update as of May 19th, 2007

while this isn't the first of the month, or the last of the month... i happen to have a few extra minutes and wanted to take advantage of this time to update our blogspot.

as you have read in previous blogs, project warm hug is going through a lot of transition. we have closed our offices, have been consolidating our storage spaces, and generally trying to decrease our expenses any way possible so we can stay afloat.

i had a big eye opener this past week. i tallied up all of the expenses i have paid for project warm hug since 1/1/07 and tallied up all of my personal/family expeneses that need to be paid asap.

well, the amount that i have spent and the amount i need are nearly exactly the same. as i sat in a meeting with the family self sufficiency team this past week, i was trying to explain why i was there asking for their assistance.
the answer was simple, my investment in our community and to friends outside of santa clara, my commitment to completing our business lease and my determination to make this all work.... had compromised my personal finances.

it was asked why don't i just close down project warm hug??? simple, there is no where else that families in need can request diapers... let alone receive the children's clothing and items needed.
i now understand from the viewpoint of these families. my family is now a project warm hug client. if it wasn't for project warm hug, my son wouldn't have clothes, the toys, the books, and the diapers he has now.

this understanding makes me even more determined to make project warm hug stay afloat. i have cut our budget from $72,000 last year which was actually closer to $50,000 down to $13,800. YES $13,800. that is all we need to stay afloat to cover out of pocket expenses. $500 a month for San Mateo county and $500 a month of Santa Clara county. what that includes is storage space for the donations, a place also to sort and inventory AND barely enough gas to cover the pick ups and deliveries.... that is it. no salaries, no office, no advertising... the extra $1800 is for rent paid for the first 3 months.

so i ask you to please think of friends that like to donate to a good cause. we are one, and we need your help. currently we are $6800 behind... and have 7 more months to go. we donated over 21,000 items last year. this year, we have set up a children's clothing closet for friends outside which contains over 3000 items including maternity and teen clothing- and lots of diapers. i would like to set up the same for shelter network and elsa segovia family shelter in the next month.

we are set up on paypal. using mrosenhart@yahoo.com as the recipient address.

so other than just asking for money.... i have created a children's clothing and accessories business called big heart designs. we debuted last week with great success. for every item sold, project warm hug receives $3. (bigheartdesigns.blogspot.com)

polka dot millie- whimiscal and wacky clothing for girls... 2t -6t. ready to sell!!!

retro willy- funky and fun clothing for boys... 2t-6t will be ready in another couple of weeks.

carseat slipcovers for britax car seats are ready to sell!!!
an easy on and easy off cover made from terry cloth. use it until it gets dirty. pop it off and wash it... and pop it back on. you do not need to take apart the car seat to change this cover. it goes right over the original! and is only $24.00 for the first 20 sold. other fabrics and designs will be made, Fleece for winter!!!

i am hoping to be able to sell at one of the local farmers markets in the next couple of weeks. i will update you with this information.

lastly... thank you all who have been so supportive in the past. we certainly wouldn't be able to serve our community without you.

with warm hugs. megan