It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me: our staff has been so busy with an influx in clients served and new fundraising events and partnerships. In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing in more detail all of the exciting new activities that the Sunshine Division has cooking this summer. However, today I wanted to share with you a letter that I received a few days ago.
Sometimes we lose sight of the impact our efforts make on the lives of those that receive our food and clothing assistance. Therefore, we’re very fortunate when a client or former client shares their story with us.
I received this letter from the daughter of a donor who was letting me know that her mother had recently passed. I’ve omitted names for privacy sake, but I’m sharing the letter with our friends and staff so that we are reminded of the legacy of support the Sunshine Division has created in this community over many years. It never hurts to remind ourselves that we are part of something greater.
Here is the letter.
Dear Friends at the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division,
Many years ago, around 1962, when I was probably ten years of age, my father left my mother and she was alone with three little girls (of which I was the oldest). Mom had not been in the work force for many years as she had stayed at home to take care of us and the house, as was the norm in those days. When my dad left he took everything of value, even our car. From then until I was in high school, when we finally got a car, we walked most everywhere we went. Dad was supposed to pay child support, but he never did.
Mother went back to school at Portland State College, (as it was known then), in the evenings and then worked all night at a minimum wage job just to keep us afloat. She eventually went on to graduate from PSU and went to work for the City of Portland. Coincidentally, the first job she had with the City was in the Police Bureau as a report typist during the night. She worked for the City in many different bureaus until her retirement as the Administrative Assistant in the Bureau of Personnel Services.
The first Christmas we were alone was a hard one. We had little to eat and certainly no money for Christmas gifts. The day before Christmas the Sunshine Division showed up at our door with boxes of food and gifts. Mom was embarrassed, as she did not want others to know that we needed help but those men treated her as if she was doing them a favor by accepting the things they brought. It gave mom such encouragement and she never forgot that day.
Over the years as she had what she considered “extra money”, which wasn’t much, she would send money to you. I wanted to let you know that _________ left for heaven earlier this year. Money that was donated at her memorial service was divided between charities she supported over the years. Yours was one of the charities that she gave to. I am sending you that money now. I hope that you will be able to do for someone else what you did for mom those many years ago.
Thank you for the work that you do, please know that it does make a difference in lives.
In gratitude,
________