08/12/2021
Reflecting ...
Nearly 10 years ago, Mike and I were getting ready to open the newly remodeled Manter House as a faith-based community resource center. We began to get to know the neighbors and listen to their stories and their interests. One neighbor told us there were no working streetlights near her house. She didn't feel safe going out after dark. It was November. Mike called the City of Anderson and a friend at PG&E to figure out why this was. Turns out there was a confusion over which organization was responsible for which streetlights. The day of our first open house, PG&E trucks were seen changing the bulbs in several streetlights down Manter Drive. And just in time for our evening event, the lights came on in the neighborhood.
Over the years, we have watched the neighborhood brighten up. We've been blessed to see neighbors, volunteers and community partners come together to make a difference. I could share so many stories, and maybe you could too...
That said, it's time for Manter House to close its doors. Our season there is wrapping up at the end of August, and God is bringing new opportunities to Shasta Thrive and its amazing team. Though it's sad, and there are still many needs in the community, we are taking this time to remember all that's been learned and changed and bettered over the last decade of Manter House's faithful and caring volunteers showing up with love in their hearts and speaking encouraging words to our participants. I'm sure many lives have been positively touched, some in some very transformational ways. Never under estimate what a few dedicated people can do when they come together, pray and work together to impact lives. Change is hard, but we celebrate the good stuff.
Mike Gallagher Pamela Batti Hamar, Mary Malrose, Jon Thompson Natalia Thompson, Eric Hess, Mary Peterson, Joanna Boralho, David Lujan, Karen Hofer, Christine Haggard, Melissa Hicks, Mike Fitzgerald, Kelley Verhoog, Ann Rogers, Mary Flacy, Shasta Thrive, DeAnna Gallagher Rebecca Lehman, Brooke Gruba Katryn Eske
