06/01/2026
Today will complete my last round of this cancer treatment. I'm hoping the side effects won't be as cruel as the last round, but we'll take it one day at a time.
June is shaping up to be a very full month, with numerous personal and nonprofit obligations ahead.
On the nonprofit side, school is out for summer. While many of our families receive EBT benefits, homebound veterans and families still face challenges getting to food pantries and grocery stores. And as every parent knows, bored teenagers can eat a lot of groceries! Our work will continue to ensure families have the food they need throughout the summer months.
Back-to-school preparations are already on the horizon as well. Clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and haircuts will soon become a priority for many families we serve.
Father's Day is also approaching, and it's every bit as important as Mother's Day. We saw firsthand the impact that simple acts of appreciation had on the mothers we serve. Our veterans deserve that same recognition. This year we'll be providing Father's Day gifts that include Girl Scout cookies, jerky, and snack crackers. Our fathers in nursing homes will receive cakes, pies, cookies, and cupcakes to let them know they are remembered and appreciated.
Personally, I have additional tests coming up. My hope is that my healthy cell counts will continue to improve . The pain never completely leaves, but many of the symptoms do improve, and for that I am grateful.
My mother also has heart surgery and follow-up appointments ahead. I pray everything goes well. Nothing would make me happier than seeing her healthy enough to return home.
Speaking of home, I am continuing to work alongside many of the people I grew up with to protect my mother's property and the cemeteries where their parents, spouses, children, and loved ones are buried. Progress often moves forward without considering what it leaves behind, especially when that progress comes at the expense of others.
The next month or two will not be easy. But I truly feel blessings are chasing us down. My heart tells me that Simply Angels Veteran Outreach is on the verge of tremendous growth because we have built our organization on transparency, trust, and genuine care for those we serve.
As for my mom, I have placed her in God's hands. After two serious strokes and ongoing heart issues, she struggles daily, and I can see her fight becoming weaker. I will continue to give her the very best care and love that I can. The rest is between her and God.
We will continue our monthly grocery collections at Giant. Our next collection will be June 13 at Giant in South Stafford, and July's collection will be held on Plank Road. We are hopeful these collections will help refill our storehouse and allow us to meet the growing needs of our families.
We have enough nutritional supplements to get through June, but by July we will once again need support for our terminally ill veterans who rely on Boost and other high-nutrition foods.
It's all in God's hands. I simply wanted everyone to know that we have a mountain to climb over the next six to eight weeks. We have faith, we have determination, and we have an incredible community standing beside us.
Most of all, we need your prayers.
To God goes the glory.
--Susan--
