All posts by Karen Zappavigna-Hoogland

Helping Our Heroes: Past & Present

Articles, News, Service Projects, , , , , ,

As the days of May become warmer, we are all getting ready for Memorial Day.Take advantage of this special offer by HAYS Cleaning and also consider supporting our service men and women by contributing to care packages. HAYS Cleaning, with the help of local businesses and individuals, sent 15 boxes to the troops overseas last December. We hope to send another shipment this July.

 

May 16, 2012 – HAYS Cleaning, Inc. is pleased to announce the “Helping Our Heroes” Past and Present Special! This event honors Memorial Day, and the many Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces, as well as recognizing Independence Day and the men and women who continue to protect our freedoms today.

In recognition of Memorial Day, HAYS Cleaning will provide a complimentary residential cleaning for Veterans of the United States Military, spouses of active servicemen and parents of veterans or servicemen. This complimentary service will include up to three (3) hours of residential housecleaning.

To take advantage of this offer, please contact HAYS Cleaning by calling 708-598-3819 or emailing mary@hayscleaning.com. Call or email by June 8, 2012, to schedule your appointment for services within 30 days. Veteran or current Military Identification must be provided in order to receive the complimentary cleaning. Limit one complimentary cleaning per household. Offer valid for new and existing residential customers. (Service to locations outside of our normal service area may be required to purchase additional service hours.)

In recognition of Independence Day, HAYS Cleaning will also be collecting Care Package items for Soldiers stationed overseas who continue to protect our freedoms. Items may be dropped off at Roberts Road Bible Church, 8419 S. Roberts Road, Justice, IL 60458, Monday-Saturday, 10am-2pm, from now through July 4, 2012. HAYS Cleaning will be sponsoring the shipment of the items to military locations. Monetary donations for the care packages may be sent to HAYS Cleaning or Roberts Road Bible Church; please make your check payble to “HAYS Cleaning, Inc.” and label your donation “Care Packages for Soldiers.”

Supporters will be listed on the “Helping Our Heroes” website, sponsored by HAYS Cleaning, at http://www.helping-our-heroes.com.

Roberts Road Bible Church is a “Light House,” located at 8419 S. Roberts Road, Justice, IL 60458. People from various backgrounds come here to be touched by the “Hero’s Hand.” For more information on the church, please call 708-598-2330 or visit http://www.rrbchurch.org.

HAYS Cleaning Inc. was established in 1979 and has grown from a hobby of owner/operator Mary James. The people at HAYS Cleaning want to make a difference, not just do a job! We believe liking what you do for “a living” delivers results our clients see and value.

HAYS Cleaning, Inc. is located at 9428 S. 78th Ct., #3, Hickory Hills, IL 60457. For more information on the “Helping Our Heroes” offer or the Care Packages, please call 708-598-3819, visit www.hayscleaning.com or email mary@hayscleaning.com.

In Remembrance of Marine Cpl. Conner Lowry

News, Prayers for our Troops

HAYS Cleaning was just traveling west down 99th Street, through the Beverly neighborhood. We were admiring the abundant community support of our fallen Marine Cpl. Conner Lowry with Red,White and Blue displays in many, many yards and lining the streets. To the Family of Cpl. Lowry, We lift you in prayer.

 

 

Cpl. Lowey was killed on March 1, 2012, in Afghanistan. Visit the Facebook page for Cpl. Lowry here: https://www.facebook.com/ripcorporallowry

The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass;
He hoped his shoes were shining bright,
Just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?”

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t;
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough;
I’ve had to break your rules my Lord,
Because the world is awfully tough.

But, I never took a thing
That wasn’t mine to keep;
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear;
And sometimes … God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here;
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand;
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints often trod;
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well;
Come walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in HELL!”
~ Author: Sgt.Joshua Helterbran ~

Prayer Request For One Of Our Helpers

News, Prayer Request

Pastor Billy Dammala

Please keep Pastor Billy Dammala, from Roberts Road Bible Church, in Justice, Illinois, in your prayers. On February 27, Pastor Billy suffered from a stroke. He is now recovering in a rehabilitation center.

Pastor Billy helped with the Soldier Care Package Project this past December. His generous gift of time helped make the program successful.

Have mercy, O loving God, upon all who have suffered a stroke.
Remove the sudden fear that befalls them. Endow them with courage in the struggle to recover what has been lost. Grant them strength and hope to envision new days ahead and a spirit of faith to take the risk of living fully once again. Amen.

When a Helper Becomes a Hero

Articles, Service Projects

I picked up the Southtown Star Newspaper today and the cover story was about Eugene Twardy, a World War 2 veteran. Mr. Twardy is 85 years old. At the end of many months, he struggles to make ends meet, often having to choose between buying food and medicine. On many of these months, he asks for donations at the very busy intersection of Pulaski Road and 63rd Street, in Chicago.

As I continued to read the story, I learned that through the years Eugene and his wife, Elaine, raised several children. He worked for most of his life, he earned two Master’s degrees and he came into hard times financially mainly due to medical issues experienced by both he and his wife.

Reading further, I discovered that a Good Samaritan, Edward Sajdak, stopped last fall to give the veteran $10. It seems the two have since struck up a friendship of sorts, with Eugene referring to Edward as his “Santa.”

I admire Eugene for wanting to maintain his independence. I am saddened, however, that a veteran, a man who worked hard his whole life, has to resort to begging for donations to make ends meet. He should not have to choose between food and medicine, nor should he have to beg for money to close that $200 gap at the end of the month.

May God bless Mr. Sajdak, and all of the other folks who take the time to help our veterans. One person can make a difference.

