Inn The News...
Our ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 9, was a huge success. The predicted rain helf off until the ceremony was over and over 150 people joined in the celebration. Board president Ted Cantrell welcomed the crowd, Executive Director, Lynne Sipiora noted that "collaboration and momentum" built the complex and donor Marc Sparks thanked the Darling Brothers who built the apartment building at no profit.
New Grant Awarded
For more information on these events or Star visit their website at www.starchildrens.com
Following a barbeque lunch, guests were invited to tour apartment 105 which was completely furnished from items found at the Friends of the Inn Thrift Center. This apartment will be available to tour until the end of the summer.
The Samaritan Inn would like to thank the following businesses for their donations to the ribbon cutting:
Benefactors
Jane, Marc and LaurenSparks
The Samaritan Inn is proud to announce that we have been chosen as a Star Children’s Charity recipient for 2009. Star Children’s Charity is a new organization that seeks to improve the lives of children living inCollin County. In order to provide the critically needed funds for worthy organizations such as the Samaritan Inn, Star will be holding three major fundraisers. Each of them is a top of the line event, designed to appeal to a variety of people. As a supporter of the Samaritan Inn, we encourage you to support Star so that we can continue to change the lives of homeless children
Fundraising Events
Star Golf Tournament at
Gleneagles Country ClubApril 14, 2008
Baretta Shoot at the Dallas Gun Club
October 17, 2008
Star Winter Ball
November 15, 2008
Check out all the great things that are going on at The Samaritan Inn
Friends of The Inn blog
Executive Director of the Year
The Ebby Rose of Distinction
North Texas Gateway Apartments
Community News
News Articles
Weekly Report
Quarterly Newsletter
Friends of The Inn blog
Lynne Sipiora’s weekly Director’s Report can now be found on her blog. This report regularly includes census information, special activities, fundraisers, program needs, and a story of the week that features a Samaritan Inn resident. It is the best way to find out what is happening at theInn and appears every Tuesday.
Visit www.friendsoftheinn.typepad.com.
Executive Director of the Year
Lynne Sipiora, Director of The Samaritan Inn, was recently named “Executive Director of the Year” by The Texas Homeless Network for 2007.
We would like to congratulate Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of The Samaritan Inn, for her recent recognition by Ebby Halliday Realtors and CBS11. Lynne has been awarded the Ebby Rose of Distinction.
The Ebby Rose of Distinction is awarded annually to an individual who has, by their deeds and actions, exhibited that they are an outstanding citizen who has improved the lives of others in their community.
To view her profile and see a short video about how she is helping to make North Texas a better place to live and work, click here.
Community News
Youthful Philanthorpy
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Murphie Johnson, a student of McKinney Christian Academy, just turned six years old. All the girls from the two kindergarten classes were invited to attend her party and her invitation had one condition; in lieu of gifts, her school friends were asked to bring paper goods and cleaning supplies for The Samaritan Inn. Murphie and her family delivered those items and helped carry them into the Inn.
Among all the lessons that a young person learns, one of the most important is compassion. “Giving” to others is the best way to get something back; a warm, fuzzy, good feeling…..thanks Murphie!! |
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Thank you to St. Gabe's and Alpha Delta Kappa Epsilon Lambda for their recent donation of bath towels and bathroom accessries. |
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Souper Bowl of Caring During the two weeks that the New York Giants and the New England Patriots were getting ready to play in Super Bowl XLII, our local Albertson’s Store #4296, at6800 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX, and other area stores participated in a program called The Souper Bowl of Caring. Non perishable items were collected for two weeks and then distributed to non profit organizations in need of these items. The Samaritan Inn was one of the recipients of this food drive and our expectations were greatly exceeded when we went to the store to pick up the donations. There was a ‘truckload’ of donations and then some!
Starlene Stringer, Morning Show Co-Host/ News & Public Affairs Director of 94.9fm KLTY did a live remote one evening during the food drive and quite a few shoppers made several donations during her program and won Albertson’s gift cards at the same time. “I’m so happy to know the Souper Bowl of Caring food drive was a huge success!” “It was awesome to see so many people willing to give their time, money and food to help others in need.” “I pray the donations made will go a long way in helping the Samaritan Inn continue to provide meals for its residents. “ “Hopefully, the awareness created by the Souper Bowl of Caring will encourage North Texans to keep giving donations for years to come.”
“Thank you and the entire staff at Samaritan Inn for all you do to brighten the lives of others.”
