Our Story Breathing Life into Rita's Hope...she lives on.
Before Rita passed away in June of 2017, she did what a woman who truly loves her husband would do. She urged him to not sit in the house day after day and mourn her leaving. Rita, knowing Tom, knew that he would do whatever she asked him to do. So she planted the seed of helping the homeless and to continue what she had started. She suggested ideas on how he needed to move forward. As Tom explained it, "She knew that I would need something to do and that by keeping busy, I would heal faster."
As difficult as it was just before the funeral, Tom forged ahead with her idea and secured a P.O. Box and asked for donations in lieu of flowers. Indeed, donations did come in during the funeral and afterward.
Work began on establishing the Foundation and paperwork was filed with the state and the IRS for the 501(c)3 designation as Rita's Hope Foundation, Inc. came to life. Behind the scenes, their three grown children, Tonya, Marshall and Chris worked to get the word out and also sought donations and ideas for fundraisers.
As people heard of Rita's passing and her idea of helping the homeless, this caught fire with friends, family and even strangers and donations of goods and money started coming in. In September, 2017 we started distributing a few more bags. In October and November the numbers increased. By the end of December of 2017 the foundation had distributed 140 bags! We were astounded at the generosity of others that allowed us to do this.
During the month of December, 2017 it seemed like a miracle happened almost every day. Donations started trickling in and by mid-December many people, including strangers, family and friends sent checks and donated supplies. Toiletries and sleeping bags would arrive on Tom's porch almost daily and many times he had no idea where they came from.
People that Tom only had a casual acquaintance with, as well as complete strangers, heard of the work that the Foundation was doing and would hand him a check or other donations. Money came from across the country, such as Kentucky, New York, Florida, Illinois and Tennessee. One neighbor requested that each family member bring a pair of socks to their Christmas Dinner when they attended. They collected 54 pairs of socks that day and donated to the foundation! A church in Fishers, IN donates 10% of their weekly collection to a local charity and Rita's Hope Foundation, Inc. was approved for the first weekend of 2018. Amazing things continue to happen. Amazing people are helping to bring this dream to life.
What started with one dying woman's dream of helping others has been taken up by her husband, family and supporters. They continue to build upon that dream. Rita's Hope is alive and will live on for many years.
Dreams do come true!
In the past three years, great things have happened. What started out as Rita's story moved into Tom's story. Now as time goes on and people join in the mission with their heads, their hands and their hearts, the story is becoming OUR story. Each of you that have donated and volunteered, as well as those that are joining in our mission are now part of that story.
To see OUR JOURNEY please CLICK HERE to see and read all about the beautiful things that have taken place.
To see OUR JOURNEY please CLICK HERE to see and read all about the beautiful things that have taken place.
Homeless but not without hope....