changing experiences happened to me and it started with a phone call with you. This phone call led to an interview, and not just that, but an opportunity for a second chance. Today my children and I celebrate our 1 year anniversary of being at the Sheepfold. We were given not just a chance but a place we now call home.

I was given an opportunity to go from feeling helpless to hopeful, broken to mended, lost to found, empty to full. But above all, knowing that all that was happening was God’s way of telling me “I got you, just be faithful”. I am grateful you took my phone call, interviewed and accepted me, but more importantly gave me a chance to be safe and heal.

There is no doubt in my mind that God’s hand is in all of this. Thank you for everything you have done for us. You have provided me, and other women like myself, an opportunity to gain faith in God and in ourselves. I am and will be forever grateful.

- Mari, Sheepfold Resident

Graphics Volunteer

Celebrating 40 years of the Sheepfold ministry is so exciting. Almost 30 years ago, I was hired at a local print shop after completing a Certification Program in Graphic Design at a Community College. My kids were a little older and it was time for me to return to the work force.

There I met Fran when she would bring in the newsletter each month. Reading the resident’s stories was very warming and inviting to me. How Fran’s faith and experiences drew her to start the Sheepfold in her own home, even in her own pain, bolstered my own faith.

After almost twenty years, I retired from the print shop. At that time John invited me to come to work part-time for the Sheepfold to continue doing graphics for them. I spoke to my husband and we decided it would be best to volunteer for this job. I loved working with the staff and this Ministry. So here I am ten years later and still enjoying my time here.

Along the way, when the Orange County Second Step Units were purchased, I had the opportunity to decorate one of the units, using mostly Thrift Shop donations. My husband helped and we got it together. It was such fun and so fulfilling. Three years ago when my husband passed away, John kindly invited me to help decorate the new shelter they had purchased. The timing was perfect to help keep me busy while finding my way in widowhood.

As in so many things we do, thinking we are helping others, it is blessing us personally. We end up receiving so much more than we give. I have received deeper faith in God, in people, plus had a lot of fun!

Sincerely,

K.C. Riley

Thank You for Making a Difference!

Because of you...

• Our moms can grow in the Word of God while knowing their little ones are being loved and cared for.
• Our moms will have a safe place to call home.
• Our moms and kids feel special because someone took the time to give them a haircut.
• Our kids will feel a sense of pride in their school work.
• Our kids feel special and loved because someone spent one-on-one time with them.
• Our moms can shop for free for items on their needs list.
• Our kids can learn new fun skills such as art!

Words cannot express how grateful we are to all of our amazing volunteers! We truly could not do what we do without YOU! Thank you ALL, child care volunteers, handyman, hair stylists, tutors, mentors, Resale Boutique volunteers, art teachers, and the list goes on and on!

A Need

If you love teaching art and working with children, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for art teachers that would like to volunteer their time and teach art to the Sheepfold kids. Or, if you are interested in volunteering at our Resale Boutique, we would also love to hear from you. Flexible schedule and no experience necessary. High School students & groups are welcome to volunteer.

For more information please visit www.thesheepfold.org and click on volunteer. You can also email me at sarah@thesheepfold.org.

- Sarah Fouts, Volunteer Coordinator

Gardens Help Support Sheepfold

Mary Lou Heard was a friend of the Sheepfold and for years the garden tour that takes place in her honor has continued that friendship. Each year the Heard’s Garden Tour continues to showcase beautiful home gardens throughout Orange County and each year we are blessed by the proceeds of the donations from those who visit the gardens.

If you find yourself with some free time on the weekend of May 4th-5th, we hope you will visit one or two of the beautiful gardens on the tour. A list of gardens, along with all necessary information (including maps) may be found at the Heard’s Garden Tour website: www.heardsgardentour.com.

Heard’s Garden Tour 2019

May 4th & 5th

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Admission is free

* Donations are gladly accepted at the gardens and proceeds go to The Sheepfold.