Starlene Stringer
The Inn has been at full capacity, 130 residents (30% are children), since last summer and it is because of support from the community; businesses, churches, organizations, individuals; that we can continue to provide a comprehensive homeless program that helps willing people find dignity and independence which includes three nutritious meals a day. |
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St. Gabriel's Catholic Church Donates to the Inn The Samaritan Inn is the only homeless shelter in Collin County. Consequently it always runs at full capacity. We accommodate 130 residents, which are assigned to four separate wings. At the end of each wing is a washer and dryer set. As you might imagine these sets get a lot of use and require numerous repairs. New sets have been desperately needed for some time, but they just could not fit into the budget. |
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| Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of St. Gabriels's Catholic Church in McKinney and their Priest, Father Greg Kelly, four brand new Whirlpool Duet Washers and Dryers were delivered on Friday, January 11 In partnership with Best Buy's non-profit division, account manager Jennifer Vandendriessche made it possible for this need to be filled. |
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| “This wonderful gift will make life infinitely easier for our residents and less stress for our maintenance staff,” said Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of The Samaritan Inn. “I’ve never been this excited about laundry before!”, “St Gabriel always comes through for us, but this recent donation was far more then we ever expected.” |
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Giving Back.....The Greater Good |
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Generous Gentlemen |
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em•broi•der•y [em-broi-duh-ree, -dree] 1. the art of working raised and ornamental designs in threads of silk, cotton, gold, silver, or other material, upon any woven fabric, leather, paper, etc., with a needle.
The "Embroidery Club" at Willett’s Sewing Center is made up of ladies who have purchased sewing/embroidery machines from the center. They get together one Saturday a month and construct and embroider a project. They have a chance to visit and learn a lot more about their machine at the same time. And of course they always eat!
These ladies recently donated several beautifully embroidered sweatshirts and sweat suits to the residents of the Inn. The ladies who participated in the Inn project were: Pat Kral (the instructor), Charlotte Hall, Lisa Byrd, Diane Edgemon, Tricia Hamilton, Margaret Reed, Bonnie Crim, Sandy Genovese, and Lynelle Willett.
They have been meeting as an embroidery club since 2002. Lynelle Willett says, “I guess the reason I chose The Inn is when my granddaughter (who is now 25) was around 5 or 6 years old, she and I would spend a day together cooking and take the food to The Inn at Thanksgiving time, when it was on south McDonald.” “Plus there is a lot of coverage in the McKinney paper regarding the accomplishments of The Inn, so that was the first place I thought of when we decided to make our project each December a charity project.”
Willett’s Sewing Center has been in business in McKinney 33 years, 19 years at their current location.
Thank you ladies for your creative work and for your support of the Inn!
Lagniappe (lan-yapp): A French word meaning, "A little something extra."
Starting over means starting fresh and a new haircut or style might be just the thing to get someone going. Rene's Lagniappe Hair Design made a visit to The Samaritan Inn and provided free cuts and styles for residents who signed up for Rene's services. Rene's Lagniappe Hair Design also provides free cuts and styles to residents of The Samaritan Inn by appointment at her studio.
"There is no difference between me and the people who live at the Inn. I am thankful for my success and feel I should show it by giving back. If a person feels good about how they look, their self esteem is higher and they are more productive in life. I am happy to be a part of building their self confidence."
Thank you, Rene, you are a true Friend of the Inn!
"Chicks with Sticks Who Care" are ladies from the Custer Road United Methodist Church. They crochet and knit scarves, slippers, shawls and many other times to be donated to those in need. Recently, Tammy Hogan, from Chicks with Sticks Who Care, visited the Inn and delivered several beautiful, hand made scarves, hat/scarf combinations, slippers and prayer shawls. These items are on our needs list and have already been distributed to the residents. We are very grateful for the skill and giving hearts that these "Chicks" have.
Tammy also delivered some baby clothes as our youngest resident is just 6 weeks old! These items will definitely be put to good use!
Thank you, "Chicks", you are true friends of the Inn!
Below, you will find links from several newspaper articles written in our local news papers. Without the support of the Media, educating the community about the issues that face the homeless would be much more difficult.
*Please direct all media related questions to Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director.
April 9, 2008 Gateway Apartments offers homes, independence for former homeless
January 20, 2008 Transitional apartments open new doors for Collin's homeless
November 8, 2007 A roof for the homeless
September 6, 2007 The Other 30 Percent
July 12, 2007 'No vacancy' sign one of frustration at Samaritan Inn
June 28, 2007 Chuck Bloom of Plano: When there's no room at the Inn
June 18, 2007 Samaritan Inn has different needs over summer months
March 11, 2007 Homeless shelters may not be what you think
March 3, 2007 Inn director sees need for another homeless shelter
December 1, 2006 Building a new Gateway
November 2, 2006 Steve Blow: Self-help recipe makes homeless life sweeter
October 22, 2006 Joseph Kappes: Down & Out
September 15, 2006 Lynne Sipiora: Targeting the Homeless
June 19, 2006 Fox 4 News Report: Samaritan Inn-dustries
June 16, 2006 Fighting homelessness with a sweet tooth
May 29, 2006 Helping shelter has sweet reward
April 10, 2006 Samaritan Inn gave man a view of a better life
February 26, 2006 Lynne Sipiora: Do They Deserve It?
February 7, 2006 Program Brings Care to Shelter
July 8, 2005 Fox 4 News Report: Friends of the Inn