Our local AmeriGas Office is pleased to have NATH participating in their Community Care program.

With the opportunity to earn up to $2000.00 by simply collecting AmeriGas Propane receipts. We are reaching out to all those who may use AmeriGas and asking for you to make a copy of your receipt and mail it to us at 204 W Frederick St, Rhinelander, WI 54501. Help us to reach our goal this year of $2000.00.  We earn $.02 per gallon purchased.

So, join us in our fight to end homelessness in our community. Every time you need to fill up your propane tank for home use, or whenever you need to fill up your tank for camping or to fire up your gas grill, remember to make copies and submit them to NATH.

Thanks for your support and help with this project.

The Gift of Giving

The definition of a gift of giving is something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to honor a person or an occasion; or to provide assistance; or something bestowed or acquired without being sought or earned by the receiver.

The gift of giving comes in so many forms that it is very hard not to be a giving person.  I was reminded of this yesterday when I had been called to go and give blood again after not giving for well over a year.  These gifts of giving may seem small to you, but to others they can make a world of difference.

Some gifts of giving that have happened for NATH, Frederick Place and the residents over the years have included but not been limited to:

• Cash donation

• Volunteer time at a fundraising event

• Provide a meal

• Drive a resident to an appointment

• Volunteer at Frederick Place

• Donate a raffle basket

• Attend a fundraising event

• Hold a fundraising event on our behalf

• Drop off an item from our Wish List

• Play Secret Santa or Easter Bunny

• Sign up for our 1000 Give $100 program

• Read our NATH Notes and many more

I could go on and on about the many ways that businesses, individuals, families, faith based organizations, service groups, children, youth groups, former residents, and others have participated in the gift of giving over the past six plus years.  However, I am even more excited to see what the future holds, as we dream up many more ways to continue the Gift of Giving.  Thank you to those who have already given and to those who will begin giving, not only to NATH/Frederick Place, but for any gift of giving. 

What you are about to read is the tale of two kids and the amazing transformations we witnessed. One was instrumental in the metamorphosis of a fellow resident, and another did an about-face that astonished residents and staff alike.

Natalie was a precocious four year old when her family came to Frederick Place last December. In February she began loudly announcing, “My birfday is next week!”  Hearing that never got old even though her birthday was in March. Not only is Natalie cuter than cute, she had not yet developed the filter between her brain and her tongue. She would often say out loud what the adults were thinking, and the house would erupt in laughter.  She captured the hearts of everyone but none more than a quiet, disengaged man named Tom.  Prior to Natalie’s arrival, Tom kept to himself and spent a great deal of time in the dorm rather than socializing. There was a full house when Natalie’s family arrived, but she gravitated toward Tom. Why? Perhaps it was a case of children’s intuition telling her Tom needed her the most. Tom didn’t warm up to her right away, but she didn’t give up. One day she wanted to make cookies, and she declared Tom was going to help. I must admit I was a little shocked when he agreed to assist her in this undertaking, as he sure didn’t seem like someone who tolerated children well. That day in the kitchen was the beginning of their friendship and Tom’s transformation.  From that day forward, the first thing Natalie did in the morning was look for Tom.  We would hear, “Hi, my buddy!!” When Tom moved out, Natalie missed “my buddy” to the point she wasn’t even bringing up her birthday anymore. Although Natalie’s birthday was still a few weeks away, her Mom had the inspiration to start planning a birthday party with her help. That did the trick! Natalie still missed “my buddy,” but knowing she could invite him to her party gave her something to look forward to. Then, just when everything was right in the world, the world became a little more right. Natalie’s family found out they were moving into their own home before her scheduled birthday party. A Hello Kitty cake, large enough to feed several, had been ordered, decorations purchased, and Natalie’s grilled cheese and tomato soup meal was eagerly anticipated by all. Natalie was crushed. Then yours truly had the thought; why couldn’t the party still take place at Frederick Place?  Natalie did have the birthday party as planned, and it was a hoot! One of her first gifts was swimming goggles. She put those goggles on and didn’t take them off! When she opened the stuffed emoji “poo” she loudly exclaimed “I got poo!!” The Hello Kitty cake was superb, only to be outdone by the grilled cheese and soup Natalie’s parents made for us. It was a win-win for all!!

The second kid isn’t really a kid, he is 25. But to this 51 years young woman, anyone that age is a kid. Ben has been with us twice; for seven days in 2013 and for 67 days in 2017.  When Ben arrived in early January, I expected a repeat performance of his time with us in 2013.  It was obvious he didn’t want to be at Frederick Place, but he had nowhere to go following completion of treatment for a long history of alcohol and drug abuse.  At first Ben kept to himself. He kept busy job hunting during the day and in bed by 7 pm at the latest. He barely spoke and only mumbled “uh huh” to my many lectures about the importance of taking the garbage out multiple times a day. The only area of his life that he said more than “uh huh” about was his sobriety journey. He had never been sober this long and was proud of himself as he should have been! I remember telling him that if he kept working on his sobriety as he had, he would be amazed at the things that would start happening in his life. As each 24 hours passed, he held his head a little higher, started talking a little more, and spent a little less time in isolation. That is until IT happened; Ben was hired by a local restaurant. He wasn’t sure if he’d like the job, and was relieved to find that he did.  Within a relatively short period of time Ben was moved to a different area of the food production line. With that move came more responsibility. When he found out he would soon have a place of his own, he was floating on air with his head held so high it looked like he was permanently stargazing. We still talk about Ben and unanimously agree that Ben is one of the most amazing transformations we have seen, as well as a testament of our mission to promote self-sufficiency. Ben may have moved out, but he will never be forgotten. For on those days when one of us wonders if we are making a difference, we only need to bring up Ben to each other as a reminder that we do indeed make a difference!  

If you, your family, your church, your business or a group you belong to would like to provide an evening meal please contact any staff member at Frederick Place @ 715-369-9777. Open dates are listed in the open meals calendar below.