Where we are!

Hello! Long time no news!

Well, first of all we have officially expanded to NYC and our inaugural event was a ball. We are so excited to be serving two communities and cannot wait to see what happens in the future.

As to right now Well, DFW get ready for our Sugar Cookie Gala on Dec 7th at the Dallas Children’s Theatre. As always, family friendly and fun. We’ll have food, drink, fun and entertainment. Save the date and keep a look out for details coming soon.

NYC look for a fun event coming in February! We can’t wait to create more fun.

ALSO We have a need in our community! Please help our friend Jason Kane. There’s a link to his GoFundMe below. He’s a good guy who has had a rough go of it. He was a full-time caretaker for his mother and grandmother. He’s been out pursuing his dreams and goals and has hit some bumps in the road. Please consider helping him get back on his feet!

APG

https://www.gofundme.com/helpjasonkane

Charlie Greenman

Didn’t make it to the Gideon’s Feet event last Sunday at the to support the Greenman Family at the Dallas Children’s Theater? GOOD NEWS…you can still support them!!!

Gideon’s Feet is throwing our energy behind raising awareness of the Greenman Family’s GoFundMe page. Come join in and let’s get 5-year-old Charlie Greenman his handicap-accessible van!

ANY amount helps this family….can you give $5?

Click here to support Charlie’s New Ride by Sarah Greenman

Raise money for Charlie’s handicapped accessible van! Hi there! I’m Sarah, Charlie’s mom. A LITTLE ABOUT CHARLIE:  Charlie Greenman was born on…

WWW.GOFUNDME.COM

Walking East

Hey NYC friends. Gideon’s Feet is heading East!
Our first NYC event is coming on Sunday, August 30th.
The evening features Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart and will be co-hosted by his Aladdin castmate Brian Gonzales.
7:30 pm-10pm in the New Am Room at the New Amsterdam Theater. Love to see you there!
More details to follow. Stay tuned!!
We’re very excited to expand our reach!
We’ve already given 2,000 dollars in aid to some NYC folks, and now we’re having our first official event. So please, NYC friends: spread the word to other NYC friends.
Or DFW folks, plan a vacation!!

Tickets Now Available for The 4th Annual SUGAR COOKIE GALA!

The Steps We’ve Taken

Hey everybody! First of all a giant thank you for everyone who has donated and who came out to help Zak Reynolds! He received over $1,200 in donations to help defray his medical costs. WOW!!

Please mark your calendars for Dec 8th to come to The Sugar Cookie Gala at the home of our event sponsors the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Kick off your holiday season with us at our family friendly event. We  will have eats, drinks, activities, a silent auction and live performances. Tickets are a minimum donation of  $10 (details on purchasing them coming soon) and the Gala is from 7-930 so you can come and still be fresh for school and work the next day. Details will be posted here and on FB ASAP.

As we come into the holiday season and approach a new year, we thought it might be nice to reflect on the last few years and remember some of the folks we’ve been honored enough to help.  For those of you who are new to Gideon’s Feet you can hear what we’ve been up to. For those who’ve walked with us it’ll be nice to see some of what we’ve accomplished.

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First up is Stephanie Riggs Kirkham.

Stephanie is the lifeblood of her theatre company, Our Productions Theatre Co.,  and  her  theatre school  She and her husband, Scott, work so hard to enrich their community through the art they produce and the children that they educate. When Stephanie was in a car accident that nearly cost her her life, her family needed some time and support for her to heal.

This is what Stephanie had to say :

” Gideon’s Feet was a true blessing after my accident, where I was struck from behind by a semi-truck. Not being able to work, and having medical bills piling up quickly, Gideon’s Feet stepped in and provided meals for my family (including my two small children) and hosted a musical benefit performance with my students to raise much needed funds. My family and I are so, so grateful for their assistance in our time of need. A meal given, a bill paid, songs sung – all comfort and love for myself, and others in need in our community.” –  Stephanie

we’ve walked so far

Well, I cannot believe another year has flown by. Tomorrow is Gideon’s 4th birthday. I cannot even begin to tell you how shocking it is to me that we’re four years out….it feels like yesterday and yet like a lifetime ago.

In four years we have, formed a 501c3, learned a lot about running it, done 10 + events, provided meals, and raised over $16,000 for folks in DFW’s theatre community. This journey is not always easy, but I see that it is always good. Gideon’s Little footprints that I wear on a chain around my neck are such a powerful reminder that small things can have a big impact. Whether it be a kind word, $5 to someone who needs it, singing at a charity event, volunteering time, or a 1lb 1 oz boy who changed the lives of his family…small things matter.  Those little footprints were so powerful in my life and I want my footprints left in the lives of others to have even a little of that power.

Brian and Simon and I will be celebrating Gideon’s impact on our lives with chocolate muffins and french fries tomorrow…that’s all I could keep down when I was pregnant with our first born….and we invite you to join us.Better yet, walk out tomorrow and let your footsteps echo in someones life for good. Be the good news for someone in need or in trouble for that is what makes us celebrate the most.