One further note: The article mentioned Mr. Sajdak is a Cook County Deputy Sheriff; turns out he is also my husband’s chief at the Criminal Court House. For those who often have a dim view of our law enforcement professionals, stories like this one about one man helping another prove that anyone can be a hero.

~Karen

Do you know someone else who has helped one of our heroes? Send us your story by filling out the form on the “Contact Us” page!

Read the full article here: http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/10049605-522/wwii-vet-holds-tight-to-his-freedom-even-if-it-means-begging-to-get-by.html

New Year, New Projects

Uncategorized

Last year, HAYS Cleaning, Inc, along with many other local businesses, churches and individuals, helped many of our veterans and service men and women by providing complimentary  house cleanings and by collecting goods to send to the troops.

This new year brings with it the promise of new service projects to benefit our veterans and troops. A collection is being planned for late spring, so that good may be shipping to the troops for Independence Day – sort of a “Christmas in July.”

Check back for more details or visit the HAYS Cleaning Facebook page for regular updates.

The Donations Were Shipped!

News, Service Projects

Often, I hear people say, “God is good.”  Another phrase I hear quite a bit is “Many hands make light the work.”

Both of those phrases are so true and I could see Him working through the many supporters who graciously donated goods, money and time to collect, pack and ship items to our troops overseas.

Many thanks to this fine crew for packing the boxes!

I am please to announce that HAYS Cleaning was able to ship out 15 boxes of goods to our troops this past Monday. The soldiers will be receiving a variety of items: snack foods, socks, Bibles, books, games, cigarettes, harmonica’s, kazoos, candy, snack crackers and more. Along with all of the material items, good thoughts and prayers were stashed inside each box, wishing our servicemen and women a Merry Christmas and a safe return home.

May God bless everyone who participated in this program to make it so successful!

For more photos from this project, visit the Care Package Collection Fall 2011 Gallery page.

Generosity in Abundance

Articles, News, Service Projects

During this week leading up to Thanksgiving, we have experienced the generous and giving nature of folks firsthand!

The Helping Our Heroes program has been blessed with a generous donation by Ann and Jim McLelland, of the Mack Companies.

We have also received support from the Family Christian store, in Hodgkins, Illinois; they have placed a box for collecting items for our soldier care package program.

HAYS Cleaning is collecting items for soldier care packages through November 30, 2011.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month…

Articles
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.”
From The History Channel

 

Thank you to the men and women who have faithfully served the United States of America in our Military.

Veterans Day Special!

News

Happy November! In just ten days, we will be celebrating Veterans Day. Take advantage of the special offer by HAYS Cleaning and also consider supporting our current military men and women by contributing to care packages.

HELPING OUR HEROES: VETERANS DAY SPECIAL
Download a PDF of the Veterans Day Special here!

November 1, 2011 – HAYS Cleaning, Inc. is pleased to announce the “Helping Our Heroes” Veterans Day Special! HAYS Cleaning will provide a complimentary residential cleaning for Veterans of the United States Military, spouses of active servicemen and parents of veterans or servicemen. This complimentary service will include up to three (3) hours of residential housecleaning.

To take advantage of this offer, please contact HAYS Cleaning by calling 708-598-3819 or emailing mary@hayscleaning.com. Call or email by November 30, 2011, to schedule your appointment for services within 30 days. Veteran or current Military Identification must be provided in order to receive the complimentary cleaning. Limit one complimentary cleaning per household. Offer valid for new and existing residential customers. (Service to locations outside of our normal service area may be required to purchase additional service hours.)

HAYS Cleaning will also be collecting Care Package items for Soldiers stationed overseas. Items may be dropped off at Roberts Road Bible Church, 8419 S. Roberts Road, Justice, IL 60458, Monday-Saturday, 10am-2pm, from now through November 20, 2011. HAYS Cleaning will be sponsoring the shipment of the items to military locations. See http://hayscleaning.net/pdf/soldier_care_packages.pdf for requested items. Monetary donations for the care packages may be sent to HAYS Cleaning or Roberts Road Bible Church; please make your check payable to “HAYS Cleaning” and label your donation “Care Packages for Soldiers.” Supporters will be listed on the “Helping Our Heroes” website at http://www.helping-our-heroes.com; this website is sponsored by HAYS Cleaning, Inc.

A booklet with the Helping Our Heroes Veterans Day 2011 information may be downloaded from http://www.helping-our-heroes.com/pdf/Heroes_Veterans_Day_2011.pdf.

Roberts Road Bible Church is a “Light House,” located at 8419 S. Roberts Rd., Justice IL 60458. People from various backgrounds come here to be touched by the “Hero’s Hand.” For more information on the church, please call 708-598-2330 or visit http://www.rrbchurch.org.

HAYS Cleaning Inc. has been established for over 30 years and has grown from a hobby of owner/operator Mary James. The people at HAYS Cleaning want to make a difference, not just do a job! We believe liking what you do for “a living” delivers results our clients see and value.

HAYS Cleaning, Inc. is located at 9428 S. 78th Ct., #3, Hickory Hills, IL 60457. For more information on the “Helping Our Heroes” offer or the Care Packages, please call 708-598-3819, visit www.hayscleaning.com or email mary@hayscleaning.com.

 

Prayer for Our Men and Women in Military Service

Prayers for our Troops

Today, 13 more American Troops were killed in Afghanistan. As we pray for them, and their families, we would also like to pray for the rest of our troops overseas.

O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask Your protection for all out men and women in military service. Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion the rights of all who are imperiled by injustice and evil. Guard our churches, our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings and all those within from harm and peril. Protect our land and its peoples from enemies within and without. Grant an early peace with victory founded upon justice. Instill in the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen.