Here are examples of the thank you letters that we have received following our work days:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work each and every one of you did on our trails, barn, and play area.  We have been enjoying them already.  Ya'll are a great bunch of workers with HUGE hearts.  I was amazed at how much work got done and also at how many different skills and talents your group had among you.  I had so much fun working with you all.  It was a day that will stand out in my memory forever.”

Karen Davis
Co-Director, Heads Up! Therapeutic Riding Center
2/5/2005

“What a SWOOP!  I keep doing double takes!  I can’t believe what a difference you’ve all made here!  Thanks so much for your drive and steam.  I’m so proud of women!  I hope you’ll get to see it next spring when all the azaleas you planted start blooming, too!  We need to send you a picture.  Thanks for lifting our spirits and making our house and offices more inviting for the many families and individuals who come through our doors.  How important that this is a place that feels good to them.  Thanks for sharing your time!  I know it’s precious.”

Jane
Staff member, Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services
12/4/2004

“We especially appreciate the services of SWOOP—Hayes Place is more cheerful and more inviting since your visit.  The effects of this new atmosphere will be felt for years to come.”

Carletta Lawson
Executive Director, Hayes Place
2/10/04

“We are so very grateful for your ongoing support.  The labor you provide helps CASA stretch its resources since we only ask tenants to pay 30% of their income towards rent.  This usually means about $100.  And as you can imagine, you can't maintain a house each month on $100.  So your work clearly makes a difference - it helps to house a person that in many cases, has been without a home prior to living in CASA housing.  Many thanks.

P. S. During the week, I read this quote – ‘our religion is what you do when the sermon is over.’  It made me think of SWOOP.”

Debra King
Director, CASA
10/19/03

“IHN has been covered by your care and concern that we experienced tangibly through: your thoughtful planning, your calm energy, your skillful labor, your cheerful camaraderie, your educated guidance, your professional courtesy, and, as a few SWOOPers finish up some final details even as I write, your dedicated integrity. MasterCard should make a commercial based on SWOOP.  It might go something like this....hourly wage for a painter:  $75; bill at Home Depot:  $200; value of volunteer hours:  $5,000; being SWOOPed:  priceless!  You have given IHN the gift of being able to provide a haven for parents and children who are often castaways.  And now, staff, guests, and volunteers alike, we are cast together in a lovely place that we can call home.  I am deeply grateful, and IHN is forever indebted, for your outrageous project.”

Laura Benson
Executive Director, Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network
9/11/03

“Trimming back the bushes and cleaning up the brush and ivy was a task that Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services has needed for a long time.  The project came at a great time, especially given the ice storm, which increased the need to get our yard in shape.  Keeping your commitment and coming out to our agency so soon after the storm really demonstrates the tremendous dedication of SWOOP.”

Andrea Galeucia
Volunteer Coordinator, Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services
12/18/02

 “I know I was supposed to be inside most of the time, but it was so powerful being among all of you.  There’s truly something about women working and laughing.  I felt like part of this group and the experience was very healing for me.”

Melissa
Homeowner, Raleigh, NC
2/7/01

“SWOOP IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT SHOULD STAY AROUND FOREVER AND IS VERY NEEDED.  THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!! KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL WORK!!!

Laura
Homeowner, Mebane, NC
3/4/00

“Many thanks to all of you for coming to our town to help our new friends in their time of need. They appreciate your help—we appreciate your time, talents, and generous hearts. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Tara Williams
Coordinator, Nashville, NC Hurricane Floyd Clean up
December 1999 & January 2000

“One of the hardest facts to understand is that when children evolve developmentally within traumatic situations (like homelessness), they quickly change from kids to adults as not only a defense mechanism, but in order to survive.  With your tenacity in the construction of our play area, we can now combat this symptom by ‘teaching’ the children to be kids, to enjoy play, and to understand that it is okay to laugh, even in the face of adversity.

Kimberly A. Clifford
Executive Director, Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network
December 1998 & January 1999

“Your contributions have enabled us to utilize more of our time and monies in services with persons living with HIV/AIDS across the Triangle, rather than for office furniture and renovation costs.”

Olivia J. Shaw, Chair
Board of Directors, Triangle AIDS Interfaith Network
5/6/98

“It is a rare occurrence to be the recipient of the kind of volunteerism SWOOP offers.”

Sarah & Tilda
Homeowners, Chapel Hill, NC
1/98

“The reason I chose this card is because as hard as you each worked--you each had such a ‘pleasing’ expression on your faces that no one could doubt this was coming from your hearts.  You’ll never know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me.”

Lissie
Homeowner, Zebulon, NC
10/20/97

“Your group has brought much pleasure into the lives of our residents.  Most have commented on how nice everything looks.  We have tried very hard over the past couple of years to improve the appearance of the house, but the house is large and the needs are many.  SWOOP helped us get much closer to attaining our goals.”

Beth Greb, Vice President
Board of Directors, Community Group Houses, Inc.
6/27/1997

“One of the most important aspects of your SWOOPing us is the hope that it gives us.  We went from a feeling of delight at the beauty of our everyday surroundings to a sense of living in a disaster area, and it’s been hard to get on top of that.  But now it is really beginning to feel much more manageable, and we are truly grateful.”

Judy & Carmen
Homeowners
2/14/97