SYAN - Summer 2002 - Regionalized Action

Regionalized Action
Cross sharing of ideas inspires a Region to conduct a clothing and shoe drive

USA Pacific North, Region 6
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming

Inspired by a project conducted by our fellow young adults in Indiana, we organized a region-wide clothing and shoe drive. We designated three strategically located cities to serve as collection centers. Young adults in the region were informed of the project and soon clothes and shoes started pouring in. Once the items were collected, several young adults drove to Portland and handed in the shoes and clothes. We used the home of a local Sai family while they were away in India as a warehouse to collect and categorize these clothes into piles for women, men, and children. We consulted with local shoe stores and bought shoes in the most common sizes and categorized them. Fliers were made and put up in downtown locations and temporary housing camps.

Usually it rains very heavily during this season in Portland, but December 22nd was blessed with only a small shower of rain and lots of sunshine. Around 6:30 AM, fifteen young adults gathered at "the warehouse," formed an assembly line and loaded supplies into the van! We then proceeded a the church, and laid out the apparel like a retail store where people could walk through and help themselves to clothes. Some of us assisted with the shoe fitting as well. Needless to say, with His grace, everything went smoothly. Altogether more than 70 people were provided with clothes and shoes that morning.

Swami shows His presence in many ways. We felt His energy from the beginning as He helped us with our plans. We sensed His attendance among us as we gathered around early and worked in harmony and unity on the morning of December 22nd. We experienced His grace as we saw the needs of many people fulfilled. We especially felt His love during the following incident: a man who was obviously in great need of shoes came to the church later in the day. Things were starting to run out, and his shoe size was not found. Many of us simultaneously came up with the same idea. We drove quickly to a local store, bought a pair of shoes in his size and got back as others in the group detained him there with conversation and clothing suggestions.

Swami's love and inspiration has been instrumental in our success and we are really looking forward to repeating this activity in Seattle this winter!