Westside’s own Merry Goldthorpe is a tireless volunteer with the members of the Western Farm Workers Association. The following is a letter from Merry:
Dear friends of Westside Church,
Thank you to the Fedderly family for their support and help to deliver the food boxes at the Thanksgiving distribution for Western Farm Workers last week. We made up seventy boxes of food and delivered them. Our members, for 62 cents a month dues, are part of a Benefits Plan Two, which helps them to supplement their incomes with used clothing, food, medical and legal advocacy, and other services. In exchange, the members help run our office, answer phones, sort clothing, maintain the office and grounds, attend speaking engagements, and many other projects and events. We interview the families to find out what their needs are during the holidays. Some are facing evictions, electricity shut-offs, and job layoffs.
Our biggest need right now is volunteers to help with the Christmas projects. We will have a family holiday party, gifts, and a food distribution this month. The gift sorting is on Friday the 13th, the party on the 14th, at Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Our shortfall is new school clothing and shoes for children. This is what every parent has asked for. One of my favorite parts of the holiday is buying new clothes for the kids. My husband and I go bargain hunting and have fun picking out clothes for all ages and sizes. Join us as a Secret Santa this year! You can bring new clothing to church this Sunday, buy a gift card through Westside, donate food, or help out in many activities we will have.
The food boxes go out on December 21. Drop any donations at our office, 725 SE Seventh Ave in Hillsboro. The phone number is 503-681-9399. Or contact me at 503-690-1908 (home) or 503-840-7410 (cell.) I will come and pick up from your house too. Thank you for making a difference in our community and sharing the joy of the Christmas season.
With Love,
Merry Goldthorpe
