
House 2Home Nashville is a public charity classified as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
April's Christmas Tree First, some backstory: December 1st and 2nd, H2H picks up its biggest single donation to date, six box truckloads of furniture from AvantStay short term rentals. Flush with furniture, it seemed that the following Saturday’s deliveries would be no problem. Then the bed shipment was backordered. That meant reluctantly postponing, for one week, all the deliveries needing queen beds. We did have full and twin beds, but we typically deliver queen beds to adults. And this time of year, follow-up deliveries are not efficient. Plus, on Saturday, December 7, we were to have a new (potential) truck driving volunteer which meant we wanted to make a good first impression. So, I called a new set of requests. Several phone calls into that process, I spoke with April A. The first thing she said was, “I don’t need a bed, but could I get a full or twin bed for my 18-year-old son?” Happily, I said “Yes. Would you be home tomorrow morning?” To which she replied, “I’m off on Saturdays.” Things sounded promising. Then I mentioned having just received new, artificial Christmas trees, still in the box. And would she be interested? Then she told me her story. I listened as she recounted her journey. Early on she had been trafficked, then came addiction, then came recovery. During Covid she had reached out to other folks in recovery via an Instagram account. Stuck at home, she had 100,000 followers. She felt like she was really making a difference. Then, her mother died, and she relapsed. That hole became a new two-year struggle made worse by the damage to her two kids. Her teenage son started living on his own in a van. From her dark place, she told God that she didn’t believe in Him and, if He wanted her to believe in Him, He would have to give her life back. And as she explained, He did. First came a used car and a job, then came a townhouse apartment with little more than a bed for her and her daughter. And now House2Home was bringing her son a bed and a lot more, including lots of beautiful, formerly short-term rental pieces. Before ending our phone conversation, I mentioned having been given new, artificial Christmas trees, still in the box. She gasped before explaining how just the night before she had prayed to God about not being able to afford a Christmas tree. I felt like the next day’s delivery would go well. And it did. We arrived, brought in the new pieces, and set up her son’s bed in a converted dining room space. The AvantStay dresser and nightstand looked great. As we finished, he started making that room into his own. As we were about to leave for our next stop, April told our volunteers her story. That is when her eyes glazed over, and she began to cry. She said, “I believe in God.” You see, He had given her life back. And because we didn’t have queen beds, House2Home got to be a part of her story this Christmas.
This voicemail came to my phone on August 12.Hey Michael, it’s Debbie Staples. I just wanted to thank you for the lovely things that weredelivered to us on Saturday. First of all, your delivery people were awesome. Just, justwonderful people really love them and the things they said you sent work really well in theapartment…. It’s just a little bit [of] extra things that we needed and it’s really turning into areal home for us…. We just appreciate everything so much. And I just wanted to say thank youto you and I hope they told you we actually had donated back a queen size bed frame weweren’t able to use… [paying] it forward like we talked about so I hope you can make [use] ofthat for somebody else down the road. But I just wanted to thank you. I appreciate you guys somuch. Have a wonderful day. Bye now.In both stories, God is glorified. In both stories, givers become receivers and become givers. Amazing. WE DID KEEP “DOING THIS.”
This one is from yesterday’s work. One of our 4 deliveries was to a woman named Lennia. I set it up. Others of us supervised the warehouse, and Art Foster drove the truck and worked with 2 volunteers from Men of Valor. Lennia had been on the list since June. Circumstances stemming from shear volume had caused us to skip her delivery, but I went back to ask if she had gotten what she needed. She said no. But she was not upset. She was happy for my call. Yesterday H2H delivered much of her list. While we were still up in KY I was included in this text exchange: I want to thank you all again from the bottom of my heart & may the Lord continue to bless you all, your organization, & your loved ones You have truly made a huge difference in my life & I am beyond blessed to have received your assistance Thank you sincerely & continue to go in God [praying hands emoji], Lennia McGill To this Art replied to us, Lennia, thank you for the opportunity to serve you today. YOU were a blessing to me. Grateful for you and the power of our Lord’s timing and unfailing provision. [5 heart emojis]