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Raves & Reviews
about Women Making a Difference
Vaile Leonard, Founder/CEO Light of Truth Center
August, 2004 |
“This Certificate of Appreciation is presented to Ginny Roberson
and the On Purpose Family for your unconditional love, untiring
support, and abundance of giving to the Light of Truth Center.” |
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Jackie Henderson, Executive Director Suited
to Succeed
April, 2004 |
“Once again, many thanks for all of the support you have offered
to Suited to Succeed. Out ticket sales and number of auction items
were up significantly because of your efforts.” |
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“Hello Ms. Ginny. My name is Todd. My family got flooded out
as you know. My neighbor friend, Ms. Anna, gave us the boxes. Stuff
was nice. Mom is real happy. Dad seems sad but glad some. I will
help my brother take care of his stuff too. We love Legos! Thank
you so much.” |
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“Thank you so very much for taking the time to help us. Isabel
wasn’t very nice to us and many of our neighbors. I’ve
been so grateful to all who’ve given of their time and effort
to help.” |
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Karen S. (Age 10)
March, 2004 |
“Ms. Ginny. Thank you for all the good clothes. My friends
were glad to see me with new stuff. The shirts and pants will be
taken care of. I will help my little sisters take care of her stuff
too. I thanked Ms. Anna for bringing them.” |
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Tim Williams, Executive
Director
South Baltimore Homeless Shelter, Inc. |
Dear Ginny & Don:
“Thank you for again making the men of the Station beneficiaries
of your annual open house! We are blessed to have your strong
and steady support over all the years. The toiletries and new
socks and underwear will truly be a comfort to our men. We all
know how important the basic things are to our well being. Also,
the cash donations will be carefully spent in pursuit of our mission.
I enjoyed hearing how well you are doing in your respective missions.
The whole community benefits from your good works. May you have
a safe and joyful holiday and an excellent new year.” |
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Teresa Ernst, Special Events Manager
Maryland Food Bank
January, 2003 |
“On behalf of the Maryland Food Bank and the 900 soup kitchens,
food pantries and emergency shelters that we serve, I would like
to thank you and everyone at On Purpose Networking for Women for
contributing to your fall food/funds drive to benefit the hungry
in Maryland. Due to everyone’s generous spirit of giving, we
received a total of 106 pounds of food. Your food donation has helped
to feed many hungry individuals and families through these tough
winter months. In a recent survey, we found that we provide food
to more than 45,000 people each week. Almost half are children under
the age of 18, and one-third of the households served have to choose
between paying for food and paying for rent/mortgage, heat and medicine.
In addition to these striking statistics, the downturn in the economy
and subsequent lay-offs have contributed to an increase in the number
of Americans who are seeking emergency food assistance. Your efforts
have truly helped in the fight against hunger, and you should be
commended. Please pass our sincere gratitude onto everyone who participated.
I hope that you enjoyed coordinating the food/funds drive and you
will consider holding one again next year.” |
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Sister Mary Rosario, Administrator
Good Shepherd Center
December, 2002 |
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart! Than you for your kind
and generous gift to help provide for the teenagers in our care.
Your response is a reflection of the mission of the Sisters to ‘reach
out with preferential love to those who are especially burdened.’
Our work continues to be challenging, even as we remain true to
our mission of ‘love-in-action.’ We believe wholeheartedly
in each girl’s God-given potential for growth. Our relationship
with those in our care should be for them a means of encounter with
the Good Shepherd. Our love should awaken in them a sense of their
worth and dignity as children of God. We are grateful for your thoughtful
support of our ‘holy work.’ Your gift helps us open new
vistas of hope and heals broken hearts. Our community asks the Good
Shepherd to bless you and your loved one a hundred-fold through
the New year!” |
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Kathleen Warren
Maryland Food Bank
November, 2002 |
“Thanks again for inviting me to speak last night. It was great
to meet the women in your group and to see the excitement they have
about their businesses and the organizations they support. Just
last night, On Purpose Networking for Women donated 106 pounds of
food and $110. Together, this is the equivalent of over 1000 meals.
At your next meeting, please let the women know how much we appreciate
their support.” |
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Marsha Rhodes, PTO President, Gary Elementary
School, Gary, WV
March, 2002 |
“This letter will gratefully acknowledge
your generous donation to our playground fund at Gary Elementary.
To date we have a total of $6,274.42 towards our goal. It is because
of people such as yourself that this dream is so close to becoming
a reality for the students at Gary. Again, I want to thank you
and everyone who helped you with this project. When the playground
is finished we will send you a picture so you can see how your
donation helped make this project a success. I also want to personally
invite you or any of your friends to come down and see our playground
anytime they are back in Gary, West Virginia.” |
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Tim Williams, Executive Director
South Baltimore Homeless Shelter
December, 2001 |
Dear Ginny & Don:
“Thank you for once again making the shelter beneficiary
of your continued good works. The van stuffed with donations for
the women and children’s shelter was a demonstration of your
inspirational power and generosity of your friends. We filled
the back meeting room of the shelter with piles of toiletries,
underwear, sleepwear, new and used clothing, hats, gloves, detergents,
trash bags, coffee, school supplies, games and stuffed animals.
