The Som Foundation

09/26/2020

Good morning all!!

I know it has been awhile since anything has been posted - life has been crazy and I just felt, with so many other emergent needs in the community, we could continue our work but pause the messaging.

The Som Foundation is still alive and serving families during this time! Since March the Foundation has helped many families navigate difficult times including:

Finding work and childcare for a single mom who was laid off and couldn't get her feet on the ground

Helping another single mom struggling with her finances, childcare and in need of emotional support to give her the confidence to find her path to a sustainable lifestyle.

Working with a spanish speaking family who needed work and childcare arrangements

Helping others find shelter/homes, school supplies, work, food, gas, clothing, etc.. We even did a birthday party!

Through all of this our funds are getting low and unfortunately, our annual Share A Smile Event has been postponed until next year.

BUT.... today the Elks is having a Chicken BBQ to raise funds for the Foundation. It starts at 10:30am. Please stop by to show your support and fill your belly!!! It would mean a lot.

Thanks!!!

04/19/2020

Hope to families in our community feeling despair. Guidance to those in unfamiliar situations. An action plan that brings light to the end of the tunnel and eases minds. And most importantly, a shoulder to lean on and a friend for support.

We are here - connecting families to resources, finding solutions, advocating for needs and spreading smiles ☺️.

Join us!!

Do you know a family that is struggling? Give them our information.

Spread the word about the Som Foundation and the work we do so we can help even more families and individuals in our community!

01/27/2020

It’s amazing how a little gift can bring such a smile! Thank you for all the donations we have received so far for the expectant mother who has nothing. When everyone does a little - it adds up to a lot and makes a big difference. We live in such a great community!!

01/23/2020

"Operation Spreading Smiles" the story continues......

Our Family Support Specialist met with the family and discovered MANY hardships and hurdles that they have been trying to handle on their own but have been unsuccessful.

They were living pay check to pay check with no savings prior to the father's medical episode and now that he cannot work are faced with a scary reality. He is under medical care and is hopeful to be back to work in March but until then life is uncertain.

We are getting them connected to rental assistance and food stamps and working with the utilities on budget/repayment arrangements.

For anyone that would like to help this family here are some suggestions:

- Walmart Gift Cards for the purchase of food/household items not covered with Food Stamps
- Baby items; mom is due Feb. 12th and is having a BOY ☺️. She has NOTHING. Clothes (various sizes to make it through the 1st year), blankets, gift cards would be most helpful. We can get the diapers/wipes and some supplies from the Carlisle Area Family Life Center but some new items would help increase the excitement that having a new baby should bring.
- Gas cards so mom can drive to dr. appointments

This family has expressed such gratitude for the help and remorse that they are in this situation. THANK YOU for helping to spread a smile ☺️

01/16/2020

A young boy happened to confide in an adult that his mother was pregnant and due fairly soon. He expressed concern that money was already tight and nothing had been purchased to meet this new baby's needs. His father is out of work due to medical issues, they are new to the area and language is a barrier. This young boy shoulders a lot of responsibility for the family and didn't know where to turn.

One can only imagine how hard it would be to find a smile in this circumstance. If only this family had someone to advocate for their needs and help them find hope.

This is where The Som Foundation steps in.....

01/16/2020

Life has a way, through various circumstances out of our control, to bring us to places where it can be hard to "find a smile".

Some people are fortunate enough to have a good support system or resiliently find the light at the end of the tunnel. For others it seems like they just can't catch a break and life starts to feel a little helpless.

Over the next series of posts we will walk with a family having difficulties finding a reason to smile and see how your support of The Som Foundation helps to transform their lives.

Here we go....

01/08/2020

12/30/2019

Thank you everyone that came to bowl last night! Best way to spend a rainy evening doing good!

12/29/2019

Ready to bowl! Want to get out of the house? Looking for something to do? It’s not to late to join the fun!

12/05/2019

Do you have someone that is difficult to shop for this Holiday? Gift cards are the perfect fit for everyone!

Purchase one of the gift cards listed on the form below and a percentage is donated back to the Som Foundation to do good in our community.

I will be submitting orders on Monday, 12/9 and delivering cards on Friday, 12/13 AND ordering on Monday, 12/16 for delivery on 12/23.

Email or message me with your order!

10/16/2019

Having a baby should be an exciting and happy time, but what if you only have enough gas to make it to work and back?? Just gave a gas card to a newly expectant mother so she can enjoy a healthy pregnancy without the stress of not knowing how to get to the doctors and still have gas for work.

10/08/2019

Flo says you need insurance to drive. What if you can’t afford to get insurance until you have a job? But you can’t get a job without driving??? Thanks to Share A Smile we have the funds to pay the first months car insurance for a single father who really wants to work. Thank you supporters!!!