Across the country we are all collecting items for moms in transition!
Movers for Moms
Two Men and a Truck Kicks Off
Movers for Moms®Drive to Collect Items for Peace River Center
Community-Supported Program Aids Moms in Crisis on Mother’s Day
Lakeland, FL—Though Mother’s Day is intended to be a joyous occasion for women across the country, thousands of moms will be overlooked because they are forced to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness.
Statistics from the Domestic Violence Resource Center state one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.According to a national study from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, approximately 25 percent of homeless women are homeless because of violence in the home.
To ensure moms in crisis receive the appreciation they deserve this Mother’s Day, Two Men and a TruckPolk County is hosting its Movers for Moms® collection drive to provide personal items to women in transition at Peace River Center Women’s Shelter.
“Movers for Moms has been an amazing contribution every year when they bring the donations they have collected. Participants in our programs, more often than not, come to us with only the clothes on their backs or a garbage bag full of the belongings of themselves and their children. Through these generous donations they are able to begin rebuilding the things that will help them move forward successfully into the future, free from violence,” said Sherrie Schwab, Director of Victim Services, Peace River Center.
This year’s drop off locations include: Two Men and a Truck Polk County, North Lakeland Elementary School of Choice, South Eastern University, St. Joseph’s Academy, Black and Brew and Mitchell’s Coffee Shop.
“We love to support local charities,” said Jonathan Crain, Franchisee. “It is great to be able to partner with Peace River Center, which already does so much for our community. This drive makes it possible to give these women something nice that they wouldn’t normally receive on Mother’s Day.”
The drive starts April 1 and collections continue through May 2.
2013 WISH LIST FOR PEACE RIVER CENTER
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER
Children’s jackets (boys and girls- all sizes)
Blankets
Towels
Twin size sheet and standard pillowcases
Diapers size 4/5/6
Baby Wipes
Umbrella strollers
Washcloths
Women and children underwear
Women and children socks
Gas cards
Daily Planners 2013
Mesh bag to carry stuff
Reusable water bottles
Shampoo and conditioner
Body Wash
Journal
Make-up
Sippy cups
Baby bottles
Cooking utensils pots and pans
Toaster- heavy duty
Blender
Bowls (that not break)
Silverware
Night gown/pajamas (all sizes)
Umbrella
Outside toys
Basketball hoop
Hair brush
Tampons
Pads
House slippers
Hairspray
Curling irons
Blow dryer
Pantyhose
Ethnic hair supply shampoo, conditioner, (hair gel, grease, pink moisture, oil sheen, wide tooth combs, and silk/head scarf or bonnets)
Think of all items that you use every day to get ready for each day.
Program Participants need the same things to help them each day.
Be sure to join our event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1395985417342028/
Facts About Movers for Moms:
MOVERS FOR MOMS
Program Overview
What is it?
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locationsacross the country and internationally are collecting donations for local women’s and family shelters for delivery on Mother’s Day. Our office is collecting for Peace River Women’s Shelter, here in Lakeland.
- The purpose of the program is to recognize those moms living in shelters this Mother’s Day by arranging delivery of small gifts for women who are victims of domestic abuse or homelessness.
- 2014 will mark the seventh year for the Movers for Moms®program.
- The donations we encourage include any/all personal comfort items: nice soaps, hair styling products, shampoos and conditioners, pillows, blankets, slippers, robes, etc. In most cases, shelters will provide a list of specific needs.
When does it happen?
- Partnering organizations can begin collecting at any time, but the collection typically runs from late March through the Friday before Mother’s Day.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will pick up and deliver the collected items to partnering women’s shelters on or before Mother’s Day —- Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, 2014.
Why a collection for Moms?
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has women in key leadership across the company, and some of our most successful franchisees are women, so the idea for Movers for Moms® came to us naturally.
2013 Results
- 120 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise locations in 30 states participated in Movers for Moms®.
- Movers for Moms® collected more than 210,000 essential items which were distributed to more than 150 shelters for Mother’s Day.
- More than 420 elementary school, preschool, daycare and community collection sites supported Movers for Moms®.