On top of all that, you sent $685 in cash!
“Your gifts will directly benefit the women and children
who must endure the hard times of homelessness before their lives
are restored to a reasonable condition.
“Bless you for taking care of our suffering friends. May
you enjoy a great 2002!” |
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Lynn Zwerling
Hope Doll Project
June 2001 |
“On June 8, The Hope Doll Project hosted two pin making sessions
for the first ‘Give Girls A Voice’ conference held in
Timonium. The conference is being established as an annual ingathering
of girls in the Juvenille Justice system; judges; parole officers;
social workers; and people who work with this population. The purpose
of the seminar was to increase awareness of problems girls can face
in today’s world.
“Jo Grishman and I, along with the invaluable help of Ann
Kirby took 75 girls and helped them make one Hopedoll to keep
and one to donate. We netted about 70 pins with some very distinct
characteristics. At one end of the room was a table of quiet,
well groomed young women. They looked like the usual teenagers,
except each had the green plastic bracelet that marks them as
inmates. These girls were from the Waxtler Center in Laurel. It’s
a lock up facility for girls who are jailed, but too young or
too fragile or too something to be included in the general prison
population.
“They worked quietly and independently, made no demands
and seemed happy to be involved with the project. But when I looked
at the very well-made and expressive dolls, I noticed that many
of them had little yarn booties, makeshift shoes. In reality,
when incarcerated, they must give up their shoes when they enter
the facility to make security even more intense. They have to
lose their shoes with the rest of their rights. The doll making
was so telling. We are definitely going to go to their site in
the fall!!
“With the help of Ann Kirby, Jo and I were free to direct
the crafts activity while Ann drummed up business in the hallway.
Ann sold well over 25 dollpins and gathered cards and names of
interested women. She even made a very lovely PURPLE sign which
I will keep as part of our permanent display.
“A donation was made in the name of the conference to the
Grassroots organization in Columbia that supports a tutorial program
for in transit kids in the area.
“Again, here is a heartfelt thank you for all the kindness
you have all shown our project. Not only have you purchased and
shared the pins but your charitable outpourings have been terrific.
I tease Evie M. at the Sykesville Shelter that this is the Underpants
Connection. Thank you. Your generosity has exceed all of my expectations.
“Just as a result of sales of Hope Doll pins at On Purpose
Networking meetings, to date $800 has been donated to South Baltimore
Women’s Shelter and $150 to the Sykesville Girl’s Shelter.” |
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Evie Mazke, Administrative Director
Sykesville Group Shelter Home, Inc.
May, 2001 |
“Thank you all so much for caring enough about our girls to
purchase, clean-out and donate an abundant supply of underwear,
socks, clothing, make-up, jewelry, lotions, shampoos etc. Because
of the efforts of On Purpose Networking for Women, we now have an
adequate supply on hand to give to those clients who come to our
facility with only the clothes on their backs (sometimes with no
underwear!!!) We sincerely appreciate everything.” |
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Lynn Zwerling
Mileone / Hope Doll Project
April, 2001 |
“I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful and generous the women
of On Purpose Networking have been in relation to the Hope Doll
Project. You know, Ginny, I have been a member and even Director
of one of the other groups and I can assure you that no one has
ever stepped up like these women have. This is a fabulous group
of giving, loving, interesting women and I am honored to have been
a member from almost the very beginning.” |
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“I am a little late writing but I just had to write and thank
you and all the workers who were in my home on April 29th for Christmas
In April. It was a pleasure to have such nice and courteous people
in my home. All worked together with a smile. I am very blessed
with all the work that was done. Again, I want to say thank you
and God’s Blessings upon each of you.” |
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James Dasher, Executive Director
Garden Harvest, Inc.
March, 1999 |
“On behalf of Garden Harvest, Inc. I want to thank you so much
for the opportunity to have a community service booth at the Baltimore
Whole Life Expo. The experience was very fruitful for us. In addition
to the volunteer interest we were able to generate, we connected
with a few individuals who were interested in modeling our program
in their own communities. I must commend you on your magnificent
job of organization in putting together such a complex, massive
undertaking. The Garden Harvest staff and volunteers enjoyed the
exhibits as well as the diverse and fascinating people representing
the organizations at the Whole Life Expo.” |
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Tim Williams, Executive Director
South Baltimore Homeless Shelter
December, 1998 |
“Thank you for making the women and children of our shelter
the higher purpose of your 3rd Annual Holiday Open House! As always,
your home was warm and inviting and beautifully decorated. The food
was outstanding, another Robertson tradition we all eagerly anticipate.
