Events and News

HGRM VOLUNTEER "HUGABRATION" It was wonderful to see so many of our HGRM Volunteers at our Volunteer 'Hugabration' on May 13th for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night! Many thanks to all who contributed to the success of this special event. Thanks also to our band, The Colonial Jazz, which provided some enjoyable dining and dancing music!

BURNED OUT

On Tuesday morning, 4 adults walked in. One looked familiar with his mustache and soft smile. He was Russ F. of Castle Samaritan. The other 3 people were a young woman, her sister and her father. A fire had consumed the young woman's home and her parents' downstairs apartment in Fitchburg. The fire had left 10 people homeless: 6 adults and 4 children under the age of 12. We showed them around and asked Russ to call Ira directly to make an appointment for Saturday afternoon. All 10 of them were living together in 2 bedrooms. We hugged the young woman as she left, aching with the knowledge that some of her family were sleeping on the floor. Fortunately, we had something to give them as they left in the middle of a busy "drop-off" morning. Karen had taken large wicker baskets and filled them with Teddy Bears and books for different ages. She had wrapped them in cellophane and tied them with ribbons. We found the right age books and soft toys for the little ones and they left with baskets in their arms so that the children could hear stories and cuddle their bears.

Saturday afternoon, the young woman, her husband, brother and her parents arrived with Russ and slowly and carefully made their choices of furniture. Fortunately, Thursday and Saturday donations were abundant. They found dishes, silverware, sheets, pots & pans, lamps and basic necessities to start their lives over. There were many more hugs as they headed out to the two trucks.

Thank you Russ for bringing them our way.

HGRM Documentary Film and Boston University Video Project 

Students from the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University (CDIA) in Waltham have just completed a documentary about HGRM. CDIA prepares students for careers in digital filmmaking. As a final project, students create and produce documentary-type videos about nonprofit organizations. This summer, Christopher O'Coin, James Partridge, Aaron Picadash, and Matt Stavropolous worked with instructor Greg Croteau to produce The Hug Room, a video that describes the history, mission, and operation of HGRM, as well as its effect on people's lives. The film will be used as a tool to train and recruit new volunteers. To view the film, just ask a Manager on Duty to set up a television in the conference room. Through interviews and images, The Hug Room captures the spirit of HGRM.

HGRM Honored by Veterans

Barbara and Ira Smith attended a conference on October 15, 2007 in San Diego on Veteran homelessness and to accept a prestigious Community Service award on behalf of HGRM. Barbara and Ira are seen receiving the HGRM Award from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Gordon Mansfield.

Mary Fardy, who works at the Bedford VA Medical Center, nominated HGRM for this award which is in appreciation of HGRM's dedication to homeless veterans. The Veterans Administration offers only six such awards nationwide. The Chesapeake Health Program paid all expenses for the Smith's to attend the conference.

Here is part of the nomination letter that was submitted by Mary:

Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service for Homeless Veterans Nomination for Outstanding Contribution by a Community Organization

The Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program at the Bedford VA (HCHV) would like to nominate Household Goods Recycling Ministry (HGRM), a furniture bank located in Acton Massachusetts, for the wonderful work that they do in collecting, sorting, storing and redistributing good quality gently used furniture to people in need for this award. This organization epitomizes the true spirit of charity and reciprocity in the original sense of the words. HCHV became aware of HGRM's services just over a year ago when one of the volunteers here at the hospital suggested that we might make use of their agency in the acquisition of household goods for our veterans. As the furniture bank that we have been associated with is located about an hour away from the hospital and HGRM is about a fifteen minute drive away, we thought it would be a great addition to the repertoire of resources we've been using. The veterans we serve are often moving into their first apartment after experiencing homelessness. This was a place that could help. When we visited their showroom in Acton, we knew immediately that we had found an organization that would support our efforts in the kindest, most helpful and respectful way. The aura of generosity, concern and caring was evident, and the volunteer staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome. They proudly showed us the stock of furnishings they had available and explained how they got them as well as how they distribute them. They were eager to accept new clients, especially veterans.

This was the beginning of a collaborative effort that sustains the veterans we serve in both concrete and spiritual ways. The help they give is holistic. Those veterans that have been referred come back and tell us it is rare in their experience and circumstances to be treated as well as they have been at HGRM. They say that the compassion and support they receive from people in this agency is palpable and that they are awed by being seen as worthy human beings once again. Generally speaking, our veterans have been down and out for so long, invisible members of a society that disregards their pain and their plight, that when recognition and acknowledgement of their condition is offered, they are overcome with emotion. One of our veterans was so moved and appreciative, he has decided to volunteer for the agency himself and help those who are still in need, now that he was in a different place himself. This is the best example we can give of the kind of work HGRM provides and the gratitude generated by their services.

This is an agency that is especially effective in procuring and delivering goods to the homeless- veterans included. They collaborate with over 200 agencies, including VA, to provide a much needed service- the distribution of household goods. Most importantly, the way in which they provide the service honors each individual's dignity and this is a quality that cannot be measured but should be appreciated.

Oktoberfest 2007

Many thanks to Jill Henderson, Liz West, and Marguerite Mazzone for representing HGRM at West Acton's OktoberfestSurrounded by a plethora of fuzzy Beanie Babies that were being sold to youngsters at the festival, Jill, Liz, and Marguerite shared information about our mission and passed out pamphlets about our organization. It is important for HGRM to continue being a part of community events to spread word about our work and to recruit more volunteer

A Big Thank You to West Concord Union Church, Boxboro Congregational Church, and Cambridge Savings Bank for their recent financial donations to HGRM. These donations help to support our ministry as well as help us reduce increased energy costs.

Success Stories

He walked into HGRM with the saddest look. His eyes were like burning coals. He was granted religious asylum here from Lebanon 2.5 years ago. He has not seen his wife or twin boys (now 5 years old) since then. Their only contact has been letters and precious phone calls. The gas station he worked at didn't pay much but after working night and day he finally saved enough for his wife and boys to come here June 28th. "The bombs are falling; they must leave. It is very bad there" he told us. He lives in 1 room in West Concord. He had been searching endlessly for a 2 bedroom apartment. Every landlord wanted 1st month, last month and one month's security. Ira and I shared some possible apartment locations and tried to lift his spirits. Barbara had given him his bed 2 years ago. One week later, he came back. His eyes were dancing. We saw him smile for the first time since we met him. Sitting down in the middle of Saturday morning chaos, he told us he found a 2 bedroom apartment in W. Concord. He was offered a new job in Boston that paid almost twice what he was earning before. He was so happy and excited. He chose his beds and tables carefully. We have saved a bureau and desk for him. We can't wait for him to introduce us to his family. They will get big hugs. Then we will search for their dishes, glasses, silverware, sheets and towels, and take the twins to our toy alley. His family will be safe from the bombs at last.

Volunteer Newsletter

HugRoom Oct 2007 Newsletter

HugRoom Dec 2006 Newsletter

HugRoom Sept 2006 Newsletter

HugRoom June 2006 Newsletter