Feedback from Movers for Moms Partners
“Protecting and supporting domestic violence victims is a community-wide responsibility. We were deeply touched and heartened by the generous outpouring that the Movers for Moms campaign brought forth.”
Carla Blinkhorn, CEO, YWCA West Central Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI
“This past Mother’s Day, the YWCA Dayton Domestic Violence Shelter was truly blessed by the Movers for Moms donation drive and by the helping hands of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK who delivered over 15 boxes of donations to the women in shelter. This event has created a partnership between local schools, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and the YWCA Dayton that exemplifies the true spirit of giving.”
Sarah Wiseman, Volunteer & In-Kind Donations Coordinator, YWCA Dayton, Dayton, OH
“Our teen parenting program was the recipient of this year’s Movers for Moms donation drive. The young mothers and the program coordinator were moved to tears when they saw the quantity and quality of donations. The diapers and baby formula were especially welcomed.”
Valerie Kirn-Duensing, director of development at Women’s Resource Center, Traverse City
“This was our third Movers for Moms event and the response was overwhelming. We appreciate our partnership with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. They are wonderful community advocates for our young mothers.”
Mary Ciminelli, Florence Crittenton Services, Charlotte, NC
“Movers for Moms was extremely instrumental in providing a wonderful and meaningful Mother’s Day for the Shelter’s participants. Without community support like this, the Shelter would not be able to provide our life changing programs and services, and we certainly would not be able to create such a special day for all of our survivors.”
Rebecca Grabau, Volunteer & Resource Coordinator, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Naples, FL
“With the help of our dedicated community partners like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and its Movers for Moms program, our agency was able to continue our tradition of giving our clients a basket filled with personal care and cleaning supplies. Receiving a basket full of products we think of as staples, is like receiving luxuries to those on a limited budget. Each May Basket gives a sense of renewed hope…a feeling that their community cares for them.”
Sherry Martens, Volunteer Coordinator, Center for Women in Transition, Holland, MI
“Thank you to Movers for Moms for their generous coordination of donation items to the TESSA Safehouse this year. Thanks to their efforts we received many much needed in kind items such as toiletries and cookware. We were also able to procure many gift cards, which are invaluable to our organization and our clients, and cash donations, which non-profit could function without. More than the tangible contributions, Movers for Moms helped to raise awareness in our community of TESSA services. Every opportunity we are afforded to have the TESSA name in the public conscience is the potential for another survivor to seek help. We could not provide the services that we offer without the partnership of community members like you!”
Amber Besse, Community Outreach Liaison, TESSA Safehouse, Colorado Springs, CO
Want More Information?
- Check us out on Facebook – www.facebook.com/moversformoms
- Follow us on Twitter @MoversForMoms
Endless career opportunities present. Apply now!
Great people working at Two Men and a Truck!
Decluttering Before You Move
By: Norma Watson
Whether you are moving yourself or you’re hiring someone to do it for you, moving is a sheer state of pandemonium. I don’t know about you, but when I don’t have some sort of plan in place, things around me seem to spiral out of control like a Kansas twister. A plan does not have to be elaborate to be effective. Simple tips can help relieve the stress and make you feel more organized and in control during the move process. Listed below are a few helpful tips to keep you moving forward. Remember, one step at a time and breath, you got this!
Good Riddance to Rubbish
Liberate yourself from all the “stuff” that you don’t need, want or use. If you are anything like me you have many wonderful treasures, but if you have not used it or wore it in the last year or if you won’t use it in your new home, get rid of it. If it is something you want to keep or if you won’t use it immediately after you move, go ahead and box it up.
So this task is less overwhelming, do it in piece meal. Pick one room and make it a goal to clean it out in a day or week depending on when your move day is. Clean out anything that holds your possessions; closets, drawers cabinets, shelves, etc. and place the item(s) into corresponding labeled boxes such as garage sale (extra moving money), donate (tax deduction), keep or trash. Once you have all the items boxed, clean the room and shut the door. Viola! You did it! Good job!