Please continue to walk with us and  love on my people…the creative souls in the world that allow us to escape ourselves or see ourselves or our circumstances and know we aren’t alone. We want to say that we are always here to walk with you as others have walked with us. One step is all it takes to get started….and suddenly you are four years down the road and stronger every day.

When our dream was shattered on that day I truly thought that there would never be another, but God showed me new dreams and new depths and even new heights. I am so humbled to be the mother of two special boys who inspire me to be better and to do more and walk farther each day. I hope that Gideon’s Feet inspires even a little of that somewhere for someone else.

 

Happy birthday EZ. Until we meet on the beautiful shore.

Standing with friends

Well friends, it’s been a while since I wrote…as usual, but rest assured we are always working and growing here at Gideon’s Feet . God is using this venture to teach me and the board so many things. Here’s the latest.

Our family and the families at Providence school have been walking with a sweet young teacher named Anne as she carried a trisomy 13 baby. Trisomy 13 is an extremely rare chromosomal abnormality. When it is present, if the baby makes it to term, and survives the process of birth they likely live  only hours. On, May 13th Ava Elizabeth was born and was snuggled and adored by her mom and dad for the few hours of her life here before she passed on to life eternal. If you’d like to read about some truly amazing faith Anne has blogged at babyublog.com.  Now, Anne is a Christian so if that’s not you….I’d encourage reading it either way. Her grace, honesty and strength will blow your mind.

Now, what does this have to do with Gideon’s Feet moving forward and helping people in the arts community? Well, this…It has renewed my purpose and re-centered my focus. As I have had the honor to email with Anne over the last few months and to walk with her a bit it has brought back all of Gideon with such immediacy. It has reminded me how great a need for help can be.  I’m told that Anne said,  “I don’t know how I’m going to even begin to process this pain”…..OH MY do I relate. I said to Brian while I was still in the hospital that I didn’t know how to do this…his response “You’re already doing it” I tell you this to tell you that going back to that moment has reminded me how much what we’re doing is needed and that though I often don’t know how to do this….I AM doing it! We are seeing God bring the people and ideas that we need to grow and do a better and more efficient job. We have Martin Mussey (like his fb page here https://www.facebook.com/2MCoaching !) who is our new business coach…y’all…what an answer to prayer. We have fun new  events in the works, we have Amy Stevenson giving donations from Mama’s Party on a fairly regular basis and we were just able to give a flat-out grant at the end of April. This is the second hardest thing I’ve ever done this helping thing. And honestly, I have tried to quit more than once, but God says no every time and He sends encouragement and help….so we want to do the same. Send and be encouragement and help. We will stand with you until you can walk forward again.

NOW….here’s the thing…God made us to be in relationship and community so..we cannot do this alone. We need YOU! I hope you will all continue to walk with us and help us help. I’m looking forward to having a really fun event in the fall…and I hope you will all attend and bring friends! Our parties are fun y’all AND it’s good karma…so win /win right?  For a daily dose of inspiration, like us on FB. We’re posting cool words and updates regularly.

Thank you for standing with us as we stand with others. We are growing every day!

APG

Walking Abroad

Well…my endeavor to blog more frequently has not gone well BUT here I am anyway. Brian and Simon and I are in Toronto at the moment and I am working on getting our Christmas concert together. It’s on Dec 9th this year so save the date. We’ll be back at the lovely Baker Theatre at the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a full house this year? Bring your friends! Come at 630 for treats and auction and stay for the concert at 730…don’t worry we know it’s a school night so we won’t go late. Family friendly and $10 minimum donation.  This year we have Scott Eckert, James Williams, Rick Starkweather, Alex Ross, Jenay Puckett, Amy Stevenson, Jodi Crawford Wright, me and some wonderful young singers too. If you came to Penny Banks Dew’s Mama’s Party you know that you will not want to miss these amazing young ladies.

SO…It’s hard to keep this thing going from afar AND do shows AND take care of the boys but I am learning every day how to do better. I also know that this is what God has called us to do so I am just trying to go HIS speed and not mine. For those that know me…you know that is hard. I am kind of up tempo and slow and steady can be challenging for me. I feel so grateful for all God is teaching me thru this endeavor. It truly is a blessing and a privilege to be working with such wonderful people to do good stuff for other wonderful people.

I hope you guys continue to let us know how we can serve and help those in need in our community. I am so pleased that people are starting to know that we are here and we get things done.

Please keep Sally Soldo and her husband John in your prayers and they struggle with his health. Also, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lynnmetrik to keep up with and encourage Lynn Metrik as she fights Pancreatic Cancer .Please let us know how we can continue to walk with you all thru the tough times.

APG

walking with a limp

Well,  I am so bad at keeping up with all of this, but I will endeavor to do better. There has been so much happening in the last couple of weeks and the DFW theatre community has been broken hearted with loss. Last Wednesday 8 year old daughter of Penny Dew, DTC Costumer, succumbed to an as yet unidentified medical condition that required several surgeries that her little body just could not recover from. Today, our dear friend and help recipient, Ryan Roach,  passed after a massive stroke.  As a good friend of ours was told after the devastating loss of his child….you’ll keep walking, but you’ll always walk with a limp. And that’s us DFW….after the losses this last year or two…we’re walking…but we are definitely limping.