Add wonderful people, great music, a carload of very useful gifts,
$290 in donations and we cone out with your delightful and productive
party! You have been remarkably consistent and generous in support
of our residents. We are all deeply grateful.” |
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Helene Hahn Waranch, Executive Director
Literacy Works, Inc.
December, 1998 |
“On behalf of Literacy Works, Inc. we extend our sincerest
thanks to you for giving your time to volunteer for Book Bash ’98.
Because of your help, the event was a tremendous success! The time
and effort you gave as a volunteer enabled us to run a successful
event and to raise the funds to support the adult literacy programs
in Baltimore County.” |
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Lois Hybl, Chair Social Responsibility Committee
Towson Unitarian Universalist Church
June, 1997 |
“I just want to express my gratitude to you for taking time
out of your busy schedule to share your career with students at
School #34 on May 29th. As you can see from Mrs. Rinaldi’s
letter, she was also very pleased and appreciative.” |
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Billie Rinaldi, Principal
Chalres Carroll Barrister School #34
June, 1997 |
“On May 29, 1997, a team of fifteen terrific professionals
arrived at Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School #34 ready
to share their diversified talents and professions to the students
at the third annual Towson Unitarian Universalist Church sponsored
World of Work Fair. The two hour event was a true high point in
the school year for our students. Their excellent attention and
behavior was a testimony to that fact. The presentations were exceptional
and afforded our students the rare opportunity to actually dialogue
with successful adults around a wide variety of jobs that are possible
careers. This effort to help children in a poverty stricken community
to develop vision for what they want to be when they group up is
an essential element to giving them hopes and dreams of a true future.
You have given an invaluable experience to the students of this
neighborhood.” |
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Georgeann Elcyhnski, Executive Director
Paul’s Place Outreach Center, Inc.
January, 1997 |
“In the true spirit of the Holiday season, you opened your
hearts to those in need. We would like to thank you for the gifts
of food, books and money towards Christmas gifts from your annual
Holiday Open House. Your generosity allowed the people of neighborhood
to experience the joy of the season. Your assistance allowed Paul’s
Place to give out more than 75 holiday food baskets and hundreds
of gifts to children and adults. Many of our neighbors would not
have celebrated the holidays without your help. Thank you for your
kindness and support of the Paul’s Place mission.” |
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Tim Williams, Executive Director
South Baltimore Homeless Shelter
September, 1996 |
“The men of South Baltimore Homeless Shelter and I are still
humming and breaking into inimitable dance steps in the wake of
the Gimme Shelter benefit last Saturday night! On behalf of everyone
at SHBS, thank you for all the time and effort you poured into this
fundraiser. The dinner at your home was delicious and plentiful.
The dance, refreshments and silent auction at the Baltimore School
of Massage were fun and profitable. What a terrific evening! You
have done so much for our residents and our organization, Ginny.
We are deeply appreciative of the education and inspiration you
offer the men as well as the fine example you are to all of us.” |
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Tim Williams, Executive Director
South Baltimore Homeless Shelter
October, 1995 |
“What a tremendous example you are of a person who produces!
On behalf of everyone in the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter
community, I thank you for the highly successful fundraiser on
Saturday night! Your hard work and careful planning produced an
event that was fun for everyone and will provide tuition for SBS
residents to participate in the Excellence program. As we discussed
yesterday, you are quite a connector! And what an important function
this is, as you nourish people from all walks of life by putting
them together to their mutual benefit. And while I’m writing
to express our heartfelt appreciation for you, Ginny, let me say
how much we have all benefited from your generous gift of time
and teaching ability throughout the Friday night series this past
year. It is impossible for us to know the reach that your teaching
and your obvious concern for our residents has had. We know, though,
as I’m sure you do, that the reach is very far and extremely
important as new ideas are introduced to people who desperately
need them and will use them to make some of the most important
decisions of their lives.
“For all you are and have done for us, we are deeply indebted.” |
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Lynda MacNeil, Director/Manager
DC Express
October, 1995 |
“On behalf of DC Express, I thank you for engaging our music
services for the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter Fundraiser. We
were so deeply moved by the courage and humility of the men who
spoke so candidly of their lives and by the genuine support and
love of you, Don, your friends, colleagues, students… that
when you announced us, we didn’t know if we would be able to
sing. My throat was tied in a knot and I could see tears in Tim’s
eyes. We looked at each other and said, wow, how can we go on after
that? It was a very special place to be and I’m so glad that
we were a part of it! I hope that you will consider DC Express for
your future gatherings, as your parties are truly the greatest combination
of fun and purpose!” |
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