Use, Use, Use
Household staples take up room. Canned goods, perishables, paper goods, cleaning supplies and flammables, (propane and gas) all take up space and weight. The propane and gas cannot be transported by moving companies. Use them up or give them away to your neighbors. Invite all your friends over for a moving party. Get creative with your kitchen pantry, layout your spread of delicious “whatever” and nosh down. Then have a cleaning jam session after the food to burn off the calories and use up those cleaning supplies! Give away the rest, I mean who doesn’t love free stuff!!??
Boxes!
Investing in good sturdy boxes is essential to an organized move. They are made to protect your fragile household items and come in a variety of sizes making them easier to pack, seal, label and stack. Your movers will love you for thinking of them and their backs!
Moving File
While you are cleaning, organizing and disposing, gather all your important paper documents you will need during and after the move. Things like birth certificates, social security cards, medical and dental records, bank records, any paperwork you may need first when you arrive at your new digs. Put all these items in a file and keep it with you during your move. No ripping boxes open in a frantic panic to find that document, you got it covered!
See, as I said before, you got this! So go ahead, dig in and “git’er done”. You are moving forward.
[Norma Watson has been a member of the Two Men and a Truck family since April 2013. She has learned the tricks of the trade by helping hundreds of customers book their moves. Her tips will not only help you stay calm when packing up your home, but help you eliminate excessive clutter and start fresh at your new place.]
10 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before You Hire Them
Moving can be a stressful time for everyone. Choosing movers can either make or break your move. Here are 10 things you should ask the moving company before choosing them.
1. How am I billed and what’s included?
TMT: We charge port to port with an hourly moving rate. This includes the use of the 26 foot box truck, the two uniformed movers, shrink wrap, furniture/floor pads and a non deductible insurance on your possessions.
2. Are there any other fees?
TMT: There is a one time fuel charge fee.
3. Do you sell boxes and packing supplies?
TMT: We certainly do. We will even bring the boxes to your home/business ahead of time for free. Then on the move day charge you for whatever boxes you use and take back the rest with us. We have many different types of boxes to make your moving easier. Ask about our dish packs and wardrobe boxes.
4. Is there a cancellation fee or penalty for changing my moving date?
TMT: Nope. You may reserve a date on the schedule free of charge and there is no penalty for changing or cancelling. We know how tricky it can be booking a move with all the other variables. However, try to give us at least 24 hours notice. This allows us to give other customers the opportunity to fill the time slot.
5. When is payment expected?
TMT: Payment is expected when the move is completed.
6. What type of payment do you accept?
TMT: Cash, check and all major credit cards.
7. How long do you anticipate the job to take?
TMT: When you call us to book a job we can give you a fairly accurate quote right over the phone. By providing the addresses you are moving to and from, along with a detailed list of items we can estimate how many hours the move will take. Keep in mind, you only pay the time it takes to move broken into 15 minute increments. We often tell customers, overestimate the number of boxes and if there are items you think you will move, but we might end up moving them, put them on the list. In the end we rather quote you higher than what it actually takes – we don’t want to give you any surprises.
8. Do different days have different rates?
TMT: Yes, Monday through Thursday are our best rates. Friday and Saturday the rate is higher and Sunday it increases again.
9. How will you move my possessions safely?
TMT: Every mover and driver at Two Men and a Truck goes through an extensive training process. We never hire any day laborers or use temp agencies. We have something we call the “Grandma Rule” and try to treat everyone like we would our own grandma. Shrink wrapping and properly padding the items in the truck are the necessary precautions we take to prevent damages.
10. What happens if you damage my property and how long do I have to make a claim?
TMT: We do our best to treat your possessions like our own to prevent damages. Couches and furniture are wrapped and padded, glass is properly stored and flat screen televisions require being boxed. But every once and awhile a damage does happen.
Our drivers and movers will bring to your attention if a damage is noticed and will fill out the proper paper work. Also, before the movers leave it is a good idea to inspect everything and bring to the the drivers attention immediately. Once the paperwork is filed out, you can expect a phone call within the next 48 hours to discuss the course of action of getting your items repaired, replaced or reimbursed. The moving insurance has a 72 hour shelf life. Waiting to call in a damage can complicate the issue and delay corrective action.
For more information on moving, please give our office a call today at 863.646.6683.
Two Men and a Truck Tips & Tricks 