Penny and her family are dear, positive, loving and fun folks. If you have ever worked with Penny, you know how wonderful she is.  On Aug 19th we’ll be teaming up with super supporter Amy Stevenson at Mama’s Party to love on The Dew family. PLEASE come and let’s support her family as they pick up the pieces and begin the long road ahead. They need us to walk with them now. Let’s make sure they have no worries about meeting their earthly needs and that Penny can take all the time she needs away for she and her sons to hold one another close.  $5 minimum donation at the door.

 

On Aug 26th We’ll be teaming up for Mama’s Party again to celebrate sweet Ryan Roach and help his family. Ryan was a dear,  dear friend and a wonderful, sweet man. The DFW community has been rocked by his passing. Ryan was warm, funny, loving and a little mischievous. His laugh was unparalleled and his hugs made everything seem brighter. His talent and his heart will be sorely missed. Ryan’s family will need our help to defray the costs of his sudden illness and passing. Let’s do the only thing we can …remember Ryan and take pressure off his loved ones left behind.

Both of these events will have info posted here and on Facebook. Also,  there are links to go fund me pages for both families posted on our facebook page as well so that if you want to help but cannot attend you can donate there. As always, we’re happy to take donations by mail and our cc server should be back up within a week….shoot me an email if you would like to donate this way.  Make check payable to Gideon’s Feet Inc and put the name of the recipient in the memo line. Address is PO BOX 472648 Garland TX 75047-2648

In other news, On August 25th Gideon’s Feet and DFW Actors give back are joining forces to raise money for Gideon’s Feet’s aid to artists in need and DFW Actors Give Back ‘s 2013 beneficiary the  Children’s Cancer fund. DFW Actor’s has chosen CCF as their beneficiary this year to honor Libby Serber, daughter of local actress and awesome gal Cara Serber, who kicked the crap out of Wilms disease this last year.  We’ll be having a fab and fun  Karaoke Party in the Gables Room at the Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St, from 6pm to 10 pm. It’s  $10 at the door plus any other tax deductible donation you’d like to make for these two great organizations!  Join us for snacks, beverages and fun! Check out the event page on the Gideon’s Feet Facebook page and let us know we’ll see you there. Also, check back for info about special guests and cool prizes!!

SO if you’re keeping count…that’s three events in about a week….wow. Earlier this evening I was thinking about all that needs to be done and how much need there is. I started to get overwhelmed. I started to think…how will there be enough to go around? SO much loss and so much need!! Then Simon and I were reading before bed in his Story Bible…now I know not all of you believe what I do…that’s cool… just go with me for a minute. We are reading about Elisha the profit. There is a story in II Kings about a widow who was so poor she was starving and  in such debt that her sons were going to be sold into slavery to pay it. Elisha asked her what she had…she said a little olive oil in a jar. He told her to borrow as many containers from her neighbors as she could and then pour olive oil from her jar into all the other containers. She did as she was told and she filled so many containers that she sold the oil to and not only paid the debt but had money left to live on. Wow…I was reminded that, no, if I’m doing it in and of myself there isn’t enough to go around…BUT when GOD is moving He makes enough, I also see that God used this woman’s neighbors to help…and that’s important too. We have to be willing to be used as the hands and feet of God. Please be used and help as you can. If you cannot….let us know how we can serve you. You guys  if God can use a little olive oil so mightily….how much more can He use good and willing hearts and hands willing to help

love

APG

Trying to Keep Pace

WOW!!! SO I have not been blogging as you know…but I think I have a few minutes to get some things put down! Simon keeps us running, and we love every minute. As we are getting accustomed to our family being one more I should be able to keep up here a bit better.

SO…We have had a busy few weeks in Gideon’s Feet world. We’ve done two grants, had a Karaoke party for us and Legacy Cottage and on Monday March 25 we have a joint event with Amy Stevenson and Mama’s Party to help yet another ailing DFW friend, Matthew Butler.  We are definitely growing and that is exciting…and a little scary. I’m learning so many new skills and getting new information on how to run this thing everyday. God has provided a fantastic lawyer, and three wonderful accountants. Our good Friend Stephanie Felton, who keeps me from pulling out my hair with papers and Steve Howard and Tom Turner of Turner, Vedrenne & Howard, CPAs. They are all a gift from God and they don’t get too frustrated when I look at them like they are speaking Martian.

I am so honored to be in service to this community and I see God growing us at just the right pace with just the right timing. We are starting to be able to grant some…which is awesome. As we have more support from the community on a more consistent basis we can begin to do that more and more. We have lots of exciting ideas for future events and for places for us to help.  And Listen guys….our events are FUN! Ask someone who has attended!! We always have a ball and it’s guilt free since it’s all for charity! SO…check us out on FB to keep up with the day-to-day goings on and I’ll try my best to keep up here. Please keep letting us know about needs in our world and we’ll do our best to mobilize help.

All the info for Monday is on FB and I’ll be putting on our event page here ASAP!!!